The interaction between Runx2 and Wnt Signaling regulates the osteoblastic differentiation and function.

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K10056
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 57010:Oral biological science-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: Nagano Kenichi 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(歯学系), 助教 (60834348)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 骨代謝 / 骨芽細胞 / 骨形態計測 / Wnt Signaling / Runx2

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Trabecular bone volume is strictly regulated by the process called bone homeostasis, served by bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Unbalanced bone homeostasis results in initiation of bone related diseases such as osteoporosis. This study focuses on the transcription factor Runx2, which is considered to be essential for osteoblastogenesis, and beta-catenin, which serves as a central factor for canonical Wnt signaling. The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of these factors and their interaction in osteoblastogenesis and bone homeostasis machinery. The analysis of mice with osteoblast-specific deletion of either Runx2, beta-catenin or both revealed that the loss of beta-catenin induced significant increase in number of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, resulting in lower trabecular bone mass compared to wildtype mice. From this study, it is suggested that unknown mechanism by beta-catenin might be involved in osteoblastogenesis and bone homeostasis.

Free Research Field

骨代謝学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、Wnt signalingの骨代謝における役割、特に骨芽細胞分化において、これまでの報告とは異なる未知のメカニズムが存在することが示唆された。骨代謝機構はその破綻が骨関連疾患へ直結しており、疾患の治療や予防を達成するためには骨代謝機構の包括的理解が必要であるが、未解明な点が多く残されている。本研究で得られた成果はその一端を明らかにするものであり、未知のメカニズムの解明を目指す新たな学術的展開が期待される。