Osteoblasts are target cells for transformation in c-fos transgenic mice

We have generated transgenic mice expressing the proto-oncogene c-fos from an H-2Kb class I MHC promoter as a tool to identify and isolate cell populations which are sensitive to altered levels of Fos protein. All homozygous H2-c-fosLTR mice develop osteosarcomas with a short latency period. This phenotype is specific for c-fos as transgenic mice expressing the fos- and jun-related genes, fosB and c-jun, from the same regulatory elements do not develop any pathology despite high expression in bone tissues. The c-fos transgene is not expressed during embryogenesis but is expressed after birth in bone tissues before the onset of tumor formation, specifically in putative preosteoblasts, bone- forming osteoblasts, osteocytes, as well as in osteoblastic cells present within the tumors. Primary and clonal cell lines established from c-fos-induced tumors expressed high levels of exogenous c-fos as well as the bone cell marker genes, type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase, and osteopontin/2ar. In contrast, osteocalcin/BGP expression was either low or absent. All cell lines were tumorigenic in vivo, some of which gave rise to osteosarcomas, expressing exogenous c- fos mRNA, and Fos protein in osteoblastic cells. Detailed analysis of one osteogenic cell line, P1, and several P1-derived clonal cell lines indicated that bone-forming osteoblastic cells were transformed by Fos. The regulation of osteocalcin/BGP and alkaline phosphatase gene expression by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was abrogated in P1-derived clonal cells, whereas glucocorticoid responsiveness was unaltered. These results suggest that high levels of Fos perturb the normal growth control of osteoblastic cells and exert specific effects on the expression of the osteoblast phenotype.     

Differential expression of dentin matrix protein 1, type I collagen and osteocalcin genes in rat developing mandibular bone

The expression of dentin matrix protein 1 (Dmp1) mRNA has been compared with that of type I collagen and osteocalcin mRNAs during bone formation in the rat mandible, using in situ hybridization. At embryonic day 15 (E15), type I collagen and osteocalcin mRNAs were expressed by the majority of newly-differentiated osteoblasts attached to unmineralized bone matrices, whereas Dmp1 mRNA expression was confined to only a few osteoblasts. Expression of these genes increased as the number of osteoblasts increased in specimens from E16 to E18. At E20, expression of Dmp1, type I collagen and osteocalcin was also observed in osteocytes. Dmp1 expression continued in osteocytes as they matured up to the 90-day-old specimens, whereas type I collagen and osteocalcin expression in osteocytes almost disappeared at 30 days of postnatal life. In contrast, osteoblasts continued to express type I collagen and osteocalcin in 90-day-old rats, but transiently expressed Dmp1 mRNA, which was seen in the minority of osteoblasts at 14 days of postnatal life. These data show that the developmental expression patterns of Dmp1 in osteogenic differentiation differ from those of type I collagen and osteocalcin, and Dmp1 appears to be expressed by osteocytes throughout ossification in the skeleton. These observations indicate that Dmp1 may serve unique biological functions in osteocyte and bone metabolism.     

Factors that promote progressive development of the osteoblast phenotype in cultured fetal rat calvaria cells

