Aged bone matrix-derived extracellular vesicles as a messenger for calcification paradox

Nat Commun. 2022 Mar 18;13(1):1453. doi: 10.1038/s41467-022-29191-x.

Abstract

Adipocyte differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (BMSCs) instead of osteoblast formation contributes to age- and menopause-related marrow adiposity and osteoporosis. Vascular calcification often occurs with osteoporosis, a contradictory association called "calcification paradox". Here we show that extracellular vesicles derived from aged bone matrix (AB-EVs) during bone resorption favor BMSC adipogenesis rather than osteogenesis and augment calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells. Intravenous or intramedullary injection of AB-EVs promotes bone-fat imbalance and exacerbates Vitamin D3 (VD3)-induced vascular calcification in young or old mice. Alendronate (ALE), a bone resorption inhibitor, down-regulates AB-EVs release and attenuates aging- and ovariectomy-induced bone-fat imbalance. In the VD3-treated aged mice, ALE suppresses the ovariectomy-induced aggravation of vascular calcification. MiR-483-5p and miR-2861 are enriched in AB-EVs and essential for the AB-EVs-induced bone-fat imbalance and exacerbation of vascular calcification. Our study uncovers the role of AB-EVs as a messenger for calcification paradox by transferring miR-483-5p and miR-2861.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Matrix
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Extracellular Vesicles*
  • Female
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells*
  • Mice
  • MicroRNAs* / genetics
  • Osteogenesis

Substances

  • MIRN2861 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs