Bone Abstracts

The osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), primarily described as a co-stimulatory regulator of osteoclast differentiation, represents a novel link between bone metabolism and vascular biology. Previously, we identified OSCAR on endothelial cells responding to the proatherogenic factor oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL). Additionally, OSCAR expression was increased in the aorta of atherogenic apoE-knock-out (apoE-KO) mice, where it was further induced by feeding a high-...

Owing to their anti-inflammatory effects, steroid therapy using glucocorticoids (GCs) is still part of the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), despite several severe side effects like glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIO). Until now the molecular mechanisms underlying the beneficial and side effects of GC therapy are poorly understood. GCs exert their actions via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) that alters gene expression by either binding as a dimer to GC response el...

In light of prolonged life expectancy, the need for biomaterials that govern bone regeneration increases. Improved bone regeneration and osseointegration can be achieved by funtionalizing implant materials. The extracellular matrix (ECM) affects differentiation of bone cells and is critical for bone regeneration. Here we assessed the role of the natural occurring bone ECM glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) hyaluronan (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS), and their sulfated derivatives, on...

Diabetes mellitus results in increased skeletal fragility through reduced bone mineral density and altered collagen structure. How these changes affect bone mechanics at the tissue level remains largely unclear. Anti-osteoporosis medications improve bone mass, but whether they can fully restore tissue strength in diabetic bone, where collagen quality is compromised, has not been fully elucidated. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of type 2 diabetes mellit...

Mutations in the C-propeptide cleavage site of both COL1A1 and COL1A2 cause dominant high bone mass (HBM) osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), characterized by bone hypermineralization. To elucidate the role of C-propeptide processing in bone formation, we generated heterozygous HBM mice in which both residues of the COL1A1 cleavage site were mutated to prevent cleavage by BMP1. HBM mice are smaller than WT in both weight and length and have extremely brittle bones....

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Glucocorticoids (GCs) are widely used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid (RA) and lead to multiple side effects including glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis (GIO). Our work challenges the dogma that transrepression of pro-inflammatory genes by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is solely responsible for reducing inflammation, whereas transactivation of genes is causing side effects.Using conditional and function selective mutant mic...

The c-Myb transcription factor is associated with proliferation of undifferentiated cells in number of tissues, but recent data suggests its role also in differentiation. c-Myb is important in formation of the cartilage, bone and apparently also in hard tissue mineralization (Matalova et al. 2011).Embryonic micromasses were established from mouse front limbs at the embryonic day E12. Micromass cultures represent an effective tool for experimenta...

Introduction: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by bone fragility. OI type V, with autosomal dominant inheritance, is characterized by ossification of the forearm interosseus membrane, radiodense metaphyseal bands, propensity for hyperplastic callus formation, and mesh-like lamellation on bone histology. Type V OI probands are reported to have white sclerae and normal teeth. Recent reports identified the cause of type V OI as a ...

Background: The incidence and prevalence of gout have markedly increased over the last few decades in keeping with the rise in prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome. The management of gout in patients with associated metabolic syndrome and comorbid illnesses such as renal impairment was difficult because of limited treatment options. Recent efficacy and safety data favour lower over higher doses of colchicine, and oral corticosteroids over non-steroidal anti-inflammator...