Breakthrough in Preventing Steroid-Induced Bone Damage: Targeting Key Proteins for Bone Health
New research uncovers how blocking the protein Basigin can prevent and reverse bone damage caused by long-term steroid use, offering hope for osteoporosis and age-related bone loss treatments.
Recent research from UC Davis Health has unveiled promising advancements in protecting bones from damage caused by long-term steroid use. The study focuses on a protein called Basigin, which becomes activated in stem cells during steroid treatment. This activation contributes to weakening bones and causes abnormalities in blood vessels within bone tissue. By inhibiting Basigin, scientists observed not only protection but also restoration of bone strength in animal models. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic approach for conditions like osteoporosis, especially in patients requiring prolonged steroid therapy.
The research, published in Nature Communications, highlighted that glucocorticoids—common anti-inflammatory medications such as prednisone—are widely prescribed for various ailments, including asthma, arthritis, autoimmune diseases, and COVID-19. Despite their benefits, long-term use has a detrimental impact on bone integrity, increasing fracture risks. The study demonstrated that glucocorticoids disrupt normal skeletal stem cell function and interfere with blood vessel formation in bones, partly due to Basigin release.
By using antibodies to block Basigin and genetically removing it from stem cells, researchers successfully prevented bone loss and even reversed existing damage. Notably, older mice with compromised bone health also showed significant improvements after Basigin inhibition, pointing toward potential treatments for age-related osteoporosis.
This discovery paves the way for targeted therapies that could safeguard bone health during steroid treatment and aging, potentially improving quality of life for millions. Lead researcher Thomas H. Ambrosi emphasized that identifying Basigin as a key driver of bone deterioration opens new avenues for developing drugs that maintain strong, healthy bones even with necessary long-term steroid use.
For more details, refer to the original publication in Nature Communications (2025).
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