TET2 regulates osteoclastogenesis by modulating autophagy in OVX-induced bone loss

Increased bone resorption by osteoclasts after estrogen deficiency is the main cause of postmenopausal osteoporosis. TET2 (tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2) is a DNA demethylase that regulates cellular function and differentiation potential. Macroautophagy/autophagy maintains cellular homeostasis by recycling unnecessary and damaged organelles. This study revealed that TET2 promoted bone loss in oophorectomized (OVX) mice and that TET2 promoted osteoclast differentiation by regulating autophagy. Tet2 knockdown inhibited autophagy and osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Mechanistically, Tet2 knockdown increased BCL2 (B cell leukemia/lymphoma 2) expression and BCL2 exhibited increased binding to BECN1 and negatively regulated autophagy. Small interfering RNA specific to Bcl2 interfered with BCL2 expression in Tet2-knockdown bone marrow cells/precursors, partially reversing autophagy dysregulation and promoting osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, the LV-shTet2 lentivirus prevented bone loss in OVX mice. In summary, our findings provide evidence that TET2 promotes osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting BCL2 expression and positively regulating BECN1-dependent autophagy.