Dysregulation of ectonucleotidase-mediated extracellular adenosine during postmenopausal bone loss

Sci Adv. 2019 Aug 21;5(8):eaax1387. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aax1387. eCollection 2019 Aug.

Abstract

Adenosine and its receptors play a key role in bone homeostasis and regeneration. Extracellular adenosine is generated from CD39 and CD73 activity in the cell membrane, through conversion of adenosine triphosphate to adenosine monophosphate (AMP) and AMP to adenosine, respectively. Despite the relevance of CD39/CD73 to bone health, the roles of these enzymes in bona fide skeletal disorders remain unknown. We demonstrate that CD39/CD73 expression and extracellular adenosine levels in the bone marrow are substantially decreased in animals with osteoporotic bone loss. Knockdown of estrogen receptors ESR1 and ESR2 in primary osteoprogenitors and osteoclasts undergoing differentiation showed decreased coexpression of membrane-bound CD39 and CD73 and lower extracellular adenosine. Targeting the adenosine A2B receptor using an agonist attenuated bone loss in ovariectomized mice. Together, these findings suggest a pathological association of purine metabolism with estrogen deficiency and highlight the potential of A2B receptor as a target to treat osteoporosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine / metabolism*
  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists / pharmacology
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Biomarkers
  • Cell Membrane
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / genetics
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha / metabolism
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism
  • Gene Expression
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Osteoclasts / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis / genetics
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / diagnosis
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / etiology
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / metabolism*
  • Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal / prevention & control
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2B / metabolism
  • X-Ray Microtomography

Substances

  • Adenosine A2 Receptor Agonists
  • Biomarkers
  • Esr1 protein, mouse
  • Estrogen Receptor alpha
  • Receptor, Adenosine A2B
  • Adenosine Triphosphatases
  • ectoATPase
  • Adenosine