title: Lysophosphatidic acid induces osteocyte dendrite outgrowth.
abstract: Osteocytes elaborate an extensive mechanosensory network in bone matrix and communicate intercellularly via gap junctions established at dendrite termini. We developed a method to measure osteocyte dendritogenesis in vitro using a modified transwell assay and determined that the lipid growth factor lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a potent stimulator of dendrite outgrowth in MLO-Y4 osteocytes. The stimulatory effects were dose-dependent with maximal outgrowth observed within a physiological range of LPA. LPA-treated osteocytes exhibited distinct rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton and a more stellate morphology than control cells. LPA also promoted osteocyte chemotaxis, suggesting a shared molecular mechanism between dendrite outgrowth and cell motility. The LPA-induced increase in dendrite formation was blocked by the specific LPA-receptor antagonist Ki16425 and by pertussis toxin. Bone cells in vivo encounter platelet-derived LPA in regions of bone damage, and we postulate that this lipid factor is important for re-establishing osteocyte connectivity during fracture repair.
authors.affiliation: Cell Biology and Biochemistry Group, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99352, USA.
authors.forename: Sue A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Karagiosis
authors.forename: Norman J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Karin
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003712:Dendrites / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D008246:Lysophospholipids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D010011:Osteocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D008246:Lysophospholipids; C032881:lysophosphatidic acid