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Relationship: 2848
Title
Energy Deposition leads to Bone Remodeling
Upstream event
Downstream event
Key Event Relationship Overview
AOPs Referencing Relationship
AOP Name | Adjacency | Weight of Evidence | Quantitative Understanding | Point of Contact | Author Status | OECD Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Deposition of energy leading to occurrence of bone loss | non-adjacent | High | Low | Vinita Chauhan (send email) | Open for citation & comment |
Taxonomic Applicability
Sex Applicability
Sex | Evidence |
---|---|
Male | High |
Female | Moderate |
Unspecific | Low |
Life Stage Applicability
Term | Evidence |
---|---|
Adult | High |
Juvenile | High |
Key Event Relationship Description
Bone and bone remodeling cells, like all other tissues and cells, are vulnerable to deposited energy, but with varying radiosensitivity. Ionizing radiation (IR) can indirectly disrupt bone remodeling by depositing energy into bone cells, including osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteocytes, resulting in ionization events that can lead to oxidative stress and loss of homeostasis in the bone microenvironment. Changes to bone remodeling cell homeostasis are expressed as a decrease in bone formation and an increase in bone resorption. Bone remodelling can be affected by variety of IR sources, including low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, such as X-rays, gamma rays, and protons, and high LET radiation, such as heavy ions. These changes can be observed through dynamic bone histomorphometry measurements that quantify the destruction of the organic and inorganic bone matrix by osteoclasts and its replacement by osteoblasts (Dempster et al., 2013). As bone tissue is remodelled, shifts in the proportion of stronger, plate-like trabeculae to more brittle, rod-like trabeculae can be observed through changes to the structural model index (SMI) (Shahnazari et al., 2012).
Evidence Collection Strategy
The strategy for collating the evidence on radiation stressors to support the relationship is described in Kozbenko et al 2022. Briefly, a scoping review methodology was used to prioritize studies based on a population, exposure, outcome, endpoint statement.
Evidence Supporting this KER
Overall weight of evidence: High
Biological Plausibility
Typically, bone remodeling regulates mineral homeostasis and adapts to everyday stresses by repairing or removing damaged bone to keep it structurally sound (Raggatt & Partridge, 2010). Deposition of energy can indirectly disrupt bone remodeling so that bone resorption and formation do not occur in coordination.
Radiation can cause an imbalance in physiological bone remodeling to favor bone resorption over formation. The activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANK-L) and Wnt pathways can be influenced by the deposition of energy, leading to increased resorption and decreased formation of bone, respectively (Tian et al., 2017). Irradiated osteocytes contribute to increased bone resorption through the release of osteoclastogenesis-stimulating molecules. Osteocyte apoptosis can also occur due to irradiation of bone, further contributing to increased activity of osteoclasts (Donaubauer et al., 2020). The outcome of these radiation-induced changes is an imbalance in bone remodeling, favoring bone resorption and diminishing bone formation (Donaubauer et al., 2020; Zhang et al., 2018).
In addition to the effects on bone remodeling cells, immune-mediated cytokine response in bone marrow is triggered by IR. IR has been shown to increase the expression of pro-osteoclastogenic proteins such as RANK-L in both mineralized and marrow tissue. Expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-osteoclastogenic factors, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-6, and chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 also induced by IR in bone marrow tissue leading to build-up of osteoclasts in the bone marrow which will stimulate maturation of osteoclasts (Donaubauer et al., 2020).
Empirical Evidence
The empirical data relevant to this KER provides support for the linkage between deposition of energy and bone remodeling. The empirical evidence supporting this KER is gathered from research utilizing in vivo models experimenting on radiation exposure and the resulting changes in the SMI, bone formation rate (BFR), mineral apposition rate (MAR) and mineralizing surface normalized to the bone surface (MS/BS). Radiation studies examined these endpoints using X-rays, gamma rays, and heavy ions (Alwood et al., 2010; Bandstra et al., 2008; Chandra et al., 2017; Chandra et al., 2014; Wright et al., 2015; Xu et al., 2014; Zhang et al., 2019).
