Cannabinoid receptor type 2 gene is associated with human osteoporosis
2005-11-15 | journal article
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- Authors
- Karsak, Meliha; Cohen-Solal, Martine; Freudenberg, Jan; Ostertag, Agnes; Morieux, Caroline; Kornak, Uwe ; Essig, Julia; Erxlebe, Edda; Bab, Itai; Kubisch, Christian; de Vernejoul, Marie-Christine; Zimmer, Andreas
- Abstract
- Osteoporosis is one of the most common degenerative diseases. It is characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD) with an increased risk for bone fractures. There is a substantial genetic contribution to BMD, although the genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis of human osteoporosis are largely unknown. Mice with a targeted deletion of either the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (Cnr1) or type 2 (Cnr2) gene show an alteration of bone mass, and pharmacological modification of both receptors can regulate osteoclast activity and BMD. We therefore analyzed both genes in a systematic genetic association study in a human sample of postmenopausal osteoporosis patients and matched female controls. We found a significant association of single polymorphisms (P = 0.0014) and haplotypes (P = 0.0001) encompassing the CNR2 gene on human chromosome 1p36, whereas we found no convincing association for CNR1. These results demonstrate a role for the peripherally expressed CB2 receptor in the etiology of osteoporosis and provide an interesting novel therapeutical target for this severe and common disease.
- Issue Date
- 15-November-2005
- Journal
- Human Molecular Genetics
- ISSN
- 0964-6906
- Language
- English