Estrogen receptor et in osteocytes regulates trabecular bone formation in female mice
BONE
Authors: Kondoh, Shino; Inoue, Kazuki; Igarashi, Katsuhide; Sugizaki, Hiroe; Shirode-Fukuda, Yuko; Inoue, Erina; Yu, Taiyong; Takeuchi, Jun K.; Kanno, Jun; Bonewald, Lynda F.; Imai, Yuuki
Abstract
Estrogens are well known steroid hormones necessary to maintain bone health. In addition, mechanical loading, in which estrogen signaling may intersect with the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway, is essential for bone maintenance. As osteocytes are known as the major mechanosensory cells embedded in mineralized bone matrix, osteocyte ER alpha deletion mice (ER alpha(Delta Ocy/Delta Ocy)) were generated by mating ERa floxed mice with Dmp1-Cre mice to determine the role of ER alpha in osteocytes. Trabecular bone mineral density of female, but not male ER alpha(Delta Ocy/Delta Ocy) mice was significantly decreased. Bone formation parameters in ER alpha(Delta Ocy/Delta Ocy) were significantly decreased while osteoclast parameters were unchanged. This suggests that ERot in osteocytes exerts osteoprotective function by positively controlling bone formation. To identify potential targets of ER alpha, gene array analysis of Dmp1-GFP osteocytes sorted by FACS from ER alpha(Delta Ocy/Delta Ocy) and control mice was performed. Gene expression microarray followed by gene ontology analyses revealed that osteocytes from ER alpha(Delta Ocy/Delta Ocy) highly expressed genes categorized in 'Secreted' when compared to control osteocytes. Among them, expression of Mdk and Sostdc1, both of which are Wnt inhibitors, was significantly increased without alteration of expression of the mature osteocyte markers such as Sost and beta-catenin. Moreover, hindlimb suspension experiments showed that trabecular bone loss due to unloading was greater in ER alpha(Delta Ocy/Delta Ocy) mice without cortical bone loss. These data suggest that ERot in osteocytes has osteoprotective functions in trabecular bone formation through regulating expression of Wnt antagonists, but conversely plays a negative role in cortical bone loss due to unloading. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Gamma-Radiation-Induced Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Downregulation of WFS1, Nectin 3, and Sostdc1 Gene Expression in Mice Hippocampus
BASIC AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE
Authors: Langhnoja, Jaldeep; Mustak, Mohammed
Abstract
Introduction: Neurogenesis mainly occurs in the hippocampus that is sensitive to radiation. More histological changes are reported at higher doses of radiation, while low dose radiation causes cognitive dysfunction in adult mammals. In the present study, we tried to correlate the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) stress-mediated hippocampus dysfunction after whole-body gamma radiation of mice. Methods: Mice were exposed to a series of gamma radiations, followed by isolation of hippocampus. To elucidate the gene expression profile, qPCR was performed for ER stress markers CHOP, BiP, and hippocampal specific genes WFS1, Nectin 3, and Sostdc 1 on the isolated hippocampus. Expression of CHOP and ERK1/2 were analyzed by western blot on exposure to gamma radiation. Results: qPCR results showed a significant increase in the expression of ER stress-specific genes CHOP, BiP, and decrease in hippocampal specific genes WFS1, Nectin3, and Sostdc1. Westem blot study suggests a significant increase in ER stress proteins like CHOP and ERK1/2 expression. Conclusion: Exposure to gamma radiation significantly increased the expression of ER-stress genes, suggesting that ER stress plays a major role in inducing radiation mediated dysfunction of the hippocampus. Also, significant downregulation of WFS1, Nectin3, and Sostdc1 genes suggests radiation mediated effect of hippocampal CA 1, CA 2, and CA 3 regions. A further significant increase of ERK1/2 shows involvement of the ERK pathway in mediating radiation-induced ER stress dysfunction in mice hippocampus. The present findings may lead to the identification of ER stress as a new marker to study radiation-induced neurodegenerative disorder.