It’s widely known that mechanical deformation of bone promotes activation of some proteins in the extracellular matrix and bone cells. These proteins are responsible for signaling intracellular reactions that determine bone mass growth. Studies indicate focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as a crucial protein to signal mechanical deformation caused by mechanical loading on bone, but evidences in vivo are required to prove this role. Objectives - Using a low-intensity ultrasound, investigate the influence of the mechanical loading on the expression of FAK in bone, and the possibility of detecting proteins involved on cellular proliferation of bone and skeletal muscle. Material and methods - Tibiae and fibulae of 12-weeks-rats were stimulated by low-intensity ultrasound during 20 minutes/once a day for periods of 7, 14 and 21 days. There were 4 groups, each one containing 7 rats. The control group was not stimulated. Fifteen hours after the last stimulation, the tibia and fibula were extracted for immunoblotting procedures with specific antibodies in order to evaluate FAK, FAK-Tyr(P)-397, extracellular signal-regulated kinase-2 (ERK-2), ERK-1/2-Tyr(P)-204, insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and IRS-2. The skeletal muscle of the stimulated area was subjected to the same procedures. Results - Comparing the results of the different groups, both FAK and FAK-Tyr(P)-397 were not detected in bone. However, ERK-2, ERK-1/2-Tyr(P)-204, IRS-1 and IRS-2 were identified. Moreover, all the proteins studied were detected in skeletal muscle except for IRS-2. Discussion and conclusion - The results suggest there are no significant quantities of FAK in bone detectable by the methods used. In other hand, it was noted that ERK-2, ERK-1/2-Tyr(P)-204, IRS-1 and IRS-2 are detectable in bone and may be responsive to mechanical stimulation. In addition, the detection of these proteins in skeletal muscle, including FAK, opens up new perspectives on the study of the influence of this tissue on bone repair.
Focal adhesion kinase; ultrasound; osteogenesis; mechanotransduction; integrins
