Elevated Aromatase Expression in Osteoblasts Leads to Increased Bone Mass without Systemic Adverse Effects.

Abstract The stimulatory effects of testosterone (T) on bone can either be via a direct activation of the androgen receptor (AR) or mediated via aromatization of T to estradiol (E2), followed by activation of estrogen receptors (ERs) in bone. Aromatase expression in osteoblasts and reproductive tissues is dependent on different promoters, which are differentially regulated. To investigate the effect of elevated local aromatization of T to E2 in bone, we developed a transgenic mouse model (Coll-1alpha1-Arom) that over-expresses the human aromatase gene under the control of the osteoblast specific rat type I alpha I procollagen promoter. The Coll-1alpha1-Arom mice expressed human aromatase mRNA specifically in bone and had unaffected serum E2 and T levels. Male Coll-1alpha1-Arom mice had clearly increased total body bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular BMD, cortical BMD and cortical thickness associated with elevated osteoprotegerin mRNA levels and reduced number of osteoclasts (