Cx43 overexpression in osteocytes prevents osteocyte apoptosis and preserves cortical bone quality in aging mice.

ABSTRACT: Young, skeletally mature mice lacking Cx43 in osteocytes exhibit increased osteocyte apoptosis and decreased bone strength, resembling the phenotype of old mice. Further, the expression of Cx43 in bone decreases with age, suggesting a contribution of reduced Cx43 levels to the age-related changes in the skeleton. We report herein that Cx43 overexpression in osteocytes achieved by using the DMP1-8kb promoter (Cx43^OT mice) attenuates the skeletal cortical, but not trabecular bone phenotype of aged, 14-month-old mice. The percentage of Cx43-expressing osteocytes was higher in Cx43^OT mice, whereas the percentage of Cx43 positive osteoblasts remained similar to wild type (WT) littermate control mice. The percentage of apoptotic osteocytes and osteoblasts was increased in a

SUBMITTER: Davis HM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6029870 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature