Connexin 43 deficiency desensitizes bone to the effects of mechanical unloading through modulation of both arms of bone remodeling.

ABSTRACT: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a gap junction protein that plays an integral role in the skeletal response to mechanical loading and unloading. In a previous study, we demonstrated preservation of trabecular bone mass and cortical bone formation rate in mice with an osteoblast/osteocyte-selective deficiency of Cx43 (cKO) following mechanical unloading via hindlimb suspension (HLS). In the present study, we sought to define the potential mechanisms underlying this response. Following three weeks of HLS, mRNA levels of Sost were significantly greater in wild-type (WT)-Suspended mice vs. WT-Control, while there was no difference between cKO control and cKO-Suspended. Unloading-induced decreases in P1NP, a serum marker of bone formation, were also attenuated in cKO-Suspended. The proportion of sclerost

SUBMITTER: Lloyd SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4480865 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature