MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF THE SKELETAL EFFECTS OF AGING AND ESTROGEN DEFICIENCY

Univ Of Arkansas For Med Scis, Little Rock AR

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Abstract

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are culprits of the adverse effects of both aging and estrogen deficiency on the skeleton, but it remains unclear whether and how aging and estrogen deficiency influence each other's negative impact on bone. ROS production is amplified in osteoblastic cells by the redox signaler p66[shc] To defend against increased ROS, FoxO transcription programs are acfivated. With increased ROS the generation of committed osteoblast precursors is restrained by diversion of B-catenin from Wnt/Tcf- to Fox mediated transcription. FoxOs also suppress osteoclast number and function. Loss of estrogen action in osteoclasts or osteoblasts increases ROS production and causes bone loss. It is hypothesized that the loss of cancellous bone results from increased osteoclastogenesis and decreased osteoclast apoptosis secondary to potentiation of RANKL-simulated NADPH/ROS signaling. The loss of cortical bone is caused by ROS-induced FoxO activation and attenuation of Wnt signaling and osteoblastogenesis. The contribution of ROS amplification by p66[shc] or ROS attenuation by FoxOs in osteoblasts and osteoclasts to skeletal homeostasis and its deregulation by aging will be investigated using mice in which ROS are decreased by deleting p66[shc] globally or overexpressing Fox03 in mature osteoblasts (expressing OCN), the entire osteoclast lineage (LysM), or mature osteoclasts (Cathepsin K). The role of ROS in the effects of estrogens on osteoblastic and osteoclastic cells and the contribution of the loss of estrogen action in these two cell types to skeletal involution will be studied, using the same mice as above as well as mice in which the ERo is deleted in Osterix (Osx) expressing osteoblast progenitors or the entire osteoclast lineage. In addition, the role of ROS and FoxO activation in the actions of estrogens will be investigated in vitro using sorted Osx cells from mice with and without ERa in this cell population; and effects of estrogens on RANKL-stimulated NADPH/ROS signaling in osteoclasts will be explored using bone marrow cultures of cells isolated from mice lacking p66[shc] or overexpressing Fox03 in osteoclasts. Lastly, the interplay among ERa, p66[shc] ROS, and FoxOs in the effects of estrogen deficiency on cortical bone will be investigated using mice in which ERa is deleted in Prxl cells; the ERa deletion in Prxl cells is combined with the global p66 deletion; FoxOI,3,4 are deleted in Osx cells; or the FoxOI,3,4 deletion is combined with the ERa deletion in Osx cells.