Osteoprotegerin-deficient mice develop early onset osteoporosis and arterial calcification

N Bucay, I Sarosi, CR Dunstan, S Morony… - Genes & …, 1998 - genesdev.cshlp.org
N Bucay, I Sarosi, CR Dunstan, S Morony, J Tarpley, C Capparelli, S Scully, HL Tan, W Xu…
Genes & development, 1998genesdev.cshlp.org
Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted protein that inhibits osteoclast formation. In this study
the physiological role of OPG is investigated by generating OPG-deficient mice. Adolescent
and adult OPG−/− mice exhibit a decrease in total bone density characterized by severe
trabecular and cortical bone porosity, marked thinning of the parietal bones of the skull, and
a high incidence of fractures. These findings demonstrate that OPG is a critical regulator of
postnatal bone mass. Unexpectedly, OPG-deficient mice also exhibit medial calcification of …
Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is a secreted protein that inhibits osteoclast formation. In this study the physiological role of OPG is investigated by generating OPG-deficient mice. Adolescent and adult OPG −/− mice exhibit a decrease in total bone density characterized by severe trabecular and cortical bone porosity, marked thinning of the parietal bones of the skull, and a high incidence of fractures. These findings demonstrate that OPG is a critical regulator of postnatal bone mass. Unexpectedly,OPG-deficient mice also exhibit medial calcification of the aorta and renal arteries, suggesting that regulation of OPG, its signaling pathway, or its ligand(s) may play a role in the long observed association between osteoporosis and vascular calcification.
genesdev.cshlp.org