Mechanical strain regulates osteogenesis via Antxr1/LncRNA H19/Wnt/β‐catenin axis

Abstract

Alleviating bone loss is an essential way to prevent osteoporotic fractures. Proper exercise improves bone density without the side effects of long‐term medications, but the mechanism is unclear. Our study explored the role of Antxr1/LncRNA H19/Wnt/β‐catenin axis in the process of exercise‐mediated alleviation of bone loss. Here we discovered that moderate‐intensity treadmill exercise alleviates bone loss caused by ovariectomy and ameliorates bone strength accompanied by an increased lncRNA H19 expression. Concomitantly, Antxr1, a mechanosensitive protein was found downregulated by exercise but upregulated by ovariectomy. Interestingly, knockdown expression of Antxr1 increased lncRNA H19 expression and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, whereas overexpression of Antxr1 decreased lncRNA H19 expression and Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway. Hence, our study demonstrates the regulation of Antxr1/LncRNA H19/Wnt/β‐catenin axis in the process of mechanical strain‐induced osteogenic differentiation, which provides further mechanistic insight into the role of mechanical regulation in bone metabolism.