Yuantee Zhu
Graduate Student, Elefteriou laboratory
BS, Tufts University (2011)
Osteoporosis is a bone metabolic disease affecting approximately 14 million Americans over the age of 50, resulting in increased risk of fractures and associated morbidities. The prevalence of the disease increases with age, independent of hormonal status (e.g. menopause). Understanding the pathology and developing clinical interventions for age-related osteoporosis depends on understanding bone remodeling – a process regulated by local and systemic signals – and how these signals are affected during aging. The sympathetic nervous (SNS) system controls bone remodeling via norepinephrine release, which directly inhibits bone formation by osteoblasts and promotes bone resorption by osteoclasts. The proposed project aims to determine whether NET in osteoblasts or neurons modulate bone remodeling, and whether a reduction in NE uptake by bone cells during aging contributes to bone loss. Results from this study will elucidate the interactions between endogenous SNS outflow and bone remodeling during bone mass accrual and aging. This research will ultimately expand the understanding of age-related osteoporosis, and open new avenues of research towards treatment of bone metabolic diseases.