Cited by 282Bone Metabolism and DiseasesEstrogen and related hormone effectsBone health and osteoporosis research

The Estrogen Receptor-α in Osteoclasts Mediates the Protective Effects of Estrogens on Cancellous But Not Cortical Bone

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Martin-Millan, Marta, Almeida, Maria, Ambrogini, Elena, Han, Li, Zhao, Haibo, Weinstein, Robert S., Jilka, Robert L., O'Brien, Charles A. +1 more·2010·Molecular Endocrinology

Abstract

Estrogens attenuate osteoclastogenesis and stimulate osteoclast apoptosis, but the molecular mechanism and contribution of these effects to the overall antiosteoporotic efficacy of estrogens remain controversial. We selectively deleted the estrogen receptor (ER)α from the monocyte/macrophage cell lineage in mice (ERαLysM−/−) and found a 2-fold increase in osteoclast progenitors in the marrow and the number of osteoclasts in cancellous bone, along with a decrease in cancellous bone mass. After loss of estrogens these mice failed to exhibit the expected increase in osteoclast progenitors, the number of osteoclasts in bone, and further loss of cancellous bone. However, they lost cortical bone indistinguishably from their littermate controls. Mature osteoclasts from ERαLysM−/− were resistant to the proapoptotic effect of 17β-estradiol. Nonetheless, the effects of estrogens on osteoclasts were unhindered in mice bearing an ERα knock-in mutation that prevented binding to DNA. Moreover, a polymeric form of estrogen that is not capable of stimulating the nuclear-initiated actions of ERα was as effective as 17β-estradiol in inducing osteoclast apoptosis in cells with the wild-type ERα. We conclude that estrogens attenuate osteoclast generation and life span via cell autonomous effects mediated by DNA-binding-independent actions of ERα. Elimination of these effects is sufficient for loss of bone in the cancellous compartment in which complete perforation of trabeculae by osteoclastic resorption precludes subsequent refilling of the cavities by the bone-forming osteoblasts. However, additional effects of estrogens on osteoblasts, osteocytes, and perhaps other cell types are required for their protective effects on the cortical compartment, which constitutes 80% of the skeleton.

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Authors
Martin-Millan, M., Almeida, M., Ambrogini, E., Han, L., Zhao, H., Weinstein, R. S., Jilka, R. L., O'Brien, C. A., & Manolagas, S. C.
Affiliations
  • Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Osteoporosis and Metabolic Bone Diseases, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
  • Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System (US)
Venue
Molecular Endocrinology
Published
2010-02-01
Volume
24
Issue
2
Pages
323-334
ISSN
  • 0888-8809 (ISSN-L)
  • 1944-9917
OpenAlex
W2081379880
Cited by
282
References
65
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 22 · 2022: 22 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 25 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 18 · 2016: 19 · 2015: 18 · 2014: 21 · 2013: 19 · 2012: 16
FWCI
7.68
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Molecular Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institute on Aging (P01 AG-13918, P01AG013918)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01-AR49794, R01AR049794)
  • Institute of Genetics
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Bone Metabolism and Diseases
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Estrogen and related hormone effects
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Bone health and osteoporosis research
Keywords
estrogen receptor alpha, osteoclasts, estrogen, trabecular bone, cortical bone, osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast apoptosis, estradiol, monocyte/macrophage lineage, bone loss, osteoporosis, osteoblasts, osteocytes
MeSH terms
Animals, Bone and Bones, Bone Marrow Cells, Bone Resorption, Cells, Cultured, Chimera, Estradiol, Estrogens, Female, Macrophages, Organ Specificity, Osteoblasts, Osteoclasts, Osteoporosis, Ovariectomy, RNA, Messenger, Bone Density, Apoptosis, Gene Targeting, Estrogen Receptor alpha, Mice, Gene Knock-In Techniques

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