An electron-microscopic study of the bone-remodeling sequence in the rat

Summary A detailed chronological electron-microscopic study of the bone remodeling sequence has been performed in the rat based on a previously described model (Tran Van et al. 1982) in which the remodeling activity is synchronized. This allowed the observation of the cellular and extracellular events during the bone remodeling process, including the activation of the sequential process and the reversal phase, intermediate between osteoclastic resorption and osteoblastic formation. Most important is the fact that throughout the whole process cells with the morphological characteristics of mononuclear phagocytes have been observed in proximity or in contact with the bone surface and/or the various bone cells. Coated pits (receptor-mediated endocytosis) are frequently observed in close apposition to bone spicules and gap junctions are frequent between the cells. These observations suggest that, besides being likely candidates as osteoclast precursors, mononuclear phagocytes may play an important role in bone remodeling.     

Lyn inhibits osteoclast differentiation by interfering with PLCγ1-mediated Ca signaling

Osteoclasts differentiate from macrophage-lineage cells to become specialized for bone resorption function. By a proteomics approach, we found that Lyn was down-regulated by the osteoclast differentiation factor, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL). The forced reduction of Lyn caused a striking increase in the RANKL-induced PLCγ1, Ca²⁺, and NFATc1 responses during differentiation. These data suggest that Lyn plays a negative role in osteoclastogenesis by interfering with the PLCγ1-mediated Ca²⁺ signaling that leads to NFATc1 activation. Consistent with the in vitro results, in vivo injection of Lyn specific siRNA into mice calvariae provoked a fulminant bone resorption. Our study provides the first evidence of the involvement of Lyn in the negative regulation of osteoclastogenesis by RANKL.     

环孢素A抑制骨水泥颗粒诱导破骨细胞形成及功能

目的:探讨环孢素A对颗粒诱导破骨细胞形成及功能的影响。方法:取SD仔鼠双侧股骨和胫骨的骨髓,以不含血清的α-MEM培养液洗涤并收集骨髓细胞,再将细胞重悬于含10%胎牛血清及10~(-8)mol/L1,25-(OH)_2D_3的α-MEM培养液中,细胞计数后配成1.5×10~7/ml的细胞悬液,加入聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PMMA)颗粒和不同浓度的环孢素A(10~((-8)mol/L、10~(-7)mol/L、10~(-6) mol/L)于24孔培养板进行培养,并设置阳性对照组(只加PMMA颗粒)和阴性对照组(PMMA颗粒和CsA均不加),每组均有4孔放置骨磨片1片进行培养。培养2周后,行抗酒石酸(TRAP)染色检测破骨细胞形成;骨磨片行甲苯胺蓝染色观察。结果:PM- MA颗粒能够诱导大量TRAP染色阳性的破骨细胞形成,骨磨片有吸收陷窝形成;用环孢素A(10~(-8)mol/L、10~(-7)mol/L)和PMMA颗粒共同培养下TRAP染色阳性的破骨细胞形成数量明显减少,环孢素A浓度达到10~(-6)mol/L时无TRAP染色阳性的破骨细胞形成;环孢素A浓度在(10~(-8)mol/L、10~(-7)mol/L)时骨磨片有吸收陷窝形成,但少于阳性对照组,在10~(-6)mol/L时骨磨片则无吸收陷窝的形成。结论:环孢素A对PMMA颗粒诱导的破骨细胞的形成有着明显的抑制作用,且呈剂量依赖性。     

Apoptotic osteocytes regulate osteoclast precursor recruitment and differentiation in vitro

