Oxytocin is an anabolic bone hormone

We report that oxytocin (OT), a primitive neurohypophyseal hormone, hitherto thought solely to modulate lactation and social bonding, is a direct regulator of bone mass. Deletion of OT or the OT receptor (Oxtr) in male or female mice causes osteoporosis resulting from reduced bone formation. Consistent with low bone formation, OT stimulates the differentiation of osteoblasts to a mineralizing phenotype by causing the up-regulation of BMP-2, which in turn controls Schnurri-2 and 3, Osterix, and ATF-4 expression. In contrast, OT has dual effects on the osteoclast. It stimulates osteoclast formation both directly, by activating NF-κB and MAP kinase signaling, and indirectly through the up-regulation of RANK-L. On the other hand, OT inhibits bone resorption by mature osteoclasts by triggering cytosolic Ca2+ release and NO synthesis. Together, the complementary genetic and pharmacologic approaches reveal OT as a novel anabolic regulator of bone mass, with potential implications for osteoporosis therapy.

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Wnt7b Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis via AKT Activation and Glucose Metabolic Rewiring

Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ◽

10.3389/fcell.2021.771336 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Fanzi Wu ◽

Boer Li ◽

Xuchen Hu ◽

Fanyuan Yu ◽

Yu Shi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Marrow ◽

Bone Resorption ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Bone Fractures ◽

Inhibitory Effect ◽

Osteoclast Formation ◽

Osteoporosis Therapy ◽

Akt Activation

The imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption causes osteoporosis, which leads to severe bone fractures. It is known that increases in osteoclast numbers and activities are the main reasons for increasing bone resorption. Although extensive studies have investigated the regulation of osteoclastogenesis of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs), new pharmacological avenues still need to be unveiled for clinical purpose. Wnt ligands have been widely demonstrated as stimulators of bone formation; however, the inhibitory effect of the Wnt pathway in osteoclastogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that Wnt7b, a potent Wnt ligand that enhances bone formation and increases bone mass, also abolishes osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Importantly, enforced expression of Wnt in bone marrow macrophage lineage cells significantly disrupts osteoclast formation and activity, which leads to a dramatic increase in bone mass. Mechanistically, Wnt7b impacts the glucose metabolic process and AKT activation during osteoclastogenesis. Thus, we demonstrate that Wnt7b diminishes osteoclast formation, which will be beneficial for osteoporosis therapy in the future.

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The Development of Molecular Biology of Osteoporosis

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22158182 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (15) ◽

pp. 8182

Author(s):

Yongguang Gao ◽

Suryaji Patil ◽

Jingxian Jia

Keyword(s):

Bone Resorption ◽

Molecular Biology ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Bone Remodeling ◽

Bone Cells ◽

Cell Activity ◽

Bone Cell ◽

Bone Disorders ◽

Molecular Aspects

Osteoporosis is one of the major bone disorders that affects both women and men, and causes bone deterioration and bone strength. Bone remodeling maintains bone mass and mineral homeostasis through the balanced action of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are responsible for bone formation and bone resorption, respectively. The imbalance in bone remodeling is known to be the main cause of osteoporosis. The imbalance can be the result of the action of various molecules produced by one bone cell that acts on other bone cells and influence cell activity. The understanding of the effect of these molecules on bone can help identify new targets and therapeutics to prevent and treat bone disorders. In this article, we have focused on molecules that are produced by osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts and their mechanism of action on these cells. We have also summarized the different pharmacological osteoporosis treatments that target different molecular aspects of these bone cells to minimize osteoporosis.

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Network Pharmacology-Based Strategy for the Investigation of the Anti-Osteoporosis Effects and Underlying Mechanism of Zhuangguguanjie Formulation

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.727808 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Wang Gong ◽

Xingren Chen ◽

Tianshu Shi ◽

Xiaoyan Shao ◽

Xueying An ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Resorption ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Osteoclast Differentiation ◽

