RANKL/RANK/OPG信号通路对骨代谢和血管钙化作用机制的研究现状

核因子-κB受体活化因子配体(receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand,RANKL)/核因子-κB受体活化因子(receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B,RANK)/骨保护素(osteoprotegerin,OPG)信号通路是调节骨代谢过程中破骨细胞功能的重要通路。OPG能够与RANKL结合并阻止其与RANK结合,抑制破骨细胞生成从而抑制骨吸收,增加骨密度,改善骨质疏松。其中,RANKL/OPG的比值是骨吸收和骨形成平衡的关键。目前血管钙化已不再被看作是单纯的钙磷的被动沉积,而是由血管平滑肌细胞和内皮细胞主动参与的一种与骨形成相似的病理生理过程。在这个过程中,RANKL/RANK/OPG信号通路也起到重要作用。本文就RANKL/RANK/OPG信号通路在骨代谢和血管钙化中的作用机制进行了综述。     

重组可溶性核因子κB受体活化因子体外抑制甲状旁腺激素诱导的破骨细胞生成

新近发现的核因子κB受体活化因子配基（receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand,RANKL）,核因子κB受体活化因子（receptor activator ofnuclear factor-κB,RANK）／护骨素（osteoprotegerin,OPG）细胞因子系统提高了对破骨细胞生物学和骨稳态分子水平的认识。RANKL与RANK之间的相互作用决定了破骨细胞的分化。本研究通过体外实验评价可溶性RANK （soluble RANK,sRANK）是否可作为RANKL的拈抗剂下调破骨细胞生成和骨吸收陷窝的形成。构建sRANK的原核表达载体,转化入大肠杆菌表达菌株Origami B（DE3）,成功表达了重组蛋白,亲和层析进行纯化。重组sRANK以剂量依赖方式抑制由甲状旁腺激素（parathyroid hormone,PTH）诱导的破骨细胞生成和骨吸收陷窝形成。RT-PCR实验证实,sRANK可显著抑制PTH刺激的小鼠骨髓细胞碳酸苷酶Ⅱ和抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶mRNA的表达。结果表明,sRANK具有抗骨吸收功能,可能成为一种治疗以骨吸收加强为特征的骨疾病的新方法。     

50 Hz 1.8 mT正弦交变电磁场通过调节成骨细胞PGE2的分泌影响Opg/Rankl的基因表达

前列腺素E2(prostaglandin E2, PGE2)作为细胞因子,在骨代谢中扮演重要角色. 它通过刺激成骨细胞核因子κB受体活化因子配基(receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand, RANKL)表达,促进破骨细胞的分化成熟. 然而,其是否参与了电磁场调节骨代谢仍不清楚.PGE2的生物合成受到环加氧酶(cyclooxygenase, COX)的调节. 在细胞中存在2种不同的环加氧酶,COX-1和COX-2. 其中,COX-2是引起PGE2分泌增加的主要原因. 其活性受到细胞核因子κB(nuclear factor kappa B, NF-κB)的调节.本文通过检测体外培养成骨细胞PGE2分泌,COX-2蛋白表达以及Cox-2、Opg、Rankl和Nf-κb 基因表达发现,经50 Hz 1.8 mT正弦交变电磁场(sinusoidal electromagnetic fields, SEMFs)处理后,由COX-2介导的PGE2分泌以及cox-2、Nf-κb的基因表达皆下调,但Nf-κb的变化先于cox-2的变化,而opg/rankl基因表达则恰恰相反,说明电磁场通过抑制Nf-κb的转录降低由COX-2介导的PGE2的分泌,进而降低对Rankl表达的刺激作用,抑制破骨细胞的分化成熟.     

绝经后骨质疏松症TNF-α通过激活NF-κB促进RANKL诱导的破骨细胞形成

本研究检测了绝经后骨质疏松症妇女的肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)和雌激素水平,并探讨了TNF-α对破骨前体细胞RAW264.7中破骨细胞标志物核因子κB受体激活因子(nuclear factor kappa-B, RANK)、组织蛋白酶K (Cathepsin K, CTSK)和凝血酶受体激活肽(thrombin receptor activating peptide, TRAP)以及核因子-κB (NF-κB)亚基(p65)和NF-κB抑制蛋白(IκBα)的影响。研究结果表明,绝经后骨质疏松症患者的TNF-α水平显著升高,而雌二醇水平显著降低。核因子κB受体激活因子配体(receptor activator for NF-κBligand, RANKL)处理1周后,破骨前体细胞RAW264.7中破骨细胞标志物RANK、CTSK和TRAP的mRNA和蛋白高度表达。与RANKL对照组相比,TNF-α处理可上调RANK、CTSK和TRAP m RNA的表达。但是,仅TNF-α不能诱导培养的RAW264.7细胞分化为破骨细胞成。TNF-α以剂量依赖性方式诱导NF-κB亚基p65和IκBα磷酸化,而NF-κB抑制剂处理则有效降低了RANK和TRAP的表达。本研究结论表明,绝经后骨质疏松症中TNF-α通过激活NF-κB来促进RANKL诱导的破骨细胞形成。     

