Understanding the Gut-Bone Signaling Axis

Laura R. McCabe, PhD is the Director of the Molecular Metabolism and Disease Program at Michigan State University. Dr. McCabe’s research focuses on understanding the mechanisms regulating bone cell (osteoblast) differentiation and bone formation. Her lab is taking an integrative approach to examine bone adaptation to diseases (such as diabetes and inflammatory bowel disease) and is working toward identifying mechanisms regulating bone formation by osteoblasts.  Approaches include examination of transcription factor activity, intracellular signaling pathway activation, stem cell lineage selection, apoptosis, metabolism and immune system contributions utilizing cell culture systems, animal models and human imaging. Dr. McCabe’s lab is also developing therapeutics to target identified mechanisms and pathways to increase bone formation.

• Section I: Gut and Bone Physiology.- 1.Introduction.- 2.GI Research: Physiology and Gut Signaling to other organs.- Section II: Gut-Bone Signaling Pathways.- 3. Intestinal regulation of Calcium-Vitamin D and Regulation of Bone Physiology.- 4. GI Regulation of Incretins and Modulation of Bone.- 5.Intestinal Serotonin Regulation of Bone Physiology.- 5. Gut Microbiome and Bone Physiology.- 6. Intestinal Immune System and Regulation of Bone.- Section III: Gut Pathologies Affecting Bone Health.- 7. Stomach-Bone: Gastric Acid and Calcium Absorption.- 8. Inflammatory  Bowel Disease:  Human IBD and Mouse IBD Models.- 9. Antibiotic Use.- 10. Enteritis and Pathogens: Dysbiosis, Pediatrics and Aging.- 11. Enteritis and Pathogens: Chicken Models.- Section IV: Modulation of the Gut Microbiota to Support Bone Health.- 12. Prebiotics.- 13.- Probiotics.- 14. Germ Free Applications.