Figure 4.
Transplantation of T cells abolishes the positive effect of T-cell-specific Dkk1 deletion on bone
The fourth vertebral bodies of 13-week-old female Dkk1fl/fl;Lck-Cre (Cre-positive and Cre-negative) mice were analyzed 3 weeks after transplantation of wild-type-derived T cells by μCT.
(A and B) (A) Trabecular bone volume per total volume (BV/TV) and (B) trabecular number (Tb.N) of the fourth vertebral body.
(C–F) Quantification of serum (C) DKK1 and (D) procollagen type 1 amino-terminal propeptide (P1NP) was performed by ELISA. Cre− Ctrl, n = 9; Cre− 5x106, n = 11; Cre− 1x107, n = 8; Cre+ Ctrl, n = 8; Cre+ 5x106, n = 8; Cre+ 1x107, n = 9. Histomorphometric analysis of calcein double staining was performed to determine bone mineralizing surface/bone surface (MS/BS) and (F) formation rate/bone surface (BFR/BS). Cre− Ctrl, n = 9; Cre− 5x106, n = 10; Cre− 1x107, n = 8; Cre+ Ctrl, n = 7; Cre+ 5x106, n = 7; Cre+ 1x107, n = 9.
(G) Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to determine the number of osteoblast/bone parameter (N.Ob/B.Pm).
(H and I) (H) Serum carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks (CTX) were measured using ELISA, and (I) the number of osteoclast/bone parameter (N.Oc/B.Pm) was assessed using TRAP staining. Cre− Ctrl, n = 9; Cre− 5x106, n = 11; Cre− 1x107, n = 8; Cre+ Ctrl, n = 8; Cre+ 5x106, n = 8; Cre+ 1x107, n = 9. Data represent the mean ± SD. Statistical analysis was performed by the two-way ANOVA. ∗p < 0.05, ∗∗p < 0.01, ∗∗∗p < 0.001 versus untransplanted control (Cre− or Cre+) and #p < 0.05, ##p < 0.01, ###p < 0.001 versus untransplanted Cre− control.