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。     

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.     

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。     

脑外伤对大鼠骨折愈合过程中OPG/RANKL表达的影响

目的研究股骨骨折合并脑外伤大鼠骨痂中骨保护素（OPG）和核因子-KB受体活化因子配体（RANKL）的表达变化,探讨脑外伤对骨折愈合的影响及作用机制。方法48只雌性SD大鼠随机分成骨折合并脑外伤组和单纯骨折组,每组24只。建立大鼠开放骨折及脑外伤模型,术后7、14、21、28d4个时间点分批处死动物,标本切片后通过HE染色观察骨折愈合情况,免疫组织化学染色研究OPG和RANKL的表达变化。结果HE染色示单纯骨折组呈典型骨折愈合过程,而骨折合并脑外伤组骨痂形成及改造提前,骨折愈合加速。免疫组织化学染色显示OPG在骨折合并脑外伤组表达增强,术后各时间点OPG平均光密度值（OD值）均高于同一时间点单纯骨折组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。RANKL在骨折合并脑外伤组表达变化不显著,其OD值仅术后21d1个时间点高于单纯骨折组（P〈0.05）。骨折合并脑外伤组术后各时间点OPG与RANKL OD值的比值均高于同一时间点单纯骨折组,差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论脑外伤对骨折愈合有促进作用,可能与合并脑外伤后OPG和RANKL表达变化有关。     

紫草素抑制破骨细胞分化及改善去卵巢诱导的小鼠骨质疏松

目的:研究紫草素对破骨细胞体外分化的影响,并探讨其对去卵巢(ovariectomized,OVX)诱导的骨质疏松模型小鼠的骨保护作用。方法:体外细胞生物学实验,采用CCK-8法检测不同浓度紫草素对C57BL/6J小鼠骨髓源性单核巨噬细胞的毒性;采用RANKL和M-CSF诱导单核巨噬细胞破骨分化模型,给予不同浓度的紫草素干预后,经TRAP染色对破骨细胞进行形态学观察,并通过Real-Time PCR技术检测破骨细胞特异性基因TRAP、c-Fos和NFATc1的表达。动物体内实验,随机将15只小鼠平均分为假手术组、OVX组、治疗组。造模成功后治疗组给予紫草素干预,假手术组和OVX组以等体积生理盐水处理。连续处理30天后取胫骨,用Micro CT扫描重建观察胫骨近端骨丢失状况。结果:(1)高于250 nmol/L的紫草素显著抑制小鼠单核巨噬细胞生长(P0.01)。(2)不同浓度的紫草素干预能显著抑制体外破骨细胞形成(P0.01)。(3)不同浓度的紫草素干预能显著抑制TRAP,c-Fos和NFATc1等参与破骨细胞分化的重要基因表达(P0.01)。(4)紫草素干预能显著改善去卵巢诱导的骨质疏松模型小鼠的骨丢失(P0.05)。结论:紫草素能在体外抑制破骨细胞分化并在体内改善去卵巢诱导的小鼠骨质疏松。     

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。     

骨硬化蛋白与骨代谢

骨硬化蛋白(sclerostin),曾称硬骨素,由SOST基因编码,是一种分泌型糖蛋白。体内研究证明,骨硬化蛋白特异性地表达于骨细胞(osteocyte)中,通过作用于成骨细胞而在骨代谢中起重要作用。骨硬化蛋白基因(SOST)的表达受应力作用、激素、氧浓度等因素的影响。拮抗骨硬化蛋白可以缓解骨质疏松的症状,这为临床治疗骨质疏松等疾病提供了新思路与新方法。本文在介绍骨硬化蛋白的表达定位与分子结构的基础上,就其参与骨代谢的最新研究进展做一综述。     

TNF—α和RANKL与类风湿关节炎的研究进展

类风湿关节炎（RA）是一种以慢性侵蚀性关节炎为特征的自身免疫性疾病,伴随有慢性滑膜炎症及继发的关节软骨和骨质的破坏。肿瘤坏死因子超家族（TNFSF）的成员,特别是肿瘤坏死因子-α／（TNF—α）和核因子-κB受体活化因子配体（RANKL）在疾病的炎症和骨破坏过程中发挥着至关重要的作用。一些靶向于TNFSF的生物制剂已被开发应用于RA的治疗。综述了TNF—α和RANKL在类风湿关节炎中的作用以及靶向药物的治疗效果。     

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.     

小鼠核因子κB受体活化因子配基活性区的克隆、表达及生物活性分析

核因子κB受体活化因子配基是诱导破骨细胞分化、成熟的关键因子,在生物医学研究中应用广泛。本实验以小鼠的骨髓细胞cDNA为模板,采用PCR技术获得小鼠核因子κB受体活化因子配基活性区基因,并将该基因克隆至His标签的融合蛋白表达载体pET28a(+),经鉴定正确的质粒转化至BL21表达菌株中。通过调节诱导目的蛋白表达的培养温度、IPTG浓度及诱导时间,筛选出重组融合蛋白表达的最佳条件。将纯化后的重组蛋白稀释成不同浓度,刺激小鼠破骨前体细胞Raw264.7细胞分化,经抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶染色后可见破骨细胞的形成,表明该重组蛋白具有较好的生物活性,可替代商品化的鼠源核因子κB受体活化因子配基。     

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.     

Nerve growth factor prevents arsenic-induced toxicity in PC12 cells through the AKT/GSK-3β/NFAT pathway

The potential risk of arsenic-related neurodegeneration has been a growing concern. Arsenic exposure has been reported to disrupt neurite growth and neuron body integrity in vitro; however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Previously, we showed that arsenic sulfide (AS) exerted cytotoxicity in gastric and colon cancer cells through regulating nuclear factor of the activated T cells (NFAT) pathway. The NFAT pathway regulates axon path finding and neural development. Using neural crest cell line PC12 cells as a model, here we show that AS caused mitochondrial membrane potential collapse, reactive oxygen species production, and cytochrome c release, leading to mitochondria-mediated apoptosis via the AKT/GSK-3β/NFAT pathway. Increased glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK-3β) activation leads to the inactivation of NFAT and its antiapoptotic effects. Through inhibiting GSK-3β activity, both nerve growth factor (NGF) and Tideglusib, a GSK-3β inhibitor partially rescued the PC12 cells from the AS-induced cytotoxicity and restored the expression of NFATc3. In addition, overexpression of NFATc3 stimulated neurite outgrowth and potentiated the effect of NGF on promoting the neurite outgrowth. Collectively, our results show that NFATc3 serves as the downstream target of NGF and plays a key role in preventing AS-induced neurotoxicity through regulating the AKT/GSK-3β/NFAT pathway in PC12 cells.     

抑制GSK-3β活性促进NF-κB诱导的儿童急性淋巴细胞白血病细胞凋亡

核转录因子-κB(NF-κB)是维持急性淋巴细胞白血病(ALL)细胞生存的关键因子.近年来发现,糖原合成酶激酶-3β(GSK-3β)可以正性调控NF-κB的活性.本研究通过抑制GSK-3β活性初步探讨ALL细胞中GSK-3β在NF-κB诱导细胞凋亡中的作用机制.收集ALL患儿骨髓单个核细胞,采用免疫荧光细胞化学方法检测到ALL细胞核内GSK-3β有明显聚集.体外培养ALL细胞后经GSK-3β抑制剂氯化锂(LiCl)和SB216763处理,采用Western印迹和EMSA检测发现,ALL细胞核内GSK-3β表达下降,而NF-κBP65蛋白无明显变化,但是其活性明显降低.同时RT-PCR结果显示,NF-κB下游抗凋亡基因存活素(survivin)的表达随之下降,AnnexinV-PE/7-AAD双染流式细胞仪检测结果证实,ALL细胞凋亡明显增加(P0.01).该结果表明,抑制GSK-3β活性可以下调NF-κB的转录活性,并通过下调抗凋亡基因存活素的表达而促进ALL细胞的凋亡.     

NF-κB targeting for overcoming tumor resistance and normal tissues toxicity

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are two famous modalities in tumor-targeted therapy that lead to systemic and local toxicities for normal tissues. Moreover, several studies have confirmed that exposure of the tumor to radiation or chemotherapy drugs stimulate some signaling pathways in the tumor microenvironment (TME), leading to resistance of cancer cells to apoptosis, as well as promoting angiogenesis and tumor growth. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a central role in the regulation of inflammatory responses in both normal tissues and tumors via the release of several cytokines, regulation of prostaglandins, reduction/oxidation (redox) reactions, angiogenesis, and cell death. Upregulation of NF-κB in normal tissues causes an appearance of inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress, whereas it regulates angiogenesis and suppresses apoptosis, leading to resistance to subsequent doses of radiation or chemotherapy. Selective inhibition of NF-κB in experimental studies has shown promising results for tumor sensitization via apoptosis induction, inhibition of angiogenesis, and increasing delay of tumor growth. The use of some agents for NF-κB inhibition has been shown to alleviate radiation/chemotherapy toxicities in normal cells/ tissues. In this current review, we explained the pivotal role of NF-κB in both normal tissue toxicity and tumor resistance. We also discussed the promising strategies for overcoming these problems with regard to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.     

The role of inflammation and its related microRNAs in breast cancer: A narrative review

Breast cancer is recognized as the most common type of cancer among women with a high rate of mortality all over the world. Over the past years, growing attention has been regarded to realize more about the mechanisms underlying the disease process. It is revealed that the progression of breast cancer may be strongly linked to chronic inflammation owing to the role of inflammatory factors in genetic instability and subsequent cancer predisposition. Although the association between breast cancer and inflammatory pathways has been well-defined now, only recent evidence pointed towards the inflammation-related microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets involved in the crosstalk of multiple pathways during breast cancer development. Moreover, the practical interactions between these miRNAs and inflammatory factors are also a little characterized. In this review, we intended to describe the effects of predominant inflammatory pathways such as cytokines, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and nuclear factor kappa B in association with tumor promoting and tumor suppressing miRNAs on breast cancer progression. Providing new studies in the field of combining biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring breast cancer are very important. Notably, understanding the underlying mechanisms of miRNAs as a possible link between inflammation and tumorigenesis may offer a novel insight for combating this epidemic.     

RANK ligand expression in heat shock factor-2 deficient mouse bone marrow stromal/preosteoblast cells

Heat Shock Proteins (HSP) are molecular chaperones activated upon cellular stress/stimuli. HSP gene expression is regulated by Heat Shock Factors (HSF). We have recently demonstrated a functional role for heat shock factor-2 (HSF-2) in fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2)-induced RANK ligand (RANKL), a critical osteoclastogenic factor expression on stromal/preosteoblast cells. In the present study, we show that FGF-2 treatment did not induce RANKL expression in HSF-2-/-stromal/preosteoblast cells. Interestingly, HSF-2 deficiency resulted in rapid induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin mRNA expression in these cells. Furthermore, FGF-2 did not induce osteoclast formation in co-culture of normal mouse spleen cells and HSF-2-/-stromal/preosteoblast cells. Electron microscopy analysis demonstrated that osteoclasts from HSF-2-/-mice have poorly developed ruffled borders. These data further confirm that HSF-2 plays an important role in FGF-2-induced RANKL expression in stromal/preosteoblast cells. HSF-2 deficiency has pleotropic effects on gene expression during osteoblast differentiation and osteoclastogenesis in the bone microenvironment. Novel therapeutic agents that modulate HSF-2 activation may have therapeutic utility against increased levels of FGF-2 and bone destruction associated with pathologic conditions.     

Nrf2在阿尔茨海默病中的研究现状

阿尔茨海默病(Alzheimer's disease,AD)是最常见的神经系统变性疾病,主要病理特征为细胞外老年斑(senile plaques,SP)和细胞内神经原纤维缠结(neurofibrillary tangles,NFT)形成.但其发病机制不清,涉及多种病理学变化如炎症反应、氧化应激、线粒体功能障碍、细胞凋亡以及突触功能障碍等.核因子E2相关因子2(nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2,Nrf2)是经典的调控机体抗氧化应激反应的核转录因子.Nrf2激活后诱导抗氧化蛋白的表达,提高机体的抗氧化应激能力.随着Nrf2抗氧化应激作用研究的深入,发现Nrf2不仅能够通过抗氧化应激延缓AD的发生发展,且在AD的病理性沉积物的清除、抗炎、抗凋亡、神经营养等方面扮演着重要的角色.近年来,由于多种针对单一靶点的抗AD药物临床试验的失败,有学者提出Nrf2可能是实现AD多靶点疗法的重要因子.因此,本文对Nrf2在AD中的研究现状做一综述,为寻找治疗AD潜在的生物学靶点提供理论依据.