联合补充维生素D、胶原肽和钙对成骨细胞发育的影响研究

目的：观察联合补充维生素D、胶原肽和钙对MC3T3-E1成骨细胞增殖及对骨保护素细胞内核因子κB受体活化因子配体（receptor activator of NF-κB ligand,RANKL）、骨保护素（Osteoprotegerin,OPG）基因表达的影响。方法：α-MEM培养基培养MC3T3-E1细胞。检测Ca2+（20 μg/mL）、维生素D（0、10-12、10-11mol/L）、胶原肽（0、50、100μg/mL）三者交互作用剂量对MC3T3-E1细胞增殖的作用及RANKL、OPG mRNA表达。结果：维生素D、胶原肽和钙交互剂量作用下细胞增殖水平无明显差异。维生素D联合钙能够明显降低RANKL mRNA表达水平,提高OPG mRNA表达水平,降低RANKL/OPG比值。而胶原肽联合钙对RANKL以及 OPG mRNA表达无明显影响。结论：维生素D联合钙可通过抑制小鼠成骨细胞RANKL mRNA表达、促进OPG mRNA表达,从而促进骨的形成,抑制骨的吸收。维生素D和钙联合补充胶原肽,对成骨细胞RANKL,OPG mRNA表达并无明显影响。     

50Hz 1.8mT正弦交变电磁场通过调节成骨细胞PGE_2分泌影响Opg/Rankl的基因表达

前列腺素E2(prostaglandin E2,PGE2)作为细胞因子,在骨代谢中扮演重要角色.它通过刺激成骨细胞核因子κB受体活化因子配基(receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand,RANKL)表达,促进破骨细胞的分化成熟.然而,其是否参与了电磁场调节骨代谢仍不清楚.PGE2的生物合成受到环加氧酶(cyclooxygenase,COX)的调节.在细胞中存在2种不同的环加氧酶,COX-1和COX-2.其中,COX-2是引起PGE2分泌增加的主要原因.其活性受到细胞核因子κB(nuclear factor kappa B,NF-κB)的调节.本文通过检测体外培养成骨细胞PGE2分泌,COX-2蛋白表达以及Cox-2、Opg、Rankl和Nf-κb基因表达发现,经50 Hz 1.8 m T正弦交变电磁场(sinusoidal electromagnetic fields,SEMFs)处理后,由COX-2介导的PGE2分泌以及cox-2、Nf-κb的基因表达皆下调,但Nf-κb的变化先于cox-2的变化,而opg/rankl基因表达则恰恰相反,说明电磁场通过抑制Nf-κb的转录降低由COX-2介导的PGE2的分泌,进而降低对Rankl表达的刺激作用,抑制破骨细胞的分化成熟.     

类风湿关节炎破骨细胞的活化机制及其预测指标

类风湿关节炎(rheumatoid arthritis, RA)是一种系统性、慢性、炎性的自身免疫性疾病。骨破坏在RA的发生和发展中占有重要地位,是RA致残致畸的主要原因。破骨细胞(osteoclast, OC)的异常增生与活化对RA骨侵蚀的发病进展具有重要作用。近年来,RA患者骨破坏的研究逐渐增多。本文结合国内外研究对核因子-κB受体活化因子配体(receptor activation for nuclear factor-κB ligand, RANKL)/核激活因子受体(receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB, RANK)/骨保护素(orthopantomography, OPG)信号通路、Wnt信号通路、抗瓜氨酸蛋白抗体(anti-citrulline protein antibody, ACPA)、基质金属蛋白酶(matrixmetalloproteinases,MMPs)、14-3-3η蛋白、基质细胞衍生因子-1(stromalcellderivedfactor-1,SDF-1)、小泛素样修饰物蛋白(smallubiquitin-likemodifierprotein,SUMO)、分泌型卷曲相关蛋白(secreted frizzled-related protein, SFRP)、骨转换标志物等作一阐述,旨在为RA早期骨破坏诊断提供相关依据。     

