Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION
Aging is characterized by a progressive decline in the physiological function/homeostasis eventually leading to morbidity and mortality1). During the aging process, age-related bone loss in terms of composition, skeletal structure and function predispose to osteoporosis2). The deterioration in bone mass is a major phenotype of accelerated aging and induces bone dysfunction together with vulnerability to additional diseases. Because of the close relationship between the aging process and pathogenesis in bone, basic and clinical research of age-related bone loss has increased significantly in recent years3-5).
Klotho is a transmembrane protein that functions as an aging suppressor or anti-senescence-related protein and plays a crucial role in phosphate, calcium, and vitamin D metabolism 6,7). Klotho-deficient mice have identical aging phenotypes such as a short life-span, ectopic calcification, osteoporosis, arteriosclerosis, muscle atrophy, and skin atrophy5,8). In the kidney, Klotho deficiency induces severe hyperphosphatemia and hypervitaminosis D through impaired FGF23 signaling6,9). Furthermore, Klotho can also activate the calcium channels transient receptor potential vanilloid receptor (TRPV) 5/6 and conserve serum calcium and reduce calciuria7. Klotho is involved in the IGF-1/IGFR, Wnt and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathways10,11). Recent studies observed direct effects of Klotho on bone formation and remodeling 12,13). Klotho -/- mice show low bone mineral formation and bone resorption activities, and bone metabolism, which result in osteodysplasia and/or osteoporosis that are characterized by low-bone volume and low-bone turnover5,13-15). However, the other studies reported increased trabecular bone volume and thickness or increased bone volume and low-bone turnover in klotho knockout mice15-17). Although controversy exists as to the changes in bone formation or bone development, klotho -/- mice exhibited abnormal bone development. However, these findings did not address whether the bone phenotype of klotho -/- mice results from a functional defect of the Klotho gene/proteins or systemic disturbances in bone metabolism associated with aging.
Recently, we created the SAMP1/kl-deficient (SAMP1/kl-/-) mice to more comprehensively explore the complexities of aging18). The senescence-accelerated mouse prone 1 (SAMP1) was developed as a mouse model for studying age-related diseases, such as senile amyloidosis, contracted kidneys, an impaired immune response, expansion of the lungs, hearing impairment, and hypertensive vascular disease19). We demonstrated that SAMP1/kl-/- mice display atrophy of tissues, growth retardation, and multiple features resembling those associated with premature aging. One of the major features observed in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice was a large amount of ectopic calcification and inflammation in several tissues including the kidney18).
In this study, micro-CT analysis showed that the mandibular and cortical bones were clearly hypomineralized in SAMP1/kl-/- compared with the age-matched SAMP1/kl+/+. Although the mandibular and cortical bones share morphological features such as mineralization processes, little information is available on how accelerating aging influences tooth and mandibular formation. SAMP1/kl -/- mice displayed a loss of incisor roots and irregular dentinal tubule formation, as well as calcification within the pulp root canal. Defective femur and tibia and abnormal vertebral curvature were also observed at 2 months in SAMP1/kl-/- mice. SAMP1/kl -/- mice may serve as a novel model for dysosteogenesis in mandibular bone development.
Ⅱ. MATERIALS AND METHODS
1. Generation of SAMP1/kl Deficient Mice
Senescence-accelerated mice (SAMP1, 7 weeks old) were purchased from Japan SLC, Inc. (Hamamatsu, Japan). SAM is a group of inbred mouse strains (AKR/J mice) that are used as models to study human aging and age-related diseases19). Heterozygous klotho mice (kl+/-) were generously provided by Dr. Kuro-O (University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, TX, USA). To generate a line of SAMP1/Klotho-deficient mice (SAMP1/ kl-/-), we crossed SAMP1 and Klotho heterozygous mice (kl+/-). SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/kl-/- mice were then derived from SAMP1/kl+/- heterozygous breeding pairs. Tail biopsies were performed for genotyping. DNA was extracted and tested for the presence of wild type and mutant alleles. All animal procedures were performed in accordance with a protocol approved by the Chosun University Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
2. Micro-computed tomography imaging
The heads of five male SAMP1/kl-/-mutant mice and of five corresponding age/sex-matched wild-type (WT) littermates were examined at 1 or 2 months of age. All samples were scanned using the Quantum GX micro-CT preclinical in vivo X-ray imaging system (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA), which operates at an energy of 90 kV and current intensity of 88 μA. Micro-CT data acquisitions (with resolutions at 90, 50, 25, and 25 μm pixel sizes for skulls, mandibles, incisors, and molars, respectively) were reconstructed using advanced microCT analysis software (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA, USA). Then, according to the region of interest (ROI) selected in the femurs, the characteristics of the trabecular and cortical bone were analyzed by the advanced bone analysis software plug software (PerkinElmer, micro-CT), and a 3D model of the ROI region was constructed by the 3D Optical Imaging software (PerkinElmer, micro-CT).
