Osteoporosis is characterized by weakened and fragile bones and considered one of the major health abnormalities associated with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). This problem affects almost 90% of patients with PWS and has a negative impact on their quality of lives by causing physical and functional limitations that could also affect longevity. In order to develop effective therapeutic agents for this complication, an important question "Why PWS is largely associated with osteoporosis?" needs to be answered. The first step toward understanding this problem is to completely characterize the skeletal phenotype of mice that carry a genetic mutation similar to patients with PWS. Therefore, our first goal will be to evaluate the basal bone phenotype of Magel2 mutated mice and compare it to normal animals. Then, we will try to identify the biological mechanism(s) responsible for osteoporosis in PWS. Last, we will focus our interest on the endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which is known to modulate skeletal growth and remodeling. Among the various lipid substances that our body produces, eCBs, which act on the cellular receptor CB1, may lead to the development of osteoporosis in animal models. Consequently, we will test our hypothesis that overactivation of the eCB system is responsible for the increased bone resorption and/or decreased bone formation in PWS. Once completed, our experiments will highlight the contribution of the eCB system to the abnormal skeletal phenotype associated with PWS. This could further support the preclinical development and clinical testing of peripheral inhibitors against CB1 receptor for the treatment of osteoporosis in PWS.
Learn more about the importance of growth hormone therapy for PWS.
Research Outcomes: Public Summary
Altered bone remodeling among individuals with PWS is usually associated with reduced stature, low bone mineral density, scoliosis, hip dysplasia, lower limb alignment abnormalities, and a subsequent increase in fracture risk. To date, the exact underlying mechanism involved in PWS-related osteoporosis is not fully understood. Here, we demonstrated a previously unexplored role of Magel2, a maternally imprinted gene in the PWS critical region, in regulating and maintaining bone mass accrual. Importantly, the skeletal phenotype of Magel2-null mice shows a compelling correlation with that found in humans with PWS, as well as individuals suffering from SYS, a genetic disorder caused by a truncating mutation in MAGEL2. Using an in vivo mouse model for PWS, blood samples from humans with PWS and SYS, and a novel pharmacological tool, this research project significantly contributes to our understanding of one of the major pathological processes associated with PWS, osteoporosis.
Research Outcomes: Publications
Magel2 Modulates Bone Remodeling and Mass in Prader-Willi Syndrome by Affecting Oleoyl Serine Levels and Activity. Baraghithy S, Smoum R, Drori A, Hadar R, Gammal A, Hirsch S, Attar-Namdar M, Nemirovski A, Gabet Y, Langer Y, Pollak Y, Schaaf CP, Rech ME, Gross-Tsur V, Bab I, Mechoulam R, Tam J. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2018 Oct 22.
Funded Year:
2017
Awarded to:
Yossi Tam, DMD, PhD
Amount:
$108,000
Institution:
Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Researcher:
