Loss of Rictor with aging in osteoblasts promotes age-related bone loss

Cell Death Dis. 2016 Oct 13;7(10):e2408. doi: 10.1038/cddis.2016.249.

Abstract

Osteoblast dysfunction is a major cause of age-related bone loss, but the mechanisms underlying changes in osteoblast function with aging are poorly understood. This study demonstrates that osteoblasts in aged mice exhibit markedly impaired adhesion to the bone formation surface and reduced mineralization in vivo and in vitro. Rictor, a specific component of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2) that controls cytoskeletal organization and cell survival, is downregulated with aging in osteoblasts. Mechanistically, we found that an increased level of reactive oxygen species with aging stimulates the expression of miR-218, which directly targets Rictor and reduces osteoblast bone surface adhesion and survival, resulting in a decreased number of functional osteoblasts and accelerated bone loss in aged mice. Our findings reveal a novel functional pathway important for age-related bone loss and support for miR-218 and Rictor as potential targets for therapeutic intervention for age-related osteoporosis treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Calcification, Physiologic / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion / genetics
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Down-Regulation / genetics
  • Free Radical Scavengers / metabolism
  • Gene Deletion
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism*
  • Osteoblasts / pathology*
  • Osteogenesis / genetics
  • Osteoporosis / metabolism*
  • Osteoporosis / pathology*
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Carrier Proteins
  • Free Radical Scavengers
  • MIRN218 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • Rapamycin-Insensitive Companion of mTOR Protein
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • rictor protein, mouse