植物乳杆菌AR495抑制巨噬细胞RAW264.7向破骨细胞分化的研究

利用植物乳杆菌AR495及不同处理组与巨噬细胞RAW264.7共培养,考察AR495对核因子 κB受体活化因子配基(receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand,RANKL)诱导的巨噬细胞RAW264. 7向破骨细胞分化的影响。结果表明,AR495活菌与发酵液在与RANKL诱导的RAW264. 7共培养后,具有显著的抑制分化的效果,细胞存活率与其他组分相比没有显著性差异;TRAP染色表明AR495活菌与发酵液处理后分化的破骨细胞数量分别降低了49.75%、50.84%;TRAP酶活分别降低了20.89%、49.24%。AR495活菌与发酵液处理组能够显著降低细胞炎症因子IL 1β和TNF α含量。采用实时荧光定量PCR对破骨细胞分化通路基因表达进行研究,结果显示AR495活菌与发酵液能够显著抑制RANKL/RANK信号通路上各级信号分子TRAF6与NF κB基因的表达,同时能够显著抑制炎症通路TLR4/MyD88信号通路蛋白的基因表达。植物乳杆菌AR495活菌及其代谢产物具有较好的抑制破骨细胞分化的效果,为解析缓解骨质疏松机制研究奠定基础。     

小鼠破骨细胞诱导及成纤维生长因子受体表达检测

目的:检测成纤维生长因子受体(fibroblast growth factor receptors,FGFRs)在小鼠破骨细胞中的表达情况,为探讨FGFRs时破骨细胞的直接调控作用奠定基础.方法:采用巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(macrophage colony stimulating factor,M-CSF)和破骨细胞分化因子(receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand,RANKL)诱导小鼠骨髓单核细胞分化为破骨细胞.提取细胞总RNA后经逆转录获得小鼠破骨细胞cDNA,根据FGFRs基因编码区序列设计的引物进行PCR扩增并对PCR扩增产物进行测序.为进一步验证转录水平的结果,提取细胞总蛋白电泳后进行免疫印迹实验.结果:诱导5d后可见TRAP( )多核细胞出现,小鼠破骨细胞在转录水平和翻译水平均只可检测到FGFR1和FGFR3基因的表达产物.结论:M=CSF和RANKL可成功诱导出小鼠破骨细胞,FGFR1和FGFR3基因在小鼠破骨细胞中均有表达.     

矿化液和地塞米松增强大鼠原代骨髓基质细胞NF-kB受体活化剂配体的表达

NF-KB受体活化剂配体（receptor activator for NF-KB ligand,RANKL）是调节破骨细胞生成的重要因子,它可在骨髓基质细胞中表达。矿化液（含10书mol／L地塞米松、10mmol／LB．甘油磷酸钠、50ug／ml L-抗坏血酸）能够诱导骨髓基质细胞向成骨细胞分化,为探讨矿化液及其主要成分地塞米松对大鼠原代骨髓基质细胞表达RANKL的影响,采用矿化液培养原代大鼠骨髓基质细胞48h,通过免疫荧光染色观察RANKL的表达变化。结果显示矿化液和地塞米松在短期内均能增强鼠骨髓基质细胞RANKL的表达,提示地塞米松促进破骨细胞形成的分子机制可能与骨髓基质细胞RANKL表达的改变密切相关。     

OPG/RANKL/RANK系统与骨破坏性疾病

近年来发现的OPG/RANKL/RANK系统在破骨细胞生成中起着至关重要的作用,是骨骼生理研究领域的重大进展。成骨细胞、骨髓基质细胞、激活的T淋巴细胞表达RANKL,与破骨细胞前体细胞或成熟破骨细胞表面上的RANK结合后,促进破骨细胞的分化及骨吸收活性。成骨细胞及骨髓基质细胞分泌表达OPG可与RANKL竞争性结合,从而阻断RANKL与RANK之间的相互作用。体内多种激素或因子通过影响骨髓微环境内的OPG/RANKL比率来调节骨代谢。此外,乳腺上皮细胞表达有RANK,孕期在性激素的诱导下可表达RANKL,OPG/RANKL/RANK系统在孕期乳腺发育以及母体向胎儿的钙转运过程中发挥重要作用。阻断RANKL/RANK通路有望给骨质疏松、类风湿关节炎及癌症骨转移等骨破坏性疾病的治疗开辟新的途径。进一步研究应了解OPG/RANKL/RANK系统与其它信号传导途径的关系,重视骨骼、免疫及内分泌系统之间的相互作用。目前,开发与OPG功能相似或促进其表达的合成药物有可能成为具有良好经济效益和社会效益的产业。     

