Alpha-ketoglutarate ameliorates age-related osteoporosis via regulating histone methylations

Nat Commun. 2020 Nov 5;11(1):5596. doi: 10.1038/s41467-020-19360-1.

Abstract

Age-related osteoporosis is characterized by the deterioration in bone volume and strength, partly due to the dysfunction of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) during aging. Alpha-ketoglutarate (αKG) is an essential intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Studies have revealed that αKG extends the lifespan of worms and maintains the pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). Here, we show that the administration of αKG increases the bone mass of aged mice, attenuates age-related bone loss, and accelerates bone regeneration of aged rodents. αKG ameliorates the senescence-associated (SA) phenotypes of bone marrow MSCs derived from aged mice, as well as promoting their proliferation, colony formation, migration, and osteogenic potential. Mechanistically, αKG decreases the accumulations of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3, and subsequently upregulates BMP signaling and Nanog expression. Collectively, our findings illuminate the role of αKG in rejuvenating MSCs and ameliorating age-related osteoporosis, with a promising therapeutic potential in age-related diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging* / metabolism
  • Aging* / pathology
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins / metabolism
  • Bone Regeneration / drug effects
  • Cell Movement / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cellular Senescence / drug effects
  • Female
  • Histones / metabolism*
  • Ketoglutaric Acids / blood
  • Ketoglutaric Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / drug effects
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / pathology
  • Methylation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / pathology
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Bone Morphogenetic Proteins
  • Histones
  • Ketoglutaric Acids