1. |
- Börjesson, Anna E, et al.
(author)
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The role of activation functions 1 and 2 of estrogen receptor-alpha for the effects of estradiol and selective estrogen receptor modulators in male mice
- 2013
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In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. - : Wiley. - 0884-0431 .- 1523-4681. ; 28:5, s. 1117-1126
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Estradiol (E2) is important for male skeletal health and the effect of E2 is mediated via estrogen receptor (ER)-. This was demonstrated by the findings that men with an inactivating mutation in aromatase or a nonfunctional ER had osteopenia and continued longitudinal growth after sexual maturation. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of different domains of ER for the effects of E2 and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) on bone mass in males. Three mouse models lacking either ERAF-1 (ERAF-10), ERAF-2 (ERAF-20), or the total ER (ER/) were orchidectomized (orx) and treated with E2 or placebo. E2 treatment increased the trabecular and cortical bone mass and bone strength, whereas it reduced the thymus weight and bone marrow cellularity in orx wild type (WT) mice. These parameters did not respond to E2 treatment in orx ER/ or ERAF-20 mirx ERAF-10 mice were tissue-dependent, with a clear response in cortical bone parameters and bone marrow cellularity, but no response in trabecular bone. To determine the role of ERAF-1 for the effects of SERMs, we treated orx WT and ERAF-10 mice with raloxifene (Ral), lasofoxifene (Las), bazedoxifene (Bza), or vehicle. These SERMs increased total body areal bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular volumetric BMD to a similar extent in orx WT mice. Furthermore, only Las increased cortical thickness significantly and only Bza increased bone strength significantly. However, all SERMs showed a tendency toward increased cortical bone parameters. Importantly, all SERM effects were absent in the orx ERAF-10 mice. In conclusion, ERAF-2 is required for the estrogenic effects on all evaluated parameters, whereas the role of ERAF-1 is tissue-specific. All evaluated effects of Ral, Las and Bza are dependent on a functional ERAF-1. Our findings might contribute to the development of bone-specific SERMs in males. (c) 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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2. |
- Movérare-Skrtic, Sofia, et al.
(author)
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Osteoblast-derived WNT16 represses osteoclastogenesis and prevents cortical bone fragility fractures.
- 2014
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In: Nature Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1078-8956 .- 1546-170X. ; 20:11, s. 1279-88
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The WNT16 locus is a major determinant of cortical bone thickness and nonvertebral fracture risk in humans. The disability, mortality and costs caused by osteoporosis-induced nonvertebral fractures are enormous. We demonstrate here that Wnt16-deficient mice develop spontaneous fractures as a result of low cortical thickness and high cortical porosity. In contrast, trabecular bone volume is not altered in these mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that WNT16 is osteoblast derived and inhibits human and mouse osteoclastogenesis both directly by acting on osteoclast progenitors and indirectly by increasing expression of osteoprotegerin (Opg) in osteoblasts. The signaling pathway activated by WNT16 in osteoclast progenitors is noncanonical, whereas the pathway activated in osteoblasts is both canonical and noncanonical. Conditional Wnt16 inactivation revealed that osteoblast-lineage cells are the principal source of WNT16, and its targeted deletion in osteoblasts increases fracture susceptibility. Thus, osteoblast-derived WNT16 is a previously unreported key regulator of osteoclastogenesis and fracture susceptibility. These findings open new avenues for the specific prevention or treatment of nonvertebral fractures, a substantial unmet medical need.
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3. |
- Windahl, Sara H, 1971, et al.
(author)
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Estrogen receptor-alpha in osteocytes is important for trabecular bone formation in male mice
- 2013
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - 0027-8424. ; 110:6, s. 2294-2299
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The bone-sparing effect of estrogen in both males and females is primarily mediated via estrogen receptor-alpha (ER alpha), encoded by the Esr1 gene. ER alpha in osteoclasts is crucial for the trabecular bone-sparing effect of estrogen in females, but it is dispensable for trabecular bone in male mice and for cortical bone in both genders. We hypothesized that ER alpha in osteocytes is important for trabecular bone in male mice and for cortical bone in both males and females. Dmp1-Cre mice were crossed with ER alpha(flox/flox) mice to generate mice lacking ER alpha protein expression specifically in osteocytes (Dmp1-ER alpha(-/-)). Male Dmp1-ER alpha(-/-) mice displayed a substantial reduction in trabecular bone volume (-20%, P < 0.01) compared with controls. Dynamic histomorphometry revealed reduced bone formation rate (-45%, P < 0.01) but the number of osteoclasts per bone surface was unaffected in the male Dmp1-ER alpha(-/-) mice. The male Dmp1-ER alpha(-/-) mice had reduced expression of several osteoblast/osteocyte markers in bone, including Runx2, Sp7, and Dmp1 (P < 0.05). Gonadal intact Dmp1-ER alpha(-/-) female mice had no significant reduction in trabecular bone volume but ovariectomized Dmp1-ER alpha(-/-) female mice displayed an attenuated trabecular bone response to supraphysiological E2 treatment. Dmp1-ER alpha(-/-) mice of both genders had unaffected cortical bone. In conclusion, ER alpha in osteocytes regulates trabecular bone formation and thereby trabecular bone volume in male mice but it is dispensable for the trabecular bone in female mice and the cortical bone in both genders. We propose that the physiological trabecular bone-sparing effect of estrogen is mediated via ER alpha in osteocytes in males, but via ER alpha in osteoclasts in females.
