Matthew J. Hilton, Ph.D.

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Most of the bones in the vertebrate skeleton arise from a cartilage template during embryogenesis. This process, known as endochondral ossification, begins with the differentiation of condensed mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into chondroprogenitors (immature cartilage cells) and osteoprogenitors (immature bone cells). Both the chondroprogenitor and osteoprogenitor cells undergo a coupled proliferation and differentiation program ultimately leading to the formation of mature cartilage and bone. Various genetic studies have demonstrated that Ihh, Pthrp, BMPs, FGFs, and canonical Wnt signaling pathways are required at multiple stages of normal cartilage and bone development. Deregulation of these signaling circuits during development are a primary cause for a variety of skeletal dysplasias, as well as, age related cartilage and bone pathologies.

A long-term interest of the Hilton lab is to uncover the molecular circuitry regulating lineage commitment, proliferation, and differentiation of MSCs and maturing chondrocytes. My laboratory uses genetic mouse models and primary cell culture techniques coupled with biochemistry to answer questions regarding MSC self-renewal/differentiation, chondrogenesis, and chondrocyte maturation. Recently my lab has generated novel data from a variety of Notch gain and loss-of-function mutant mice demonstrating that Notch signaling pathway suppresses MSC differentiation and plays critical roles in regulating chondrogenesis and chondrocyte maturation. We are currently investigating the exact Notch signaling mechanisms regulating both early and late stages of these processes, as well as, determining how Notch components interact with other known signaling pathways during cartilage development and maintenance. These studies are also being extended to aid in our mechanistic understanding of both fracture repair and osteoarthritis.

Finally, the Hilton lab is continuing to investigate the molecular mechanisms responsible for a developmental bone and cartilage disorder known as Multiple Hereditary Exostoses (MHE). MHE is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutations in either the Ext1 or Ext2 genes, subunits of the heparan sulphate co-polymerase complex. Affected individuals are diagnosed with cartilaginous bony outgrowths (exostoses) adjacent to the growth plates of endochondral bones, bowing of some bones, and short stature. Although previous studies have shown that defects in Ext1 and Ext2 lead to reduced synthesis and shortened heparan sulphate chains on cell surface proteoglycans, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying this skeletal disease are still unknown. My lab is currently examining various Ext1 conditional mutant mouse models to determine the precise cell lineage and cause of exostosis formation. Additional genetic studies are also aimed at determining the effect that loss of Ext1 function has on specific signaling pathways important during chondrocyte and osteoblast development.

Current Appointments

• Assistant Professor - Department of Orthopaedics, Center for Musculoskeletal Research (SMD)

Lab Description

The Center for Musculoskeletal Research houses nearly 70 MD and PhD researchers and graduate and post-doctoral students. This team has been the top orthopaedics lab in the United States since 2006.

Lab Website

http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/ortho/research/index.cfm