This Program Project grant application seeks to define the mechanisms of Pb toxicity in the skeleton. The investigators have evidence that the adverse effects of this heavy metal on bone and cartilage function contribute to diseases such as osteoporosis and hinder osteoporotic fracture healing. The Program Project is made up of four projects, two of which are cellular and molecular in nature, one is animal-based and one is clinical. Two cores are also proposed, an Administrative Core and a Histopathology Core. Project 1: Molecular mechanism of lead's effect on osteoclasts and osteoblasts; this project will examine how Pb influences the key regulatory genes controlling bone resorption and bone formation. Preliminary data have implicated osteoprotegrin (OPG), RANK ligand, and TRIP as the genes responsible. The project will have both in vitro and in vivo components. Project 2: Cellular and molecular effects of lead on chondrogenesis and cartilage differentiation; this research seeks to demonstrate that primordial regulators of chondrogenesis and cartilage differentiation; (i.e. the BMP's Indian hedgehog, PTHrP, etc.) are influenced in a complex way by Pb. Lead exposure leads to inappropriate skeletal development and predisposes affected individuals to osteoporosis. Project 3: Lead effects on skeletal stem cells and fracture healing; Project 3 will use an animal model to document that the findings in Project 1 and 2 are manifested in vivo. Additionally, this work will characterize the mechanism of the effect of Pb on hindering normal fracture healing. Project 4: Clinical diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to skeletal lead toxicity; this project extends the basic science investigations into a clinical trial. It seeks to determine if therapeutic approaches for osteoporosis are effective in Pb-containing skeletons and in controlling blood Pb levels. This Program Project will define novel molecular pathways to explain the adverse effects of Pb on bone and cartilage. The pathways will be examined and validated in animals, and ultimately the findings will be translated into clinical trials. This Program Project provides the opportunity to investigate the skeletal effects of Pb from """"""""the bench"""""""" to the """"""""bedside"""""""". It is unique in this regard.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Type
Research Program Projects (P01)
Project #
5P01ES011854-03
Application #
6784168
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZES1-EBJ-D (EP))
Program Officer
Kirshner, Annette G
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2006-07-31
Budget Start
2004-08-01
Budget End
2005-07-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$972,788
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Orthopedics
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
041294109
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
Beier, Eric E; Holz, Jonathan D; Sheu, Tzong-Jen et al. (2016) Elevated Lifetime Lead Exposure Impedes Osteoclast Activity and Produces an Increase in Bone Mass in Adolescent Mice. Toxicol Sci 149:277-88
Shu, Lei; Beier, Eric; Sheu, Tzong et al. (2015) High-fat diet causes bone loss in young mice by promoting osteoclastogenesis through alteration of the bone marrow environment. Calcif Tissue Int 96:313-23
Beier, Eric E; Inzana, Jason A; Sheu, Tzong-Jen et al. (2015) Effects of Combined Exposure to Lead and High-Fat Diet on Bone Quality in Juvenile Male Mice. Environ Health Perspect 123:935-43
Beier, Eric E; Sheu, Tzong-Jen; Dang, Deborah et al. (2015) Heavy Metal Ion Regulation of Gene Expression: MECHANISMS BY WHICH LEAD INHIBITS OSTEOBLASTIC BONE-FORMING ACTIVITY THROUGH MODULATION OF THE Wnt/?-CATENIN SIGNALING PATHWAY. J Biol Chem 290:18216-26
Beier, Eric E; Sheu, Tzong-Jen; Buckley, Taylor et al. (2014) Inhibition of beta-catenin signaling by Pb leads to incomplete fracture healing. J Orthop Res 32:1397-405
Beier, Eric E; Maher, Jason R; Sheu, Tzong-Jen et al. (2013) Heavy metal lead exposure, osteoporotic-like phenotype in an animal model, and depression of Wnt signaling. Environ Health Perspect 121:97-104
Holz, Jonathan D; Beier, Eric; Sheu, Tzong-Jen et al. (2012) Lead induces an osteoarthritis-like phenotype in articular chondrocytes through disruption of TGF-? signaling. J Orthop Res 30:1760-6
van Wijngaarden, Edwin; Campbell, James R; Cory-Slechta, Deborah A (2009) Bone lead levels are associated with measures of memory impairment in older adults. Neurotoxicology 30:572-80
Zuscik, Michael J; Ma, Lin; Buckley, Taylor et al. (2007) Lead induces chondrogenesis and alters transforming growth factor-beta and bone morphogenetic protein signaling in mesenchymal cell populations. Environ Health Perspect 115:1276-82
Awad, Hani A; Zhang, Xinping; Reynolds, David G et al. (2007) Recent advances in gene delivery for structural bone allografts. Tissue Eng 13:1973-85

Showing the most recent 10 out of 17 publications