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4. |
- Antonson, P., et al.
(author)
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aP2-Cre-Mediated Inactivation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha Causes Hydrometra
- 2014
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In: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study we describe the reproductive phenotypes of a novel mouse model in which Cre-mediated deletion of ER alpha is regulated by the aP2 (fatty acid binding protein 4) promoter. ER alpha-floxed mice were crossed with transgenic mice expressing Cre-recombinase under the control of the aP2 promoter to generate aP2-Cre/ER alpha(flox/flox) mice. As expected, ER alpha mRNA levels were reduced in adipose tissue, but in addition we also detected an 80% reduction of ER alpha levels in the hypothalamus of aP2-Cre/ER alpha(flox/flox) mice. Phenotypic analysis revealed that aP2-Cre/ER alpha(flox/flox) female mice were infertile. In line with this, aP2-Cre/ER alpha(flox/flox) female mice did not cycle and presented 3.8-fold elevated estrogen levels. That elevated estrogen levels were associated with increased estrogen signaling was evidenced by increased mRNA levels of the estrogen-regulated genes lactoferrin and aquaporin 5 in the uterus. Furthermore, aP2-Cre/ER alpha(flox/flox) female mice showed an accumulation of intra-uterine fluid, hydrometra, without overt indications for causative anatomical anomalies. However, the vagina and cervix displayed advanced keratosis with abnormal quantities of accumulating squamous epithelial cells suggesting functional obstruction by keratin plugs. Importantly, treatment of aP2-Cre/ER alpha(flox/flox) mice with the aromatase inhibitor Letrozole caused regression of the hydrometra phenotype linking increased estrogen levels to the observed phenotype. We propose that in aP2-Cre/ER alpha(flox/flox) mice, increased serum estrogen levels cause over-stimulation in the uterus and genital tracts resulting in hydrometra and vaginal obstruction.
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5. |
- Börjesson, Anna E, et al.
(author)
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Roles of transactivating functions 1 and 2 of estrogen receptor-alpha in bone.
- 2011
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 0027-8424. ; 108:15, s. 6288-6293
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The bone-sparing effect of estrogen is primarily mediated via estrogen receptor-α (ERα), which stimulates target gene transcription through two activation functions (AFs), AF-1 in the N-terminal and AF-2 in the ligand binding domain. To evaluate the role of ERα AF-1 and ERα AF-2 for the effects of estrogen in bone in vivo, we analyzed mouse models lacking the entire ERα protein (ERα(-/-)), ERα AF-1 (ERαAF-1(0)), or ERα AF-2 (ERαAF-2(0)). Estradiol (E2) treatment increased the amount of both trabecular and cortical bone in ovariectomized (OVX) WT mice. Neither the trabecular nor the cortical bone responded to E2 treatment in OVX ERα(-/-) or OVX ERαAF-2(0) mice. OVX ERαAF-1(0) mice displayed a normal E2 response in cortical bone but no E2 response in trabecular bone. Although E2 treatment increased the uterine and liver weights and reduced the thymus weight in OVX WT mice, no effect was seen on these parameters in OVX ERα(-/-) or OVX ERαAF-2(0) mice. The effect of E2 in OVX ERαAF-1(0) mice was tissue-dependent, with no or weak E2 response on thymus and uterine weights but a normal response on liver weight. In conclusion, ERα AF-2 is required for the estrogenic effects on all parameters evaluated, whereas the role of ERα AF-1 is tissue-specific, with a crucial role in trabecular bone and uterus but not cortical bone. Selective ER modulators stimulating ERα with minimal activation of ERα AF-1 could retain beneficial actions in cortical bone, constituting 80% of the skeleton, while minimizing effects on reproductive organs.
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6. |
- Henning, Petra, 1974, et al.
