The Wnt antagonist secreted frizzled-related protein-1 is a negative regulator of trabecular bone formation in adult mice

PVN Bodine, W Zhao, YP Kharode, FJ Bex… - Molecular …, 2004 - academic.oup.com
PVN Bodine, W Zhao, YP Kharode, FJ Bex, AJ Lambert, MB Goad, T Gaur, GS Stein, JB Lian…
Molecular endocrinology, 2004academic.oup.com
Previous studies have associated activation of canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblasts with
elevated bone formation. Here we report that deletion of the murine Wnt antagonist, secreted
frizzled-related protein (sFRP)-1, prolongs and enhances trabecular bone accrual in adult
animals. sFRP-1 mRNA was expressed in bones and other tissues of+/+ mice but was not
observed in−/− animals. Despite its broad tissue distribution, ablation of sFRP-1 did not
affect blood and urine chemistries, most nonskeletal organs, or cortical bone. However …
Abstract
Previous studies have associated activation of canonical Wnt signaling in osteoblasts with elevated bone formation. Here we report that deletion of the murine Wnt antagonist, secreted frizzled-related protein (sFRP)-1, prolongs and enhances trabecular bone accrual in adult animals. sFRP-1 mRNA was expressed in bones and other tissues of +/+ mice but was not observed in −/− animals. Despite its broad tissue distribution, ablation of sFRP-1 did not affect blood and urine chemistries, most nonskeletal organs, or cortical bone. However, sFRP-1−/− mice exhibited increased trabecular bone mineral density, volume, and mineral apposition rate when compared with +/+ controls. The heightened trabecular bone mass of sFRP-1−/− mice was observed in adult animals between the ages of 13–52 wk, occurred in multiple skeletal sites, and was seen in both sexes. Mechanistically, loss of sFRP-1 reduced osteoblast and osteocyte apoptosis in vivo. In addition, deletion of sFRP-1 inhibited osteoblast lineage cell apoptosis while enhancing the proliferation and differentiation of these cells in vitro. Ablation of sFRP-1 also increased osteoclastogenesis in vitro, although changes in bone resorption were not observed in intact animals in vivo. Our findings demonstrate that deletion of sFRP-1 preferentially activates Wnt signaling in osteoblasts, leading to enhanced trabecular bone formation in adults.
Oxford University Press