Mechanical loading on osteocytes regulates thermogenesis homeostasis of brown adipose tissue by influencing osteocyte-derived exosomes.

Background: Osteocytes are the main stress-sensing cells in bone. The substances secreted by osteocytes under mechanical loading play a crucial role in maintaining body homeostasis. Osteocytes have recently been found to release exosomes into the circulation, but whether they are affected by mechanical loading or participate in the regulation of systemic homeostasis remains unclear.

Methods: We used a tail-suspension model to achieve mechanical unloading on osteocytes. Osteocyte-specific CD63 reporter mice were used for osteocyte exosome tracing. Exosome detection and inhibitor treatment were performed to confirm the effect of mechanical loading on exosome secretion by osteocytes. Co-culture, GW4869 and exosome treatment were used to investigate the biological functions of osteocyte-derived exosomes on brown adipose tissue (BAT) and primary brown adipocytes. Osteocyte-specific Dicer KO mice were used to screen for loading-sensitive miRNAs. Dual luciferase assay was performed to validate the selected target gene.

Results: Firstly, we found the thermogenic activity was increased in BAT of mice subjected to tail suspension, which is due to the effect of unloaded bone on circulating exosomes. Further, we showed that the secretion of exosomes from osteocytes is regulated by mechanical loading, and osteocyte-derived exosomes can reach BAT and affect thermogenic activity. More importantly, we confirmed the effect of osteocyte exosomes on BAT both in vivo and in vitro. Finally, we discovered that let-7e-5p contained in exosomes is under regulation of mechanical loading and regulates thermogenic activity of BAT by targeting .

Conclusion: Exosomes derived from osteocytes are loading-sensitive, and play a vital role in regulation on BAT, suggesting that regulation of exosomes secretion can restore homeostasis.

The Translational Potential Of This Article: This study provides a biological rationale for using osteocyte exosomes as potential agents to modulate BAT and even whole-body homeostasis. It also provides a new pathological basis and a new treatment approach for mechanical unloading conditions such as spaceflight.