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. 2020 Oct 1:258:118195.
doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.118195. Epub 2020 Aug 8.

Inhibition of the estrogen receptor alpha signaling delays bone regeneration and alters osteoblast maturation, energy metabolism, and angiogenesis

Gong-Jhe Wu  1 , Jui-Tai Chen  2 , Pei-I Lin  3 , Yih-Giun Cherng  2 , Shun-Tai Yang  4 , Ruei-Ming Chen  5
Affiliations

Inhibition of the estrogen receptor alpha signaling delays bone regeneration and alters osteoblast maturation, energy metabolism, and angiogenesis

Gong-Jhe Wu et al. Life Sci. .

Abstract

Aims: The estrogen-ERα axis participates in osteoblast maturation. This study was designed to further evaluated the roles of the estrogen-ERα axis in bone healing and the possible mechanisms.

Main methods: Female ICR mice were created a metaphyseal bone defect in the left femurs and administered with methylpiperidinopyrazole (MPP), an inhibitor of ERα. Bone healing was evaluated using micro-computed tomography. Colocalization of ERα with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and ERα translocation to mitochondria were determined. Levels of ERα, ERβ, PECAM-1, VEGF, and β-actin were immunodetected. Expression of chromosomal Runx2, ALP, and osteocalcin mRNAs and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (COX) I and COXII mRNAs were quantified. Angiogenesis was measured with immunohistochemistry.

Key findings: Following surgery, the bone mass was time-dependently augmented in the bone-defect area. Simultaneously, levels of ERα were specifically upregulated and positively correlated with bone healing. Administration of MPP to mice consistently decreased levels of ERα and bone healing. As to the mechanisms, osteogenesis was enhanced in bone healing, but MPP attenuated osteoblast maturation. In parallel, expressions of osteogenesis-related ALP, Runx2, and osteocalcin mRNAs were induced in the injured zone. Treatment with MPP led to significant inhibition of the alp, runx2, and osteocalcin gene expressions. Remarkably, administration of MPP lessened translocation of ERα to mitochondria and expressions of mitochondrial energy production-related coxI and coxII genes. Furthermore, exposure to MPP decreased levels of PECAM-1 and VEGF in the bone-defect area.

Significance: The present study showed the contributions of the estrogen-ERα axis to bone healing through stimulation of energy production, osteoblast maturation, and angiogenesis.

Keywords: Angiogenesis; Bone healing; Energy production; Estrogen-ERα axis; Osteoblast maturation.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

MeSH terms