Dose Concordance
Various studies measure the response of remodeling to a given dose of IR. Once energy is deposited into matter at all doses, follow-on downstream events are immediately initiated. Studies that analyzed the effects of a range of radiation doses on bone remodeling in the same model found that higher doses generally resulted in greater changes to bone remodeling, providing support for a dose-dependent relationship between the two KEs (Alwood et al., 2010; Bandstra et al., 2008; Zhai et al., 2019). Alwood et al. observed significant bone remodeling after exposure to 2 Gy of 56Fe heavy ions and no significant change after 0.5 Gy (Alwood et al., 2010). Zhai et al. observed a similar trend, as there was no significant change to MAR after exposure to 2 Gy of X-rays, but MAR decreased by 50% at 30 days after 3 fractions of 8 Gy (3 x 8 Gy) irradiation (Zhai et al., 2019). MS/BS tends to decrease linearly as the radiation dose increases. Relative to non-irradiated models, MS/BS was shown to decrease up to 80% after exposure to 2 or 8 Gy of X-ray or gamma radiation (Chandra et al., 2017; Kondo et al., 2010; Wright et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2019). After exposure to high doses (4-16 Gy) of low LET X-rays, SMI increased up to 105.3% (Chandra et al., 2017; Chandra et al., 2014; Xu et al., 2014), while exposure to 2 Gy of high LET 56Fe ions resulted in a 194% increase in SMI (Alwood et al., 2010). Multiple studies measured changes to the BFR, showing attenuation up to 100% after 8 and 16 Gy and up to 33% after 2 Gy of X-rays (Chandra et al., 2017; Chandra et al., 2014; Wright et al., 2015; Zhang et al., 2019). However, some studies do not show significant changes to the BFR after irradiation but still show a loss of bone volume (Bandstra et al., 2008; Kondo et al., 2010), indicating that the imbalanced bone remodeling is due to increased osteoclast activity instead of decreased osteoblast activity (Kondo et al., 2010).
Time Concordance
Various studies show the response of bone remodeling to deposition of energy over time. When energy is deposited into biological models it immediately causes ionization events which directly lead to downstream events occurring at later time points. Remodeling was found increased after 1 week as well as 1 and 2 months after X-ray and 56Fe irradiation (Alwood et al., 2010; Chandra et al., 2017; Wright et al., 2015; Zhai et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2019). The highest responses occurred after 1 month, although this could be attributed to the higher LET and dose used when remodeling was measured at this time. Due to the lack of studies on time response there are no trends identified in the changes of bone remodeling markers.
Essentiality
Essentiality is difficult to show with deposition of energy because it is a physical stressor and cannot be modified by chemicals. However, lead shielding used to protect the contralateral limbs of animals demonstrated higher bone remodeling in exposed limbs than contralateral limbs (Wright et al., 2015; Zhai et al., 2019). Wright et al. (2015) irradiated C57BI/6 mice with 2 Gy of X-rays and observed that BFR/BS decreased significantly in the irradiated limb, while the BFR/BS in the shielded contralateral limb decreased by a statistically negligible amount. Thirty days following irradiation of Sprague Dawley rats with 3 fractions of 8 Gy of X-rays, Zhai et al. (2019) observed that MAR in shielded contralateral limbs remained at levels similar to the control, while the irradiated limbs experienced a significant reduction in MAR.
Uncertainties and Inconsistencies
- The BFR, MAR, and MS/BS are measures of bone formation, and therefore are used as endpoints of bone remodeling. However, studies do not directly measure bone resorption as the bone resorption rate cannot be directly measured by dynamic histomorphometry (Dempster et al., 2013). Instead, studies rely on determining the rate of bone resorption indirectly by observing changes to the BFR relative to changes in bone volume. Future work could be done to identify a direct tissue-level measure of the bone resorption rate.