Fatigue loading causes a spatial distribution of osteocyte apoptosis co-localized with bone resorption spaces peaking around microdamage sites. Since osteocytes have been shown to regulate osteoclast formation and activity, we hypothesize that osteocyte apoptosis regulates osteoclastogenesis. In this study, we used serum-starvation to mimic reduced nutrient transport in microdamaged bone and induce apoptosis in MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells; conditioned medium was used to apply soluble factors released by apoptotic osteocytes (aOCY) to healthy non-apoptotic MLO-Y4 cells. Osteoclast precursor (RAW264.7 monocyte) migration and differentiation were assessed in the presence of conditioned media (CM) from: (A) aOCY, (B) osteocytes treated with apoptosis conditioned medium (i.e., healthy osteocytes in the presence of apoptosis cues; apoptosis CM-treated osteocytes (atOCY)), and (C) osteocytes treated with non-apoptosis conditioned medium (i.e., healthy osteocytes in the absence of apoptosis cues; non-apoptosis CM-treated osteocytes (natOCY)). Receptor activator for nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL), macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA, and protein expression were measured. Our findings indicate that soluble factors released by aOCY and atOCY promoted osteoclast precursor migration (up to 64% and 24% increase, respectively) and osteoclast formation (up to 450% and 265% increase, respectively). Osteoclast size increased up to 233% in the presence of aOCY and atOCY CM. Recruitment, formation and size were unaltered by natOCY. RANKL mRNA and protein expression were upregulated only in aOCY, while M-CSF and VEGF increased in atOCY. Addition of RANKL-blocking antibody abolished aOCY-induced osteoclast precursor migration and osteoclast formation. VEGF and M-CSF blocking antibodies abolished atOCY-induced osteoclastogenesis. These findings suggest that aOCY directly and indirectly (through atOCY) initiate targeted bone resorption by regulating osteoclast precursor recruitment and differentiation.     

Inhibitory effects of methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation

In this study, we have shown that methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate, a naturally occurring compound isolated from Ainsliaea acerifolia, inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced formation of multinucleated tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts and the expression of osteoclast marker genes. Methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate also inhibited RANKL-induced activation of p38, Akt and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) as well as the expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFATc1), the key regulator of osteoclast differentiation. Negative regulators for osteoclast differentiation was upregulated by methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate. Collectively, our results suggested that methyl-3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-epi-quinate suppresses osteoclast differentiation via downregulation of RANK signaling pathways and NFATc1.     

GSK-3β inhibitory activities of novel dichroloresorcinol derivatives from Cosmospora vilior isolated from a mangrove plant

Cosmochlorins A (1), B (2), and C (3) were isolated from the endophytic fungus Cosmospora vilior IM2-155. The structures of 1, 2, and 3 were elucidated by a combination of extensive spectroscopic analyses, including extensive 2D NMR, HRESITOFMS, and chemical reactions. Compounds 1, 2, and 3 were evaluated for their biological activity. Compounds 1 and 2 partially restored the growth inhibition caused by hyperactivated Ca²⁺-signaling in mutant yeast and showed glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β inhibition activity at IC₅₀ values of 62.5 and 60.6 μM, respectively. Further, compound 2 significantly increased osteoclast formation by more than 1.5-fold in RAW264.7 cells compared to receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) alone.     

Osteoclastic activity induces osteomodulin expression in osteoblasts

Bone resorption by osteoclasts stimulates bone formation by osteoblasts. To isolate osteoblastic factors coupled with osteoclast activity, we performed microarray and cluster analysis of 8 tissues including bone, and found that among 10,490 genes, osteomodulin (OMD), an extracellular matrix keratan sulfate proteoglycan, was simultaneously induced with osteoclast-specific markers such as MMP9 and Acp5. OMD expression was detected in osteoblasts and upregulated during osteoblast maturation. OMD expression in osteoblasts was also detected immunohistochemically using a specific antibody against OMD. The immunoreactivity against OMD decreased in op/op mice, which lack functional macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and are therefore defective in osteoclast formation, when compared to wild-type littermates. OMD expression in op/op mice was upregulated by M-CSF treatment. Since the M-CSF receptor c-Fms was not expressed in osteoblasts, it is likely that OMD is an osteoblast maturation marker that is induced by osteoclast activity.     

Functional grouping of osteoclast genes revealed through microarray analysis

We describe for the first time functional clusters of genes that are modulated during the differentiation of osteoclasts. Pathway analysis was applied to gene array data generated from affymetrix chips hybridized to RNA isolated from RAW264.7 cells exposed to RANK-ligand (RANK-L) for 5 days. This analysis revealed major functional gene clusters that were either up- or down-regulated during osteoclastogenesis. Some of the genes within the clusters have known functions, while others do not. We discuss herein the relevance of these functional gene clusters and their modulation to biological processes underlying the formation, function, and fate of osteoclasts.     