(author)
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The effect of estrogen on bone requires ER alpha in nonhematopoietic cells but is enhanced by ER alpha in hematopoietic cells
- 2014
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In: American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : American Physiological Society. - 0193-1849 .- 1522-1555. ; 307:7
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The effects of estrogen on bone are mediated mainly via estrogen receptor (ER)alpha. ER alpha in osteoclasts (hematopoietic origin) is involved in the trabecular bone-sparing effects of estrogen, but conflicting data are reported on the role of ER alpha in osteoblast lineage cells (nonhematopoietic origin) for bone metabolism. Because Cre-mediated cell-specific gene inactivation used in previous studies might be confounded by nonspecific and/or incomplete cell-specific ER alpha deletion, we herein used an alternative approach to determine the relative importance of ER alpha in hematopoietic (HC) and nonhematopoietic cells (NHC) for bone mass. Chimeric mice with selective inactivation of ER alpha in HC or NHC were created by bone marrow transplantations of wild-type (WT) and ER alpha-knockout (ER alpha(-/-)) mice. Estradiol treatment increased both trabecular and cortical bone mass in ovariectomized WT/WT (defined as recipient/donor) and WT/ER alpha(-/-) mice but not in ER alpha(-/-)/WT or ER alpha(-/-)/ER alpha(-/-) mice. However, estradiol effects on both bone compartments were reduced (similar to 50%) in WT/ER alpha(-/-) mice compared with WT/WT mice. The effects of estradiol on fat mass and B lymphopoiesis required ER alpha specifically in NHC and HC, respectively. In conclusion, ER alpha in NHC is required for the effects of estrogen on both trabecular and cortical bone, but these effects are enhanced by ER alpha in HC.
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7. |
- Movérare-Skrtic, Sofia, et al.
(author)
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The estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182,780 can act both as an agonist and an inverse agonist when estrogen receptor α AF-2 is modified.
- 2014
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490. ; 111:3, s. 1180-1185
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The bone-sparing effect of estrogen is primarily mediated via estrogen receptor (ER) α, which stimulates target gene transcription through two activation functions (AFs), AF-1 in the N-terminal and AF-2 in the ligand-binding domain. It was recently demonstrated that the ER antagonist ICI 182,780 (ICI) acts as an ER agonist in uterus of mice with mutations in the ERα AF-2. To evaluate the estrogen-like effects of ICI in different tissues, ovariectomized wild-type mice and mice with mutations in the ERα AF-2 (ERαAF-2(0)) were treated with ICI, estradiol, or vehicle for 3 wk. Estradiol increased the trabecular and cortical bone mass as well as the uterine weight, whereas it reduced fat mass, thymus weight, and the growth plate height in wild-type but not in ERαAF-2(0) mice. Although ICI had no effect in wild-type mice, it exerted tissue-specific effects in ERαAF-2(0) mice. It acted as an ERα agonist on trabecular bone mass and uterine weight, whereas no effect was seen on cortical bone mass, fat mass, or thymus weight. Surprisingly, a pronounced inverse agonistic activity was seen on the growth plate height, resulting in enhanced longitudinal bone growth. In conclusion, ICI uses ERα AF-1 in a tissue-dependent manner in mice lacking ERαAF-2, resulting in no effect, agonistic activity, or inverse agonistic activity. We propose that ERα lacking AF-2 is constitutively active in the absence of ligand in the growth plate, enabling ICI to act as an inverse agonist.
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8. |
- Ohlsson, Claes, 1965, et al.
(author)
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Probiotics protect mice from ovariectomy-induced cortical bone loss.
- 2014
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In: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The gut microbiota (GM) modulates the hosts metabolism and immune system. Probiotic bacteria are defined as live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host and can alter the composition of the GM. Germ-free mice have increased bone mass associated with reduced bone resorption indicating that the GM also regulates bone mass. Ovariectomy (ovx) results in bone loss associated with altered immune status. The purpose of this study was to determine if probiotic treatment protects mice from ovx-induced bone loss. Mice were treated with either a single Lactobacillus (L) strain, L. paracasei DSM13434 (L. para) or a mixture of three strains, L. paracasei DSM13434, L. plantarum DSM 15312 and DSM 15313 (L. mix) given in the drinking water during 6 weeks, starting two weeks before ovx. Both the L. para and the L. mix treatment protected mice from ovx-induced cortical bone loss and bone resorption. Cortical bone mineral content was higher in both L. para and L. mix treated ovx mice compared to vehicle (veh) treated ovx mice. Serum levels of the resorption marker C-terminal telopeptides and the urinary fractional excretion of calcium were increased by ovx in the veh treated but not in the L. para or the L. mix treated mice. Probiotic treatment reduced the expression of the two inflammatory cytokines, TNFα and IL-1β, and increased the expression of OPG, a potent inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis, in cortical bone of ovx mice. In addition, ovx decreased the frequency of regulatory T cells in bone marrow of veh treated but not probiotic treated mice. In conclusion, treatment with L. para or the L. mix prevents ovx-induced cortical bone loss. Our findings indicate that these probiotic treatments alter the immune status in bone resulting in attenuated bone resorption in ovx mice.
