News Release

Study finds evidence that a protein, MCP-1, may determine bone loss responses to parathyroid hormone

Findings could have implications for systemic as well as bone conditions

Peer-Reviewed Publication

New York University

In a new study published in November in Scientific Reports, New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) researchers investigating the catabolic effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) in hyperparathyroidism (HPT) showed, for the first time, that monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is required for catabolic responses to PTH. HTP is a condition in which an abnormally high concentration of PTH in the blood accelerates bone loss.

The research team, led by Nicola C. Partridge, PhD, professor and chair of the Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology at NYU Dentistry, had previously found that MCP-1 is important in producing an anabolic effect of PTH, in which bone formation is increased, and they wanted to know if it was also important in causing a catabolic effect, in which bone is broken down.

In the present study, the researchers focused on the role of MCP-1 in PTH-induced osteoclast formation. Osteoclasts are cells that break down the bone. Increased osteoclast formation causes bones to become thinner and weaker. The researchers recreated the hyperparathyroid state in mice by constantly elevating their hyperparathyroid levels. Over a two-week period, they continuously infused female wild-type and MCP-1 knockout mice with human PTH. They showed that the ability of PTH to increase osteoclast formation in vitro is markedly impaired in cells from MCP-1 knockout mice and concluded that MCP-1 is an important chemokine, or signaling protein, in PTH-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption.

The findings support the possibility that MCP-1 could be a marker for how PTH works in humans with hyperparathyroidism, as elevated serum MCP-1 has been shown to be correlated with elevated serum PTH levels in women. Notably, within minutes after humans undergo parathyroid adenoma surgery, MCP-1 serum levels decrease.

Because high serum levels of MCP-1 cause the white cells and osteoclasts to be stimulated, this process could have systemic effects as well as effects on bone. "MCP-1 is a chemokine, which induces cells to move along a gradient recruiting white cells and osteoclasts in tissues," says Dr. Partridge. "Accordingly, there could also be effects on adipose tissue, the heart, and inflammatory conditions."

In the United States, about 1,000 people develop HPT each year, with osteoporosis the most common manifestation. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are approximately 1.5 million osteoporotic fractures in the U.S. each year that lead to half a million hospitalizations, over 800,000 emergency room encounters, more than 2,600,000 physician office visits, and the placement of nearly 180,000 individuals in nursing homes. Hip fractures are by far the most devastating type of fracture, accounting for about 300,000 hospitalizations each year. About one in five people sustaining a hip fracture ends up in a nursing home.

###

In addition to Dr. Partridge, study authors include Jawed A. Siddiqui, Joshua Johnson, Carole Le Henaff, and Claudine L. Bitel, all of NYU Dentistry, and Joseph A. Tamasi of Bristol-Myers Squibb.

The research was supported by the NYU CTSA grant UL1 TR001445 from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health.

About NYU College of Dentistry

Founded in 1865, New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) is the third oldest and the largest dental school in the US, educating more than 8 percent of all dentists. NYU Dentistry has a significant global reach with a highly diverse student body. Visit http://dental.nyu.edu for more.


Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.