Frontier Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Sciences
Tohoku University

Beyond the classic function of bone, bone cells have been shown to regulate whole energy metabolism through bone-derived factors (osteokines) such as osteocalcin1, lipocalin22 and neuropeptide Y3, just to name a few. However, much of the research done to elucidate the pathophysiology of metabolic dysfuntion uses the classical approach of studying organs obviously implicated in energy metabolism: the pancreas, liver, adipose tissue, kidneys, muscle, brain, and gastrointestinal tract. There is compelling evidence implicating bone-derived factors in energy homeostasis, which tempts us to bring bone to the frontline as a salient predictor of metabolic conditions such as diabetes and osteoporosis.

When Looking at the importance of skeletal integrity through the lens of evolution, we find that bone served a survival function. Humans had to consistently be mobile to look for food and shelter. Furthering this logic reveals that bone and energy metabolism are entwined. Therefore, this project aims to 1. identify bone factors that are associated with metabolic conditions and 2. to bridge our knowledge of the skeletal system represented by its cell types and our understanding of energy metabolism of the organism into one integrated subject.

1) Lee, Na Kyung et al. Cell. vol. 130,3 (2007): 456-69.
2) Mosialou, Ioanna et al. Nature vol. 543,7645 (2017): 385-390.
3) Lee, Nicola J et al. Mol Metab vol. 4,3 (2015)164-74.