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Osteoclasts adapt to physioxia perturbation through DNA demethylation
Keizo Nishikawa1,2,3, Shigeto Seno4, Toshitada Yoshihara5
1Laboratory of Cell Biology and Metabolic Biochemistry, Department of Medical Life Systems, Graduate School of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan.
Cellular oxygen levels impact bone cells. Researchers found that ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes act as oxygen sensors, regulating osteoclast formation in live mice.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Sciences
- Cellular Biology
- Physiology
Background:
- Oxygen is crucial for biological processes, but its in vivo cellular levels and effects are poorly understood.
- Quantifying oxygen tension in living tissues is challenging, limiting research on cellular responses to oxygen fluctuations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To measure physiological oxygen tension in osteoclasts within live mice.
- To investigate the cellular mechanisms by which oxygen levels regulate osteoclastogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized two-photon phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy to determine oxygen tension in osteoclasts.
- Assessed the impact of physiological hypoxia on osteoclastogenesis, energy metabolism, and hypoxia-inducible factor activity.
- Investigated the role of ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes in oxygen sensing and osteoclast differentiation.
Main Results:
- Physiological oxygen tension in osteoclasts ranged from 17.4 mmHg (hypoxia) to 36.4 mmHg (normoxia).
- Hypoxia significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis, independent of energy metabolism or HIF activity.
- Hypoxia reduced ten-eleven translocation (TET) activity, with Tet2/3 induction of Prdm1 expression via DNA demethylation being oxygen-dependent.
- This pathway, involving TET enzymes, Prdm1, and NFATc1, is critical for osteoclast formation.
Conclusions:
- Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes function as critical oxygen sensors in osteoclasts.
- TET-mediated regulation of Prdm1 and NFATc1 controls osteoclastogenesis within the physiological oxygen range.
- This study reveals a novel mechanism for in vivo oxygen sensing and its role in bone biology.
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