Ligustilide suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption via inhibition of RANK expression

Osteoclast (OC) is the only cell involved in bone resorption. Dysfunction of OCs leads to a variety of bone diseases. Ligustilide (LIG) is the main component of the volatile oil isolated and purified from Angelica sinensis. LIG exerts many pharmacological activities, but its effects on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption are still unclear. Our study showed that LIG inhibited receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand-induced OC formation and activation in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, LIG downregulated the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of OC-specific genes, such as V-ATPase d2, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, a dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein, cathepsin K, and nuclear factor of activated T cells cl. Furthermore, LIG blocked the activation of NF-κB/extracellular signal-regulated kinase/p38/immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif signaling pathways. Crucially, the expression of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 proteins and the expression of receptor activator of NF-κB mRNA were inhibited by LIG. However, LIG did not affect the formation and mineralization of osteoblasts. Collectively, this observation suggests that LIG may serve as a promising agent for the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by abnormal bone resorption.     

Hippuric acid and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid inhibit murine osteoclastogenesis through RANKL-RANK independent pathway

Nutritional factors influence bone development. Previous studies demonstrated that bone mass significantly increased with suppressed bone resorption in early life of rats fed with AIN-93G semi-purified diets supplemented with 10% whole blueberry (BB) powder for 2 weeks. However, the effects of increased phenolic acids in animal serum due to this diet on bone and bone resorption were unclear. This in vitro and in ex vivo study examined the effects of phenolic hippuric acid (HA) and 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) propionic acid (3-3-PPA) on osteoclastic cell differentiation and bone resorption. We cultured murine osteoclast (macrophage) cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, and hematopoietic osteoclast progenitor cells (isolated from 4-week-old C57BL6/J mice) with 50 ng/ml of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-Β ligand (RANKL). Morphologic studies showed decreased osteoclast number with treatment of 2.5% mouse serum from BB diet–fed animals compared with those treated with serum from standard casein diet–fed mice in both RAW 264.7 cell and primary cell cultures. HA and 3-3-PPA, but not 3–4-PPA, had dose-dependent suppressive effects on osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorptive activity in Corning osteo-assay plates. Signaling pathway analysis showed that after pretreatment with HA or 3-3-PPA, RANKL-stimulated increase of osteoclastogenic markers, such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 and matrix metallopeptidase 9 gene/protein expression were blunted. Inhibitory effects of HA and 3-3-PPA on osteoclastogenesis utilized RANKL/RANK independent mediators. The study revealed that HA and 3-3-PPA significantly inhibited osteoclastogenesis and bone osteoclastic resorptive activity.     

Role of colony-stimulating factor-1 in bone metabolism

Colony-stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) is a cytokine required for proliferation, differentiation, activity, and survival of cells of the mononuclear phagocytic system. The growth factor is synthesized as a soluble, matrix, or membrane associated molecule. The specific functions of these forms are not clear. However, some data suggest a dependence of the development of various populations of tissue macrophages on the locally expressed and presented cytokine. Deficiency in CSF-1, as is the case in the murine mutant strain op/op, results in low numbers of macrophages and monocytes and, most striking, leads to osteopetrosis due to a virtual absence of osteoclasts. Using the op/op mutation as a model, CSF-1 was established as one of the growth factors for osteoclasts. The expression of CSF-1 receptors, encoded by the proto-oncogene c-fms, by osteoclast precursors and osteoclasts, suggested an effect of this cytokine not only during osteoclast formation but also on the mature cells. In fact, CSF-1 was shown to inhibit the resorbing activity, to stimulate migration, and to support survival of isolated osteoclasts in vitro. By these actions on cells of the osteoclast lineage, CSF-1 induces recruitment of new osteoclasts, leading to a net increase of bone resorption, and might govern the spatial distribution of resorption sites within the bone. During these processes, locally expressed and presented forms of the growth factor may play a crucial role, as will be discussed in this article. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

RANKL from bone marrow adipose lineage cells promotes osteoclast formation and bone loss

Receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) is essential for osteoclast formation and bone remodeling. Nevertheless, the cellular source of RANKL for osteoclastogenesis has not been fully uncovered. Different from peripheral adipose tissue, bone marrow (BM) adipose lineage cells originate from bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (BMSCs). Here, we demonstrate that adiponectin promoter‐driven Cre expression (Adipoq^Cre ) can target bone marrow adipose lineage cells. We cross the Adipoq^Cre mice with rankl^fl/fl mice to conditionally delete RANKL from BM adipose lineage cells. Conditional deletion of RANKL increases cancellous bone mass of long bones in mice by reducing the formation of trabecular osteoclasts and inhibiting bone resorption but does not affect cortical bone thickness or resorption of calcified cartilage. Adipoq^Cre; rankl^fl/fl mice exhibit resistance to estrogen deficiency and rosiglitazone (ROS)‐induced trabecular bone loss but show bone loss induced by unloading. BM adipose lineage cells therefore represent an essential source of RANKL for the formation of trabecula osteoclasts and resorption of cancellous bone during remodeling under physiological and pathological conditions. Targeting bone marrow adiposity is a promising way of preventing pathological bone loss.     

Regulatory T cells are expanded by Teriparatide treatment in humans and mediate intermittent PTH‐induced bone anabolism in mice

Teriparatide is a bone anabolic treatment for osteoporosis, modeled in animals by intermittent PTH (iPTH) administration, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action of iPTH are largely unknown. Here, we show that Teriparatide and iPTH cause a ~two‐threefold increase in the number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in humans and mice. Attesting in vivo relevance, blockade of the Treg increase in mice prevents the increase in bone formation and trabecular bone volume and structure induced by iPTH. Therefore, increasing the number of Tregs is a pivotal mechanism by which iPTH exerts its bone anabolic activity. Increasing Tregs pharmacologically may represent a novel bone anabolic therapy, while iPTH‐induced Treg increase may find applications in inflammatory conditions and transplant medicine.     

Role of vitamin D in bone resorption.

The idea that vitamin D must function at the bone site to promote bone mineralization has long existed since its discovery as an anti-rachitic agent. However, the definite evidence for this is still lacking. In contrast, much evidence has accumulated that 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 in involved in bone resorption. 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 tightly regulates differentiation of osteoclast progenitors into osteoclasts. Osteoclast progenitors have been thought to belong to the monocyte-macrophage lineage. 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 greatly stimulates differentiation and activation of mononuclear phagocytes. Recent reports have indicated that differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes into osteoclasts is strictly regulated by osteoblastic cells, the process of which is also stimulated by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. In the differentiation of mononuclear phagocytes into osteoclasts, the target cells for 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 appear to be osteoblastic stromal cells. Osteoblastic cells produce several proteins such as BGP, MGP, osteopontin and the third component of complement (C3) in response to the vitamin. They appear to be somehow involved in osteoclast differentiation and functions. Thus, 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 seems to be involved in the differentiation of osteoclast progenitors into osteoclasts directly and also by an indirect mechanism involving osteoblastic cells. The precise role of osteoblastic cells in osteoclast development has to be elucidated in the future.     

破骨细胞骨吸收功能的检测方法

破骨细胞是一种多核的,具有骨吸收功能的骨组织细胞,在骨吸收过程中起着至关重要的作用.破骨细胞骨吸收功能的异常会引发一系列的临床病症,如骨质疏松症、关节置换术后假体松动、骨硬化症和牙周病变等.破骨细胞骨吸收功能的进一步研究对于各类骨疾病的防治具有重要的意义.然而破骨细胞骨吸收功能的检测方法一直以来是制约破骨细胞研究的瓶颈之一.为此,围绕破骨细胞骨吸收功能的检测方法做一综述.     

Inhibition of zoledronic acid derivatives with extended methylene linkers on osteoclastogenesis involve downregulation of JNK and Akt pathways

