Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by bone resorption in excess of bone formation. The osteoclast is the sole bone resorbing cell and therefore provides an important avenue for novel therapeutic development. The mature osteoclast is derived from the monocyte/macrophage lineage and requires proper differentiation and cell polarization for its function, both of which are downstream of signaling through the cytokine receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL). One potential mediator of RANKL-induced osteoclast function is the atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) sub-family, composed of PKC;and PKC6. The role of these molecules in the osteoclast has not been elucidated, but preliminary data suggests that they may be important for osteoclast function. Specifically, our lab has found that RANKL can induce phosphorylation of the aPKCs and their association with an active polarization complex composed of Par-3, Par-6, and the aPKCs. It is also possible that these molecules may be important for the differentiation of the osteoclast. Therefore, we propose to study the role of the aPKCs in osteoclast differentiation and function (Specific Aim #1) by utilizing several mouse strains lacking the aPKCs alone or in combination. We will determine the effect of aPKC deletion on osteoclastogenesis in vitro (Sub-aim A) and on osteoclast function (Sub-aim B) using several different parameters (actin ring visualization, cathepsin K localization, media CTx release, and bone pit formation). Then, we will generate mutants of the aPKCs which we will retrovirally transduce into osteoclasts lacking the appropriate gene, allowing us to perform structure/function analysis of these molecules(Sub-aim C). Finally, we will examine the in vivo phenotype of mice lacking the aPKCs (using histomorphometry and micro-CT) to determine their role in skeletal homeostasis or pathological bone loss (Specific Aim #2). Overall, we will determine the role of the aPKCs in osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro and in vivo.

Public Health Relevance

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disease characterized by excess bone resorption relative to bone formation, leading to decreased bone density and increased risk for fracture. We propose to study the mechanisms by which the osteoclast, the sole bone resorbing cell, functions. This will help provide the foundations for novel therapeutic development to treat osteoporosis.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Individual Predoctoral NRSA for M.D./Ph.D. Fellowships (ADAMHA) (F30)
Project #
5F30AG039896-02
Application #
8261169
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-F10B-S (20))
Program Officer
Williams, John
Project Start
2011-03-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$44,218
Indirect Cost
Name
Washington University
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
068552207
City
Saint Louis
State
MO
Country
United States
Zip Code
63130
Warren, Julia T; Zou, Wei; Decker, Corinne E et al. (2015) Correlating RANK ligand/RANK binding kinetics with osteoclast formation and function. J Cell Biochem 116:2476-83
Warren, Julia T; Nelson, Christopher A; Decker, Corinne E et al. (2014) Manipulation of receptor oligomerization as a strategy to inhibit signaling by TNF superfamily members. Sci Signal 7:ra80
Nelson, Christopher A; Warren, Julia T; Wang, Michael W-H et al. (2012) RANKL employs distinct binding modes to engage RANK and the osteoprotegerin decoy receptor. Structure 20:1971-82