Spatial distribution of osteoblast-specific transcription factor Cbfa1 and bone formation in atherosclerotic arteries

The mechanisms of ectopic bone formation in arteries are poorly understood. Osteoblasts might originate either from stem cells that penetrate atherosclerotic plaques from the blood stream or from pluripotent mesenchymal cells that have remained in the arterial wall from embryonic stages of the development. We have examined the frequency of the expression and spatial distribution of osteoblast-specific factor-2/core binding factor-1 (Osf2/Cbfa1) in carotid and coronary arteries. Cbfa1-expressing cells were rarely observed but were found in all tissue specimens in the deep portions of atherosclerotic plaques under the necrotic cores. The deep portions of atherosclerotic plaques under the necrotic cores were characterized by the lack of capillaries of neovascularization. In contrast, plaque shoulders, which were enriched by plexuses of neovascularization, lacked Cbfa1-expressing cells. No bone formation was found in any of the 21 carotid plaques examined and ectopic bone was observed in only two of 12 coronary plaques. We speculate that the sparse invasion of sprouts of neovascularization into areas underlying the necrotic cores, where Cbfa1-expressing cells reside, might explain the rarity of events of ectopic bone formation in the arterial wall. This study has also revealed that Cbfa1-expressing cells contain alpha-smooth muscle actin and myofilaments, indicating their relationship with arterial smooth muscle cells.     

The interplay between inorganic phosphate and amino acids determines zinc solubility in brain slices

Inorganic phosphate (Pi) is an important polyanion needed for ATP synthesis and bone formation. As it is found at millimolar levels in plasma, it is usually incorporated as a constituent of artificial CSF formulations for maintaining brain slices. In this paper, we show that Pi limits the extracellular zinc concentration by inducing metal precipitation. We present data suggesting that amino acids like histidine may counteract the Pi-induced zinc precipitation by the formation of soluble zinc complexes. We propose that the interplay between Pi and amino acids in the extracellular space may influence the availability of metals for cellular uptake.     

Effect of TNF-alpha on human osteosarcoma cell line Saos2--TNF-alpha regulation of bone sialoprotein gene expression in Saos2 osteoblast-like cells

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a major mediator of inflammatory response in many diseases. It inhibits bone formation and stimulates bone resorption. To determine the molecular mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene expression of osteoblast-like cells, we analyzed the effects of TNF-alpha on the human osteosarcoma cell line Saos2. We used RT-PCR to examine the effects of TNF-alpha on bone sialoprotein (BSP), core binding factor a1 (Cbfa1), osterix, alpha 1 (I) collagen, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), cathepsin B, cathepsin L and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1). TNF-alpha (10ng/ml) increased BSP, IL-6 and COX-2 mRNA levels after 3h, reaching maximal levels at 12 h. Cbfa1 mRNA levels increased after 3 h, but decreased by 24 h. Osterix, cathepsin B, cathepsin L and TIMP-1 mRNA levels did not change after stimulation with TNF-alpha. On the other hand, alpha 1 (I) collagen mRNA expression was suppressed by TNF-alpha at 24 h. Transient transfection analyses were performed using chimeric constructs of the rat BSP gene promoter linked to a luciferase reporter gene. TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) had no effect on the promoter activities of BSP transfected into Saos2 cells. The results of gel mobility shift assays using radiolabeled double-stranded cAMP response element (CRE) and FGF2 response element (FRE) oligonucleotides in the proximal promoter of the rat BSP gene showed increased binding of nuclear proteins at 6 h. Gel mobility shift assays with radiolabelled COX-2-CRE and COX-2-NF kappa B oligonucleotides revealed an increase in the binding of nuclear proteins from TNF-alpha-stimulated Saos2 cells. These studies, therefore, showed that TNF-alpha indirectly increased BSP expression, and that it could be mediated through COX-2 and Cbfa1 expression in Saos2 osteoblast-like cells.     