3. Histology
Samples (heads of 1 or 2-month-old WT and SAMP1/kl-/- mice) were fixed in 10% formalin for 30 days and then transferred into 70% ethanol, washed in water, and demineralized in 10% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) at 37°C for 10 days (the demineralizing solution was changed every day for the first 3 d and then every other day). After thoroughly washing in water, the heads were dehydrated in graded ethanol, cleared in Histo-Clear (National Diagnostics, Atlanta, GA, USA), and embedded in paraffin at 60°C. Ten-micrometerthick transverse sections were collected, deparaffinized, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E).
4. Bone volume analysis
Using the same 3D analysis software, the slice images obtained by micro-CT were reconstructed, and the volume of the femurs was analyzed.
5. Statistical analysis
Statistical analysis was performed with the data obtained from two or three independent experiments. A student’s t-test was used to analyze protein expression levels and p values less than 0.05 were considered significant. When comparing differences between experimental groups, data were analyzed using ANOVA. The data are represented as the mean ± standard deviation (S.D).
Ⅲ. RESULTS
1. SAMP1/kl-deficient mice displayed severe tooth defects in the proximal incisor region and altered in the mandibular bone
First, we compared the characteristics of the lower incisors between SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/kl-deficient mice by adding the volumes of the enamel, dentin, and the pulp in the explored region (Fig. 1A). Micro-computed-tomography (micro- CT) of jaws in SAMP1/kl-deficient mice demonstrated that enamel was present from the cervical loop region. The shape and size of the distal incisors (dentin/enamel volume) was not significantly different between the SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/ kl-deficient mice. Important differences were observed in the maturation of the root of the lower proximal incisors. The incisor root regions in SAMP1/kl -/- mice showed greater defects in mineralization and root canal calcification compared to SAMP1/kl+/+ mice. The sharpness of incisor tip in SAMP1/kl -/- mice was disappeared at 8 week, probably due to abrasion of enamel in labial side. In Histologic analysis, the tooth in SAMP1/kl-deficient mice showed irregular enamel space and distorted dentin structure (Fig. 1B), supporting a mineralization defect in tooth.
We showed a specific mandibular phenotype in the SAMP1/ kl-/- mice compared to the SAMP1/kl+/+ by a micro-CT. Interestingly, the SAMP1/kl-/- mice exhibited an extremely abnormal trabecular pattern (ground glass appearance) and loss of cortical bone in the inferior portion of both mandibular rami (Fig. 1C). In addition, the head and neck bones of the SAMP1/kl-/- mice were poorly mineralized and showed impaired bone development and an abnormal shape of the nasal conchae and ethmoidal labyrinth (Fig. 1D). In the SAMP1/ kl-/- mice, the mandibular ramus width was thicker than that in SAMP1/kl+/+ mice (Fig. 1E).
2. Three-dimensional surface rendering of the head and neck bones of the SAMP1/kl-/- mice using micro-CT
We compared the phenotypic variation of the skeletal structures between SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/kl-/- mice. Threedimensional surface rendering of micro-CT images revealed that the resorption of the alveolar bone on the lingual side, bone deposition on the ramus and thickness of the zygomatic bone were increased. (Fig. 2A). However, there were no significant differences in condylar formation between the SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/kl-/- mice (Fig. 2B). In addition, SAMP1/kl-/- mice were characterized by fused sutures (coronal, sagittal, lambdoid) of the skull compared to SAMP1/kl+/+ mice (Fig. 2C).
3. SAMP1/kl-deficient mice exhibited ectopic calcification in mandibular bone
The effect of SAMP1/kl deficiency on head and neck bone morphology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin staining in SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/kl-/- mice. The teeth in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice showed dysplastic dentin with irregular dentinal tubule formation, as well as resorption of the alveolar bone. In addition, discontinuous and thicker bones were observed around the nasal cavity (Fig. 3A). Immature bone trabeculae-like structures appeared at the ramus of the mandible in 4- and 8-week-old SAMP1/kl-/- mice. SAMP1/kl-/- mice also showed greater dysplastic bone with irregular calcification of the maxillary bone, facial bone, mandibular bone, and cranial bone compared to the SAMP1/kl+/+ mice (Fig. 3B).
