Adenosine A1 receptors regulate bone resorption in mice: Adenosine A1 receptor blockade or deletion increases bone density and prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss in adenosine A1 receptor-knockout mice

摘要

Objective. Accelerated osteoclastic bone resorption plays a central role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and other bone diseases. Because identifying the molecular pathways that regulate osteoclast activity provides a key to understanding the causes of these diseases and developing new treatments, we studied the effect of adenosine A1 receptor blockade or deletion on bone density. Methods. The bone mineral density (BMD) in adenosine A1 receptor-knockout (A1R-knockout) mice was analyzed by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning, and the trabecular and cortical bone volume was determined by microfocal computed tomography (micro-CT). The mice were ovariectomized or shamoperated, and 5 weeks after surgery, when osteopenia had developed, several parameters were analyzed by DXA scanning and micro-CT. A histologic examination of bones obtained from A1R-knockout and wild-type mice was carried out. Visualization of osteoblast function (bone formation) after tetracycline double-labeling was performed by fluorescence microscopy. Results. Micro-CT analysis of bones from A1R-knockout mice showed significantly increased bone volume. Electron microscopy of bones from A1R-knockout mice showed the absence of ruffled borders of osteoclasts and osteoclast bone resorption. Immunohistologic analysis demonstrated that although osteoclasts were present in the A1R- knockout mice, they were smaller and often not associated with bone. No morphologic changes in osteoblasts were observed, and bonelabeling studies revealed no change in the bone formation rates in A1R-knockout mice. Conclusion. These results suggest that the adenosine A1 receptor may be a useful target in treating diseases characterized by excessive bone turnover, such as osteoporosis and prosthetic joint loosening.