Advances in the understanding of the role of type-H vessels in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND

Angiogenesis in the bone and its role in bone metabolic plays a fundamental role in the pathology of osteoporosis. Type-H vessels have been reported to exhibit distinct morphological, molecular, and functional properties. This review is aimed to illustrate the relationship between type-H vessels in the bone and bone metabolism.

METHODS

This manuscript reviews the articles on in vitro and in vivo experiments concerning the topic of type-H vessels and osteoporosis, and other researches in the area published by the author within the time frame from 2014 to 2019.

RESULTS

Current literatures have demonstrated that age-related loss of type-H vessels plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Impaired bone mass can be reserved by enhancing the formation of type-H vessels. Activation of the Notch and Hif-1α signaling pathway in bone tissue and exogenous PDGF-BB treatment increase the number of type-H vessels, along with the restoration of bone mass. The effects of osteoblasts and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on type-H vessels remain to be further studied.

CONCLUSIONS

These studies support unique functions for type-H vessels in the bone that may enable new therapeutic approaches to osteoporosis.