Known modulating factors
Modulating Factors |
Details |
Effects on the KER |
References |
Drug |
Sclerostin (Wnt antagonist) suppression |
Chandra et al. (2017) studied the effects of sclerostin on bone remodeling. Sclerostin is a Wnt antagonist, and its expression in adults is primarily restricted to osteocytes. In this experiment, suppression of sclerostin was examined using a monoclonal antibody against sclerostin (Scl-Ab). Data collected from the experiment shows that Scl-Ab completely reverses the effects of radiation on bone tissue. Scl-Ab injections not only blocked any structural deterioration but also increased bone mass and improved bone quality in the irradiated area to the same levels as in a non-irradiated area with Scl-Ab treatment. |
Chandra et al., 2017 |
Age |
Old age |
Lower estrogen at old age is thought to increase bone resorption, compounding with the effects of radiation. |
Pacheco and Stock, 2013 |
Quantitative Understanding of the Linkage
The following are a few examples of quantitative understanding of the relationship. All data is statistically significant unless otherwise indicated.
Response-response Relationship
Dose Concordance
Reference |
Experiment Description |
Result |
Wright et al., 2015 |
In vivo. The right hindlimbs of 20-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with 2 Gy of X-rays at a rate of 1.6 Gy/min. The bone formation rate normalized to the bone surface (BFR/BS), MS/BS, and MAR were measured 1 week post-irradiation. |
Direct radiation with 2 Gy led to a 33% decrease in BFR/BS and a 20% decrease in MS/BS. MAR was decreased by 13% (non-significant). |
Chandra et al., 2017 |
In vivo. The distal metaphyseal region of right femurs of 8- to 10-week-old male mice were irradiated with 8 Gy of X-rays at a rate of 1.65 Gy/min. The SMI, MS, and BFR/BS were measured. |
SMI was increased by 26% in irradiated group and MS was decreased by nearly 80% after radiation exposure. BFR/BS levels decreased 100% after irradiation. |
Chandra et al., 2014 |
In vivo. Three-month-old female rats were irradiated at the proximal metaphyseal region of the right tibiae with 16 Gy of X-rays, fractionated into two 8 Gy doses at a rate of 1.65 Gy/min. The SMI, MS/BS, MAR, and BFR/BS were measured. |
IR exposure resulted in a 78% decrease in MS/BS and a 100% decrease in both BFR/BS and MAR, as well as a ~20% increase in SMI, at 28 days post-irradiation relative to non-irradiated controls. |
Zhang et al., 2019 |
In vivo. The experiments were performed on 4-week-old male C57BL/6J mice exposed to 2 Gy X-ray radiation at the mid-shaft of the left femur. MS/BS, MAR and BFR/BS were measured. |
MS/BS was reduced by 21% in the irradiated group. There was a 22% decrease in BFR/BS in the irradiated group. No changes in MAR, BFR/BS and MS/BS were significant. |
Bandstra et al., 2008 |
In vivo. 58-days old female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to whole-body 0, 0.5,1, or 2 Gy proton radiation of 250 MeV protons at a rate of 0.7 Gy/min. Endosteal BFR (Ec.BFR) was assessed. |
Ec.BFR decreased by 19%, 27%, and 21% after 0.5, 1, and 2 Gy, respectively. However, the changes in BFR were not significant. |
Xu et al., 2014 |
In vivo. 8-week-old male Wistar rats were exposed to whole-body 4 Gy X-ray radiation. SMI was measured in the proximal tibia. |
SMI was increased in the irradiated group by 105.3% after 4 Gy of X-ray exposure. |
Alwood et al., 2010 |
In vivo. 4-month-old, adult, male, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to irradiation with 0.5 Gy and 2 Gy of 1 GeV/nucleon 56Fe heavy ions. SMI was measured in the mineralized cancellous bone tissue of the fourth lumbar vertebrae. |
SMI was increased by 194% and 31% (non-significant) after exposure to 2 Gy and 0.5 Gy radiation, respectively. |
Hui et al., 2014 |
In vivo. 20-week-old adult female mice were exposed to a single 16 Gy dose of X-rays to the hindlimbs. The MAR of the distal femurs of irradiated mice was measured. |
Compared to non-irradiated controls, irradiation resulted in a 16% decrease per day in MAR at 12-29 days after 16 Gy irradiation. |