The combination of lanthanum chloride and the calcimimetic calindol delays the progression of vascular smooth muscle cells calcification

Phosphate (Pi)-binders are commonly used in dialysis patients to control high Pi levels, that associated with vascular calcification (VC). The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of lanthanum chloride (LaCl(3)) on the progression of high Pi-induced VC, in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Pi-induced Ca deposition was inhibited by LaCl(3), with a maximal effect at 100μM (59.0±2.5% inhibition). Furthermore, we studied the effects on VC of calcium sensing receptor (CaSR) agonists. Gadolinium chloride, neomycin, spermine, and the calcimimetic calindol significantly inhibited Pi-induced VC (55.9±2.2%, 37.3±4.7%, 30.2±5.7%, and 63.8±5.7%, respectively). To investigate the hypothesis that LaCl(3) reduces the progression of VC by interacting with the CaSR, we performed a concentration-response curve of LaCl(3) in presence of a sub-effective concentration of calindol (10nM). Interestingly, this curve was shifted to the left (IC(50) 9.6±2.6μM), compared to the curve in the presence of LaCl(3) alone (IC(50) 19.0±4.8μM). In conclusion, we demonstrated that lanthanum chloride effectively reduces the progression of high phosphate-induced vascular calcification. In addition, LaCl(3) cooperates with the calcimimetic calindol in decreasing Ca deposition in this in vitro model. These results suggest the potential role of lanthanum in the treatment of VC induced by high Pi.     

骨形成蛋白诱导型真核载体的构建及其表达

成骨分化相关基因骨钙素 (OC)等的启动子内均含有成骨特异性转录因子Cbfa1特异性作用元件 ,而骨形成蛋白 (bonemorphogeneticprotein ,BMP)的促成骨分化作用正是通过其首先引起Cbfa1的升高 ,而后Cbfa1激活这些基因的表达 ,最终出现成骨分化表型 .为解决BMP没有理想的活性测定方法的问题 ,在RT PCR结果证实BMP 2可促进NIH3T3和C2C12细胞Cbfa1表达后 ,构建了串联6个Cbfa1作用元件的小鼠OC部分启动子 (6OCP)控制萤光素酶 (luciferase)报告基因的真核表达质粒 ,以期来放大BMP诱导报告基因表达的作用效果 .即通过细胞转染、rhBMP 2刺激后检测萤光素酶活性变化 ,从而间接定量测定rhBMP 2的生物学活性 .结果表明 ,pcDNA3 6OCP Luc转染细胞后其报告基因的基础活性较pcDNA3 Luc大为降低 ;而且在一定剂量范围内 ,转染细胞的萤光素酶活性 (荧光值 )随rhBMP 2剂量增加而升高 ,并呈线性正相关 ,为建立BMP活性定量测定的方法打下基础     

IGF-I mediates the stimulatory effect of high phosphate concentration on osteoblastic cell proliferation

Although high concentrations of inorganic phosphate (Pi) are known to have a distinct anabolic effect on bone structure and metabolism, the precise mechanism by which phosphate possesses anabolic effect on bone formation has not been elucidated. The present study was performed to examine the effects of an increase in extracellular Pi concentration ([Pi](e)) on the proliferation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Increase in [Pi](e)(2-4 mM) dose-dependently stimulated DNA synthesis. Indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, did not affect high [Pi](e)-induced DNA synthesis. DNA synthesis first increased affer a 3 h exposure to 4 mM [Pi](e) and its stimulatory effect was observed in a time-dependent manner up to 24 h. On the other hand, DNA synthesis was significantly but partially blocked by cycloheximide, suggesting that this stimulatory effect of high [Pi](e) was at least in part dependent on new protein synthesis. There is recent evidence that MG3T3-E1 cells constitutively produce and secrete insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and possess IGF-I receptors. IGF-I antiserum (1:10,000 to 1:100) significantly but partially blocked the stimulatory effect of [Pi](e) (4 mM) on DNA synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. A neutralizing IGF-I antibody as well as IGF-I receptor antibody also significantly but partially blocked DNA synthesis stimulated by high [Pi](e) in a concentration-dependent manner, indicating that IGF-I at least in part mediated the high [Pi](e)-induced effect. Actually, high [Pi](e) significantly increased the secretion of immunoreactive IGF-I into the medium as well as the expression of IGF-I mRNA. Present findings indicate that an increase in [Pi](e) stimulated DNA synthesis partly via an increase in IGF-I action.