Genome-Wide Mapping and Interrogation of the Nmp4 Antianabolic Bone Axis

Mol Endocrinol. 2015 Sep;29(9):1269-85. doi: 10.1210/me.2014-1406. Epub 2015 Aug 5.

Abstract

PTH is an osteoanabolic for treating osteoporosis but its potency wanes. Disabling the transcription factor nuclear matrix protein 4 (Nmp4) in healthy, ovary-intact mice enhances bone response to PTH and bone morphogenetic protein 2 and protects from unloading-induced osteopenia. These Nmp4(-/-) mice exhibit expanded bone marrow populations of osteoprogenitors and supporting CD8(+) T cells. To determine whether the Nmp4(-/-) phenotype persists in an osteoporosis model we compared PTH response in ovariectomized (ovx) wild-type (WT) and Nmp4(-/-) mice. To identify potential Nmp4 target genes, we performed bioinformatic/pathway profiling on Nmp4 chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data. Mice (12 w) were ovx or sham operated 4 weeks before the initiation of PTH therapy. Skeletal phenotype analysis included microcomputed tomography, histomorphometry, serum profiles, fluorescence-activated cell sorting and the growth/mineralization of cultured WT and Nmp4(-/-) bone marrow mesenchymal stem progenitor cells (MSPCs). ChIP-seq data were derived using MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts, murine embryonic stem cells, and 2 blood cell lines. Ovx Nmp4(-/-) mice exhibited an improved response to PTH coupled with elevated numbers of osteoprogenitors and CD8(+) T cells, but were not protected from ovx-induced bone loss. Cultured Nmp4(-/-) MSPCs displayed enhanced proliferation and accelerated mineralization. ChIP-seq/gene ontology analyses identified target genes likely under Nmp4 control as enriched for negative regulators of biosynthetic processes. Interrogation of mRNA transcripts in nondifferentiating and osteogenic differentiating WT and Nmp4(-/-) MSPCs was performed on 90 Nmp4 target genes and differentiation markers. These data suggest that Nmp4 suppresses bone anabolism, in part, by regulating IGF-binding protein expression. Changes in Nmp4 status may lead to improvements in osteoprogenitor response to therapeutic cues.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Density / drug effects
  • Bone Diseases, Metabolic / prevention & control
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / metabolism
  • Bone Resorption / drug therapy*
  • Bone Resorption / genetics
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chromosome Mapping
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Female
  • Genetic Therapy
  • Humans
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / genetics
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins / genetics*
  • Osteogenesis / drug effects
  • Osteoporosis / drug therapy*
  • Osteoporosis / genetics
  • Ovariectomy
  • Ovary / surgery
  • Parathyroid Hormone / therapeutic use*
  • Transcription Factors / genetics*

Substances

  • Bmp2 protein, mouse
  • Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins
  • Nuclear Matrix-Associated Proteins
  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Transcription Factors
  • Zfp384 protein, mouse