Nmp4/CIZ对成骨细胞功能的调节作用

核基质蛋白4(nuclear matrix protein,Nmp4),亦称p130cas结合锌指蛋白(cas-interacting zinc finger protein,CIZ),是一种位于细胞核及粘附斑且具有核质穿梭功能的转录调控因子.体内实验证明,Nmp4/CIZ抑制骨形成活性进而抑制骨密度和骨量增加,而对骨吸收参数无显著影响.Nmp4/CIZ通过特异性结合成骨细胞Ⅰ型胶原α1链和基质金属蛋白酶启动子上游调控序列,调节其转录表达,促进骨转换.此外,Nmp4/CIZ抑制骨形态蛋白和甲状旁腺激素诱导的成骨细胞分化,抑制成骨细胞增殖并促进凋亡发生.Nmp4/CIZ参与调节成骨细胞力学-化学信号转导,其表达沉默可抑制尾悬吊诱导的小鼠骨量减少,并促进流体剪切力诱导的成骨细胞β-catenin信号途径.这些体内外实验证据表明,Nmp4/CIZ主要通过负调控机制发挥作用,提示这是一个潜在的骨丢失治疗药物靶点.     

RANKL与骨重建

骨是一种动态更新的组织,它不断进行骨吸收（bone resorption）与骨形成（bone formation）的平衡,这个过程称之为骨重建（bone remodeling）．核因子κB受体活化因子配体（receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand,RANKL）是骨吸收和骨形成耦联的关键,具有诱导破骨细胞（osteoclast, OC）生成、活化,抑制破骨细胞凋亡的作用．RANKL最初发现于活化的T细胞,但骨重建过程中RANKL主要来源于骨细胞、成骨细胞和骨髓基质细胞．RANKL/核因子κB受体活化因子（receptor activator of nuclear factor κB,RANK）/骨保护素（osteoprotegerin, OPG）信号通路在成骨细胞调控破骨细胞生成的过程中起着重要的调节作用,是维持骨重建平衡的关键．本文就RANKL及其在骨中的分子作用机制作一综述.     

人骨保护素N端片段在大肠杆菌中的表达及其活性分析

骨保护素 (OPG)成熟肽N端D1～D4结构域仅由 2个外显子编码 .以人基因组DNA作为模板 ,采用重叠延伸PCR得到N端D1～D4域编码序列 ,并在其上游引入 2×His密码子序列 ,然后克隆入载体pQE 30进行表达 ,SDS PAGE表明 8×His融合蛋白主要以包涵体形式存在 ,可被抗OPG抗体识别 .变性条件下通过Ni NTA金属螯合亲和层析对表达产物进行纯化后再经梯度透析进行复性 ,采用破骨细胞样细胞 (osteoclast likecell ,OLC)诱导分化实验来检测重组蛋白的生物活性 ,证实单核 巨噬细胞集落刺激因子 (M CSF)和破骨细胞分化因子 (ODF)可协同促进多核OLC的生成 ,但加入重组OPG片段后 ,OLC生成显著减少 .     

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。     

巴戟天及其糖提取物对于体外培养成骨细胞OPG/RANKL基因系统表达的影响

目的:探讨巴戟天及多糖提取物对成骨细胞骨保护素(OPG)/核因子κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL)基因系统表达的影响。方法:取2~3天的SD大鼠5只分离原代成骨细胞,再取8周龄SD大鼠35只随机分为七组,对照组不进行处理,三组给予10 g/L、50 g/L、100 g/L巴戟天水灌胃,其余三组分别给予10 g/L、50 g/L、100 g/L巴戟天多糖灌胃,72 h后采用采用ELISA法测定培养液中OPG、RANKL及骨钙素的含量,采用MTT法检测不同浓度巴戟天水及多糖提取物对大鼠成骨细胞增殖的影响,采用荧光定量PCR检测OPG和RANKL mRNA表达情况;通过Westernblot检测OPG和RANKL蛋白表达水平。结果:巴戟天水及多糖提取物组A570nm、ALP活性、骨钙素含量、OPG/RANKL mRNA表达量、OPG和RANKL蛋白表达阳性密度均高于对照组(P0.05);A 570 nm、ALP活性、骨钙素含量、OPG/RANKL mRNA表达量、OPG和RANKL蛋白表达阳性密度均高于同等剂量的水提取物各组(P0.05);巴戟天多糖组中随着多糖剂量的升高A 570 nm、ALP活性、骨钙素含量、OPG/RANKL mRNA表达量、OPG和RANKL蛋白表达阳性密度,差异比较有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:巴戟天水及多糖提取物均能促进体外培养成骨细胞的增殖,提高成骨细胞活性。     

