1-α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 potentiates avian osteoclast activation by increasing the formation of zipper-like structure via Src/Rac1 signaling.

Avian bone metabolism diseases affect the development and production of chickens, and many of these diseases can be prevented and controlled by balanced nutrition and hormone medicine. The steroid hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D ₃ plays a key role in maintaining the balance of avian bone metabolism. Clinically, 1α,25-(OH) ₂ D ₃ has been used to treat several bone diseases. Although several previous studies have investigated the effects of 1α,25-(OH) ₂ D ₃ on osteoclastogenesis, the mechanisms underpinning osteoclast (OC) activity remain largely unknown. Herein, we used molecular and cell biology approaches to demonstrate that 1α,25-(OH) ₂ D ₃ increases avian OC formation and activity, and upregulates bone resorption-related genes. Moreover, 1α,25-(OH) ₂ D ₃ regulates the OC cytoskeleton by increasing the formation of zipper-like structure in OC precursor cells to potentiate OC activity via the Src/Rac1 signaling pathway. These findings provide new insight into the role of 1α,25-(OH) ₂ D ₃ in OC activity.
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