Matrix-embedded cells control osteoclast formation

Osteoclasts resorb the mineralized matrices formed by chondrocytes or osteoblasts. The cytokine receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) is essential for osteoclast formation and thought to be supplied by osteoblasts or their precursors, thereby linking bone formation to resorption. However, RANKL is expressed by a variety of cell types, and it is unclear which of them are essential sources for osteoclast formation. Here we have used a mouse strain in which RANKL can be conditionally deleted and a series of Cre-deleter strains to demonstrate that hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteocytes, both of which are embedded in matrix, are essential sources of the RANKL that controls mineralized cartilage resorption and bone remodeling, respectively. Moreover, osteocyte RANKL is responsible for the bone loss associated with unloading. Contrary to the current paradigm, RANKL produced by osteoblasts or their progenitors does not contribute to adult bone remodeling. These results suggest that the rate-limiting step of matrix resorption is controlled by cells embedded within the matrix itself.     

Expression of RANKL/OPG during bone remodeling in vivo

The interaction between receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) plays a dominant role in osteoclastogenesis. As both proteins are produced by osteoblast lineage cells, they are considered to represent a key link between bone formation and resorption. In this study, we investigated the expression of RANKL and OPG during bone remodeling in vivo to determine the relationship between osteoclastogenic stimulation and osteoblastic differentiation.Total RNA was prepared from rat femurs after marrow ablation on days 0, 3, 6, and 9. The temporal activation patterns of osteoblast-related genes (procollagen α1 (I), alkaline phosphatase, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) were examined by Northern blot analysis. An appreciable increase in the expression of these osteoblast markers was observed on day 3. The peak increase in gene expression was observed on day 6 followed by a slight reduction by day 9. Real-time PCR analysis showed that the OPG mRNA expression was markedly upregulated on day 6 and slightly decreased on day 9. In contrast, RANKL mRNA expression was increased by more than 20-fold on day 9. The RANKL/OPG ratio, an index of osteoclastogenic stimulation, peaked on day 9. Histological analysis showed that RANKL and OPG immunoreactivity were predominantly associated with bone marrow cells. The expression of bone formation markers was activated in the bone formation phase, followed by the stimulation of RANKL/OPG expression in the bone resorption phase, which confirmed that these molecules are key factors linking bone formation to resorption during bone remodeling.     

Suppression of osteoprotegerin expression by prostaglandin E2 is crucially involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclast formation

LPS is a potent stimulator of bone resorption in inflammatory diseases. The mechanism by which LPS induces osteoclastogenesis was studied in cocultures of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells. LPS stimulated osteoclast formation and PGE(2) production in cocultures of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells, and the stimulation was completely inhibited by NS398, a cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor. Osteoblasts, but not bone marrow cells, produced PGE(2) in response to LPS. LPS-induced osteoclast formation was also inhibited by osteoprotegerin (OPG), a decoy receptor of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), but not by anti-mouse TNFR1 Ab or IL-1 receptor antagonist. LPS induced both stimulation of RANKL mRNA expression and inhibition of OPG mRNA expression in osteoblasts. NS398 blocked LPS-induced down-regulation of OPG mRNA expression, but not LPS-induced up-regulation of RANKL mRNA expression, suggesting that down-regulation of OPG expression by PGE(2) is involved in LPS-induced osteoclast formation in the cocultures. NS398 failed to inhibit LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis in cocultures containing OPG knockout mouse-derived osteoblasts. IL-1 also stimulated PGE(2) production in osteoblasts and osteoclast formation in the cocultures, and the stimulation was inhibited by NS398. As seen with LPS, NS398 failed to inhibit IL-1-induced osteoclast formation in cocultures with OPG-deficient osteoblasts. These results suggest that IL-1 as well as LPS stimulates osteoclastogenesis through two parallel events: direct enhancement of RANKL expression and suppression of OPG expression, which is mediated by PGE(2) production.     

TRAF Family Member-associated NF-κB Activator (TANK) Is a Negative Regulator of Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Formation

The differentiation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts is induced by RANKL signaling, and leads to the activation of NF-κB via TRAF6 activation. TRAF family member-associated NF-κB activator (TANK) acts as a negative regulator of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and B-cell receptor (BCR) signaling by inhibiting TRAF6 activation. Tank(-/-) mice spontaneously develop autoimmune glomerular nephritis in an IL-6-dependent manner. Despite its importance in the TCRs and BCR-activated TRAF6 inhibition, the involvement of TANK in RANKL signaling is poorly understood. Here, we report that TANK is a negative regulator of osteoclast differentiation. The expression levels of TANK mRNA and protein were up-regulated during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, and overexpression of TANK in vitro led to a decrease in osteoclast formation. The in vitro osteoclastogenesis of Tank(-/-) cells was significantly increased, accompanied by increased ubiquitination of TRAF6 and enhanced canonical NF-κB activation in response to RANKL stimulation. Tank(-/-) mice showed severe trabecular bone loss, but increased cortical bone mineral density, because of enhanced bone erosion and formation. TANK mRNA expression was induced during osteoblast differentiation and Tank(-/-) osteoblasts exhibited enhaced NF-κB activation, IL-11 expression, and bone nodule formation than wild-type control cells. Finally, wild-type mice transplanted with bone marrow cells from Tank(-/-) mice showed trabecular bone loss analogous to that in Tank(-/-) mice. These findings demonstrate that TANK is critical for osteoclastogenesis by regulating NF-κB, and is also important for proper bone remodeling.     

Synaptotagmin VII regulates bone remodeling by modulating osteoclast and osteoblast secretion

Maintenance of bone mass and integrity requires a tight balance between resorption by osteoclasts and formation by osteoblasts. Exocytosis of functional proteins is a prerequisite for the activity of both cells. In the present study, we show that synaptotagmin VII, a calcium sensor protein that regulates exocytosis, is associated with lysosomes in osteoclasts and bone matrix protein-containing vesicles in osteoblasts. Absence of synaptotagmin VII inhibits cathepsin K secretion and formation of the ruffled border in osteoclasts and bone matrix protein deposition in osteoblasts, without affecting the differentiation of either cell. Reflecting these in vitro findings, synaptotagmin VII-deficient mice are osteopenic due to impaired bone resorption and formation. Therefore, synaptotagmin VII plays an important role in bone remodeling and homeostasis by modulating secretory pathways functionally important in osteoclasts and osteoblasts.     

Mechanical stimulation effects on functional end effectors in osteoblastic MG-63 cells

Receptor activator of Nf-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) have been implicated in bone metabolism. Specifically, the balance of these factors in conjunction with receptor activator of Nf-kappaB (RANK) is believed to be key in determining the rate of osteoclastogenesis and the net outcome of bone formation/resorption. While it is well accepted that mechanical loading in vivo affects bone formation/resorption and that alterations in the responsiveness of bone cells to mechanical loading have been implicated in metabolic bone diseases, the effect of in vitro mechanical loading on osteoblastic production of OPG and RANKL has not been extensively studied. Thus, in the current study, we developed an in vitro model to load human osteoblasts and studied levels of OPG, RANKL, PGE(2) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF). We hypothesized that stimulating osteoblastic cells would increase the release of soluble OPG relative to RANKL favoring a bone-forming (and resorption-inhibiting) event. To accomplish this, we developed a small-scale loading machine that imparts via bending, well-defined substrate deformation to bone cells cultured on artificial substrates. Following 2h of loading and a 1h incubation period, media was collected and levels of soluble OPG, RANKL, PGE(2) and M-CSF were quantified using ELISA and western blotting. We found that mechanical loading significantly increased soluble OPG levels relative to RANKL at this 3h time point. Levels of soluble and cellular RANKL detected were not significantly affected by mechanical stimulation. The relative shift in abundance of OPG over RANKL associated with applied mechanical stimulation suggests the soluble OPG:RANKL ratio may be important in load-induced coupling mechanisms of bone cells.     

The molecular scaffold Gab2 is a crucial component of RANK signaling and osteoclastogenesis

Morphogenesis and remodeling of bone involve synthesis of bone matrix by osteoblasts and coordinate resorption of bone by osteoclasts. Defective bone remodeling caused by altered osteoclast activity underlies a multitude of osteopenic disorders. Receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) and its ligand RANKL have been identified as essential factors involved in osteoclast development and bone remodeling, but their mechanism and interacting factors have not been fully characterized. Here we report that the molecular adapter Grb-2-associated binder-2 (Gab2) associates with RANK and mediates RANK-induced activation of NF-kappaB, Akt and Jnk. Inactivation of the gene encoding Gab2 in mice results in osteopetrosis and decreased bone resorption as a result of defective osteoclast differentiation. We also show that Gab2 has a crucial role in the differentiation of human progenitor cells into osteoclasts. We have thus identified a new, key regulatory scaffold molecule, Gab2, that controls select RANK signaling pathways and is essential for osteoclastogenesis and bone homeostasis.