Inhibition effect of enteropeptidase on RANKL–RANK signalling by cleavage of RANK

Enteropeptidase can cleave trypsinogen on the sequence of Asp-Asp-Asp-Asp-Lys and plays an important role in food digestion. The RANKL–RANK signalling pathway plays a pivotal role in bone remodelling. In this study, we reported that enteropeptidase can inhibit the RANKL–RANK signalling pathway through the cleavage of RANK. A surrogate peptide blocking assay indicated that enteropeptidase could specifically cleave RANK on the sequence NEEDK. Osteoclast differentiation assay and NF-κB activity assay confirmed that enteropeptidase could inhibit osteoclastogenesis in vitro through the cleavage of RANK. This is the first study to prove that the RANKL–RANK signalling pathway can be inhibited by cleavage of RANK instead of targeting RANKL.     

RANKL/RANK – From bone physiology to breast cancer

RANK and its ligand RANKL are key molecules in bone metabolism and are critically involved in pathologic bone disorders. Deregulation of the RANK/RANKL system is for example a main reason for the development of postmenopausal osteoporosis, which affects millions of women worldwide. Another essential function of RANK and RANKL is the development of a functional lactating mammary gland during pregnancy. Sex hormones, in particular progesterone, induce RANKL expression resulting in proliferation of mammary epithelial cells. Moreover, RANK and RANKL have been shown to regulate mammary epithelial stem cells. RANK and RANKL were also identified as critical mechanism in the development of hormone-induced breast cancer and metastatic spread to bone. In this review, we will focus on the various RANK/RANKL functions ranging from bone physiology, immune regulation, and initiation of breast cancer.     

OPG/RANK/RANKL系统与骨质疏松研究最新进展

骨质疏松是严重威胁中老年人健康的骨科常见病,OPG/RANK/RANKL是参与调节骨重建的最重要的分子系统之一,与骨疾病相关的骨质疏松有密切联系,并已成为药物设计的新靶点.因此,对该系统的深入研究将为骨生理、病理机制阐明及骨疾病防治带来积极影响.     

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。     

Olmesartan Decreased Levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, Down-Regulated MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANK/RANKL and Up-Regulated SOCs-1 in an Intestinal Mucositis Model

Methotrexate (MTX) is a pro-oxidant compound that depletes dihydrofolate pools and is widely used in the treatment of leukaemia and other malignancies. The efficacy of methotrexate is often limited by mucositis and intestinal injury, which are major causes of morbidity in children and adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of olmesartan (OLM), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist, on an Intestinal Mucositis Model (IMM) induced by MTX in Wistar rats. IMM was induced via intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of MTX (7 mg/kg) for three consecutive days. The animals were pre-treated with oral OLM at 0.5, 1 or 5 mg/kg or with vehicle 30 min prior to exposure to MTX. Small intestinal homogenates were assayed for levels of the IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF-α cytokines, malondialdehyde and myeloperoxidase activity. Additionally, immunohistochemical analyses of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANK/RANKL and SOCS-1 and confocal microscopy analysis of SOCS-1 expression were performed. Treatment with MTX + OLM (5 mg/kg) resulted in a reduction of mucosal inflammatory infiltration, ulcerations, vasodilatation and haemorrhagic areas (p<0.05) as well as reduced concentrations of MPO (p<0.001) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (p<0.001) and TNF-a (p<0.01), and increase anti-inflammatory cytocine IL-10 (p<0.05). Additionally, the combined treatment reduced expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, COX-2, RANK and RANKL(p<0.05) and increased cytoplasmic expression of SOCS-1 (p<0.05). Our findings confirm the involvement of OLM in reducing the inflammatory response through increased immunosuppressive signalling in an IMM. We also suggest that the beneficial effect of olmesartan treatment is specifically exerted during the damage through blocking inflammatory cytocines.     

