Depletion of primary cilia in articular chondrocytes results in reduced Gli3 repressor to activator ratio, increased Hedgehog signaling, and symptoms of early osteoarthritis

Our results indicate that primary cilia are required for normal development and maintenance of articular cartilage. It was shown that primary cilia are required for processing full length Gli3 to the truncated repressor form. We propose that OA symptoms in Col2aCre;Ift88fl/fl cartilage are due to reduced Hh signal repression by Gli3.