Rat calvaria osteoblasts derived from 21-day-old fetal rat pups undergo a temporal expression of markers of the osteoblast phenotype during a 5 week culture period. Alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin are sequentially expressed in relation to collagen accumulation and mineralization. This pattern of expression of these osteoblast parameters in cultured rat osteoblasts (ROB) is analogous to that seen in vivo in developing fetal rat calvaria tissue (Yoon et. al: Biochem. Biophis. Res. Commun. 148:1129, 1987) and is similar to that observed in cultures of subcultivated 16-day-old embryonic chick calvaria-derived osteoblasts (COB) (Gerstenfeld, et.al: Dev. Biol. 122:46, 1987). While the cellular organization of subcultivated COB and primary ROB cultures are somewhat different, the temporal expression of the parameters remains. Both the rat and chick culture systems support formation of matrix mineralization even in the absence of beta-glycerol-phosphate. A systematic examination of factors which constitute conditions supporting complete expression of the osteoblast phenotype in ROB cultures indicate requirements for specific serum lots, ascorbic acid and the ordered deposition of mineral in the extracellular matrix. The present studies suggest that formation of a collagenous matrix, dependent on ascorbic acid, is requisite for expression of the osteoblast phenotype. In ROB cultures, expression of osteocalcin synthesis occurs subsequent to initiation of alkaline phosphatase activity and accompanies the formation of mineralized nodules. Thus, extracellular matrix mineralization (deposition of hydroxyapatite) is required for complete development of the osteoblast phenotype, as reflected by a 200-fold increase in osteocalcin synthesis. These data show the temporal expression of the various osteoblast parameters during the formation and mineralization of an extracellular matrix can provide markers reflective of various stages of osteoblast differentiation/maturation in vitro.     

In situ localization and in vitro expression of osteoblast/osteocyte factor 45 mRNA during bone cell differentiation

The in situ localization of osteoblast/osteocyte factor 45 (OF45) mRNA during bone formation has been examined in the rat mandible from embryonic day 14 (E14) up to postnatal 90-day-old Wistar rats. Gene expression was also examined during cell culture not only in primary rat osteoblast-like cells but also in two clonal rat osteoblastic cell lines with different stages of differentiation, ROB-C26 (C26) and ROB-C20 (C20) using Northern blot analysis. The C26 cell is a potential osteoblast precursor cell line, whereas the C20 cell is a more differentiated osteoblastic cell line. At E15 osteoblast precursor cells differentiated into a group of osteoblasts, some of which expressed the majority of non-collagenous proteins, whereas no expression of OF45 was observed in these cells. Intercellular matrices surrounded by osteoblasts were mineralized at E16. Subsequently, the number of osteoblasts differentiated from osteoblast precursor cells was increased in association with bone formation. At E17, the first expression of OF45 mRNA was observed only in a minority of mature osteoblasts attached to the bone matrix, but not in the rest of less mature osteoblasts. At E20, concomitant with the appearance of osteocytes, OF45 mRNA expression was observed not only in more differentiated osteoblasts that were encapsulated partly by bone matrix but also in osteocytes. Subsequently, osteocytes increased progressively in number and sustained OF45 mRNA expression in up to 90-day-old rats. Northern blot analysis of the cultured cells with or without dexamethasone treatment revealed that the gene expression of OF45 correlated well with the increased cell differentiation. These results indicate that OF45 mRNA is transiently expressed by mature osteoblasts and subsequently expressed by osteocytes throughout ossification in the skeleton and this protein represents an important marker of the osteocyte phenotype and most likely participates in regulating osteocyte function.     

Age-related changes in bone formation,osteoblastic cell proliferation,and differentiation during postnatal osteogenesis in human calvaria

We have determined the age-related changes in the growth characteristics and expression of the osteoblast phenotype in human calvaria osteoblastic cells in relation with histologic indices of bone formation during postnatal calvaria osteogenesis. Histomorphometric analysis of normal calvaria samples obtained from 36 children, aged 3 to 18 months, showed an age-related decrease in the extent of bone surface covered with osteoblasts and newly synthesized collagen, demonstrating a progressive decline in bone formation during postnatal calvaria osteogenesis. Immunohistochemical analysis showed expression of type I collagen, bone sialoprotein, and osteonectin in the matrix and osteoblasts, with no apparent age-related change during postnatal calvaria osteogenesis. Cells isolated from human calvaria displayed characteristics of the osteoblast phenotype including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (OC) production, expression of bone matrix proteins, and responsiveness to calciotropic hormones. The growth of human calvaria osteoblastic cells was high at 3 months of age and decreased with age, as assessed by (³H)-thymidine incorporation into DNA. Thus, the age-related decrease in bone formation is associated with a decline in osteoblastic cell proliferation during human calvaria osteogenesis. In contrast, ALP activity and OC production increased with age in basal conditions and in response to 1,25(OH)₂, vitamin D₃, suggesting a reciprocal relationship between cell growth and expression of phenotypic markers during human postnatal osteogenesis. Finally, we found that human calvaria osteoblastic cells isolated from young individuals with high bone formation activity in vivo and high growth potential in vitro had the ability to form calcified nodular bone-like structures in vitro in the presence of ascorbic acid and β-glycerophosphate, providing a new model to study human osteogenesis in vitro. J. Cell. Biochem. 64:128–139. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Expression of mRNAs for type-I collagen, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, and osteopontin at different stages of osteoblastic differentiation and their regulation by 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3

