Authors
Manisha C. Yadav, Massimo Bottini., Esther Cory, Kunal Bhattacharya., Pia Kuss, Sonoko Narisawa, Robert L. Sah, Laurent Beck, Bengt Fadeel, Colin Farquharson and José Luis Millán
Abstract
We have previously shown that ablation of either the Phospho1 or Alpl gene, encoding PHOSPHO1 and tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) respectively, lead to hyperosteoidosis but that their chondrocyte- and osteoblast-derived matrix vesicles (MVs) are able to initiate mineralization. In contrast, the double ablation of Phospho1 and Alpl completely abolish initiation and progression of skeletal mineralization. We argued that MVs initiate mineralization by a dual mechanism: PHOSPHO1-mediated intravesicular generation of Pi and phosphate transporter-mediated influx of Pi. To test this hypothesis, we generated mice with col2a1-driven cre-mediated ablation of Slc20a1, hereafter referred to as Pit1, alone or in combination with a Phospho1 gene deletion. Pit1col2/col2 mice did not show any major phenotypic abnormalities, while severe skeletal deformities were observed in the [Phospho1-/-; Pit1col2/col2] double knockout mice that were more pronounced than those observed in the Phospho1-/- mice. Histological analysis of [Phospho1-/-; Pit1col2/col2] bones showed growth plate abnormalities with a shorter hypertrophic chondrocyte zone and extensive hyperosteoidosis. The [Phospho1-/-; Pit1col2/col2] skeleton displayed significantly decreases in BV/TV%, trabecular number and bone mineral density, as well as decreased stiffness, decreased strength, and increased post-yield deflection compared to Phospho1-/- mice. Using atomic force microscopy we found that ∼80% of [Phospho1-/-; Pit1col2/col2] MVs were devoid of mineral in comparison to ∼50% for the Phospho1-/- MVs and ∼25% for the WT and Pit1col2/col2 MVs. We also found a significant decrease in the number of MVs produced by both Phospho1-/- and [Phospho1-/-; Pit1col2/col2] chondrocytes. These data support the involvement of PiT-1 in the initiation of skeletal mineralization and provide compelling evidence that PHOSPHO1 function is involved in MV biogenesis.