Bisphosphonates (BPs), especially zoledronic acid (ZOL), are clinically used to treat osteolytic bone lesions. However, serious side-effects may be also induced during the therapeutic process. To improve the BPs drugs, here, we investigated the effects of a series of ZOL derivatives with increasing number of methylene linker between the imidazole ring and the P–C–P backbone named IPrDP, IBDP, IPeDP, and IHDP on cell viability and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation, function and apoptosis induction in mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Our results suggested that IPeDP and IHDP, which contains 4 and 5 methylene linkers, respectively, exerted lower toxicity on BMMs compared with ZOL, IPrDP, and IBDP, which contains 1, 2, and 3 methylene linkers respectively. At concentrations below cytotoxicity threshold, IPeDP and IHDP possessed strong abilities of antiosteoclast formation, antibone absorption, and inducing osteoclast apoptosis, which were similar to ZOL and more powerful than IPrDP and IBDP. The mechanism behind these effects of IPeDP and IHDP might involve the interference of small GTPases prenylation through suppression of mevalonate pathway. The downregulation of JNK and Akt phosphorylation and subsequent inhibition of the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 might also be involved. Our results supported the potential usage of IPeDP and IHDP to treat bone-related disorders involving increased osteoclastogenesis. Our attempt to extend the methylene linker between the imidazole ring and the P–C–P backbone of ZOL also reveals some regularities between the structure and properties of the BPs drugs.     

In vitro bone resorption is dependent on physiological concentrations of zinc

The addition of physiological concentrations of zinc (25-200 (Μg/dL) to Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s Medium containing tibiae from 19-d chick embryos resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in tibial content of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and an increase in bone resorption, as measured by tibial calcium release. This increase in bone resorption was additive to the resorptive effect resulting from the addition of 10^-9-10^-7 M parathyroid hormone (PTH), but was not additive to similar effects produced by the addition of 10^-9-10^-7 M prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂). An inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, flurbiprofen (10^-6 M), did not influence the effect of zinc on bone resorption. However, the addition of 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (10^-3 M, 2,6-PDCA), a chelator of zinc, did attenuate the effects of zinc, as did the addition of an inhibitor of DNA replication (hydroxyurea, 10^-3 M). Hydroxyurea also attenuated the bone resorptive response to PGE², but had no influence on the effects of PTH. These results indicate that physiological concentrations of zinc alter bone resorptive rates in vitro by a mechanism that is dependent on DNA replication.     

破骨细胞的形成和活化研究进展

破骨细胞是骨髓系细胞经细胞因子RANKL和M-CSF共同刺激后融合而成,在维持骨代谢平衡中发挥重要作用。破骨细胞的“形成”和“活化”是破骨细胞生理活动的两个重要方面。该文综述了最近关于破骨细胞的“形成”和“活化”方面的研究进展。从转录因子、细胞因子、酸性环境、蛋白激酶和淋巴细胞等方面详述了对破骨细胞形成的调节,从整合素、溶酶体、Src蛋白、破骨相关基因、骨保护素、Ephrin／Eph和Semaphorin信号通路等方面详述了对破骨细胞活化的调节,并总结了破骨细胞凋亡方面的最新进展。最后,该文阐述了力学刺激对破骨细胞形成和活化的影响,为以破骨细胞为靶点的药物研发提供了新的思路。     

Cajaninstilbene acid inhibits osteoporosis through suppressing osteoclast formation and RANKL-induced signaling pathways

Osteoporosis is a form of osteolytic disease caused by an imbalance in bone homeostasis, with reductions in osteoblast bone formation, and augmented osteoclast formation and resorption resulting in reduced bone mass. Cajaninstilbene acid (CSA) is a natural compound derived from pigeon pea leaves. CSA possesses beneficial properties as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antihepatitis, and anticancer agent; however, its potential to modulate bone homeostasis and osteoporosis has not been studied. We observed that CSA has the ability to suppress RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast marker gene expression, and bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistically, it was revealed that CSA attenuates RANKL-activated NF-κB and nuclear factor of activated T-cell pathways and inhibited phosphorylation of key signaling mediators c-Fos, V-ATPase-d2, and ERK. Moreover, in osteoclasts, CSA blocked RANKL-induced ROS activity as well as calcium oscillations. We further evaluated the therapeutic effect of CSA in a preclinical mouse model and showed that in vivo treatment of ovariectomized C57BL/6 mice with CSA protects the mice from osteoporotic bone loss. Thus, this study demonstrates that osteolytic bone diseases can potentially be treated by CSA.     

Lutein,a carotenoid,suppresses osteoclastic bone resorption and stimulates bone formation in cultures

Lutein, a member of the xanthophyll family of carotenoids, suppressed IL-1-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. The survival of mature osteoclasts was also suppressed by lutein in cultures. When lutein was added to the cultures of osteoblasts, lutein enhanced the formation of mineralized bone nodules by elevating BMP2 expression and inhibiting sclerostin expression. Lutein may be beneficial for bone health.