Beneficial Effects of Zoledronic Acid on Tendons of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Mouse (Oim)

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder of connective tissue characterized by spontaneous fractures, bone deformities, impaired growth and posture, as well as extra-skeletal manifestations. Recent studies have underlined an impairment of the osteotendinous complex in mice models of OI. The first objective of the present work was to further investigate the properties of tendons in the osteogenesis imperfecta mouse (oim), a model characterized by a mutation in the COL1A2 gene. The second objective was to identify the possible beneficial effects of zoledronic acid on tendons. Oim received a single intravenous injection of zoledronic acid (ZA group) at 5 weeks and were euthanized at 14 weeks. Their tendons were compared with those of untreated oim (oim group) and control mice (WT group) by histology, mechanical tests, western blotting and Raman spectroscopy. The ulnar epiphysis had a significantly lower relative bone surface (BV/TV) in oim than WT mice. The tendon of the triceps brachii was also significantly less birefringent and displayed numerous chondrocytes aligned along the fibers. ZA mice showed an increase in BV/TV of the ulnar epiphysis and in tendon birefringence. The tendon of the flexor digitorum longus was significantly less viscous in oim than WT mice; in ZA-treated mice, there was an improvement of viscoelastic properties, especially in the toe region of stress-strain curve, which corresponds to collagen crimp. The tendons of both oim and ZA groups did not show any significant change in the expression of decorin or tenomodulin. Finally, Raman spectroscopy highlighted differences in material properties between ZA and WT tendons. There was also a significant increase in the rate of hydroxyproline in the tendons of ZA mice compared with oim ones. This study highlighted changes in matrix organization and an alteration of mechanical properties in oim tendons; zoledronic acid treatment had beneficial effects on these parameters. In the future, it will be interesting to better understand the underlying mechanisms which are possibly linked to a greater solicitation of the musculoskeletal system.