OPG／OCIF的结构、表达及功能

OPG/OCIF是一种分泌蛋白,属于TNFR超家族新成员,由受成骨信号刺激的成骨细胞表达和分泌,在破骨细胞分化时起信号传导作用。作为OPGL的伪受体,在破骨细胞分化环路中起负调节作用,抑制破骨细胞形成,促进成骨。OPG转基因模型显示广泛的骨密度增高,全身给药可以防止卵巢切除模型的骨丢失,对OPG的认识揭开了多种调节破骨细胞分化因子的最终作用,也为临床治疗骨代谢疾病提供了新的依据。     

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。     

破骨细胞形成抑制因子研究进展

破骨细胞形成抑制因子（OPG/OCIF）是最近发现的一种参与调节骨密度的糖蛋白,是一个肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)受体超家族的新成员,其氨基酸序列中具有TNF受体结构类似区.成熟的OPG/OCIF具有7个结构域,可分为三个功能区,即：TNF受体结构区、致死结构区和肝素结合区.OPG/OCIF基因定位在8q23～24上,由5个外显子和4个内含子组成,其表达受到与骨的形成和破坏有关因子的调控：如TGF-β1、1,25(OH)₂VD₃、TNF-α等等.OPG/OCIF抑制骨的破坏和吸收机制主要是抑制破骨细胞的存活,引起破骨细胞凋亡和抑制破骨细胞形成.     

热作用下成骨细胞HSP70 mRNA的表达变化及其对破骨细胞增殖的影响

目的:研究不同温度热作用对小鼠成骨细胞系中HSP70 mRNA表达水平的影响及其培养液对小鼠破骨细胞增殖的影响.方法:取小鼠成骨细胞系MC3T3,不同温度(37℃-39℃-41℃-42.5℃)作用其一周,RT PCR方法观察其HSP70表达水平变化,同时取其培养液上清与小鼠破骨前体细胞RAW264.7共培养,MTT法观察其增殖情况.结果:经不同温度热(37℃-39℃-41℃-42.5℃)处理后,MC3T3细胞系中HSP70表达水平明显增加,并且呈现与温度梯度依赖性,其处理后的上清液分别与小鼠破故前体细胞系RAW264.7共培养,MTT法测定其增值水平,结果其增殖受到抑制,且抑制水平与温度呈梯度依赖关系.结论:热刺激可以促进成骨细胞中HSP70的表达,促使成骨细胞抑制破骨细胞增殖,HSP70可能是参与调控成骨细胞与破骨细胞平衡的重要因子.     

运动介导microRNAs调控骨代谢的研究进展

运动改善骨代谢,促进骨骼生长发育,缓解骨量流失的作用已被广泛证实。在骨代谢中,微小RNA(microRNAs,miRNAs)广泛参与骨髓间充质干细胞、成骨细胞及破骨细胞等骨组织细胞的增殖及分化,通过靶向作用于相关成骨因子或骨吸收因子调控骨形成与骨吸收之间的平衡,在骨代谢的调控中发挥重要作用。近年的研究表明,调控miRNAs是运动或机械应力促进骨代谢正平衡的途径之一,运动能够诱导骨骼中miRNAs差异表达,进而调控相关成骨因子或骨吸收因子的表达,进一步加强运动的促成骨效应。本综述总结了运动介导miRNAs调控骨代谢的相关研究进展,为骨质疏松的运动防治提供理论基础。     

Interleukin-18 up-regulates osteoprotegerin expression in stromal/osteoblastic cells

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) are crucial regulators of osteoclastogenesis. To determine the biological role of interleukin (IL)-18 produced by stromal/osteoblastic cells in osteoclastogenesis, we examined the effects of IL-18 on the OPG and ODF mRNA levels in these cells. When bone marrow stromal ST2 cells, osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, and mouse calvarial osteoblasts were stimulated with IL-18, the expression of OPG mRNA, but not ODF mRNA, was transiently increased, its expression reaching a maximal level at 3 h after the beginning of the culture. In accordance with this observation, all these cells expressed the mRNAs of two IL-18 receptor components and MyD88, an adapter molecule involved in IL-18 signaling. Moreover, in these cells, mitogen-activated protein kinase was phosphorylated after stimulation with IL-18. These results suggest that stromal/osteoblastic cells are IL-18-responsive cells and that IL-18 may inhibit osteoclastogenesis by up-regulating OPG expression, without stimulation of ODF production, in stromal/osteoblastic cells.     

Direct effects of osteoprotegerin on human bone cell metabolism

Purpose

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) affects bone metabolism by intercepting the RANK-RANKL interaction which prevents osteoclastic differentiation and consequently reduces bone resorption. Different bone phenotypes of mice overexpressing OPG and of mice with knockdown of receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) or RANK-ligand (RANKL) suggest that the mechanism of action of the OPG-RANKL-RANK system in regulating bone remodeling is not completely understood. Furthermore, OPG increases bone mass and density independently from reduced osteoclastogenesis which is consistent with the possibility that OPG may directly affect bone metabolism beyond its known role as decoy receptor for RANKL.

Methods

We treated primary human osteoblastic cells with OPG and inhibitory anti-RANKL antibodies and measured cellular ALP activity, in vitro mineralization, vitronectin receptor protein expression and ERK phosphorylation. We also analyzed the mRNA co-expression of ALP and OPG ex vivo in bone biopsies from acute and old stable vertebral fractures.

Results

OPG directly increased ALP activity and in vitro mineralization of HOC, enhanced expression of the vitronectin receptor thereby increasing adherence of HOC to vitronectin and stimulated ERK phosphorylation. All OPG-mediated effects could be prevented by RANKL antibodies or RANKL-siRNA transfection and MAPK inhibitor PD98059 reduced the stimulatory effect of OPG on integrin αv expression. In acutely fractured vertebrae OPG and ALP mRNA expression was significantly increased compared to stable vertebral fractures. In conclusion, OPG exerts direct osteoanabolic effects on HOC metabolism via RANKL in addition to its well described role as decoy receptor for RANKL.     

In vivo administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 suppresses the expression of RANKL mRNA in bone of thyroparathyroidectomized rats constantly infused with PTH

It is known that pharmacological or toxic doses of vitamin D induce bone resorption both in vivo and in vitro, whereas physiological doses of the vitamin have a protective effect on bone in vivo. To investigate the discrepancies of the dose-dependent effect of vitamin D on bone resorption, we examined the in vivo effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] on the expression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNAs in bone of thyroparathyroidectomized (TPTX) rats infused with or without parathyroid hormone (PTH). Continuous infusion of 50 ng/h of PTH greatly increased the expression of RANKL mRNA in bone of TPTX rats. Expression of OPG mRNA was not altered by PTH infusion. When graded doses of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) was daily administered orally for 14 days to normocalcemic TPTX rats constantly infused with PTH, 0.01 and 0.1 microg/kg of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibited the PTH-induced RANKL mRNA expression, but 0.5 microg/kg of the vitamin did not inhibit it. Regulator of G protein signaling-2 (RGS-2) gene expression was suppressed by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) dose-dependently, but PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA expression was not altered. Bone morphometric analyses revealed that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) suppressed PTH-induced osteoclast number in vivo. These results suggest that pharmacological or toxic doses of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) stimulate bone resorption by inducing RANKL, but a certain range of physiological doses of the vitamin inhibit PTH-induced bone resorption, the latter mechanism appeared to be mediated, at least in part, by the suppression of the PTH/PTHrP receptor-mediated signaling.     

Effect of oscillating fluid flow stimulation on osteocyte mRNA expression

Structural adaptation of the bone tissue is mediated by loading-induced interstitial fluid flow within the bone microstructure. Within this framework, osteocytes fulfill the central mechanotransductive role in the bone remodeling process. While osteocytes have been demonstrated to be exquisitely sensitive to various forms of fluid flow stimulus in vitro, the effect of different oscillating fluid flow (OFF) parameters on osteocyte activity has yet to be systematically characterized. In this study, we investigate the effect of three OFF parameters on osteocyte activity in vitro and hypothesize that COX-2, RANKL, and OPG mRNA expression in osteocytes are sensitive to the OFF parameters: peak shear stress amplitude (0.5 Pa, 1 Pa, 2 Pa, and 5 Pa), oscillating frequency (0.5 Hz, 1 Hz, and 2 Hz), and total flow duration (1 h, 2 h, and 4 h). Our findings demonstrate that COX-2 mRNA levels are elevated in osteocytes subjected to higher peak shear stress amplitudes and longer flow durations, while RANKL/OPG mRNA levels decreased to a minimum threshold in response to higher peak shear stress amplitudes, faster oscillating frequencies, and longer flow durations. These findings suggest that dynamic fluid flow with higher peak shear stress amplitudes, faster oscillating frequencies, and longer loading durations provide the best conditions for promoting bone formation.     

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.     

Expression of osteoprotegerin in placenta and its association with preeclampsia

Background

Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a key regulatory factor in bone metabolism, was documented also a potential pro-angiogenic factor, which acts an important role in protecting vascular endothelial cells. Since preeclampsia has gradually been employed to be vascular diseases, we speculated that OPG might be associated with preeclampsia. The study was to evaluate the level of OPG protein and mRNA in placenta, and investigate the relationship between OPG and the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Placental specimens from 30 term normal pregnancy, 30 severe preeclampsia and 30 mild cases were studied. The expression and levels of OPGs’ protein and mRNA were detected by immunohistochemisty, western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR analysis respectively. The expression of OPG protein was found in cytoplasm of placenta cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts in three groups. There were no significant differences of OPG protein between the maternal and fetal side in each group. The OPG protein and mRNA levels in severe preeclampsia were significantly higher than those in mild cases and normal pregnancy. However, there were no markedly differences of the OPG protein and mRNA levels between term delivery and preterm delivery in severe cases. In preeclampsia, the OPG protein and mRNA level was positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and 24 h urinary protein respectively.

Conclusions/Significance

OPG protein and mRNA level in placentas of preeclampsia were found abnormal compared with normal pregnancy. In preeclampsia, the OPG protein and mRNA levels were closely related with its important clinical parameters. Taken together, OPG might be closely correlated with the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.     

Interactions between cancer and bone marrow cells induce osteoclast differentiation factor expression and osteoclast-like cell formation in vitro

Cancer cells metastasized to bone induce osteoclastogenesis for bone destruction. Coculture of either mouse melanoma B16 or breast cancer Balb/c-MC cells with mouse bone marrow cells (BMCs) induced osteoclast-like cells, which were not observed when cancer cells were segregated from BMCs. Osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), also known as receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), is a direct mediator of many osteotropic factors. Neither BMCs, B16 nor Balb/c-MC cells alone expressed ODF mRNA. However, coculture of these cancer cells with BMCs induced ODF expression, which was prevented by indomethacin. Moreover, the coculture with cancer cells inhibited secretion of osteoprotegerin/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OPG/OCIF), an inhibitory decoy receptor for ODF, from BMCs. Thus, enhanced osteoclastogenesis in the presence of cancer cells might be due to an increase in ODF activity. These results suggest that interactions between cancer cells and BMCs induce ODF expression and suppress OPG/OCIF level in metastatic foci resulting in pathological osteoclastogenesis for bone destruction.     

IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor,and oncostatin M stimulate bone resorption and regulate the expression of receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand,osteoprotegerin, and receptor activator of NF-kappa B in mouse calvariae

IL-6, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and oncostatin M (OSM) are IL-6-type cytokines that stimulate osteoclast formation and function. In the present study, the resorptive effects of these agents and their regulation of receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), RANK, and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were studied in neonatal mouse calvaria. When tested separately, neither human (h) IL-6 nor the human soluble IL-6R (shIL-6R) stimulated bone resorption, but when hIL-6 and the shIL-6R were combined, significant stimulation of both mineral and matrix release from bone explants was noted. Semiquantitative RT-PCR showed that hIL-6 plus shIL-6R enhanced the expression of RANKL and OPG in calvarial bones, but decreased RANK expression. Human LIF, hOSM, and mouse OSM (mOSM) also stimulated 45Ca release and enhanced the mRNA expression of RANKL and OPG in mouse calvaria, but had no effect on the expression of RANK. In agreement with the RT-PCR analyses, ELISA measurements showed that both hIL-6 plus shIL-6R and mOSM increased RANKL and OPG proteins. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 (D3) also increased the RANKL protein level, but decreased the protein level of OPG. OPG inhibited 45Ca release stimulated by RANKL, hIL-6 plus shIL-6R, hLIF, hOSM, mOSM, and D3. An Ab neutralizing mouse gp130 inhibited 45Ca release induced by hIL-6 plus shIL-6R. These experiments demonstrated stimulation of calvarial bone resorption and regulation of mRNA and protein expression of RANKL and OPG by D3 and IL-6 family cytokines as well as regulation of RANK expression in preosteoclasts/osteoclasts of mouse calvaria by D3 and hIL-6 plus shIL-6R.