Abstract

Fibronectin (FN) is an extracellular matrix glycoprotein essential for the development and function of major vertebrate organ systems. Mutations in FN result in an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia termed corner fracture-type spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (SMDCF). The precise pathomechanisms through which mutant FN induces impaired skeletal development remain elusive. Here, we have generated patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells as a cell culture model for SMDCF to investigate the consequences of FN mutations on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their differentiation into cartilage-producing chondrocytes. In line with our previous data, FN mutations disrupted protein secretion from MSCs, causing a notable increase in intracellular FN and a significant decrease in extracellular FN levels. Analyses of plasma samples from SMDCF patients also showed reduced FN in circulation. FN and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein folding chaperones (BIP, HSP47) accumulated in MSCs within ribosome-covered cytosolic vesicles that emerged from the ER and transitioned into lysosomes. Massive amounts of these vesicles were not cleared from the cytosol. The accumulation of intracellular FN and ER proteins elevated cellular stress markers and altered mitochondrial structure. Bulk RNA sequencing revealed a specific transcriptomic dysregulation of the patient-derived cells relative to controls. Analysis of MSC differentiation into chondrocytes showed impaired mesenchymal condensation, reduced chondrogenic markers, and compromised cell proliferation in mutant cells. FN mutant cells also displayed altered FN splice variants under chondrogenic stimuli. Moreover, FN mutant cells exhibited significantly lower transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF{beta}1) expression, crucial for mesenchymal condensation. Exogenous FN or TGF{beta}1 supplementation effectively improved the MSC condensation and promoted chondrogenesis in FN mutant cells. These findings demonstrate the cellular consequences of FN mutations in SMDCF and explain the molecular pathways involved in the associated altered chondrogenesis. Significance /Highlights* SMDCF-causing mutations in fibronectin impair protein secretion in iPSC-derived mesenchymal stem cells. * Mutant fibronectin and ER protein folding chaperones are directly exported from the rough endoplasmic reticulum into vesicles covered with ribosomes, which transition into lysosomes. * The cells cannot clear the massive accumulation of cytosolic vesicles. * Mutations in fibronectin impair stem cell proliferation, mesenchymal condensation, and the differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes. * Exogenous addition of purified fibronectin or TGF{beta}-1 improves mesenchymal condensation and chondrogenesis of the FN mutant stem cells.