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. 2016 Jul 19;6:29880. doi: 10.1038/srep29880

Figure 8. Pathways involved in endothelial cell-osteoblast crosstalk in unloading conditions.

Figure 8

Schematic representation of the identified molecular mechanisms. The reduction of mechanical loading activates NF-ĸB nuclear translocation and up-regulates its target genes NOS2 and IL-1β in endothelial cells. Increase of NOS2-NO production enhances proliferation and decreases differentiation in osteoblasts. IL-1β secretion from endothelial cells activates NF-ĸB nuclear translocation in osteoblasts and induces the overexpression of its target genes NOS2 and LCN2. NOS2, through its downstream target COX2, increases proliferation and decreases differentiation in osteoblasts. LCN2 overexpression impairs osteoblast differentiation and induces osteoclastogenesis by increasing osteoblast RANKL expression.