Enrichment Analysis ◽

Underlying Mechanism ◽

Network Pharmacology ◽

Biological Processes

As the society is aging, the increasing prevalence of osteoporosis has generated huge social and economic impact, while the drug therapy for osteoporosis is limited due to multiple targets involved in this disease. Zhuangguguanjie formulation (ZG) is extensively used in the clinical treatment of bone and joint diseases, but the underlying mechanism has not been fully described. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of ZG on postmenopausal osteoporosis. The ovariectomized (OVX) mice were treated with normal saline or ZG for 4 weeks after ovariectomy following a series of analyses. The bone mass density (BMD) and trabecular parameters were examined by micro-CT. Bone remodeling was evaluated by the bone histomorphometry analysis and ELISA assay of bone turnover biomarkers in serum. The possible drug–disease common targets were analyzed by network pharmacology. To predict the potential biological processes and related pathways, GO/KEGG enrichment analysis was performed. The effects of ZG on the differentiation phenotype of osteoclasts and osteoblasts and the predicted pathway were verified in vitro. The results showed that ZG significantly improved the bone mass and micro-trabecular architecture in OVX mice compared with untreated OVX mice. ZG could promote bone formation and inhibit bone resorption to ameliorate ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis as evidenced by increased number of osteoblast (N.Ob/Tb.Pm) and decreased number of osteoclast (N.Oc/Tb.Pm) in treated group compared with untreated OVX mice. After identifying potential drug–disease common targets by network pharmacology, GO enrichment analysis predicted that ZG might affect various biological processes including osteoblastic differentiation and osteoclast differentiation. The KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that PI3K/Akt and mTOR signaling pathways could be the possible pathways. Furthermore, the experiments in vitro validated our findings. ZG significantly down-regulated the expression of osteoclast differentiation markers, reduced osteoclastic resorption, and inhibited the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt, while ZG obviously up-regulated the expression of osteogenic biomarkers, promoted the formation of calcium nodules, and hampered the phosphorylation of 70S6K1/mTOR, which can be reversed by the corresponding pathway activator. Thus, our study suggested that ZG could inhibit the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to reduce osteoclastic bone resorption as well as hamper the mTORC1/S6K1 signaling pathway to promote osteoblastic bone formation.

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Mechanisms of bone destruction in multiple myeloma: the importance of an unbalanced process in determining the severity of lytic bone disease.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.1989.7.12.1909 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 1909-1914 ◽

Cited By ~ 166

Author(s):

R Bataille ◽

D Chappard ◽

C Marcelli ◽

P Dessauw ◽

J Sany ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Bone Resorption ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Bone Remodeling ◽

Cell Mass ◽

Bone Destruction ◽

Myeloma Cell ◽

Bone Lesions ◽

Mass Reduction

In order to clarify the mechanisms involved in the occurrence of lytic bone lesions (BL) in multiple myeloma (MM), we have compared the presenting myeloma-induced histological bone changes of 14 previously untreated MM patients with lytic BL with those of seven MM patients lacking lytic BL at presentation despite similar myeloma cell mass. A major unbalanced bone remodeling (increased bone resorption with normal to low bone formation) was the characteristic feature of patients presenting lytic BL. Furthermore, this unbalanced process was associated with a significant reduction of bone mass. Unexpectedly, a balanced bone remodeling (increase of both bone resorption and bone formation, without bone mass reduction) rather than a true lack of an excessive bone resorption was the usual feature of patients lacking lytic BL. Our current work clearly shows that a majority (72%) of patients with MM present an important unbalanced bone remodeling at diagnosis, leading to bone mass reduction and bone destruction (unbalanced MM). Some patients (20%) retain a balanced bone remodeling with initial absence of bone destruction (balanced MM). Few (8%) patients have pure osteoblastic MM without bone destruction.

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Porcupine inhibitors impair trabecular and cortical bone mass and strength in mice

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1530/joe-18-0153 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 238 (1) ◽

pp. 13-23 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Thomas Funck-Brentano ◽

Karin H Nilsson ◽

Robert Brommage ◽

Petra Henning ◽

Ulf H Lerner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Resorption ◽

Bone Loss ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Bone Mass ◽

Trabecular Bone ◽

Cortical Bone ◽

Bone Strength ◽

Bending Test ◽

Bone Homeostasis ◽

Mineral Density

WNT signaling is involved in the tumorigenesis of various cancers and regulates bone homeostasis. Palmitoleoylation of WNTs by Porcupine is required for WNT activity. Porcupine inhibitors are under development for cancer therapy. As the possible side effects of Porcupine inhibitors on bone health are unknown, we determined their effects on bone mass and strength. Twelve-week-old C57BL/6N female mice were treated by the Porcupine inhibitors LGK974 (low dose = 3 mg/kg/day; high dose = 6 mg/kg/day) or Wnt-C59 (10 mg/kg/day) or vehicle for 3 weeks. Bone parameters were assessed by serum biomarkers, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, µCT and histomorphometry. Bone strength was measured by the 3-point bending test. The Porcupine inhibitors were well tolerated demonstrated by normal body weight. Both doses of LGK974 and Wnt-C59 reduced total body bone mineral density compared with vehicle treatment (P < 0.001). Cortical thickness of the femur shaft (P < 0.001) and trabecular bone volume fraction in the vertebral body (P < 0.001) were reduced by treatment with LGK974 or Wnt-C59. Porcupine inhibition reduced bone strength in the tibia (P < 0.05). The cortical bone loss was the result of impaired periosteal bone formation and increased endocortical bone resorption and the trabecular bone loss was caused by reduced trabecular bone formation and increased bone resorption. Porcupine inhibitors exert deleterious effects on bone mass and strength caused by a combination of reduced bone formation and increased bone resorption. We suggest that cancer targeted therapies using Porcupine inhibitors may increase the risk of fractures.

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