Naringin prevents ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis and promotes osteoclasts apoptosis through the mitochondria-mediated apoptosis pathway

Naringin, the primary active compound of the traditional Chinese medicine Rhizoma drynariae, possesses many pharmacological activities. The present study is an effort to explore the anti-osteoporosis potential of naringin in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, we used ovariectomized rats to clarify the mechanisms by which naringin anti-osteoporosis. In vitro, we used osteoclasts to investigate naringin promotes osteoclasts apoptosis. Naringin was effective at enhancing BMD, trabecular thickness, bone mineralization, and mechanical strength in a dose-dependent manner. The result of RT-PCR analysis revealed that naringin down-regulated the mRNA expression levels of BCL-2 and up-regulated BAX, caspase-3 and cytochrome C. In addition, naringin significantly reduced the bone resorption area in vitro. These findings suggest that naringin promotes the apoptosis of osteoclasts by regulating the activity of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway and prevents OVX-induced osteoporosis in rats.     

Inactivation of Tgfbr2 in Osterix-Cre expressing dental mesenchyme disrupts molar root formation

It has been difficult to examine the role of TGF-ß in post-natal tooth development due to perinatal lethality in many of the signaling deficient mouse models. To address the role of Tgfbr2 in postnatal tooth development, we generated a mouse in which Tgfbr2 was deleted in odontoblast- and bone-producing mesenchyme. Osx-Cre;Tgfbr2^fl/fl mice were generated (Tgfbr2^cko) and post-natal tooth development was compared in Tgfbr2^cko and control littermates. X-ray and μCT analysis showed that in Tgfbr2^cko mice radicular dentin matrix density was reduced in the molars. Molar shape was abnormal and molar eruption was delayed in the mutant mice. Most significantly, defects in root formation, including failure of the root to elongate, were observed by postnatal day 10. Immunostaining for Keratin-14 (K14) was used to delineate Hertwig's epithelial root sheath (HERS). The results showed a delay in elongation and disorganization of the HERS in Tgfbr2^cko mice. In addition, the HERS was maintained and the break up into epithelial rests was attenuated suggesting that Tgfbr2 acts on dental mesenchyme to indirectly regulate the formation and maintenance of the HERS. Altered odontoblast organization and reduced Dspp expression indicated that odontoblast differentiation was disrupted in the mutant mice likely contributing to the defect in root formation. Nevertheless, expression of Nfic, a key mesenchymal regulator of root development, was similar in Tgfbr2^cko mice and controls. The number of osteoclasts in the bone surrounding the tooth was reduced and osteoblast differentiation was disrupted likely contributing to both root and eruption defects. We conclude that Tgfbr2 in dental mesenchyme and bone is required for tooth development particularly root formation.     

Reactive oxygen species mediate RANK signaling in osteoclasts

RANKL, a member of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, regulates the differentiation, activation, and survival of osteoclasts through binding to its cognate receptor, RANK. RANK can interact with several TNF-receptor-associated factors (TRAFs) and activates signaling molecules including Akt, NF-kappaB, and MAPKs. Although the transient elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by receptor activation has been shown to act as a cellular secondary messenger, the involvement of ROS in RANK signaling pathways has been not characterized. In this study, we found that RANKL stimulated ROS generation in osteoclasts. Pretreatment of osteoclasts with the antioxidants N-acetyl-l-cystein and glutathione reduced RANKL-induced Akt, NF-kappaB, and ERK activation. The reduced NF-kappaB activity by antioxidants was associated with decreased IKK activity and IkappaBalpha phosphorylation. In contrast, antioxidants did not prevent TNF-alpha-induced Akt and NF-kappaB activation. Pretreatment with antioxidants also significantly reduced RANKL-induced actin ring formation, required for bone resorbing activity, and osteoclast survival. Taken together, our results suggest that ROS act as mediators in RANKL-induced signaling pathways and cellular events.     

