A novel locus on the X chromosome regulates post-maturity bone density changes in mice

Genetic architecture of bone quality variation in layer chickens revealed by a genome-wide association study

Skeletal problems in layer chickens are gaining attention due to animal welfare and economic losses in the egg industry. The genetic improvement of bone traits has been proposed as a potential solution to these issues; however, genetic architecture is not well understood. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on bone quality using a sample of 1534 hens genotyped with a 600 K Chicken Genotyping Array. Using a linear mixed model approach, a novel locus close to GSG1L, associated with femur bone mineral density (BMD), was uncovered in this study. In addition, nine SNPs in genes were associated with bone quality. Three of these genes, RANKL, ADAMTS and SOST, were known to be associated with osteoporosis in humans, which makes them good candidate genes for osteoporosis in chickens. Genomic partitioning analysis supports the fact that common variants contribute to the variations of bone quality. We have identified several strong candidate genes and genomic regions associated with bone traits measured in end-of-lay cage layers, which accounted for 1.3–7.7% of the phenotypic variance. These SNPs could provide the relevant information to help elucidate which genes affect bone quality in chicken.

The relevance of mouse models for investigating age-related bone loss in humans

Mice are increasingly used for investigation of the pathophysiology of osteoporosis because their genome is easily manipulated, and their skeleton is similar to that of humans. Unlike the human skeleton, however, the murine skeleton continues to grow slowly after puberty and lacks osteonal remodeling of cortical bone. Yet, like humans, mice exhibit loss of cancellous bone, thinning of cortical bone, and increased cortical porosity with advancing age. Histologic evidence in mice and humans alike indicates that inadequate osteoblast-mediated refilling of resorption cavities created during bone remodeling is responsible. Mouse models of progeria also show bone loss and skeletal defects associated with senescence of early osteoblast progenitors. Additionally, mouse models of atherosclerosis, which often occurs in osteoporotic participants, also suffer bone loss, suggesting that common diseases of aging share pathophysiological pathways. Knowledge of the causes of skeletal fragility in mice should therefore be applicable to humans if inherent limitations are recognized.

Quantitative trait locus on chromosome X affects bone loss after maturation in mice

Genetic programming is known to affect the peak bone mass and bone loss after maturation. However, little is known about how polymorphic genes on chromosome X (Chr X) modulate bone loss after maturation. We previously reported a quantitative trait locus (QTL) on Chr X, designated Pbd3, which had a suggestive linkage to bone mass, in male SAMP2 and SAMP6 mice. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of Pbd3 on the skeletal phenotype. We generated a congenic strain, P2.P6-X, carrying a 45.6-cM SAMP6-derived Chr X interval on a SAMP2 genetic background. The effects of Pbd3 on the bone phenotype were determined by microcomputed tomography (microCT), whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), serum bone turnover markers, and histomorphometric parameters. Both the bone area fraction (BA/TA) on microCT and whole-body DXA revealed reduced bone loss in P2.P6-X compared with that in SAMP2. The serum concentrations of bone turnover markers at 4 months of age were significantly lower in P2.P6-X than in SAMP2, but did not differ at 8 months of age. These results were observed in female mice, but not in male mice. In conclusion, a QTL within a segregated 45.6-cM interval on Chr X is sex-specifically related to the rate of bone loss after maturation.

Sex-specific effect of Pirin gene on bone mineral density in a cohort of 4000 Chinese

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a common condition among elderly. Genetic mapping studies repeatedly located the distal short arms of X-chromosome as the quantitative trait loci (QTL) for BMD in mice. Fine mapping of a syntenic segment on Xp22 in a Caucasian female population suggested a moderate association between lumbar spine (LS) BMD and 2 intronic SNPs in the Pirin (PIR) gene, which encodes an iron-binding nuclear protein. This study aimed to examine genetic variations in the PIR gene by a comprehensive tagging method and its sex-specific effects on BMD and osteoporotic risk.

METHODS

Two thousand men and 2000 women aged 65 or above were recruited from the community. BMDs at the LS, femoral neck, total hip and whole body were measured and followed up at 4-year. Genotyping was performed for tagSNPs of PIR gene including adjacent regions, and the PIR haplotypes were inferred using PHASE program.

RESULTS

Analysis by linear regression showed a significant association between SNP rs5935970 and LS-BMD, while haplotype T-T-A was significantly associated with BMD of all measured sites. However, none of such associations were found in men. Linear Mixed Model also confirmed the same sex-specific and site-specific effect for longitudinal BMD changes.

CONCLUSION

In addition to confirming the association between BMDs and the PIR gene, we also revealed that this finding is sex-specific, possibly due to an X-linked effect. This study demonstrated the importance of considering sex and genetic interactions in studies of disease predisposition and complex traits.

Site-specific bone loss in senescence-accelerated mouse (SAMP6): a murine model for senile osteoporosis

The senescence-accelerated mouse strain P6 (SAMP6) is a model of senile osteoporosis, which possesses many features of senile osteoporosis in humans. So far, little is known about the systemic bone microstructural changes that occur at multiple skeletal sites. In this study, we therefore, investigated site (vertebra, femur and tibia) dependence of bone microstructure and bone mineral density (BMD) in SAMP6 and the normal control mouse (SAMR1) at 5 and 12months of age using quantitative micro computed tomography (micro-CT) and image analysis software. As compared with SAMR1, the most prominent change in SAMP6 was the reduction of vertebral trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and trabecular BMD. Moderate decrease of trabecular bone mass was observed in the proximal tibia and distal femur. Increased marrow area and periosteal perimeter were investigated, though the cortical area and cortical thickness had no marked changes in the mid-tibial and mid-femoral cortical bones. These results indicate that bone microstructural properties in SAMP6 are remarkably heterogeneous throughout the skeleton, which is analogous to changes that occur in human bones. These findings further validate the relevance of SAMP6 as a model of senile osteoporosis.