Effects of Simulated Microgravity on Function of SOC Channels in Osteocytes MLO-Y4 / 医用生物力学

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effect of simulated microgravity on activity of the store-operated calcium (SOC) channels in osteocytes and its possible mechanism, so as to elucidate the potential mechanism of weightlessness bone loss. Methods Osteocytes (MLO-Y4) as the experimental subjects were divided into simulated microgravity (SM) group and normal gravity group (CON). After rotating for 24 h and 48 h, confocal microscope was used to detect the intracellular calcium ion concentration level to reflect activity of the SOC channels after thapsigargin (TG)-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) depletion. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of ER membrane protein IP3R and spectrin membrane skeleton, in order to preliminarily explore the possible mechanism of functional changes of SOC channels. Results During the period of calcium release from ER, ［Ca2+］i had no significant difference between SM group and CON group for 24 h and 48 h; while during the period of extracellular calcium influx by SOC channels, ［Ca2+］i of SM group had significant differences in the first 4 minutes for 24 h, as well as in the whole time for 48 h. Compared with CON group, the spectrin membrane skeleton of SM group was gathered at the rim of membrane, while ER membrane protein IP3R of SM group was gathered at the nuclear envelope of ER. These two tendencies were more obvious for 48 h. Conclusions The stimulated microgravity could inhibit activity of SOC channels in osteocytes. Changes in the distribution of the spectrin membrane skeleton and ER membrane protein IP3R under the simulated microgravity might reduce the activity of SOC channels by affecting the conformation coupling process between the membrane and ER.