Heparanase mRNA expression during fracture repair in mice

Bone fracture healing takes place through endochondral ossification where cartilaginous callus is replaced by bony callus. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a requisite for endochondral ossification, where blood vessel invasion of cartilaginous callus is crucial. Heparanase is an endoglucuronidase that degrades heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and releases heparin-binding growth factors including VEGF as an active form. To investigate the role of heparanase in VEGF recruitment during fracture healing, the expression of heparanase mRNA and VEGF, and vessel formation were examined in mouse fractured bone. On days 5 and 7 after the fracture, when mesenchymal cells proliferated and differentiated into chondrocytes, heparanase mRNA was detected in osteo(chondro)clasts and their precursors, but not in the inflammatory phase (day 3). On day 10, both VEGF and HSPG were produced by hypertrophic chondrocytes of the cartilaginous callus and by osteoblasts of the bony callus; numerous osteo(chondro)clasts resorbing the cartilage expressed strong heparanase signals. Adjacent to the cartilage resorption sites, angiogenesis with CD31-positive endothelial cells and osteogenesis with osteonectin-positive osteoblasts were observed. On days 14 and 21, osteoclasts in the woven bone tissue expressed heparanase mRNA. These data suggest that by producing heparanase osteo(chondro)clasts contribute to the recruitment of the active form of VEGF. Thus osteo(chondro)clasts may promote local angiogenesis as well as callus resorption in endochondral ossification during fracture healing.     

An electron microscopic,enzyme cytochemical study on the localization of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in osteoclasts and peritoneal macrophages of the rat and its implication for the process of bone resorption and the origin of osteoclasts

Summary LDH is localized along various intracytoplasmatic membranes of osteoclasts. Macrophages show membrane-bound LDH only after phagocytosis of calcium hydroxylapatite, the main mineral constituent of bone. The localization of LDH in these macrophages is almost the same as in osteoclasts. The significance of this finding, and its possible implication in the process of bone resorption and the origin of osteoclasts are discussed. Present Adress: Department of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, Vrije Universiteit, P.O. Box 7161, 1007 MC Amsterdam, The Netherlands     

HIV-1 Tat protein enhances RANKL/M-CSF-mediated osteoclast differentiation

Impaired osteoblast/osteoclast cross-talk and bone structure homeostasis resulting in osteopenia/osteoporosis are often observed in HIV seropositive patients but the causal mechanisms remain unsettled. This study analyzed the biological effects of Tat on peripheral blood monocyte-derived osteoclast differentiation. Tat enhances osteoclast differentiation and activity induced by RANKL plus M-CSF treatment increasing both the mRNA expression of specific osteoclast differentiation markers, such as cathepsin K and calcitonin receptor, and TRAP expression and activity. These Tat-related biological effects may be related, at least in part, to the induction of c-fos expression and AP-1 activity. c-fos up-regulation was triggered by Tat when cell cultures were co-treated with RANKL/M-CSF and an analysis of c-fos promoter with c-fos deletion mutant constructs disclosed specific c-fos promoter domains targeted by Tat. Together, these results show that Tat may be considered a viral factor positively modulating the osteoclastogenesis and then bone resorption activity suggesting a pathogenetic role of this viral protein in the HIV-related osteopenia/osteoporosis.     

重组泛素连接酶tTRIP-U-box的构建与表达

目的：构建重组泛素连接酶tTRIP-U-box,并克隆进入pFLAG—CMV4真核表达载体,为研究通过靶向降解接头蛋白TRAF（TNFReceptorAssociatedFactor）家族蛋白,从而抑制破骨细胞活性提供基础。方法：分别设计引物,扩增tTRIP（TRAF-interactingprotein）分子C端伸展的coiled．coiled结构域以及E3泛素连接酶CHIP的U—box结构域,再利用重组PCR,将tTRlP与U-box进行融合,双酶切之后将其插入真核表达载体pFLAG．CMV4,经过酶切鉴定及测序后,转染HEK-293T细胞系,Western印迹验证重组质粒的表达。结果：PCR结果显示tTRIP截短分子和tTRIP—U-box条带大小分别为660bp和1188bp,重组质粒经酶切鉴定和测序证实正确,转染后可见融合蛋白的表达。结论：成功构建真核重组表达载体pFLAG-CMV4一tTRIP-U—box,并且转染HEK-293T细胞系后证实其能够正确表达。     

