Poster 2: Cell and Tissue Studies

Kelechi Chukwuocha, Anja Nohe (PI)

University of Delaware

The skeletal system is an essential part of developmental process that provides structural support and protection for other tissues and organs. For bone homeostasis to be maintained, there must be a balance between bone mineralization and bone resorption through the activities of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. An imbalance between the two activities can degenerate to diseases such as osteoporosis. About 20% of American women suffer from osteoporosis which results in 1.5 million fractures annually, and about thirty five percent of the adults are obese. These conditions have recently been found to be related with evidence showing that increased abdominal fat is associated with increased risk of hip fracture, reduced bone mineral density and increased marrow adiposity. Bone morphogenic proteins especially bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2), are potent growth factors that play crucial roles in osteogenesis, adipogenesis and/or adipocyte apoptosis based on concentration. However, the molecular mechanism directing adipogenesis within marrow is not well understood. In this study, we examine the implication of a possible proteolytic cleavage of the BMP type 1 receptor (BMPR1A) by the Interleukin-1 converting enzyme (Caspase1). Defining key pathways to specifically direct adipogenesis or osteogenesis may lead to new therapeutics regulating osteoblast and adipocyte numbers and functions.

Research Area: Bone