We have used in situ hybridization to evaluate the effects of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25 (OH)2 D3) on the expression of mRNA for bone-matrix proteins and to determine whether mature osteoblasts respond differently to 1,25 (OH)2 D3 than younger, newly differentiated osteoblasts. Rat calvaria cells were cultured for 7, 12, 15, and 19 days to obtain a range of nodules from very young to very mature. At each time point, some cultures were treated with 10 nM 1,25 (OH)2 D3 for 24 h prior to fixation. In control cultures, type-I collagen mRNA was detectable in osteoblastic cells in very young nodules and increased with increasing maturity of the nodules and the osteoblasts lining them. The bone sialoprotein mRNA signal was weak in young osteoblasts, increased in older osteoblasts, and decreased in mature osteoblasts. Weak osteocalcin and osteopontin signals were seen only in osteoblasts of intermediate and mature nodules. 1,25 (OH)2 D3 treatment markedly upregulated osteocalcin and osteopontin mRNAs and downregulated mRNA levels of bone sialoprotein and, to a lesser extent, type-I collagen in both young and mature osteoblasts. However, a marked diversity of signal levels for bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin, and osteopontin existed between neighboring mature osteoblasts, particularly after 1,25 (OH)2 D3 treatment, which may therefore selectively affect mature osteoblasts, depending on their differentiation status or functional stage of activity.     

In situ hybridization of bone matrix proteins in undecalcified adult rat bone sections.

We have developed a method for in situ hybridization of adult bone tissue utilizing undecalcified sections and have used it to histologically examine the mRNA expression of non-collagenous bone matrix proteins such as osteocalcin (bone Gla protein, BGP), matrix Gla protein (MGP), and osteopontin in adult rats. Expression was compared with that in bone tissues of newborn rats. In the adult bone tissue, osteocalcin mRNA was strongly expressed in periosteal and endosteal cuboidal osteoblasts but not in primary spongiosa near the growth plate. Osteopontin mRNA was strongly expressed in cells present on the bone resorption surface, osteocytes, and hypertrophic chondrocytes, but not in cuboidal osteoblasts on the formation surface. Osteopontin and osteocalcin mRNAs were expressed independently and the distribution of cells expressing osteopontin mRNA corresponded with acid phosphatase-positive mononuclear cells and osteoclasts. Expression of MGP mRNA was noted only in hypertrophic chondrocytes. In newborn rat bone tissues, expression of osteocalcin mRNA was much weaker than in adult rat bone tissues. These results clearly indicate the differential expression of mRNAs of non-collagenous bone matrix proteins in adult rat bone tissues.     

Inhibitory effects of activin-A on osteoblast differentiation during cultures of fetal rat calvarial cells.

