The expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 and osteocalcin in mouse osteoblasts is related to osteoblastic differentiation and is modulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and thyroid hormones

Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), is a key protein of bone matrix degradation, and is highly expressed by osteoblasts. We used the osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cell line and compared the stimulatory effects of the bone resorptive agents 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)) 3,3',5-triido-L-thyronine (T3) on the expression of MMP-13 mRNA. We showed that the stimulatory effects were time and dose dependent, and were also transduced to the protein level, with 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)being more potent.MMP-13 expression in different mouse cells and its localization within developing bone from the onset of osteogenesis were also investigated. 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)- and T3-regulated osteocalcin (Osc) expression in mouse osteoblasts was compared to hormonal effects on MMP-13 expression and activity. Here we show divergent and common roles of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)and T3 action on the expression of these marker proteins, depending on the stage of cell differentiation. In addition, we propose a role for MMP-13 in the bone collar of developing long bones. The results could help to more precisely characterize hormonal regulation in the developmental sequence of osteoblasts.     

Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis in osteoblastic cells, clone MC3T3-E1

A stimulative effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 was tested on osteoblastic cells, clone MC3T3-E1, cultured in serum-free medium with 0.1% bovine serum albumin. This steroid increased alkaline phosphatase activity in a dose-related fashion. The steroid also stimulated dose-dependently collagen and non-collagen protein syntheses, their maximal effects being observed at 12 and 24 h, respectively. The incorporation of [3H]-proline into collagen or non-collagen protein in cells exposed to this steroid for 12 h was 2.9 or 1.9-fold over that of control cultures, respectively. These results strongly indicate the stimulative effects of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on the differentiation of osteoblasts in vitro.     

Active vitamin D possesses beneficial effects on the interaction between muscle and bone

Vitamin D deficiency and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. However, the effects of vitamin D and AGEs on myogenesis and the interaction between muscle and bone remains still unclear. We previously showed that osteoglycin (OGN) is secreted from myoblasts and stimulates osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting that it plays important roles in the interaction between muscle and bone. The aim of this study is thus to examine the effects of vitamin D and AGEs on myoblastic differentiation of C2C12 cells and osteoblastic differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells through OGN expression. 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25D) and eldecalcitol, an active vitamin D analog, induced the expression of MyoD, myogenin and OGN, and these effects were abolished by vitamin D receptor (VDR) suppression by siRNA in C2C12 cells. Moreover, conditioned medium from 1,25D-pretreated C2C12 cells stimulated the expression of type 1 collagen and alkaline phosphatase in MC3T3-E1 cells, compared to control medium from 1,25D-untreated C2C12 cells. In contrast, conditioned medium from VDR-suppressed and 1,25D-pretreated C2C12 cells showed no effects. AGE2 and AGE3 suppressed the expression of MyoD, myogenin and OGN in C2C12 cells. Moreover, 1,25D blunted the AGEs’ effects. In conclusion, these findings showed for the first time that active vitamin D plays important roles in myogenesis and muscle-induced osteoblastogenesis through OGN expression. Active vitamin D treatment may rescue the AGEs-induced sarcopenia as well as – suppressed osteoblastic differentiation via OGN expression in myoblasts.     

Expression of Id, a negative regulator of helix-loop-helix DNA binding proteins, is down-regulated at confluence and enhanced by dexamethasone in a mouse osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3E1.

The message of Id (for "inhibitor of DNA binding") was expressed in an osteoblastic cell line, MC3T3E1, when the cells were in early cultures, while undetectable after the cells became confluent. The abundance of Id message in MC3T3E1 cells in early cultures was increased when the cells were treated with dexamethasone. This effect was time and dose dependent in a range between 10(-11)M and 10(-7)M. Id message expression was not enhanced by TGF-beta, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, retinoic acid, interleukin 1-alpha, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha or parathyroid hormone. These observations indicate for the first time the presence of HLH protein family member, Id, in osteoblast-like cells and its regulation by dexamethasone.     

Microarray analysis of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-treated MC3T3-E1 cells

The active form of Vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)], demonstrates potent antiproliferative actions on normal as well as on malignant cell types by blocking the transition from the G1- to the S-phase of the cell cycle. Key target genes for 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) in this non-classic effect remain largely unknown. Therefore, this study aims to identify genes that, through changes in expression after 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) treatment, contribute to the observed antiproliferative effect. cDNA microarrays containing 4600 genes were used to investigate changes in gene expression in MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblasts at 6 and at 12h after treatment with 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) (10(-8)M), preceding (6h) or coinciding with (12h) the G1/S block in these cells. Approximately one fifth of the genes that were significantly down-regulated after a 12h incubation period with 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) were genes involved in the DNA replication process, a basic process for cell growth that starts at the end of G1-phase and continues in S-phase. Down-regulation of these genes by 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR in MC3T3-E1. In conclusion, cDNA microarrays revealed that treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) resulted in the down-regulation of DNA replication genes in parallel with the observed G1/S-arrest.     

新型转录因子MDFIC的原核表达及多克隆抗体制备

小鼠MDFIC(MyoD family inhibitor domain containing) 蛋白是一个新近发现的与HIC(Human I-mfa domain containing protein)高度同源的转录调控因子,可能在肌细胞的分化过程中起着重要的作用。为了深入研究MDFIC的功能,首先要制备抗MDFIC的多克隆抗体。首先采用PCR方法扩增出编码MDFIC的cDNA片段,然后将其克隆至原核表达载体pGEX-4T-3, 并在大肠杆菌BL21中进行诱导表达。SDS-PAGE 和Western blotting 检测鉴定表达产物。亲和层析技术对融合蛋白进行纯化,纯化后的目的蛋白免疫新西兰兔制备多克隆抗体。间接ELISA检测抗体效价达1∶640 000以上,检测证明抗体效价较高。此外, Western blotting结果显示, 该抗体可特异性识别真核细胞外源性及内源性的MDFIC蛋白。MDFIC多克隆抗体的成功制备为进一步研究MDFIC的功能以及进一步探索肌细胞的发生分化机制提供了重要工具。     

Basic fibroblast growth factor inhibits osteoclast formation induced by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) through suppressing the production of osteoclast differentiation factor.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) inhibited osteoclast-like cell (OCL) formation in cocultures of mouse spleen cells with either osteoblasts or a stromal cell line, ST2, in the presence of 1alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)]. bFGF directly acted on osteoblasts/stromal cells, but not osteoclast progenitors, to inhibit 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced OCL formation. bFGF suppressed the mRNA expression of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF) but did not affect that of osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) in ST2 cells treated with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and dexamethasone. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that bFGF hardly affected OCIF production in the treated ST2 cells. A genetically engineered soluble form of ODF, but not anti-OCIF neutralizing antibody, abolished bFGF-mediated inhibition of OCL formation. bFGF suppressed the binding of (125)I-labeled OCIF to both ST2 cells and osteoblasts treated with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). These findings indicate that bFGF inhibits 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced OCL formation via suppression of ODF production by osteoblasts/stromal cells.