Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 15, 2026

Differentiating Functional Roles of Gene Expression from Immune and Non-immune Cells in Mouse Colitis by Bone Marrow Transplantation
Published on: October 1, 2012
Osteopontin expression and function: Role in bone remodeling.
David T Denhardt1, Masaki Noda2
1Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
Osteopontin (OPN) is not essential for mouse development but aids recovery from injury and infection. This protein also plays a role in bone remodeling and may enhance tumor cell survival.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Osteopontin (OPN) is a cytokine and cell attachment protein.
- OPN expression typically increases following injury or infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of OPN in mouse development, survival, and physiological processes.
- To understand OPN's function in recovery, bone remodeling, cellular signaling, and tumor metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Studies were conducted in a clean animal facility.
- Observations included mouse development, survival, and responses to injury/infection.
- Analysis of OPN's effects on cellular signaling, migration, and apoptosis was performed.
Main Results:
- OPN is not required for normal mouse development and survival.
- OPN facilitates organismal recovery after injury or infection.
- OPN is essential for specific types of bone remodeling.
- OPN influences cell migration, immune responses, and apoptosis.
- Increased OPN expression correlates with enhanced tumor cell metastasis.
Conclusions:
- OPN's primary functions involve post-injury/infection recovery and bone remodeling.
- OPN's role in cell survival and migration may contribute to cancer progression.
More Related Videos
08:24Measuring Bone Remodeling and Recreating the Tumor-Bone Microenvironment Using Calvaria Co-culture and Histomorphometry
Published on: March 14, 2020
08:28A Lab-On-A-Chip Platform for Stimulating Osteocyte Mechanotransduction and Analyzing Functional Outcomes of Bone Remodeling
Published on: May 21, 2020
Related Concept Videos
Bone Remodeling
Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
What is Gene Expression?
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...
Role of Septins
Cellular Functions of Septins
Recent studies have revealed the multifaceted roles of septins in various cellular processes such as cytokinesis, ciliogenesis, and neurogenesis. Septins act as scaffolds and...