[Regulation of osteoclastogenesis by osteocytes through growth differentiation factor-15]

Osteocytes are the most abundant cells in bone. However, little attention has been paid to their role in bone remodeling. In this study, osteoclast differentiation was significantly enhanced by conditioned media derived from cultures of osteocytic MLO-Y4 cells that were cultured under hypoxic conditions. Using microarray analysis, we identified growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15) as a pivotal factor secreted from osteocytes under hypoxia. Indeed, treatment with recombinant GDF15 markedly increased osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Further to investigate the importance of GDF15 in vivo, we used a hypoxic murine model that involved ligation of the right femoral artery. The volume of cancellous bone in the proximal tibia of the ligated limb was significantly reduced, together with a significant increase in osteoclast-related parameters. Addition of anti-GDF15 antibody prevented bone loss and osteoclastic activation in the tibiae of mice that had undergone femoral artery ligation. These results suggest that GDF15, which is secreted from osteocytes under hypoxia during bone remodeling, may be a positive regulator of osteoclastic differentiation. The in vivo usefulness of the anti-GDF15 antibody might provide insights for the development of novel therapeutics for bone disorders related to hypoxia or ischemic insults.