仙灵骨葆对骨质疏松大鼠OPG/RANK/RANKL 表达的影响

目的:观察仙灵骨葆治疗骨质疏松模型大鼠后,对大鼠体内OPG/RANKL/RANK表达的影响。方法:卵巢摘除法建立SD大鼠骨质疏松模型,设立假手术组、对照组(单纯去卵巢组)、雌激素组(给予17β-雌二醇)和治疗组(给予仙灵骨葆)。术后1周开始给药,给药12周后检测各组大鼠股骨骨密度,ELISA法检测血清中OPG/RANKL含量,RT-PCR检测骨组织中OPG/RANK/RAN-KL mRNA表达,免疫组化检测骨组织中RANK的表达。结果:对照组大鼠骨密度显著低于假手术组;治疗组和雌激素组大鼠O-PG表达显著高于对照组,RANK及RANKL的表达显著低于对照组。结论:采用卵巢摘除法成功建立大鼠骨质疏松模型;仙灵骨葆可促进骨质疏松大鼠OPG的表达,并抑制RANK及RANKL的表达,对骨质疏松模型大鼠有治疗作用。     

c-Src links a RANK/αvβ3 integrin complex to the osteoclast cytoskeleton

RANK ligand (RANKL), by mechanisms unknown, directly activates osteoclasts to resorb bone. Because c-Src is key to organizing the cell's cytoskeleton, we asked if the tyrosine kinase also mediates RANKL-stimulated osteoclast activity. RANKL induces c-Src to associate with RANK(369-373) in an αvβ3-dependent manner. Furthermore, RANK(369-373) is the only one of six putative TRAF binding motifs sufficient to generate actin rings and activate the same cytoskeleton-organizing proteins as the integrin. While c-Src organizes the cell's cytoskeleton in response to the cytokine, it does not participate in RANKL-stimulated osteoclast formation. Attesting to their collaboration, αvβ3 and activated RANK coprecipitate, but only in the presence of c-Src. c-Src binds activated RANK via its Src homology 2 (SH2) domain and αvβ3 via its SH3 domain, suggesting the kinase links the two receptors. Supporting this hypothesis, deletion or inactivating point mutation of either the c-Src SH2 or SH3 domain obviates the RANK/αvβ3 association. Thus, activated RANK prompts two distinct signaling pathways; one promotes osteoclast formation, and the other, in collaboration with c-Src-mediated linkage to αvβ3, organizes the cell's cytoskeleton.     

OPG、RANK、RANKL的结构、作用机制和在骨疾病中的作用

破骨细胞和成骨细胞分别介导骨的吸收过程和合成过程,而OPG、RANK、RANKL在调节二者的比例中发挥非常重要的作用.RANKL与RANK结合后可能通过三种途径:JNK途径、NF-κB途径和蛋白激酶B途径参与破骨细胞的分化,促进骨质的吸收;RANKL与OPG结合后能阻断RANKL与RANK的结合,由于缺乏RANKL-RANK产生的转录活化信号,破骨细胞分化成熟发生障碍,骨质的吸收受到抑制.OPG、RANK、RANKL同时也是免疫分子,在淋巴细胞、淋巴器官的分化、发育中起重要的作用,骨疾病与免疫系统之间存在着一定的关系.RANMKL/RANK与RANKI/OPG在生物体内保持着一定的比率,如果比率失衡,就会引起各种骨疾病.本篇综述总结了近年来OPG、RANK、RANKL结构、作用的新进展以及它们在骨疾病中的作用.     

基于OPG/RANK/RANKL系统比较研究前肢畸形WHBE兔骨代谢特征

目的利用OPG(osteoprotegerin)/RANK(receptor activator of NF-κB)/RANKL(receptor activator of NF-κB ligand)系统比较研究前肢畸形WHBE兔骨代谢特征。方法取WHBE兔、日本大耳白兔、前肢畸型WHBE兔各10只,分为3组,标记为HWR(healthy WHBE rabbit)、HJR(healthy Japanese rabbit)和FMWR(forelimb malformation WHBE rabbit)组。用X射线机所拍摄X-线片观察各组兔前肢尺桡部形状并测定平均灰度值;通过骨组织石蜡切片HE染色对前肢骨组织进行微观形态分析;采用荧光定量PCR法检测OPG、RANKL基因在肝脏中表达;采用酶联免疫法和免疫组化法分别测定OPG/RANK/RANKL蛋白在血清和骨组织中的表达。结果与HWR和HJR组比较,FMWR组兔前肢尺桡部呈异常弯曲状,骨皮质明显变薄,X-线片所示灰度值显著低于HWR组(P0.05)。FMWR组兔在肝脏RANKL基因表达水平和RANKL/OPG mRNA比值(P0.01),血清RANK、RANKL蛋白含量及RANKL/OPG比值(P0.05,P0.01),骨组织RANKL蛋白表达阳性指数及RANKL/OPG比值(P0.05,P0.01)等指标上均显著高于HWR组和HJR组。与HJR组比较,HWR组兔肝脏OPG和RANKL基因表达水平显著提高(P0.05,P0.01)。结论前肢畸形WHBE兔存在骨质量下降、骨组织受损现象,RANKL/OPG比值明显升高,骨代谢紊乱是其骨骼发生畸形的主要原因。与日本大耳白兔在RANKL基因表达水平上的品种差异可能是WHBE兔对前肢畸形易感的诱因。     

