Bone Physiology Research Laboratory

Main Objectives

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Reductions in bone strength associated with aging, with resultant increases in the risk for low trauma fracture represents a prominent and growing problem worldwide. Osteoporotic fractures create devastating consequences, including increased morbidity and mortality, and reductions in quality of life. Thus, interventions that function to increase bone strength and reduce the risk of fracture are highly desirable. One way to improve bone strength is to increase bone size by targeting periosteal bone surfaces during growth and aging. Adding bone to periosteal surfaces increases bone size and yields greater increases in bone strength than changes in bone mass alone. While periosteal bone apposition is an important component of bone health, the molecular pathways involved in its regulation remain unclear.

The goal of my research is to investigate genetic factors that influence periosteal bone apposition at the tissue and cellular level using novel animal models. In particular, I am working on identifying specific genes and molecular pathways involved in regulating periosteal tissue and cellular level responses to anabolic treatments and to fracture. At this time my research focuses on a novel protein called periostin, an extracellular matrix protein preferentially expressed in immature osteoblasts on periosteal bone surfaces. Periostin exhibits unique properties that suggest it may function as a regulatory factor for anabolic actions targeting periosteal bone surfaces. The surface-specificity of periostin suggests that this protein may be an excellent candidate for the development of novel therapies aimed at improving bone strength via periosteal adaptation and may be important for fracture repair.

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Location & Contact

The Bone Physiology Research Laboratory is located in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology in Room MS5035N and is directed by Dr. Robyn Fuchs, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy and Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. For more information please contact Dr. Robyn Fuchs at 317-274-3145 (rfuchs@iupui.edu).

Investigators

Laboratory Director:

Robyn Fuchs, PhD

Department Investigators:

Stuart J. Warden, PhD, PT, FACSM

Students:

Frank Klene, BS (Department of Physical Therapy)
Matt Galley (Department of Biomedical Engineering)
Jennifer Doyle (Department of Biomedical Engineering)

Collaborators:

David B. Burr, PhD
Charles H. Turner, PhD
Alexander G. Robling, PhD

Publications

• Gunter KG, Baxter-Jones AD, Mirwald RL, Almstedt HC, Fuchs RK, Durski SL, Snow CM. Impact exercise increases BMC during Growth: an 8-Year Longitudinal Study. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, 2007; In Press.

• Fuchs RK, Allen MR, Ruppel ME, Diab T, Phipps RJ, Miller LM, Burr DB. In situ examination of the time-course for secondary mineralization of haversian bone using synchrotron Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy. Matrix Biology, 2007; Jul 27.

• Fuchs RK, Shea M, Durski SL, Hansen B, Bay BK, Winters-Stone KM, Widrick J and Snow CM: Individual and combined effects of exercise and alendronate on bone mass and strength in ovariectomized rats. Bone, 2007; Aug 41(2): 290-6.

• Widrick JJ, Fuchs RK, Maddalozzo GF, Marley K, Snow CM. Relative effects of exercise training and alendronate treatment on muscle function of ovariectomized rats. Menopause, 2007,14( 3 Pt1):528-34.

• Warden SJ, Fuchs RK, Castillo AB and Turner CH. Exercise when young provides lifelong benefits to bone structure and strength. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research (Feb;22(2):251-9).

• Sheridan C, Kishimoto H, Fuchs RK, Mehrotra S, Bhat-Nakshatri P, Turner CH, Goulet R, Badve S, and Nakshatril H. CD44+/CD24- breast cancer cells exhibit enhanced invasive properties, an early step necessary for metastasis. Breast Cancer Research 2006 8(5):R59.

• Warden SJ, Fuchs RK, Kessler CK, Avin KG, Cardinal RE and Stewart RL. Ultrasound produced by a conventional therapeutic ultrasound unit accelerates fracture repair. Physical Therapy 2006;86;1118-1127.

• Fuchs RK and Snow CM: Gains in hip bone mass from high-impact training are maintained. A randomized controlled trial in children. Journal of Pediatrics 2002;141:357-362.

• Fuchs RK, Cusimano B and Snow CM. Box jumping. A bone building exercise for elementary school children. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation and Dance 2002;73:2.

• Fuchs RK, Bauer J and Snow CM. Jumping improves hip bone mass. A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research 2001;16:148-156.

• Snow CM, Williams DP, LaRiviere J, Fuchs RK and Robinson TL. Bone gains and losses following seasonal training and detraining in gymnasts. Calcified Tissue International 2001;69:7-12.

• Bauer J, Fuchs RK, Smith GA, Costello M and Snow CM. Force characteristics of children participating in exercise that increases bone mass. Journal of Applied Biomechanics 2001;17:142-152.

• Warden SJ, Fuchs RK and Turner CH. Steps for targeting exercise toward the skeleton to increase bone strength. Europa Medicophysica 2004;40:223-232.

• Warden SJ, Fuchs RK, Castillo AB and Turner CH. Does exercise during growth influence osteoporotic fracture risk later in life? Journal of Musculoskeletal and Neuronal Interactions 2005;5;344-346.