Objective      To investigate the role of Osterix in spine development.       Methods      Osterix was knocked out by crossing 2.3 kb Collagen I Cre mice with Osterix Lox P +/+ mice. X-ray radiology

HE staining and Nissl staining were employed to observe the effect of Osterix knockout on spine development.       Results      Osterix knockout mice demonstrated short stature

wedged vertebrae

severe scoliosis and spinal stenosis at the thoracic and lumbar regions of spine. HE staining showed that the structure of growth plate

vertebral body and spinal canal were totally disorganized. Nissl staining revealed that the neurons in the spinal cord at the inflicted region were strikingly damaged.       Conclusion      Osterix plays an important role in spine development

and Osterix knockout leads to severe spinal deformities such as scoliosis.