替牙期乳牙牙根及牙槽骨吸收过程中RANKL/RANK通路及其调控的研究进展

乳恒牙替换是一系列复杂的生理过程.乳牙牙根及牙槽骨吸收是这个过程中的重要环节.以往RANK/RANKL通路研究较多的集中到其对破骨细胞的作用,认为RANK将细胞分化等信号传入破骨细胞前体细胞内,从而诱导破骨细胞的增殖、分化、激活和骨吸收等生物学活性.而RANK/RANKL通路在替牙期乳牙牙根及牙槽骨吸收过程中调控作用的研究特别是对破牙细胞的作用,是近年来研究的热点.本文就乳牙牙根以及牙槽骨吸收过程中RANKL/RANK通路及其调控的研究进展进行了综述;同时介绍了可能参与这一过程的众多细胞因子,它们对这一过程起着正向或负向的调节作用.     

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。     

Gene–gene interactions in RANK/RANKL/OPG system influence bone mineral density in postmenopausal women

Receptor activator of nuclear factor κB (RANK) is one of the proteins in regulation of osteoclastogenesis via RANK/RANKL/OPG. Gene that codes for RANK protein (TNFRSF11A) was associated with osteoporotic fractures in a recent genome-wide association study. As variations in the RANK gene could alter its expression and activity, the aim of our study was to evaluate the influence of four RANK gene polymorphisms on bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical markers.We evaluated 467 postmenopausal women and 117 elderly men. All subjects were genotyped for the presence of RANK polymorphisms ?670G>C, +34694C>T, +34901G>A and +35966insdelC. BMD and biochemical markers were measured.Significant associations of +35966insdelC with BMD at lumbar spine (BMD-ls), total hip (BMD-th) and femoral neck (BMD-fn) were found in postmenopausal women (p = 0.020, 0.024 and 0.034), but not in men. Significant gene–gene interaction was proved for two RANK polymorphisms in combination with OPG and RANKL polymorphisms studied previously in postmenopausal women. Firstly, RANK/RANKL (+34901G>A/?290C>T) combination was associated with BMD-fn, BMD-th and BMD-ls (p = 0.034, 0.016 and 0.050), and secondly, RANK/OPG combination (+35966insdelC/K3N) showed influence on BMD-fn and BMD-ls (p = 0.043 and 0.039).Our results suggest that gene–gene interactions between RANK and OPG, and RANK and RANKL influence BMD in postmenopausal women.     

基于OPG/RANK/RANKL信号通路探讨铁筷子对CIA大鼠骨破坏的防护作用

目的 探讨铁筷子对胶原诱导性关节炎(collagen induced arthritis, CIA)模型大鼠的抗炎作用及对OPG/RANK/RANKL信号通路的影响。方法 雌性Wistar大鼠60只分为：正常组、模型组、阳性药物组(甲氨蝶呤,MTX)、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组。采用胶原抗体诱导法于大鼠尾根部注射牛Ⅱ型胶原蛋白建立CIA大鼠模型,模型建立成功后进行灌胃给药,正常组：给予10 mL/(kg·d)生理盐水;模型组：给予10 mL/(kg·d)生理盐水;阳性药物组每次给予2.0 mL/(kg·d) MTX,每周3次;铁筷子低、中、高剂量组每次分别给予0.25 g/(kg·d)、 0.5 g/(kg·d)、1.0 g/(kg·d);连续灌胃治疗25 d。通过记录大鼠体重;观察大鼠足肿胀程度;大鼠踝关节炎指数评分;micro-CT观察踝关节骨组织病理改变;苏木素-伊红(HE)染色对大鼠踝关节骨组织和滑膜病理变化;抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色法检测观察破骨细胞数量的改变;PCR检测骨保护素(OPG)、核因子-κB受体激活剂(RANK)、RANK配体(RANKL)、肿瘤坏死因...     

