Genetic and Gene Expression Resources for Osteoporosis and Bone Biology Research
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe integration of data from multiple genomic assays from humans and non-human model organisms is an effective approach to identify genes involved in skeletal fragility and fracture risk due to osteoporosis and other conditions. This review summarizes genome-wide genetic variation and gene expression data resources relevant to the discovery of genes contributing to skeletal fragility and fracture risk.Recent FindingsGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) of osteoporosis-related traits are summarized, in addition to gene expression in bone tissues in humans and non-human organisms, with a focus on r...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - October 13, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Novel Insights into Osteoclast Energy Metabolism
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOsteoclasts are crucial for the dynamic remodeling of bone as they resorb old and damaged bone, making space for new bone. Metabolic reprogramming in these cells not only supports phenotypic changes, but also provides the necessary energy for their highly energy-consuming activity, bone resorption. In this review, we highlight recent developments in our understanding of the metabolic adaptations that influence osteoclast behavior and the overall remodeling of bone tissue.Recent FindingsOsteoclasts undergo metabolic reprogramming to meet the energy demands during their transition from precursor cell...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - October 10, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
The Differential Effect of Metformin on Osteocytes, Osteoblasts, and Osteoclasts
AbstractPurpose of ReviewMetformin is an anti-glycemic agent, which is widely prescribed to diabetes patients. Although its alleged role on bone strength has been reported for some time, this review focuses primarily on the recent mechanistical insights of metformin on osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts.Recent FindingsOverall, metformin contributed to steering anabolic activity in osteocytes. It caused lower expression in osteocytes of the negative regulators of bone formation sclerostin and DKK1. Likewise, the osteoclastogenesis function of osteoblasts was also skewed towards lower RANKL and higher OPG expressions. ...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - October 5, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Osteocyte Mechanotransduction in Orthodontic Tooth Movement
AbstractPurpose of ReviewOrthodontic tooth movement is characterized by periodontal tissue responses to mechanical loading, leading to clinically relevant functional adaptation of jaw bone. Since osteocytes are significant in mechanotransduction and orchestrate osteoclast and osteoblast activity, they likely play a central role in orthodontic tooth movement. In this review, we attempt to shed light on the impact and role of osteocyte mechanotransduction during orthodontic tooth movement.Recent FindingsMechanically loaded osteocytes produce signaling molecules, e.g., bone morphogenetic proteins, Wnts, prostaglandins, osteop...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - October 4, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Inflammatory Processes Affecting Bone Health and Repair
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this article is to review the current understanding of inflammatory processes on bone, including direct impacts of inflammatory factors on bone cells, the effect of senescence on inflamed bone, and the critical role of inflammation in bone pain and healing.Recent FindingsAdvances in osteoimmunology have provided new perspectives on inflammatory bone loss in recent years. Characterization of so-called inflammatory osteoclasts has revealed insights into physiological and pathological bone loss. The identification of inflammation-associated senescent markers in bone cells indicates that...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - September 28, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Early Life Management of Osteogenesis Imperfecta
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review aims to provide a review of the multidisciplinary management of infants with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) during the first year of life, focusing on those with severe disease. The authors draw on published literature and direct experience of working in a large paediatric centre specialising in the management of rare bone disease.Recent FindingsWhilst understanding of the pathophysiology of OI has grown over the past decade, the evidence base for management of infants remains limited. There has been a greater recognition of certain subjects of concern including pain management, cervical ...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - September 26, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
The Utility of Preclinical Models in Understanding the Bone Health of Transgender Individuals Undergoing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarise the evidence regarding the effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) on bone health in transgender people, to identify key knowledge gaps and how these gaps can be addressed using preclinical rodent models.Recent FindingsSex hormones play a critical role in bone physiology, yet there is a paucity of research regarding the effects of GAHT on bone microstructure and fracture risk in transgender individuals. The controlled clinical studies required to yield fracture data are unethical to conduct making clinically translatable preclinical research of the utmost importance. Novel g...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - September 14, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Influences of Aged Bone Marrow Macrophages on Skeletal Health and Senescence
