Bone loss and fracture are leading causes of morbidity with aging. The mechanisms of age-related bone disease have not been defined. Our studies suggest that CSF-1 deficiency and increased Nox4 oxidase expression in osteocytes are key determinants of oxidant stress that impact osteocyte survival/function that is essential for bone remodeling. The long-term goal of this proposal is to delineate mechanistic pathways by which CSF-1/oxidative stress regulate osteocyte homeostasis and identify therapeutic targets to prevent bone loss with age. CSF-1 and CSF-1R are expressed by osteocytes. The mechanisms by which CSF-1 or its isoforms, soluble (s) and cell-surface (cs) CSF-1, regulate osteocyte survival/function have not been explored. Oxidative stress contributes to osteocyte demise and bone loss with aging. Our findings indicate that, with aging, CSF-1 expression declines in osteocytes. We generated mice with global CSF-1 deficiency (CSF-1KO) that show osteopetrosis with increased fractures and osteocyte defects including apoptosis, associated with increased NADPH oxidase Nox4 expression/activity and reduced Cx43 expression. CSF-1 decreases NADPH oxidase activity in cultured osteocytes and CSF-1KO bone osteocytes show elevated Nox4 and activation of the mTOR pathway compared to WT osteocytes, suggesting that CSF-1 protects from oxidant stress. DMP1Cre-CSF-1cKO mice with conditional knockout (cKO) of CSF-1 in osteocytes/late osteoblasts also show increased Nox4, osteocyte defects, reduced osteoclasts and bone formation, predisposing to bone loss and fracture with age. We hypothesize that: a) osteocyte cKO of CSF-1 increases Nox4 and oxidative stress, impairs osteocytes and accelerates bone defects with age, b) deletion of Nox4 in CSF-1cKO osteocytes decreases oxidative stress, restores osteocyte function/bone remodeling with age, c) expression of sCSF-1 in CSF-1cKO osteocytes promotes osteocyte survival and proper bone remodeling to a greater extent than csCSF-1 during aging. We will test these hypotheses in the following specific aims: 1) Determine the effect of CSF-1cKO in osteocytes on bone phenotype and redox state during aging. WT and CSF-1cKO mice will be examined for bone phenotype and osteocytes will be assessed for apoptosis, Nox4 and gene expression profile; 2) Determine the role of Nox4 in osteocytes of CSF-1cKO mice and mechanisms by which CSF-1 regulates osteocyte survival. To dissect the interplay between CSF-1 and Nox4, mice with cKO of CSF-1 and Nox4 in osteocytes will be generated and signaling mechanisms by which CSF-1 regulates osteocyte survival will be analyzed in cultured osteocytes; 3) Determine the ability of CSF-1 isoforms to rescue bone defects in CSF-1cKO mice. This will be accomplished using a transgenic approach to target sCSF-1 or csCSF-1 in osteocytes of CSF-1cKO mice. These studies will provide new mechanistic insights by which CSF-1 controls osteocyte survival/function and may lead to novel therapeutic strategies for improving osteocyte viability crucial for bone strength and longevity.

Public Health Relevance

Bone loss and fracture are leading causes of morbidity with aging; however, the mechanisms of age-related bone disease have not been defined. We believe that deficiency of Colony Stimulating Factor-1 (CSF-1) and increased Nox4 oxidase expression in osteocytes are key determinants of oxidative stress that impact osteocyte survival/function that is essential for bone remodeling. This proposal will delineate mechanistic pathways by which CSF-1/oxidative stress regulate osteocyte homeostasis and may identify novel therapeutic targets for improving osteocyte viability crucial for bone strength and longevity.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG045040-16
Application #
8885628
Study Section
Skeletal Biology Structure and Regeneration Study Section (SBSR)
Program Officer
Williams, John
Project Start
2013-09-30
Project End
2016-06-30
Budget Start
2015-07-01
Budget End
2016-06-30
Support Year
16
Fiscal Year
2015
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Texas Health Science Center
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800772162
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78229
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