mTORC1 Signaling Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation from Preosteoblasts

Preosteoblasts are precursor cells that are committed to the osteoblast lineage. Differentiation of these cells to mature osteoblasts is regulated by the extracellular factors and environmental cues. Recent studies have implicated mTOR signaling in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation. However, mTOR exists in two distinct protein complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2), and the specific role of mTORC1 in regulating the progression of preosteoblasts to mature osteoblastis still unclear. In this study, we first deleted Raptor, a unique and essential component of mTORC1, in primary calvarial cells. Deletion of Raptor resulted in loss of mTORC1 but an increase in mTORC2 signaling without overtly affecting autophagy. Under the osteogenic culture condition, Raptor-deficient cells exhibited a decrease in matrix synthesis and mineralization. qPCR analyses revealed that deletion of Raptor reduced the expression of late-stage markers for osteoblast differentiation (Bglap, Ibsp, and Col1a), while slightly increasing early osteoblast markers (Runx2, Sp7, and Alpl). Consistent with the findings in vitro, genetic ablation of Raptor in osterix-expressing cells led to osteopenia in mice. Together, our findings have identified a specific role for mTORC1 in the transition from preosteoblasts to mature osteoblasts.     

WNT-LRP5 Signaling Induces Warburg Effect through mTORC2 Activation during Osteoblast Differentiation

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FGF/FGFR信号调控成骨细胞分化的研究进展

不管是在胚胎骨骼形成还是出生后骨骼发育过程中,FGF/FGFR信号都发挥着重要的作用,成骨细胞在骨骼形成过程中起主导作用,成骨细胞不断地分化是骨骼形成的必要条件,FGF/FGFR信号可调控成骨细胞分化过程中不同标志性基因的表达。该信号不仅可以通过自身作用于成骨细胞分化,而且也可与其他信号通路(BMP,Wnt和PTH)相互作用,共同协调控制成骨细胞分化。FGFR突变会引起成骨细胞分化异常从而出现各种骨疾病,如颅缝早闭,骨质疏松,异位骨化等。现对FGF及FGFR家族,成骨细胞分化过程中标志性基因及相应的标志物,FGF/FGFR信号调控成骨细胞分化作用等方面进行综述。     

Aluminum Induces Osteoblast Apoptosis Through the Oxidative Stress-Mediated JNK Signaling Pathway

Aluminum (Al) is considered to be a potentially toxic metal. Al exposure inhibits bone formation. Few studies have investigated the mechanism of inhibitory effects of Al on bone formation. Thus, in this study, osteoblasts were cultured and exposed to different concentrations of Al to investigate the mechanism behind the inhibitory effects of Al on bone formation. Al-treated osteoblasts showed signs of oxidative stress and a high apoptosis rate. The levels of osteoblasts activity markers (bone gamma-carboxyglutamic acid protein and bone alkaline phosphatase) were significantly lower in the Al-treated groups than in the control group. The c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), a major signaling pathway in regulating cell apoptosis, was activated. The phosphorylation state of JNK was significantly increased. The mRNA and protein expression of c-Jun were both significantly upregulated. The pro-apoptotic genes (caspase 3, caspase 9, bax, and factor-related apoptosis ligand) were significantly increased. However, Bcl-2, an anti-apoptotic gene, was significantly decreased. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that Al induces osteoblast apoptosis by activating the oxidative stress-mediated JNK pathway, which causes cell injuries and reduces the number and function of osteoblasts, thereby inhibiting bone formation.     

成骨细胞的分化调控

骨组织中有两类参与调控骨代谢过程的细胞,成骨细胞负责造骨,破骨细胞负责溶骨。在一些骨相关疾病(如骨质疏松、骨相关肿瘤)发病过程中,造骨和溶骨失去平衡,这种失衡与破骨细胞和成骨细胞的数量异常及功能失调都有关,所以对成骨细胞分化机制的研究也是十分必要的。目前,已经有大量的文献表明,成骨细胞分化机制复杂,受许多激素、细胞因子以及一些小分子化合物的调控和影响,如骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)、Wnts等。     

Differential Regulation of Intracellular Signaling Systems by Sodium Fluoride in Rat Glioma Cells

Abstract: We investigated the rapid and slow effects of NaF on intracellular signaling systems such as Ca²⁺ homeostasis and cyclic GMP (cGMP) generation in rat glioma C6 cells, using the Ca²⁺-sensitive dye fura-2 and cGMP enzyme immunoassay. We found that the following: (a) NaF enhanced cGMP generation in a concentration-dependent manner. This enhancement was abolished by pretreatment with 100 µ M BAPTA tetraacetoxymethyl ester or in the presence of W-7 in a concentration-dependent manner. N ^G-Monomethyl- l -arginine (NMMA), a competitive inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), also inhibited the NaF-induced generation of cGMP. These results suggest that NaF-induced cGMP generation occurs via a calcium/calmodulin- and NOS-dependent pathway. (b) The basal intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) was transiently greater at 1 and 3 h after pretreatment with NaF. W-7 and W-13 antagonized the increase in [Ca²⁺]_i, whereas NMMA had little effect. This suggests that the NaF-induced change in basal [Ca²⁺]_i was mediated by a calmodulin-dependent pathway but was independent of a NOS-sensitive pathway. (c) The serotonin (5-HT)-induced intracellular mobilization of Ca²⁺ was reduced by pretreating the cells with NaF. The reduction in Ca²⁺ mobilization was antagonized by genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor. W-7, W-5, and H-8 had no effect. Results suggest that NaF differentially regulates the cGMP generation, basal [Ca²⁺]_i, and 5-HT_2A receptor function in C6 glioma cells.