丹参素抑制RANKL诱导的破骨细胞分化

目的：研究丹参素对RANKL诱导的破骨细胞分化的影响。方法：运用冲洗法从股骨、胫骨中获得小鼠骨髓源性单核巨噬细 胞用于体外RANKL 诱导的破骨细胞分化,同时,施加不同剂量的丹参素干预,经TRAP染色法在形态学上观察观,蛋白印迹法检 测蛋白水平的变化,实时定量PCR 检测mRNA 水平变化来研究丹参素对RANKL诱导的骨髓源单核巨噬细胞破骨分化的影响。 结果：①不同剂量丹参素干预组与对照组相比,TRAP 阳性破骨细胞数量得到了明显抑制（P<0.05）。②不同剂量丹参素干预组与 对照组相比,磷酸化Akt的上调量被明显的降低。磷酸化p38 MAPK,JNK和ERK 的变化则不明显。③不同剂量丹参素干预组与 对照组相比,c-fos,TRAP,CTSK 等参与破骨细胞分化的重要基因表达减少,NFATc1 变化不明显。结论：丹参素通过下调磷酸化 Akt水平的途径抑制了RANKL诱导的破骨细胞分化。     

Osteoclast signalling pathways

The osteoclast is a monocyte-derived cell with complex regulatory control due to its role, balancing calcium homeostasis with skeletal modelling and repair. Normal differentiation requires tyrosine kinase- and tumor necrosis-family receptors, normally fms and RANK. Ligands for these receptors plus unidentified serum or cell-presented factor(s) are needed for in vitro differentiation, possibly signalling via an immune-like tyrosine kinase acceptor molecule. Osteoclast development and activity are increased by cytokines signalling through GP130, such as IL-6, by TGF-beta, and by IL-1, although these cannot replace serum. Other tyrosine kinase receptors including kit and met can augment fms signalling, and TNFs other than RANKL, including TNFalpha and TRAIL, modify RANK signalling, which is also susceptible to interference by interferons. The situation is further complicated by G-protein coupled receptors including the calcitonin receptor, by integrin or calcium-mediated signals, and by estrogen receptors, which operate in bone largely via NO downstream signals. Differentiation, activity, and survival signals merge in intracellular second messengers. These include cytoplasmic kinases of several families; differentiation pathways often terminate in Erk/Jun kinases or NF-kappaB. Key regulatory intermediates include TRAF6, src, Smad3, phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase, Jak/Stat, and the cGMP-dependent protein kinase I. There are substantial uncertainties regarding how intracellular agents connect to primary signals. The frontier includes characterization of how scaffolding/adapter proteins, such as cbl, gab, grb, p130Cas, and shc, as well as itam-containing proteins and nonreceptor tyrosine kinase adapters of the src and syk families, delimit and integrate signals of multiple receptors to bring about specific outcomes.     

Cell-specific paracrine actions of IL-6 family cytokines from bone,marrow and muscle that control bone formation and resorption

Bone renews itself and changes shape throughout life to account for the changing needs of the body; this requires co-ordinated activities of bone resorbing cells (osteoclasts), bone forming cells (osteoblasts) and bone’s internal cellular network (osteocytes). This review focuses on paracrine signaling by the IL-6 family of cytokines between bone cells, bone marrow, and skeletal muscle in normal physiology and in pathological states where their levels may be locally or systemically elevated. These functions include the support of osteoclast formation by osteoblast lineage cells in response to interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 11 (IL-11), oncostatin M (OSM) and cardiotrophin 1 (CT-1). In addition it will discuss how bone-resorbing osteoclasts promote osteoblast activity by secreting CT-1, which acts as a “coupling factor” on osteocytes, osteoblasts, and their precursors to promote bone formation. OSM, produced by osteoblast lineage cells and macrophages, stimulates bone formation via osteocytes. IL-6 family cytokines also mediate actions of other bone formation stimuli like parathyroid hormone (PTH) and mechanical loading. CT-1, OSM and LIF suppress marrow adipogenesis by shifting commitment of pluripotent precursors towards osteoblast differentiation. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is released as a myokine from skeletal muscle and suppresses osteoblast differentiation and bone formation on the periosteum (outer bone surface in apposition to muscle). Finally, IL-6 acts directly on marrow-derived osteoclasts to stimulate release of “osteotransmitters” that act through the cortical osteocyte network to stimulate bone formation on the periosteum. Each will be discussed as illustrations of how the extended family of IL-6 cytokines acts within the skeleton in physiology and may be altered in pathological conditions or by targeted therapies.