Strain-conditioned spatial gene expression in female mouse bone under physiological and non-physiological strain
Worapat Sawatwong1, Glen Niebur2, Priyanka Ramesh3
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences and Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, United States.
JBMR Plus
|February 18, 2026
Summary
Non-physiological mechanical strain distribution, unlike normal loading, alters gene expression in mouse bone, impacting bone remodeling and vasculature. This finding is crucial for understanding osteoporosis and developing new treatments.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Skeletal Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Osteoporosis is a common bone disease affecting mechanical adaptation.
- Molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling in response to different mechanical strains are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular mechanisms of bone adaptation to distinct mechanical strain distributions.
- To compare spatial transcriptomic changes in mouse tibiae under physiological and non-physiological loading.
Main Methods:
- Mouse tibiae were subjected to axial compressive (physiological) or medial-lateral (non-physiological) loading.
- Finite element analysis and strain gauge measurements determined strain distributions.
- GeoMX Digital Spatial Profiler analyzed spatial transcriptomic changes at a key differential strain site.
Main Results:
- Medial-lateral loading induced distinct gene expression patterns, downregulating bone remodeling, cellular stress, and vasculature genes.
- Axial compressive loading did not produce these effects.
- Non-physiological tensile strain showed unique transcriptomic profiles compared to physiological strain.
Conclusions:
- Strain distribution, not just magnitude, spatially regulates bone adaptation signaling pathways.
- Non-physiological strain conditions significantly influence bone remodeling processes.
- Findings provide a basis for novel therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis.
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