广州地区中老年男性RANK/RANKL/OPG和WNT信号通路基因多态性与髋部骨强度的关联分析

为了探讨RANK/RANKL/OPG和WNT信号通路中6个基因10个单核苷酸多态性位点与中老年男性髋部骨强度的关联,征集788名广州地区40岁以上男性为研究对象,采用Mass Array检测基因型,双能X线吸收仪测定股骨颈骨密度(bone mineral density,BMD)、横截面积(cross-sectional area,CSA)、平均皮质厚度(average cortical thickness,ACT)、剖面模数(section modulus,SM)和抗屈曲率(buckling ratio,BR),以多重线性回归分析各位点与骨表型的关联。结果发现:OPG基因rs3134069的C等位基因与BMD(β=-0.017,P=0.024)和ACT(β=-0.004,P=0.040)负相关;LRP5基因rs3736228的T等位基因与低BMD、CSA、ACT(β=-0.050~-0.003,P0.050)和高BR(β=0.242,P=0.043)相关,rs491347的G等位基因与低BMD相关(β=-0.012,P=0.046)。研究结果支持了OPG和LRP5基因与中国中老年男性人群髋部骨强度相关。     

Constitutive expression of TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE)/receptor activating NF-κB ligand (RANK)-L by rat plasmacytoid dendritic cells

Plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are a subset of DCs whose major function relies on their capacity to produce large amount of type I IFN upon stimulation via TLR 7 and 9. This function is evolutionary conserved and place pDC in critical position in the innate immune response to virus. Here we show that rat pDC constitutively express TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE) also known as Receptor-activating NF-κB ligand (RANKL). TRANCE/RANKL is a member of the TNF superfamily which plays a central role in osteoclastogenesis through its interaction with its receptor RANK. TRANCE/RANK interaction are also involved in lymphoid organogenesis as well as T cell/DC cross talk. Unlike conventional DC, rat CD4(high) pDC were shown to constitutively express TRANCE/RANKL both at the mRNA and the surface protein level. TRANCE/RANKL was also induced on the CD4(low) subsets of pDC following activation by CpG. The secreted form of TRANCE/RANKL was also produced by rat pDC. Of note, levels of mRNA, surface and secreted TRANCE/RANKL expression were similar to that observed for activated T cells. TRANCE/RANKL expression was found on pDC in all lymphoid organs as well blood and BM with a maximum expression in mesenteric lymph nodes. Despite this TRANCE/RANKL expression, we were unable to demonstrate in vitro osteoclastogenesis activity for rat pDC. Taken together, these data identifies pDC as novel source of TRANCE/RANKL in the immune system.     

Autophagosomes,phagosomes, autolysosomes,phagolysosomes, autophagolysosomes… Wait,I’m confused

When an autophagosome or an amphisome fuse with a lysosome, the resulting compartment is referred to as an autolysosome. Some people writing papers on the topic of autophagy use the terms “autolysosome” and “autophagolysosome” interchangeably. We contend that these words should be used to denote 2 different compartments, and that it is worthwhile maintaining this distinction—the autophagolysosome has a particular origin in the process of xenophagy that makes it distinct from an autolysosome.     

Autophagosomes,phagosomes, autolysosomes,phagolysosomes, autophagolysosomes… Wait,I’m confused

When an autophagosome or an amphisome fuse with a lysosome, the resulting compartment is referred to as an autolysosome. Some people writing papers on the topic of autophagy use the terms “autolysosome” and “autophagolysosome” interchangeably. We contend that these words should be used to denote 2 different compartments, and that it is worthwhile maintaining this distinction—the autophagolysosome has a particular origin in the process of xenophagy that makes it distinct from an autolysosome.