Expression of sclerostin in the regenerating scales of goldfish and its increase under microgravity during space flight

Biomed Res. 2020;41(6):279-288. doi: 10.2220/biomedres.41.279.

Abstract

Osteocytes, osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), and osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) are the primary types of cells that regulate bone metabolism in mammals. Sclerostin produced in bone cells activates osteoclasts, inhibiting bone formation; excess production of sclerostin, therefore, leads to the loss of bone mass. Fish scales have been reported to have morphological and functional similarities to mammalian bones, making them a useful experimental system for analyzing vertebrate bone metabolism in vitro. However, whether fish scales contain cells producing sclerostin and/or osteocytes has not been determined. The current study demonstrated, for the first time, that sclerostin-containing cells exist in goldfish scales. Analysis of the distribution and shape of sclerostin-expressing cells provided evidence that osteoblasts produce sclerostin in goldfish scales. Furthermore, our results found that osteocyte-like cells exist in goldfish scales, which also produce sclerostin. Finally, we demonstrated that microgravity in outer space increased the level of sclerostin in the scales of goldfish, a finding suggesting that the induction of sclerostin is the mechanism underlying the activation of osteoclasts under microgravity.

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / metabolism
  • Animal Scales
  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Female
  • Fish Proteins / genetics*
  • Fish Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Glycoproteins / metabolism
  • Goldfish / genetics
  • Goldfish / metabolism
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Male
  • Osteoblasts / cytology
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism*
  • Osteoclasts / cytology
  • Osteoclasts / metabolism*
  • Osteocytes / cytology
  • Osteocytes / metabolism*
  • Regeneration / genetics*
  • Space Flight
  • Weightlessness*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Fish Proteins
  • Glycoproteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins