Inactivation of Osteoblast PKC Signaling Reduces Cortical Bone Mass and Density and Aggravates Renal Osteodystrophy in Mice with Chronic Kidney Disease on High Phosphate Diet

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) frequently leads to hyperphosphatemia and hyperparathyroidism, mineral bone disorder (CKD-MBD), ectopic calcifications and cardiovascular mortality. PTH activates the osteoanabolic G alpha(s)/PKA and the G alpha(q/11)/PKC pathways in osteoblasts, the specific impact of the latter in CKD-MBD is unknown. We generated osteoblast specific G alpha(q/11) knockout (KO) mice and established CKD-MBD by subtotal nephrectomy and dietary phosphate load. Bone morphology was assessed by micro-CT, osteoblast function by bone planar scintigraphy at week 10 and 22 and by histomorphometry. Osteoblasts isolated from G alpha(q/11) KO mice increased cAMP but not IP3 in response to PTH 1-34, demonstrating the specific KO of the PKC signaling pathway. Osteoblast specific G alpha(q/11) KO mice exhibited increased serum calcium and reduced bone cortical thickness and mineral density at 24 weeks. CKD G alpha(q/11) KO mice had similar bone morphology compared to WT, while CKD G alpha(q/11)-KO on high phosphate diet developed decreased metaphyseal and diaphyseal cortical thickness and area, as well as a reduction in trabecular number. G alpha(q/11)-KO increased bone scintigraphic tracer uptake at week 10 and mitigated tracer uptake in CKD mice at week 22. Histological bone parameters indicated similar trends. G alpha(q/11)-KO in osteoblast modulates calcium homeostasis, bone formation rate, bone morphometry, and bone mineral density. In CKD and high dietary phosphate intake, osteoblast G alpha(q/11)/PKC KO further aggravates mineral bone disease.