Figure 4: IL-20 signaling regulated osteoblasts by modulating sclerostin in the OVX-induced bone loss model.

(a) Serum levels of sclerostin in Sham and OVX mice treated with 3 mg mIgG/kg/3 d treatment, or 3 mg 7E/kg/3 d treatment were analyzed (n = 5/group). Values are means ± SD. Data are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05 versus Sham controls. ^#P < 0.05 versus mIgG controls. (b) ALP staining analysis of mice tibia 8 weeks in Sham and OVX treated with 3 mg mIgG/kg/3 d treatment, or 3 mg 7E/kg/3 d treatment (n = 5/group). Quantification of the number of osteoblasts per bone perimeter (Ob.N/B.Pm). Values are means ± SD of 3 frozen sections. Data are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05 versus mIgG controls. (c) Analysis of dynamic bone histomorphometric parameters (bone formation rate/bone surface; BFR/BS) in the distal femur collected from the groups of mice indicated. Values are means ± SEM. Data are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05 versus mIgG controls. (d) Serum level of sclerostin in IL-20R1^+/+ and IL-20R1^−/− mice was analyzed using an ELISA kit 8 weeks after an OVX or Sham-operated control (n = 5/group). Values are means ± SD. Data are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05 versus Sham-IL-20R1^+/+ mice. (e) ALP staining analysis of the tibias of IL-20R1^+/+ and IL-20R1^−/− mice 8 weeks after an OVX or Sham-operated control (n = 5/group). Values are means ± SD of 3 frozen sections. *P < 0.05 versus Sham-IL-20R1^−/− mice. (f) Analysis of dynamic bone histomorphometric parameters (BFR/BS) in the distal femur collected from the groups of mice indicated. Values are means ± SEM. Data are representative of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05 versus IL-20R1^+/+ mice.