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to discuss the role of macrophages in the regulation of skeletal health with age, particularly in regard to both established and unexplored mechanisms in driving inflammation and senescence.Recent FindingsA multitude of research has uncovered mechanisms of intrinsic aging in macrophages, detrimental factors released by these immune cells, and crosstalk from senescent mesenchymal cell types, which altogether drive age-related bone loss. Furthermore, bone marrow macrophages were recently proposed to be responsible for the megakaryocytic shift during aging and overall mai...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - September 9, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Osteocytes and Primary Cilia
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to provide a background on osteocytes and the primary cilium, discussing the role it plays in osteocyte mechanosensing.Recent FindingsOsteocytes are thought to be the primary mechanosensing cells in bone tissue, regulating bone adaptation in response to exercise, with the primary cilium suggested to be a key mechanosensing mechanism in bone. More recent work has suggested that, rather than being direct mechanosensors themselves, primary cilia in bone may instead form a key chemo-signalling nexus for processing mechanoregulated signalling pathways. Recent evidence sugge...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - September 8, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
From Inflammation to Resolution: Specialized Pro-resolving Mediators in Posttraumatic Osteoarthritis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo provide a comprehensive overview of the inflammatory response following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and to highlight the relationship between specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) and inflammatory joint conditions, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of modulating the post-injury resolution of inflammation to prevent posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).Recent FindingsThe inflammatory response triggered after joint injuries such as ACL tear plays a critical role in posttraumatic osteoarthritis development. Inflammation is a necessary process for tissue healing, but unresolved o...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - August 24, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Racial and Ethnic Differences in Studies of the Gut Microbiome and Osteoporosis
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the scientific evidence published in the past 5 years examining the epidemiology of bone health as it relates to the gut microbiome, across race and ethnicity groups.Recent FindingsThe link between the gut microbiome and bone health is well established and is supported by numerous biological mechanisms. However, human study research in this field is dominated by studies of older adults residing in Asian countries. A limited number of epidemiological and randomized controlled trials have been conducted with individuals in other countries; however, they are ...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - August 19, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Role of the Peripheral Nervous System in Skeletal Development and Regeneration: Controversies and Clinical Implications
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review examines the diverse functional relationships that exist between the peripheral nervous system (PNS) and bone, including key advances over the past century that inform our efforts to translate these discoveries for skeletal repair.Recent FindingsThe innervation of the bone during development, homeostasis, and regeneration is highly patterned. Consistent with this, there have been nearly 100 studies over the past century that have used denervation approaches to isolate the effects of the different branches of the PNS on the bone. Overall, a common theme of balance emerges whereby an orch...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - August 14, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Fracture Risk in Patients with Hypoparathyroidism
AbstractPurpose of ReviewTo summarize the recently published scientific evidence on fracture risk in hypoparathyroidism.Recent FindingsHypoparathyroidism is characterized by a low bone turnover and a high bone mineral density. Data on fracture risk are sparse and due to the rarity of the disease, available studies have only been able to include relatively few patients. Risk of non-vertebral fractures does not seem to be affected to any major degree, although epidemiological studies suggest a decreased risk of fractures at the humerus in postsurgical hypoparathyroidism, whereas an increased risk of fractures at the upper ar...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - August 5, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Mitochondrial Genetics and Function as Determinants of Bone Phenotype and Aging
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize the recently published scientific literature regarding the effects of mitochondrial function and mitochondrial genome mutations on bone phenotype and aging.Recent FindingsWhile aging and sex steroid levels have traditionally been considered the most important risk factors for development of osteoporosis, mitochondrial function and genetics are being increasingly recognized as important determinants of bone health. Recent studies indicate that mitochondrial genome variants found in different human populations determine the risk of complex degenerative disea...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - August 5, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk among Older US Asian Adults
AbstractPurpose of ReviewThis review summarizes the current knowledge regarding osteoporosis and fracture among older US Asian adults.Recent FindingsAsian adults have lower (areal) bone density than non-Hispanic White adults and thus are more likely to be diagnosed and treated for osteoporosis, despite their lower risk of hip fracture. The latter may relate to favorable characteristics in hip geometry, volumetric bone density, and bone microarchitecture; lower risk of falls; and other clinical factors. The fracture risk calculator FRAX accounts for the lower risk of hip fracture among US Asian adults. However, data on majo...
Source: Current Osteoporosis Reports - August 5, 2023 Category: Orthopaedics Source Type: research
