Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Wnt/β-catenin Pathway in Osteocytes

Liang Meng; Yang Xiao; Fan Yubo; Sun Lianwen

Abstract：Objective To explore the effects of simulated microgravity on the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in osteocytes for clarifying the occurance mechanism of bone lose induced by microgravity.Methods MLO-Y4 osteocytes were divided into two groups:simulated microgravity group and control group.Cells were cultured with rotation to simulate microgravity.RT-PCR and Western blot were used to examine components of gene and protein expression level related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.Results The results of simulated microgravity group to be compared with control group:the mRNA' s expression of Cyclin D1 and Lef-1 was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05),but of CX43 and SOST was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05),as well as the expression of Wnt3a,Lrp5 and β-catenin had no significant difference; Moreover,the protein' s expression of β-catenin,Cyclin D1 and CX43 was significantly decreased (P ＜ 0.05),but of Lef-1 and Sclerostin was significantly increased (P ＜0.05),as well as the expression of Wnt3a,Lrp5/6 and CX43 had no significant difference.Conclusion The activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway declines in osteocytes under simulated microgravity.