4. The micro-CT analysis of the trabecular bones in distal femurs
To reveal the condition of the bone in SAMP1/kl-/- mice, we used micro-CT to analyze and compare the architecture of the vertebral column, tibia, and femoral trabecular and cortical bone. 3D reconstructions of the vertebral column of 2-month-old SAMP1/kl-/- mice revealed prominent kyphosis (curvature of the vertebral column) compared with SAMP1/kl+/+ mice (Fig. 4A). In the 2-month-old SAMP1/kl-/- mice, the tibia and femurs showed abnormal structures including enlarged and shortened femurs. The cortical bones of the femurs in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice showed irregularity and discontinuity and an internal granular appearance compared with those of the SAMP1/kl+/+ mice. In the SAMP1/ kl-/- mice, the growth plate in the femoral head was closed, unlike that of SAMP1/kl+/+ mice (Fig. 4B). The 3D image showed that the number of trabecular bones in the SAMP1/ kl-/- mice was substantially increased. Additionally, the SAMP1/ kl-/- mice revealed cortical bone thinning in the femur compared with the SAMP1/kl+/+ mice (Fig. 4B). Micro-CT analysis, which included bone volume (BV) / tissue volume (TV) and the number of trabecular bones (Tb.N), displayed results similar to those observed in the 3D structures. The separation (Tb.Sp) of the trabecular bone indicated that the spongy structures of the trabecular bone were decreased in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice and that the trabecular bone numbers were increased in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice (Fig. 4C-4E).
Ⅳ. DISCUSSION
In this study, we compared the characterization of head and neck bones between the SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/kldeficient mice. Previously, Rangiani et al. reported that no obvious changes were evident in the overall incisor structure in Dmp1/Klotho deficient (Dmp1(-/-)kl/kl) mices20,21). However, using micro-CT analysis, we found that the microarchitecture of the 4 or 8-week-old SAMP1/kl -/- lower incisors displayed severe defects in tooth structures, including loss of incisor roots, irregular dentinal tubule formation, as well as calcification within the pulp root canal. Furthermore, the mandibular ramus showed an extensive ground glass appearance in SAMP1/kl -/- compared with the age-matched SAMP1/kl +/+. In addition, the lower proximal incisors of the SAMP1/kl -/- mice showed a greater defect in tooth mineralization and a reduction of cementum thickness compared to those of the SAMP1/kl+/+ mice. However, the morphology of the distal incisors (dentin/enamel volume) was not significantly different between the SAMP1/kl+/+ and SAMP1/ kl-/- mice. Unlike klotho +/+ mice, our study showed various unusual imaging findings in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice. Our micro-CT imaging showed a characteristic ground glass appearance, which had not been previously reported elsewhere in the literature on klotho -/- mice. We hypothesized that the ground glass appearance of the mandible observed in the micro-CT images may be correlated with acute bone inflammation, bone tumor, or calcification of the lesions. The ground glass appearance within the lesion could be an unusual micro-CT imaging finding for premature aging-like mandibular bone phenotypes. In the histological analysis, we found the development of the calcified bone structure and dysplastic bone formation to appear in a progressive fashion in the head & neck of SAMP1/kl -/- mice. Our results may provide an understanding of the pathologic alterations of aging-related bone development.
It has been suggested that Klotho deficient mice showed the characteristic bone phenotypes such as decreased bone mineral density, reduced trabecular and cortical thickness, lower trabecular and cortical bone volume and a severely reduced trabecular bone fraction22,23).
In this study, we explored the morphological differences in the vertebral column, tibia, and femurs caused by a SAMP1/ klotho deficiency using 3D reconstructions of the micro-CT. We observed (i) prominent kyphosis (curvature of the vertebral column), (ii) irregularity and discontinuity in the cortical bones of the femurs, (iii) a closed growth plate in the femoral head, and (iv) reduced separation of the trabecular bone, collectively providing results for insufficient trabecular and cortical bone structure of the femur. However, the bone mineral density (BMD) of the trabecular bones did not change significantly in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice compared with the SAMP1/kl+/+ mice. Additionally, we observed an increased bone volume and trabecular thickness in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice. We supposed that decreased the sponge structure of the trabecular bone could increase the trabecular number and thickness as a compensatory measure because it weakens the bones. Interestingly, a micro-CT analysis that included bone mineral density, bone volume, and trabecular thickness displayed differences in klotho-/- mice and in SAMP1/kl-/- mice even though the body phenotypes were similar. Although we could not exactly provide the explanation for these observations in the SAMP1/kl-/- mice, they may reflect the different bone formation/turnover or abnormal increased immature bone compared with that of klotho-/- mice.
In conclusion, SAMP1/kl-/- mice displayed a rapid induction of osteodystrophy and/or other bone diseases including unnecessary trabecular and cortical bone mass at a young age (4 and 8 weeks old). SAMP1/kl-/- mice also showed greater dysplastic bone with irregular calcification of the maxillary bone, facial bone, mandibular bone, and cranial bone compared to the SAMP1/kl+/+ mice. We conclude that SAMP1/ kl-/- mice may serve as a useful model to mimic the development of osteodystrophy due to bone growth rather than bone resorption.