Survival of children with chronic medical illnesses is leading to an increase in secondary osteoporosis due to impaired peak bone mass (PBM). Insulin-like growth factor type 1 (IGF-1) levels correlate with the pattern of bone mass accrual and many chronic illnesses are associated with low IGF-1 levels. Reduced serum levels of IGF-1 minimally affect the integrity of the skeleton, whereas recent studies suggest that skeletal IGF-I regulates PBM. To determine the role of IGF-1 in postnatal bone mass accrual regardless of source, we established an inducible type 1 Igf receptor Cre/lox knockout mouse model, in which the type 1 Igf receptor was deleted inducibely in the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from 3-7 weeks of age. The size of the mouse was not affected as knockout and wild type mice had similar body weights and nasoanal and femoral lengths. However, bone volume and trabecular bone thickness were decreased in the secondary spongiosa of female knockout mice relative to wild type controls, indicating that IGF-1 is critical for bone mass. IGF-1 signaling in MSCs in vitro has been implicated to be involved in both migration to the bone surface and differentiation into bone forming osteoblasts. To clarify the exact role of IGF-1 in bone, we found by immunohistochemical analysis that a similar number of Osterix-positive osteoprogenitors were on the bone perimeter, indicating migration of MSCs was not affected. Most importantly, 56% fewer osteocalcin-positive mature osteoblasts were present on the bone perimeter in the secondary spongiosa in knockout mice versus wild type littermates. These in vivo data demonstrate that the primary role of skeletal IGF-1 is for the terminal differentiation of osteoprogenitors, but refute the role of IGF-1 in MSC migration in vivo. Additionally, these findings confirm that impaired IGF-1 signaling in bone MSCs is sufficient to impair bone mass acquisition. Keywords: osteoblasts; knockout mice; cell migration; IGF receptor; nestin Bone Research (2013) 2: 186-194. doi: 10.4248
/BR201302007
IntroductionBone mass normally peaks in mid to late adolescence, plateaus for several years and then declines over time (1-5). Acquisition of a higher peak bone mass (PBM) in adolescence is associated with reduced subsequent fracture risk, whereas impaired acquisition of PBM or loss of bone in childhood is associated with greater fracture risk. Chronic illness in childhood impairs PBM acquisition. Survival of many chronic illnesses in childhood are leading to a growing incidence of secondary osteoporosis (6). The prevention of secondary osteoporosis in children with chronic illnesses depends on protecting the bones of this at-risk population. However, before treatment can be developed, the regulation of cellular signaling mechanisms involved in the acquisition of bone mass needs to be further elucidated.Janet L. Crane et al.
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187The only cells that form new bone are osteoblasts, which are non-replicative mononuclear cells derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) (7-...