Kondo et al., 2010 |
In vivo. 17-week-old C57BL/6J mice were exposed to whole-body 1 or 2 Gy 137Cs gamma radiation. Bone remodeling markers such as BFR, MAR, and MS/BS were measured in the proximal tibiae. |
Compared to sham-radiated controls, 2 Gy irradiation resulted in a 7% decrease in MS/BS. Changes to BFR and MAR were non-significant. |
Zhai et al., 2019 |
In vivo. 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed at the left hindlimb to either one single dose of 2 Gy X-ray radiation or fractioned irradiation (3 x 8 Gy) at a dose rate of 185.5 cGy/min. MAR was determined in the irradiated tibia. |
MAR did not differ significantly in the 2 Gy irradiated group after 30 and 60 days. MAR was decreased by >50% after 30 days and by 31% (non-significant) after 60 days in the 3 x 8 Gy group. |
Time-scale
Time Concordance
Reference |
Experiment Description |
Result |
Wright et al., 2015 |
In vivo. The right hindlimbs of 20-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with 2 Gy of X-rays at a rate of 1.6 Gy/min. BFR/BS, MS/BS, and MAR were measured after 1 week. |
Direct radiation with 2 Gy led to a 33% decrease in BFR/BS and a 20% decrease in MS/BS after 1 week. MAR was decreased by 13% (non-significant), also after 1 week. |
Chandra et al., 2017 |
In vivo. The distal metaphyseal region of right femurs of 8- to 10-week-old male mice were irradiated with 8 Gy of X-rays at a rate of 1.65 Gy/min. The SMI, MS, and BFR/BS were measured. |
SMI was increased by 26% in the 8 Gy irradiated group and MS was decreased by nearly 80% 4 weeks after radiation exposure. BFR/BS was completely attenuated 4 weeks after irradiation (100% decrease). |
Chandra et al., 2014 |
In vivo. Three-month-old female rats were irradiated at the proximal metaphyseal region of the right tibiae with 16 Gy of X-rays, fractionated into two 8 Gy doses at a rate of 1.65 Gy/min. The SMI, MS/BS, MAR, and BFR/BS were measured. |
After 28 days post-irradiation, IR exposure resulted in a 78% decrease in MS/BS and a 100% decrease in both BFR/BS and MAR, as well as a ~20% increase in SMI. |
Zhang et al., 2019 |
In vivo. The experiments were performed on 4-week-old male C57BL/6J mice exposed to 2 Gy X-ray radiation at the mid-shaft of the left femur. MS/BS, MAR and BFR/BS were measured. |
MS/BS was reduced by 21% 28 days post-irradiation. There was a 22% decrease in BFR/BS 28 days post-irradiation. No changes in MAR, BFR/BS and MS/BS were significant. |
Alwood et al., 2010 |
In vivo. 4-month-old, adult, male, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to irradiation with 0.5 Gy and 2 Gy of 1 GeV/nucleon 56Fe heavy ions. SMI was measured in the mineralized cancellous bone tissue of the fourth lumbar vertebrae. |
SMI was increased by 194% and 31% (non-significant) after exposure to 2 Gy (after 31 days) and 0.5 Gy (after 28 days) radiation, respectively. |
Zhai et al., 2019 |
In vivo. 6-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed at the left hindlimb to either one single dose of 2 Gy X-ray radiation or fractioned irradiation (3 x 8 Gy) at a dose rate of 185.5 cGy/min. MAR was determined in the irradiated tibia. |
MAR did not differ significantly in the 2 Gy irradiated group after 30 and 60 days. MAR was decreased by >50% after 30 days and by 31% (non-significant) after 60 days in the 3 x 8 Gy group. |
Known Feedforward/Feedback loops influencing this KER
Not Identified
Domain of Applicability
Supporting evidence for this relationship has been demonstrated in vivo for mice and rats, with considerable evidence for mice. The relationship has been demonstrated in vivo for both males and females, with considerable evidence for males. In vivo evidence is derived from preadolescents, adolescents, and adults, with strong evidence for adolescents and adults.
References
Alwood, J. S. et al. (2010), "Heavy ion irradiation and unloading effects on mouse lumbar vertebral microarchitecture, mechanical properties and tissue stresses", Bone, Vol. 47/2, Elsevier B.V., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2010.05.004.
