Targeting actin-bundling protein L-plastin as an anabolic therapy for bone loss

The actin-bundling protein L-plastin (LPL) mediates the resorption activity of osteoclasts, but its therapeutic potential in pathological bone loss remains unexplored. Here, we report that LPL knockout mice show increased bone mass and cortical thickness with more mononuclear tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase–positive cells, osteoblasts, CD31(hi)Emcn(hi) endothelial vessels, and fewer multinuclear osteoclasts in the bone marrow and periosteum. LPL deletion impeded preosteoclasts fusion by inhibiting filopodia formation and increased the number of preosteoclasts, which release platelet-derived growth factor-BB to promote CD31(hi)Emcn(hi) vessel growth and bone formation. LPL expression is regulated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/AKT/specific protein 1 axis in response to receptor activator of nuclear factor–κB ligand. Furthermore, we identified an LPL inhibitor, oroxylin A, that could maintain bone mass in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis and accelerate bone fracture healing in mice. In conclusion, we showed that LPL regulates osteoclasts fusion, and targeting LPL serves as a novel anabolic therapy for pathological bone loss.