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9. |
- Windahl, Sara H, 1971, et al.
(author)
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Estrogen Receptor-alpha is required for the Osteogenic Response to mechanical loading in a Ligand-Independent manner involving its activation function 1 but Not 2
- 2013
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In: Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. - : Wiley. - 0884-0431 .- 1523-4681. ; 28:2, s. 291-301
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Estrogen receptor-alpha (ER alpha) is crucial for the adaptive response of bone to loading but the role of endogenous estradiol (E2) for this response is unclear. To determine in vivo the ligand dependency and relative roles of different ERa domains for the osteogenic response to mechanical loading, gene-targeted mouse models with (1) a complete ERa inactivation (ER alpha(-/-)), (2) specific inactivation of activation function 1 (AF-1) in ER alpha (ER alpha AF-1(0)), or (3) specific inactivation of ER alpha AF-2 (ER alpha AF- 2(0)) were subjected to axial loading of tibia, in the presence or absence (ovariectomy [ovx]) of endogenous E2. Loading increased the cortical bone area in the tibia mainly as a result of an increased periosteal bone formation rate (BFR) and this osteogenic response was similar in gonadal intact and ovx mice, demonstrating that E2 (ligand) is not required for this response. Female ER alpha(-/-) mice displayed a severely reduced osteogenic response to loading with changes in cortical area (-78% +/- 15%, p < 0.01) and periosteal BFR (-81% +/- 9%, p < 0.01) being significantly lower than in wild-type (WT) mice. ER alpha AF-1(0) mice also displayed a reduced response to mechanical loading compared with WT mice (cortical area -40% +/- 11%, p < 0.05 and periosteal BFR -41% +/- 8%, p < 0.01), whereas the periosteal osteogenic response to loading was unaffected in ER alpha AF-2(0) mice. Mechanical loading of transgenic estrogen response element (ERE)-luciferase reporter mice did not increase luciferase expression in cortical bone, suggesting that the loading response does not involve classical genomic ERE-mediated pathways. In conclusion, ERa is required for the osteogenic response to mechanical loading in a ligand-independent manner involving AF-1 but not AF-2. (C) 2013 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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10. |
- Börjesson, Anna E, et al.
(author)
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The role of estrogen receptor-alpha and its activation function-1 for growth plate closure in female mice
- 2012
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In: American Journal of Physiology-Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : American Physiological Society. - 0193-1849 .- 1522-1555. ; 302:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Borjesson AE, Windahl SH, Karimian E, Eriksson EE, Lagerquist MK, Engdahl C, Antal MC, Krust A, Chambon P, Savendahl L, Ohlsson C. The role of estrogen receptor-alpha and its activation function-1 for growth plate closure in female mice. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 302: E1381-E1389, 2012. First published March 13, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00646.2011.-High estradiol levels in late puberty induce growth plate closure and thereby cessation of growth in humans. In mice, the growth plates do not fuse after sexual maturation, but old mice display reduced longitudinal bone growth and high-dose estradiol treatment induces growth plate closure. Estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha stimulates gene transcription via two activation functions (AFs), AF-1 and AF-2. To evaluate the role of ER alpha and its AF-1 for age-dependent reduction in longitudinal bone growth and growth plate closure, female mice with inactivation of ER alpha (ER alpha(-/-)) or ER alpha AF-1 (ER alpha AF-1(0)) were evaluated. Old (16- to 19-mo-old) female ER alpha(-/-) mice showed continued substantial longitudinal bone growth, resulting in longer bones (tibia: +8.3%, P < 0.01) associated with increased growth plate height (+18%, P < 0.05) compared with wild-type (WT) mice. In contrast, the longitudinal bone growth ceased in old ER alpha AF-1(0) mice (tibia: -4.9%, P < 0.01). Importantly, the proximal tibial growth plates were closed in all old ER alpha AF-1(0) mice while they were open in all WT mice. Growth plate closure was associated with a significantly altered balance between chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis in the growth plate. In conclusion, old female ER alpha(-/-) mice display a prolonged and enhanced longitudinal bone growth associated with increased growth plate height, resembling the growth phenotype of patients with inactivating mutations in ER alpha or aromatase. In contrast, ER alpha AF-1 deletion results in a hyperactive ER alpha, altering the chondrocyte proliferation/apoptosis balance, leading to growth plate closure. This suggests that growth plate closure is induced by functions of ER alpha that do not require AF-1 and that ER alpha AF-1 opposes growth plate closure.
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