Bandstra, E. R. et al. (2008), "Long-term dose response of trabecular bone in mice to proton radiation", Radiation Research, Vol. 169/6, BioOne, https://doi.org/10.1667/RR1310.1.
Chandra, A. et al. (2017), "Suppression of Sclerostin Alleviates Radiation-Induced Bone Loss by Protecting Bone-Forming Cells and Their Progenitors Through Distinct Mechanisms", Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Vol. 32/2, Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.2996.
Chandra, A. et al. (2014), "PTH1-34 Alleviates Radiotherapy-induced Local Bone Loss by Improving Osteoblast and Osteocyte Survival", Bone, Vol. 67/1, Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2014.06.030
Dempster, D. W. et al. (2013), “Standardized Nomenclature, Symbols, and Units for Bone Histomorphometry: A 2012 Update of the Report of the ASBMR Histomorphometry Nomenclature Committee”, Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Vol. 28, Wiley, https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.1805.
Donaubauer, A. J. et al. (2020), "The influence of radiation on bone and bone cells—differential effects on osteoclasts and osteoblasts", International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 21/17, MDPI, Basel, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176377.
Frost H. M. (1966), “Bone dynamics in metabolic bone disease” The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 48(6), 1192–1203.
Hui, S. K. et al. (2014), "The Influence of Therapeutic Radiation on the Patterns of Bone Remodeling in Ovary-Intact and Ovariectomized Mice", Bone, Vol. 23/1, Nature, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-012-9688-0
Kondo, et al. (2010), “Oxidative stress and gamma radiation-induced cancellous bone loss with musculoskeletal disuse”, Journal of applied physiology, Vol. 108/1, American Physiological Society, https://doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00294.2009
Kozbenko, T. et al. (2022), “Deploying elements of scoping review methods for adverse outcome pathway development: a space travel case example”, International Journal of Radiation Biology, Vol. 98/12. https://doi.org/10.1080/09553002.2022.2110306
Pacheco, R. and H. Stock (2013), “Effects of radiation on bone”, Current osteoporosis reports, Vol. 11/4, Nature, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-013-0174-z
Raggatt, L. J., and Partridge, N. C. (2010), “Cellular and molecular mechanisms of bone remodeling”, The Journal of biological chemistry, Vol. 285/33, https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.R109.041087.
Shahnazari, M. et al. (2012), "Simulated spaceflight produces a rapid and sustained loss of osteoprogenitors and an acute but transitory rise of osteoclast precursors in two genetic strains of mice", American Journal of Physiology - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol. 303/11, American Physiological Society, https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00330.2012.
Tian, Y. et al. (2017), "The impact of oxidative stress on the bone system in response to the space special environment", International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 18/10, MDPI, Basel, https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18102132
Willey, J. S. et al. (2011), "Ionizing Radiation and Bone Loss: Space Exploration and Clinical Therapy Applications", Clinical Reviews in Bone and Mineral Metabolism, Vol. 9, Nature, https://doi.org/10.1007/s12018-011-9092-8.
Wright, L. E. et al. (2015), "Single-Limb Irradiation Induces Local and Systemic Bone Loss in a Murine Model", Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, Vol. 30, American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Washington, https://doi.org/10.1002/jbmr.2458.
Xu, D., et al. (2014), “The combined effects of X-ray radiation and hindlimb suspension on bone loss”, Journal of radiation research, Vol. 55/4, Oxford University Press, Oxford, https://doi.org/10.1093/jrr/rru014
Zhai, et al. (2019), “Influence of radiation exposure pattern on the bone injury and osteoclastogenesis in a rat model”, International journal of molecular medicine, Vol. 44/6, Spanditos Publications, https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2019.4369
Zhang, J. et al. (2019), "Lowering iron level protects against bone loss in focally irradiated and contralateral femurs through distinct mechanisms", Bone, Vol. 120, Elsevier, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bone.2018.10.005.
Zhang, J., et al. (2018), “Therapeutic ionizing radiation induced bone loss: a review of in vivo and in vitro findings”, Connective tissue research, Vol. 59/6, Informa, London, https://doi.org/10.1080/03008207.2018.1439482