Osteopontin - Histology

What is Osteopontin?

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional glycoprotein that is prominently expressed in bone and various other tissues. It plays a crucial role in bone remodeling and is involved in several physiological and pathological processes.

Where is Osteopontin Found?

Osteopontin is found in the extracellular matrix (ECM) of bone, teeth, and other tissues. It is particularly abundant in mineralized tissues and is secreted by osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts. Additionally, it is present in the kidneys, immune cells, and various tumors.

What are the Functions of Osteopontin?

Osteopontin has several functions, including:

Regulation of bone mineralization and resorption
Modulation of inflammatory responses
Promotion of cell migration and adhesion
Involvement in wound healing and tissue repair

How is Osteopontin Detected in Histology?

Osteopontin can be detected using various histological techniques such as immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH). Antibodies specific to osteopontin are used to stain tissue sections, allowing visualization of its distribution and abundance.

What is the Role of Osteopontin in Bone Remodeling?

In the context of bone remodeling, osteopontin acts as a mediator between cells and the ECM. It binds to integrins and CD44 receptors on the surface of osteoclasts, promoting their attachment to the bone surface and subsequent bone resorption. It also regulates the activity of osteoblasts, contributing to bone formation.

How Does Osteopontin Contribute to Disease?

Elevated levels of osteopontin have been associated with various diseases, including osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer. In cancer, osteopontin promotes tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. It is also implicated in chronic inflammatory diseases and cardiovascular disorders.

What is the Clinical Relevance of Osteopontin?

Given its involvement in numerous pathological conditions, osteopontin is being explored as a potential biomarker for disease diagnosis and prognosis. It is also a target for therapeutic interventions aimed at modulating its activity to treat bone-related diseases and cancers.

Conclusion

Osteopontin is a vital glycoprotein in histology, playing significant roles in bone remodeling, inflammation, and disease processes. Understanding its functions and mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted therapies and diagnostic tools.

Relevant Publications

p38 Signaling Mediates Naringin-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Porcine Metanephric Mesenchymal Cells.

Issue Release: 2024

Dermal TRPV1 innervations engage a macrophage- and fibroblast-containing pathway to activate hair growth in mice.

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Mechanical stimulation-induced purinome priming fosters osteogenic differentiation and osteointegration of mesenchymal stem cells from the bone marrow of post-menopausal women.

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Fecal microbiome extract downregulates the expression of key proteins at the interface between airway remodelling and lung cancer pathogenesis in vitro.

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Liposomal curcumin inhibits cigarette smoke induced senescence and inflammation in human bronchial epithelial cells.

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miR-200a-3p-enriched MSC-derived extracellular vesicles reverse erectile function in diabetic rats by targeting Keap1.

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The role of Sirtuin 1 in regulation of fibrotic genes expression in pre-adipocytes.

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Naringenin modulates the NO‑cGMP‑PKG signaling pathway by binding to AKT to enhance osteogenic differentiation in hPDLSCs.

Issue Release: 2024

Knock down of transforming growth factor beta improves expressions of co-stimulatory molecules, type I interferon-regulated genes, and pro-inflammatory cytokine in PRRSV-inoculated monocyte-derived macrophages.

Issue Release: 2024

NOX4 and its association with myeloperoxidase and osteopontin in regulating endochondral ossification.

Issue Release: 2024

Osteopontin Depletion in Non-haematopoietic Cells Improves Outcomes in Septic Mice by Enhancing Antimicrobial Peptide Production.

Issue Release: 2024

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals the evolution of the immune landscape during perihematomal edema progression after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Issue Release: 2024

Mild phototherapy mediated by IR780-Gd-OPN nanomicelles suppresses atherosclerotic plaque progression through the activation of the HSP27-regulated NF-κB pathway.

Issue Release: 2024

General anaesthetics reduce acute lymphoblastic leukaemia malignancies and CXCR4 and osteopontin mediated mechanisms.

Issue Release: 2024

Bone Regenerative Effect of Injectable Hypoxia Preconditioned Serum-Fibrin (HPS-F) in an Ex Vivo Bone Defect Model.

Issue Release: 2024

Assessment of serum inflammatory parameters in RRMS and SPMS patients.

Issue Release: 2024

Oxygen tension regulating hydrogels for vascularization and osteogenesis via sequential activation of HIF-1α and ERK1/2 signaling pathways in bone regeneration.

Issue Release: 2024

ROUX-en-Y gastric bypass surgery improves metabolic syndrome-related erectile dysfunction in mice via the IRS-1/PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway.

Issue Release: 2024

Molecular and functional profiling of cell diversity and identity in the lateral superior olive, an auditory brainstem center with ascending and descending projections.

Issue Release: 2024

ETV5 promotes lupus pathogenesis and follicular helper T cell differentiation by inducing osteopontin expression.

Issue Release: 2024

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