Retention of osteocytic micromorphology by sclerostin antibody in a concurrent ovariectomy and functional disuse model

Abstract

Prolonged mechanical unloading in bedridden patients and concurrent hormonal dysregulation represents the cause of one of the severest forms of osteoporosis, a condition for which there are very few efficacious interventions available to date. Sclerostin, a Wnt antagonist, acts as a negative regulator of bone formation. Sclerostin antibody (Scl‐Ab)–mediated blockade of sclerostin can dramatically enhance bone formation and reduce bone resorption. This study was designed to investigate the therapeutic effect of the Scl‐Ab on severe bone loss induced by concurrent mechanical unloading and estrogen deficiency in a hindlimb‐suspended and ovariectomized rat model, and to study the cellular mechanisms underlying severe osteoporosis and Scl‐Ab action. Unloading and ovariectomy resulted in severe loss of trabecular and cortical bone mass and strength; Scl‐Ab can significantly counteract the deterioration of bone in unloaded and/or ovariectomized rats, with noticeably increased cortical bone formation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed that unloading and ovariectomy lead to multiple morphological and structural abnormalities of osteocytes in cortical bone and the abnormalities were abolished by Scl‐Ab administration. This study extends our previous conclusion that Scl‐Ab represents a promising therapeutic approach for severe bone loss that occurs after being exposed to estrogen deficiency and prolonged mechanical unloading.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Jan 15, 2019
Source ID
10.1111/nyas.13991

Entities

People

  • Dongye Zhang
  • Hua Zhu Ke
  • Jiangmeng Han
  • Liangjun Lin
  • Mariana Miranda
  • Minyi Hu
  • Nancy Rojas
  • Shan He
  • Xiaodong Li
  • Xiaofei Li
  • Yi‐xian Qin
  • Yueli Sun

Organizations

  • Amgen
  • National Institutes of Health
  • Stony Brook University
  • UCB
  • United States Army Medical Research and Development Command

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Medicine

Readers

  • Immunology and Pathology
  • Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics of Materials.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics