The microbiome: A heritable contributor to bone morphology?

Area of Science:

• Skeletal Biology
• Microbiome Research
• Genetics

Background:

• Bone structure and density are highly heritable, with estimates of 50-80% in humans.
• Genome-wide association studies explain only 25% of bone mineral density variation, indicating significant environmental influences.
• The gut microbiome has co-evolved with vertebrates and is partially acquired through familial transfer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the gut microbiome as a heritable environmental factor contributing to bone morphology and density.
• To review evidence from mouse studies on the gut microbiome's influence on postnatal bone development.
• To investigate the role of gut microbiota in determining skeletal phenotypes.

Main Methods:

• Review of preclinical studies in mice over the past decade.
• Analysis of research investigating the impact of gut microbiome presence on bone growth.
• Examination of studies involving gut microbiota transfer between mouse strains with different bone phenotypes.

Main Results:

• The presence of the gut microbiome can influence postnatal bone growth, affecting both longitudinal and appositional bone expansion.
• Gut microbiota impacts cortical bone morphology in long bones.
• Transferring gut microbiota between mouse strains with distinct bone phenotypes can alter postnatal development and adult bone morphology.

Conclusions:

• The gut microbiome is a significant contributor to skeletal phenotype.
• Heritable environmental factors, such as the gut microbiome, play a crucial role in bone development.
• Further research is warranted to elucidate the mechanisms by which the gut microbiome influences bone health.