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Bone disorders

Targeting NOX4 knocks down osteoporosis

Nature Reviews Drug Discovery volume 12, pages 904–905 (2013)Cite this article

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Increased ROS production is known to influence the development of osteoclasts — cells that mediate bone resorption. Therefore, the authors investigated the role of the constitutively active ROS-producing enzyme, NOX4, in bone homeostasis.

First, they studied Nox4−/− mice. The trabecular bone of these mice was wider and thicker, with a higher bone mineral density than wild-type mice, Nox1−/− mice or Nox2−/− mice. Nox4−/− mice also had greater bone strength. The rate of bone formation was not altered by Nox4 deletion, which suggests that NOX4 affects osteoclasts but not osteoblasts (the cells that form bone). Indeed, the expression of osteoclast markers, numbers of osteoclasts and levels of osteoclast formation were reduced in the bones of Nox4−/− mice, as were levels of circulating markers of bone resorption.

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References

  1. Goettsch, C. et al. NADPH oxidase 4 limits bone mass by promoting osteoclastogenesis. J.Clin. Invest. 123, 4731–4738 (2013)

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  1. Charlotte Harrison
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Harrison, C. Targeting NOX4 knocks down osteoporosis. Nat Rev Drug Discov 12, 904–905 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrd4182

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