Early bone tissue aging in human auditory ossicles is accompanied by excessive hypermineralization, osteocyte death and micropetrosis

TY - JOUR

T1 - Early bone tissue aging in human auditory ossicles is accompanied by excessive hypermineralization, osteocyte death and micropetrosis

AU - Rolvien, Tim

AU - Schmidt, Felix N

AU - Milovanovic, Petar

AU - Jähn, Katharina

AU - Riedel, Christoph

AU - Butscheidt, Sebastian

AU - Püschel, Klaus

AU - Jeschke, Anke

AU - Amling, Michael

AU - Busse, Björn

PY - 2018/1/30

Y1 - 2018/1/30

N2 - Within the mineralized bone, osteocytes form a multifunctional mechanosensitive network orchestrating bone remodelling. A preserved osteocyte population is a crucial determinant of bone quality. In human auditory ossicles, the early decrease in osteocyte numbers but maintained integrity remains an unexplained phenomenon that might serve for sound transmission from air to the labyrinth. Here we analysed the frequency, size and composition of osteocyte lacunae in the auditory ossicles of 22 individuals from early postnatal period to old age. Mineralization of the bone matrix was determined using backscattered electron imaging. No signs of bone remodelling were observed above the age of 1 year. We detected characteristics of early bone tissue aging, such as decrease in osteocytes, lower total lacunar density and lacunar area, as well as high matrix mineralization accompanied by distinct accumulation of micropetrotic lacunae and decreased indentation depths. The majority of these changes took place in the first months and years of life, while afterwards only minor reorganization was present. With osteocyte apoptosis potentially being a consequence of low mechanical stimuli, the early loss of osteocytes without initiation of bone remodelling indicates an adaptive response conserving the architecture of the auditory ossicles and ensuring stable sound transmission throughout life.

AB - Within the mineralized bone, osteocytes form a multifunctional mechanosensitive network orchestrating bone remodelling. A preserved osteocyte population is a crucial determinant of bone quality. In human auditory ossicles, the early decrease in osteocyte numbers but maintained integrity remains an unexplained phenomenon that might serve for sound transmission from air to the labyrinth. Here we analysed the frequency, size and composition of osteocyte lacunae in the auditory ossicles of 22 individuals from early postnatal period to old age. Mineralization of the bone matrix was determined using backscattered electron imaging. No signs of bone remodelling were observed above the age of 1 year. We detected characteristics of early bone tissue aging, such as decrease in osteocytes, lower total lacunar density and lacunar area, as well as high matrix mineralization accompanied by distinct accumulation of micropetrotic lacunae and decreased indentation depths. The majority of these changes took place in the first months and years of life, while afterwards only minor reorganization was present. With osteocyte apoptosis potentially being a consequence of low mechanical stimuli, the early loss of osteocytes without initiation of bone remodelling indicates an adaptive response conserving the architecture of the auditory ossicles and ensuring stable sound transmission throughout life.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-018-19803-2

DO - 10.1038/s41598-018-19803-2

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 29382878

VL - 8

SP - 1920

JO - SCI REP-UK

JF - SCI REP-UK

SN - 2045-2322

IS - 1

ER -