Activin-A is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily and is expressed by osteoblasts. However, the role of activin-A on osteoblasts is not clearly understood. We examined the effects of activin-A on osteoblast proliferation or differentiation, and mineralization by the osteoblasts in the first subcultures of fetal rat osteoblasts obtained from calvarial bones. Exogenous activin-A led to impaired formation of bone nodules in a dose-dependent manner, although it did not influence cell proliferation using an MTT assay. This inhibitory effect depended upon the time at which activin-A was added to the culture media, and the effect was most significant when addition took place at the early phase of the culture. In addition, exogenous activin-A inhibited gene expression of type I procollagen, alkaline phosphatase, osteonectin, and osteopontin in the cultured cells using Northern blot analysis. The peak of osteocalcin mRNA was delayed. Gene expression for TGF-beta was not influenced by exogenous activin-A. The betaA subunit (activin-A) mRNA was detected during the early phase of this culture. These results indicate that activin-A inhibited early differentiation of the fetal rat calvarial cells, or osteoblasts.     

Estimation of an early meaningful time point of bone parameter changes in application to an osteoporotic rat model with in vivo microcomputed tomography measurements

The commonly used preclinical animal model of postmenopausal osteoporosis is the mature ovariectomized rat, whereby cessation of ovarian oestrogen production consequently results in bone volume reduction. The study aim was to precisely define the time course of structural changes resulting from ovariectomy and thereby reduce the time animals have to be treated to judge the effects of osteoporosis treatment. For this purpose, we assessed architectural changes by microcomputed tomography (μCT) during 10 weeks following ovariectomy or sham surgery at two-week intervals. Moreover, the trabecular microarchitecture of the lumbar vertebrae was assessed after necropsy. Besides this, serum biomarkers of bone turnover were determined. These data were in a new approach additionally correlated to femur mRNA expression profiles. We selected the osteoblast marker genes osteocalcin and type I collagen as well as the two osteoclast marker genes cathepsin k and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5. The gene expression analysis suggested an activation of osteoblasts as well as octeoclasts. The significantly induced serum levels of osteocalcin and collagen degradation fragments also revealed this higher rate of bone turnover. Our results indicate that as soon as four weeks after ovariectomy the bone volume fraction exhibited a decline of 30% and 50% of the connectivity density. In addition, significant decreases of trabecular number and thickness as well as of the bone volume fraction were only observed in vertebrae of ovariectomized animals. Interestingly, changes of trabecular morphology were also found in the sham animals as a consequence of senescence.     

Cloning and characterization of osteoactivin, a novel cDNA expressed in osteoblasts.

Osteoblast development is a complex process involving the expression of specific growth factors and regulatory proteins that control cell proliferation, differentiation, and maturation. In this study, we used the rat mutation, osteopetrosis (op), to examine differences in skeletal gene expression between mutant op and normal littermates. Total RNA isolated from long bone and calvaria was used as a template for mRNA differential display. One of many cDNAs that were selectively expressed in either normal or mutant bone was cloned and sequenced and found to share some homology to the human nmb and Pmel 17 genes. This novel cDNA was named osteoactivin. Osteoactivin has an open reading frame of 1716 bp that encodes a protein of 572 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 63.8 kD. Protein sequence analysis revealed the presence of a signal peptide and a cleavage site at position 23. The protein also has thirteen predicted N-linked glycosylation sites and a potential RGD integrin recognition site at position 556. Northern blot analysis confirmed that osteoactivin was 3- to 4-fold overexpressed in op versus normal bone. RT-PCR analysis showed that osteoactivin is most highly expressed in bone compared with any of the other non-osseous tissues examined. In situ hybridization analysis of osteoactivin in normal bone revealed that it is primarily expressed in osteoblasts actively engaged in bone matrix production and mineralization. In primary rat osteoblast cultures, osteoactivin showed a temporal pattern of expression being expressed at highest levels during the later stages of matrix maturation and mineralization and correlated with the expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. Our findings show that osteoactivin expression in bone is osteoblast-specific and suggest that it may play an important role in osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization. Furthermore, osteoactivin overexpression in op mutant bone may be secondary to the uncoupling of bone resorption and formation resulting in abnormalities in osteoblast gene expression and function.     

