AZT enhances osteoclastogenesis and bone loss

George Pan, Xiaojun Wu, Margaret A. McKenna, Xu Feng, Tim R. Nagy, Jay M. McDonald

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

49 Scopus citations

Abstract

A variety of metabolic complications have been reported to be associated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), including osteopenia and osteoporosis. In this study, we determine the effects of zidovudine (AZT), a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, on osteoclastogenesis in a cultured mouse macrophage preosteoclast cell line (RAW264.7), in mouse primary bone marrow macrophage-monocyte precursors, and on bone mineral density in mice. The results indicate that AZT induces an increase in osteoclastogenesis in the mouse preosteoclast cell line and in mouse bone marrow osteoclast precursors in the presence of RANKL. This increased osteoclastogenesis is dependent upon the concentration of AZT. AZT increases the promoter activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and the binding and function of the nuclear transcription protein, NF-κB, in RAW264.7 cells. Therefore, the effect of AZT is mediated, at least in part, by enhancing RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis. Bone mineral density (BMD) in AZT-treated mice is decreased and histopathology shows marked osteopenia. These results support an important role of AZT-stimulated osteoclastogenesis in HAART-induced osteopenia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)608-620
Number of pages13
JournalAIDS research and human retroviruses
Volume20
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2004
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

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