Chondroitin sulfate-E mediates estrogen-induced osteoanabolism

Sci Rep. 2015 Mar 11:5:8994. doi: 10.1038/srep08994.

Abstract

Osteoporosis is an age-related disorder of bone remodeling in which bone resorption outstrips bone matrix deposition. Although anticatabolic agents are frequently used as first-line therapies for osteoporosis, alternative anabolic strategies that can enhance anabolic, osteogenic potential are actively sought. Sex steroid hormones, particularly estrogens, are bidirectional regulators for bone homeostasis; therefore, estrogen-mediated events are important potential targets for such anabolic therapies. Here, we show that estrogen-induced, osteoanabolic effects were mediated via enhanced production of chondroitin sulfate-E (CS-E), which could act as an osteogenic stimulant in our cell-based system. Conversely, estrogen deficiency caused reduced expression of CS-E-synthesizing enzymes, including GalNAc4S-6ST, and led to decreased CS-E production in cultures of bone marrow cells derived from ovariectomized mice. Moreover, Galnac4s6st-deficient mice had abnormally low bone mass that resulted from impaired osteoblast differentiation. These results indicated that strategies aimed at boosting CS-E biosynthesis are promising alternative therapies for osteoporosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Remodeling
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / metabolism*
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / pharmacology
  • Estrogens / metabolism*
  • Estrogens / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Osteoblasts / drug effects
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects
  • Osteoclasts / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis* / drug effects
  • Phenotype
  • Sulfotransferases / genetics
  • Sulfotransferases / metabolism

Substances

  • Estrogens
  • Chondroitin Sulfates
  • N-acetylgalactosamine 4-sulfate 6-O-sulfotransferase
  • Sulfotransferases