Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic metabolic bone disease that occurs most frequently in the elderly. The main pathogenesis of OP is excessive proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts, in which the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) pathway has a pivotal role. Recently, heat shock protein (HSP)90α has been identified as an important molecular chaperone with PPARγ, which regulates the effect of the PPARγ pathway. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of HSP90α involved in the regulation of osteoclast formation and the process of osteoporosis. Firstly, the expression of HSP90α in osteoclast differentiation was detected by western blotting in vitro, then the effect of HSP90α inhibition on the formation and differentiation of osteoclasts was examined. Furthermore, the nuclear import of PPARγ was also assessed to confirm the synergistic effect of HSP90α. Finally, the inhibitory effect of HSP90α in vivo was explored, using a mouse model of osteoporosis. As a result, in the process of osteoclast differentiation and proliferation, the expression of HSP90α was upregulated. Inhibition of HSP90α could block the formation and differentiation of osteoclasts, and remit osteoporosis in mice. Regarding the underlying mechanism, inhibition of HSP90α could block the nuclear import of PPARγ to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and proliferation. In conclusion, these data indicated that the inhibition of HSP90α could block osteoclast formation and remit osteoporosis by reducing the nuclear import of PPARγ.
Keywords: heat shock protein 90; nuclear import of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ; osteoclast; osteoporosis.
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