Increase of extracellular matrix proteins in hibernating ground squirrels could help maintain bone health.

Hibernation;Thirteen-lined ground squirrel;Extracellular matrix proteins.

Bergen, HannahCooper, Scott ;

University of Wisconsin

关键词: Hibernation;    Thirteen-lined ground squirrel;    Extracellular matrix proteins.;   

Others  :  https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/78850/Bergen_Hannah_Thesis.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

瑞士|英语

来源: University of Wisconsin

【 摘 要 】

Whether from injury, old age, or space flight, immobility or a lack of gravitationalloading has negative effects on the physiology of bone and bone marrow. Consequencesinclude a weakening of the immune system, decreased hematopoietic cells in the bonemarrow, and an overall decrease in bone density. Understanding the mechanisms behindthese effects and combating their side effects is a subject of intense research. Thirteenlined ground squirrels are a common model organism for these studies because theyhibernate for months and experience long periods of inactivity. Like humans under lowloading and activity, the ground squirrels experience changes in the bone marrow cellmake up and decreased bone density, but, unlike humans, once a 13-lined ground squirrelbecomes active again, the side effects from their long rest are minute or non-existent.Transcriptomes were constructed from genes expressed in bone marrow from hibernatingand non-hibernating ground squirrels. Certain extracellular matrix proteins, includingCOL4A2, were seen to increase drastically during hibernation and may possibly play arole in maintaining the health of the bone.