Roles of Atoh8 in differentiation of osteoblasts and adipocytes

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K10486
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Orthopaedic surgery
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University
• Principal Investigator: MAEDA Shingo 鹿児島大学, 医歯学総合研究科, 特任准教授 (60353463)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 河村 一郎 鹿児島大学, 医学部・歯学部附属病院, その他 (90535832) ; 小宮 節郎 鹿児島大学, 医歯学域医学系, 教授 (30178371)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: Atoh8 / 骨芽細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Number and bone-forming activity of osteoblasts in bone marrow decreases in aging bone, which leads to osteoporosis. However, the mechanism is not fully understood. We analyzed function of Atoh8, a novel direct target gene of canonical bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, in osteoblasts in vivo and in vitro.siRNA-mediated loss of Atoh8 promoted osteoblast differentiation, however, bone formation parameters were not altered in Atoh8 knockout (KO) mice, assessed by micro-CT and bone morphohistometry analysis.Instead, osteoclast number and bone resorption was increased in KO mice bone, and bone volume was significantly reduced.Rankl/Opg expression ratio in KO osteoblast was increased which enhanced differentiation of osteoclasts.

Free Research Field

骨代謝学、整形外科学