Furin: Carving-up Vital Substrates For Bone Remodelling And Homeostasis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$815,972.00
Summary
Osteoporosis, or porous bone, is a disease characterized by low bone mass and structural deterioration of bone tissue, leading to bone fragility and an increased susceptibility to fractures. It is caused by an imbalance between the cells that are constantly reabsorbing and reforming bone. The proposed project will address furin as a novel regulator of bone remodelling.
Experimental And Computational Study On Biomechanical Behavior Of Osteocytes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$86,073.00
Summary
The experimental and computational methods (finite element method) are used to predict biomechanical behaviors of osteocytes under normal physiological loading, overloading or under-loading/disuse. This quantitative research will not only help to elucidate the mechanisms of mechanotransduction in osteocytes, it will provide important information that is also relevant to mechanobiology in general.
The osteocyte, the most abundant bone cell, likely plays a central role in bone biology and diseases, such as osteoporosis. The osteocyte product Sclerostin is a key regulator of bone mass. We are characterising novel pathways of sclerostin action via the expression of microRNAs.
The Central Role Of The Osteocyte In Skeletal Pathophysiology
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$638,517.00
Summary
Bone diseases affect more people than any other group, carry a huge and growing socioeconomic cost, yet their aetiologies are not fully determined. This study will elucidate the role of the resident bone cell, the osteocyte, in prevalent bone diseases such as osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and related orthopaedic conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, bone cancer, and in systemic metabolism. The goal is to provide the knowledge and mechanisms for developing improved treatments and patient outcomes.
Menopause is one of the important risk factors for bone loss, structural decay and bone fragility. We aim to quantify the biochemical, microstructural and biomechanical basis of loss of bone strength during and after menopause. A cohort of 324 pairs of female-female twins aged 25 to 75 years old will be followed up for up to 9 years. Defining the structural basis of bone fragility provides a rational means to identifying women at risk for fracture.
Does Teriparatide Reverse Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw In Patients With Cancer? A Randomised, Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$137,700.00
Summary
Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a debilitating bone condition involving damage and suboptimal healing of bone involving the jaw. This has been associated with bisphosphonate therapy, which is commonly used for the treatment of both cancer and osteoporosis. My research aims to investigate the role of recombinant parathyroid hormone in the stimulation of bone formation and healing and, thus, its potential to reverse ONJ.
Influence Of Osteocytes On Anabolic Bone Therapies
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$586,965.00
Summary
This project seeks to define the influence of changes in gene expression in cells called osteocytes, that exist within the substance of bone. These cells form a communication network within the bones of the skeleton, and appear to influence bone formation; changes in gene expression by these cells could influence the efficacy of current and emerging osteoporosis therapies.
The Effects Of Zoledronic Acid On Bone Architecture In Premenopausal Women With Breast Cancer Receiving Adjuvant Combined Ovarian Suppression And Aromatase Inhibitor Therapy: A Randomised Controlled Trial.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$122,714.00
Summary
In premenopausal women, a new treatment method that reduces oestrogen levels to almost zero significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence. However, this is likely to cause substantial bone loss leading to fractures. Using a new imaging technique (HR-pQCT), the effects of profound oestrogen deprivation on bone structure in premenopausal women will be studied. The ability of zoledronic acid, a drug that reduces bone loss, to prevent these adverse bone effects will also be examined.
ROLE OF EPHRIN-EPH SIGNALLING IN THE FORMATION PHASE OF BONE REMODELLING
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$538,459.00
Summary
Bone is constantly being renewed through bone remodelling. An amount of bone is removed by osteoclasts, and bone-forming osteoblasts make just enough to fill the space. We discovered that proteins known as ephrins are produced by osteoblasts, and act on neighbouring osteoblasts to help them make new bone. We aim to define how ephrins increase bone formation in remodelling, how that is controlled and how it might be used to find ways to increase bone formation.
Relationships Between Human Osteoblasts And Haemopoietic Cells In Bone Remodelling
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$436,450.00
Summary
Bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, currently afflict more than 4 million Australians. These diseases are characterised by abnormal bone remodelling, which can result in a net loss of bone (for example, in osteoporosis) or abnormal bone structure (for example, in osteoarthritis). We are seeking to better understand the factors that regulate bone remodelling, and particularly the cells involved in this process. Physiological bone remodelling results from the intimate collabora ....Bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, currently afflict more than 4 million Australians. These diseases are characterised by abnormal bone remodelling, which can result in a net loss of bone (for example, in osteoporosis) or abnormal bone structure (for example, in osteoarthritis). We are seeking to better understand the factors that regulate bone remodelling, and particularly the cells involved in this process. Physiological bone remodelling results from the intimate collaboration between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Osteoblasts stimulate the formation of osteoclasts and also produce new bone at resporption sites. However, the way that the same type of cell can perform both these tasks, is not clear. Our studies are designed to increase our understanding of the development of human osteoblasts and of the factors that cause them to be sequentially pro-osteoclastic and then pro-osteogenic. We believe that an important factor in this process is vitamin D and we will test the hypothesis that this molecule is produced in bone and acts locally to regulate bone turnover.Read moreRead less