Regulation of Osteoblast to Osteocyte Differentiation by Cyclin‐Dependent Kinase‐1

Abstract Osteocytes have recently been identified as a new regulator of bone remodeling, but the detailed mechanism of their differentiation from osteoblasts remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify cell cycle regulators involved in the differentiation of osteoblasts into osteocytes and determine their physiological significance. The study uses IDG‐SW3 cells as a model for the differentiation from osteoblasts to osteocytes. Among the major cyclin‐dependent kinases ( Cdks ), Cdk1 is most abundantly expressed in IDG‐SW3 cells, and its expression is down‐regulated during differentiation into osteocytes. Inhibition of CDK1 activity reduces IDG‐SW3 cell proliferation and differentiation into osteocytes. Osteocyte and Osteoblast‐specific Cdk1 knockout in mice ( Dmp1‐Cdk1 KO ) results in trabecular bone loss. Pthlh expression increases during differentiation, but inhibiting CDK1 activity reduces Pthlh expression. Parathyroid hormone‐related protein concentration is reduced in the bone marrow of Dmp1‐Cdk1 KO mice. Four weeks of Parathyroid hormone administration partially recovers the trabecular bone loss in Dmp1‐Cdk1 KO mice. These results demonstrate that Cdk1 plays an essential role in the differentiation from osteoblast to osteocyte and the acquisition and maintenance of bone mass. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of bone mass regulation and can help develop efficient therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis treatment.