Effect of gallium nitrate in vitro and in normal rats

Gallium nitrate (GN) is an inhibitor of bone resorption and thereby may result in a change in coupled bone formation. In the present investigation the effects of GN on bone formation were studied in the rat osteosarcoma (ROS) 17/2.8 cell line and normal diploid rat osteoblasts (ROB) in vitro and the femur of rats treated in vivo, measuring mRNA levels for two osteoblast parameters, type I collagen, a marker of matrix formation, and osteocalcin, a bone specific protein and also histone H₄, a marker of cell proliferation. GN, at 50 μM for 3 h, increased type I collagen mRNA levels by 132% in ROS 17/2.8 cells and by 122% in proliferating ROB cells. Osteocalcin (OC) mRNA levels were decreased by 61% in ROS 17/2.8 cells and by 97% in differentiated ROB cells. These changes occurred in the absence of any effects on cell proliferation. Seventy-day-old female rats were then treated with GN, 0.5 mg/kg/day, for 3 weeks. As previously reported, GN decreased serum calcium levels, but had no effect on lumbar or femoral bone density. In contrast to the in vitro effects, GN had no effect on type I collagen steady-state mRNA levels in the femur; however, it decreased OC steady-state mRNA levels in the femur by 58%. These results suggest that GN has similar in vitro effects in transformed and normal osteoblasts, while the collagen-stimulatory effects observed in vitro cannot be extrapolated to in vivo models. The consistent inhibition of osteocalcin in vitro and in vivo suggests a more specific target for GN that may relate to its effects in inhibiting bone resorption in normal rats.     

c-fos expression precedes osteogenic differentiation of cartilage cells in vitro

We have investigated the temporal pattern of expression of c-fos in cartilage cells in mouse mandibular condyles. During in vitro cultivation, the progenitor cells in this organ differentiate to osteoblasts, and hypertrophic chondrocytes start to show features indicative of osteogenic differentiation. Prior to these processes we observed two distinct patterns of c-fos expression. High, transient c-fos expression was found in the entire tissue within 30 min of culture. This type of c-fos expression appeared to result from mechanical forces applied during dissection. The second type of c-fos expression appeared in individual cells in the zone of hypertrophic chondrocytes. A varying number of formerly quiescent chondrocytes expressed high levels of c-fos mRNA after between 30 min and 10 d in culture, with a peak in the number of cells between days 1 and 3. c-fos expression in these cartilage cells was followed by DNA replication and expression of genes typifying osteoblastic differentiation. After 7 d in culture, groups of cells with the typical ultrastructural features of osteoblasts, and surrounded by an osteoid-like matrix, were observed in single chondrocyte-type lacunae, suggesting division of chondrocytes and differentiation to osteoblasts. The data suggest that c-fos may play a crucial role in the perturbation of determined pathways of skeletoblast differentiation and in the regulation of endochondral bone formation.     

Confocal imaging and timing of secretion of matrix proteins by osteoblasts derived from avian long bone

Primary osteoblasts derived from avian long bone have been evaluated in terms of spatial and temporal expression of known osteoblastic marker proteins during the early phases of cell culture. Confocal imaging of matrix proteins revealed that osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, and osteonectin were restricted to the cell interior at day 4 of culture; secretion and deposition into the extra-cellular matrix of bone sialoprotein and osteopontin was evident at 8 and 12 days of culture. Osteocalcin and osteonectin were not deposited in the matrix within the timeframe of the study. Total collagen levels produced and alkaline phosphatase activity were substantial by day 4 of culture, and increased from that point 4.0- and 5.5-fold, respectively, by culture day 12. The expression of type I collagen, PTHrP receptor, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein and osteocalcin was followed by Northern blot analysis. Type I collagen and osteopontin mRNA were expressed at constant levels throughout the culture period. Over the 12 days of culture both PTH/PTHrP receptor and bone sialoprotein mRNA expression were found to increase by 2.3- and 2.5-fold, respectively. In contrast, the expression of osteocalcin message decreased by 2.5-fold by day 8 of culture.