Microgravity causes both muscle and bone loss. Although we previously revealed that gravity change influences muscle and bone through the vestibular system in mice, its detailed mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the roles of olfactomedin 1 (OLFM1), whose expression was upregulated during hypergravity in the soleus muscle, in mouse bone cells. Vestibular lesion significantly blunted OLFM1 expression in the soleus muscle and serum OLFM1 levels enhanced by hypergravity in mice. Moreover, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor antagonized shear stress-enhanced OLFM1 expression in C2C12 myotubes. As for the effects of OLFM1 on bone cells, OLFM1 inhibited osteoclast formation from mouse bone marrow cells and mouse preosteoclastic RAW264.7 cells. Moreover, OLFM1 suppressed RANKL expression and nuclear factor-κB signaling in mouse osteoblasts. Serum OLFM1 levels were positively related to OLFM1 mRNA levels in the soleus muscle and trabecular bone mineral density of mice. In conclusion, we first showed that OLFM1 suppresses osteoclast formation and RANKL expression in mouse cells.
Keywords: Gravity; Muscle; Olfactomedin 1; Osteoclast; Vestibular system.