Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2026, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (22): 5770-5781.doi: 10.12307/2026.182

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Forkhead box transcription factor O3 affects bone metabolism and participates in the pathological processes of various bone-related diseases

Han Jie1, Hu Tianfa2, Wu Yachao2, Nong Bin2, Yu Kailong2   

  1. 1Department of Joint and Sports Medicine, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China; 2Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China 
  • Received:2025-06-06 Accepted:2025-09-04 Online:2026-08-08 Published:2025-12-27
  • Contact: Han Jie, Department of Joint and Sports Medicine, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • About author:Han Jie, MS, Professor, Chief physician, Department of Joint and Sports Medicine, Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, Nanning 530000, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nos. 82260858 and 82460872 (to HJ); Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, No. 2024GXNSFAA010243 (to HJ); Pilot Project of the Construction of High-Level Key Disciplines of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Guangxi, No. GTYKEF[2023]13 (to HJ); Guangxi Key Research Office of Traditional Chinese Medicine Construction Project, No. GTYKEF[2023]9 (to HJ); Guangxi Youth Qihuang Scholars Training Project, No. GTYKEF[2022]13 (to HJ); "Qihuang Project" High-Level Talent Team Cultivation Project of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine, No. [2024]3 (to HJ)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Bone metabolism disorders can cause the occurrence of bone-related diseases, and forkhead box transcription factor O3 (FoxO3a) can affect the processes of proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of bone tissue cells by regulating oxidative stress and autophagy levels, and thereby regulate the bone metabolism.
OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyze the relevant research literature on the regulation of bone metabolism by FoxO3a and its mechanism of action in bone diseases and to provide a reference for subsequent studies targeting FoxO3a in the treatment of bone diseases.
METHODS: Literature searches were conducted using the following strategies: CNKI (China National Knowledge Infrastructure): SU=FoxO3a OR SU=Foxo3 OR SU=Forkhead box O3 OR SU=AND SU=Forkhead box transcription factor O3) AND SU=bone; WanFang Medical Database: Subject:("FoxO3a") OR Subject:("Foxo3") OR Subject:("Forkhead box O3") OR Subject:("Forkhead box transcription factor O3") AND Subject:("bone"); PubMed: ((FoxO3a) OR (Foxo3) OR (Forkhead box O3))AND ((bone) OR (Skeleton)). Outdated, repetitive, low-quality, and irrelevant studies were excluded, and 56 articles were ultimately included for review.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) FoxO3a and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells: FoxO3a can promote the formation of osteogenic lineages and also facilitate early osteogenic differentiation by activating autophagy. Meanwhile, FoxO3a exhibits antioxidant properties in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, protecting the cells from aging induced by oxidative stress. (2) FoxO3a and osteoblasts: FoxO3a can inhibit osteogenesis in osteoblasts by interfering with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, and at the same time activate antioxidant enzymes to protect mature osteoblasts. FoxO3a can promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast progenitor cells and facilitate osteogenic differentiation by activating autophagy. (3) FoxO3a and osteoclasts: The expression of FoxO3a can resist oxidative stress and activate the autophagy process to inhibit osteoclast generation. (4) FoxO3a and bone cells: FoxO3a can protect bone cells through antioxidant effects and also reduce bone loss by inhibiting the p16 and p53 signaling pathways and increasing aging-related secretory phenotypes. (5) FoxO3a and chondrocytes: FoxO3a plays a protective role for chondrocytes in osteoarthritis, inhibits the decomposition or apoptosis of chondrocytes, promotes the synthesis of extracellular matrix in chondrocytes, and can inhibit chondrocyte hypertrophy. However, the high co-expression of FoxO3a and Runt-related transcription factor 1 in chondrocytes promotes the early cartilage formation and terminal hypertrophy of chondroprogenitor cells. (6) FoxO3a affects bone metabolism by participating in processes such as oxidative stress resistance and regulating autophagy, and is involved in the pathological processes of various bone-related diseases.


Key words: Forkhead box transcription factor O3 (FoxO3a), bone metabolism, pathological mechanism, osteoblast, osteoclast, chondrocyte, signaling pathway, review

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