PTH induces bone loss via microbial-dependent expansion of intestinal TNF+ T cells and Th17 cells

Nat Commun. 2020 Jan 24;11(1):468. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-14148-4.

Abstract

Bone loss is a frequent but not universal complication of hyperparathyroidism. Using antibiotic-treated or germ-free mice, we show that parathyroid hormone (PTH) only caused bone loss in mice whose microbiota was enriched by the Th17 cell-inducing taxa segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB). SFB+ microbiota enabled PTH to expand intestinal TNF+ T and Th17 cells and increase their S1P-receptor-1 mediated egress from the intestine and recruitment to the bone marrow (BM) that causes bone loss. CXCR3-mediated TNF+ T cell homing to the BM upregulated the Th17 chemoattractant CCL20, which recruited Th17 cells to the BM. This study reveals mechanisms for microbiota-mediated gut-bone crosstalk in mice models of hyperparathyroidism that may help predict its clinical course. Targeting the gut microbiota or T cell migration may represent therapeutic strategies for hyperparathyroidism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fecal Microbiota Transplantation
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome / immunology*
  • Germ-Free Life
  • Gram-Positive Endospore-Forming Rods / immunology
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / complications
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / immunology
  • Hyperparathyroidism, Primary / microbiology
  • Intestines / immunology
  • Intestines / microbiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Osteoporosis / etiology*
  • Osteoporosis / immunology
  • Osteoporosis / microbiology
  • Parathyroid Hormone / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Th17 Cells / immunology*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / immunology

Substances

  • Parathyroid Hormone
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha