Tanshinone IIA enhances BMP-2-stimulated commitment of C2C12 cells into osteoblasts via p38 activation

In this study, we demonstrate a stimulatory effect of tanshinone IIA isolated from the root of Salvia miltiorrhiza on the commitment of bi-potential mesenchymal precursor C2C12 cells into osteoblasts in the presence of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2. At low concentrations, tanshinone IIA enhanced BMP-2-stimulated induction of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an early phase biomarker of osteoblast differentiation, and mRNA expression of BMPs. ALP induction was inhibited by the BMP antagonist noggin, suggesting that tanshinone IIA enhances the osteogenic activity of BMP signaling. Furthermore, considering the tanshinone IIA-mediated enhancement of BMP-2-stimulated Smad-Runx2 activities, tanshinone IIA could enhance the osteogenic activity of BMP-2 via acceleration of Smad-Runx2 activation. Additionally, pharmacologic inhibition studies suggest the possible involvement of p38 in the action of tanshinone IIA. The p38 inhibitor SB202190 strongly and dose-dependently inhibited tanshinone IIA-enhanced ALP induction. SB202190 also dose-dependently inhibited the tanshinone IIA-induced p38 activation and combined tanshinone IIA-BMP-2-induced Smad activation. In conclusion, tanshinone IIA enhances the commitment of C2C12 cells into osteoblasts and their differentiation through synergistic cross talk between tanshinone IIA-induced p38 activation and BMP-2-induced Smad activation. These activations could subsequently induce the activation of Runx2, which induces osteogenesis via regulation of the osteogenic factors BMP and ALP expression.     

Enhanced Osteogenesis of Adipose Derived Stem Cells with Noggin Suppression and Delivery of BMP-2

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are believed to be the most potent osteoinductive factors. However, BMPs are highly pleiotropic molecules and their supra-physiological high dose requirement leads to adverse side effects and inefficient bone formation. Thus, there is a need to develop alternative osteoinductive growth factor strategies that can effectively complement BMP activity. In this study, we intrinsically stimulated BMP signaling in adipose derived stem cells (ASCs) by downregulating noggin, a potent BMP antagonist, using an RNAi strategy. ASCs transduced with noggin shRNA significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of cells. The potency of endogenous BMPs was subsequently enhanced by stimulating ASCs with exogenous BMPs at a significantly reduced dose. The level of mineralization in noggin shRNA treated ASCs when treated with BMP-2 was comparable to that of control shRNA treated cell treated with 10-fold more BMP-2. The complementary strategy of noggin suppression + BMP-2 to enhance osteogenesis was further confirmed in 3D in vitro environments using scaffolds consisting of chitosan (CH), chondroitin sulfate (CS), and apatite layer on their surfaces designed to slowly release BMP-2. This finding supports the novel therapeutic potential of this complementary strategy in bone regeneration.     

Heparin inhibits BMP-2 osteogenic bioactivity by binding to both BMP-2 and BMP receptor

Heparin demonstrates several kinds of biological activities by binding to various extracellular molecules and plays pivotal roles in bone metabolism. However, the role of heparin in the biological activity of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) remains unclear. In the present study, we examined whether heparin has the effects on osteoblast differentiation induced by BMP-2 in vitro and also elucidated the precise mechanism by which heparin regulates bone metabolism induced by this molecule. Our results showed that heparin inhibited alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization in osteoblastic cells cultured with BMP-2. Heparin was found to suppress the mRNA expressions of osterix, Runx2, ALP and osteocalcin, as well as phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and p38 MAPK. Further, heparin bound to both BMP-2 and BMP receptor (BMPR). These results suggest that heparin suppresses BMP-2-BMPR binding, and inhibits BMP-2 osteogenic activity in vitro.     

The non-osteogenic mouse pluripotent cell line, C3H10T1/2, is induced to differentiate into osteoblastic cells by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2.

The possibility that the non-osteogenic mouse pluripotent cell line, C3H10T1/2 (10T1/2), could be induced to differentiate into osteogenic cells by various hormones and cytokines was examined in vitro. Of a number of agents tested, recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and retinoic acid induced alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in 10T1/2 cells. rhBMP-2 also induced mRNA expression of ALP in the cells. Dexamethasone, 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, transforming growth factor-beta 1 and insulin-like growth factor-I did not stimulate ALP activity. Treatment with rhBMP-2 greatly induced cAMP production in response to parathyroid hormone in 10T1/2 cells. No ALP activity was induced in NIH3T3 fibroblasts treated with rhBMP-2 or retinoic acid. These results indicate that 10T1/2 cells have a potential to differentiate into osteogenic cells under the control of BMP-2.     

Bone morphogenetic protein activity preservation with extracorporeal irradiation- and liquid nitrogen freezing-treated recycled autografts for biological reconstruction in malignant bone tumor

Recycled autografts have been commonly used in biological reconstruction in conjunction with wide bone resection. Extracorporeal irradiation (ECIR) and freezing are the two major options for pretreating tumor-bearing autografts before transplant. This study, for the first time, compared the effects of these two techniques on bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 activity. Bone tissue extracted from human femoral heads were treated through either ECIR at different doses (5000, 15,000, and 30,000 rad) or liquid nitrogen (LN) freezing for different durations (5, 10, and 15 min). The amount of BMP was analyzed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA assay). Furthermore, we also used tandem mass spectrometry to analyze change of BMP-2 and BMP-7 expression after high dosage of irradiation (30,000 rad) and long-time of freezing (15 min). To directly evaluate the effect of ECIR or LN freezing treatment on the activity of BMP, commercial recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) was added to the culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The post-treatment activity of rhBMP-2 was quantitated by measuring the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs with Alizarin Red S staining. Through Western blotting, the activation of the BMP signaling pathway by phospho-Smad antibodies was analyzed. Our results showed that post-treatment levels of BMP did not differ among the ECIR and LN freezing treatments in ELISA assay, but tandem mass spectrometry showed significantly lower expression of BMP-2 after 30,000 rad of irradiation. Both ECIR and freezing lowered the expression of regulatory factors involved in the BMP-activated signaling cascades and similar results were also observed in osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. However, LN freezing preserved better bioactivity of rhBMP-2 whereas dosage-dependent declination was observed in ECIR groups. In conclusion, considering BMP-2 activity, LN freezing-treated autografts may result in a better osteoinduction outcomes than those treated using ECIR. Further investigation of the factors involved in bone formation is required.     

RUNX2对BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化的影响

目的:研究和确认RUNX2在骨形态发生蛋白9(BMP9)诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化中的作用。方法:通过Western blot、RT-PCR、荧光素酶活性分析检测BMP9对RUNX2表达的影响;分别在过表达RUNX2和RNA干扰抑制RUNX2表达的情况下,利用碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性测定和染色、钙盐沉积实验,免疫细胞化学和裸鼠皮下异位成骨实验分析RUNX2对于BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化的影响。结果:BMP9可以促进RUNX2的表达;RUNX2体外可促进BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2的ALP活性和钙盐沉积,却抑制了OCN表达,RUNX2还可促进BMP9诱导的裸鼠皮下异位成骨;而在降低RUNX2表达后,BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性、钙盐沉积、OCN表达和裸鼠皮下异位成骨均受到抑制。结论:RUNX2可以促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化。     

Bone morphogenetic proteins 4 and 2/7 induce osteogenic differentiation of mouse skin derived fibroblast and dermal papilla cells

Heterotopic ossification is a pathological condition in which bone forms outside the skeletal system. It can also occur in skin, which is the case in some genetic disorders. In addition to precursor cells and the appropriate tissue environment, heterotopic ossification requires inductive signals such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP). BMPs are growth and differentiation factors that have the ability to induce cartilage and bone formation in ectopic sites. The objective of this study is to explore the effect of the BMP-4 homodimer and BMP-2/7 heterodimer on the osteogenic differentiation of primary mouse skin fibroblasts and hair follicle dermal papilla (DP) cells. Osteogenic differentiation was induced by osteogenic induction medium (OS) containing 10 nM dexamethasone. The effect of BMP-4 and BMP-2/7 was studied using alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and calcium assays after 1.5, 3 and 5 weeks of differentiation. Fibroblasts and DP cells were able to differentiate into osteoblast-like matrix mineralizing cells. The first visible sign of differentiation was the change of morphology from rounded to more spindle-shaped cells. BMP-4 and BMP-2/7 exposure elevated ALP activity and calcium production significantly more than OS alone. The osteogenic response to BMP-4 and BMP-2/7 was similar in fibroblasts, whereas, in DP cells, BMP-2/7 was more potent than BMP-4. OS alone could not induce osteogenic differentiation in DP cells. Clear and consistent results show that dermal fibroblasts and stem cells from the dermal papilla were capable of osteogenic differentiation. The BMP-2/7 heterodimer was significantly more effective on hair follicular dermal stem cell differentiation.     

Administration of parathyroid hormone, prostaglandin E2, or 1-alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 restores the bone inductive activity of rhBMP-2 in aged rats

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) induces bone formation in young rodents, but aging causes a reduction in the bone-forming ability of BMP. Most patients who require bone reconstruction are relatively old. Accordingly, we examined whether anabolic hormones could restore the bone inductive activity of rhBMP-2 in aged rats. rhBMP-2 in a carrier pellet was implanted subcutaneously in both 4- and 50-week-old female Wistar rats. PTH, PGE2, or 1,25(OH)2D3 was injected every day during the period of BMP implantation. The pellets were harvested, and were examined both histologically and biochemically 2 weeks after implantation. Bone-forming ability was measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium (Ca) content. Pellets in 50-week-old rats showed a significant reduction in bone formation compared to pellets in 4-week-old rats. However, daily injections of PTH into 50-week-old rats restored both ALP activity (103 +/- 4.6%) and Ca content (105 +/- 2.6%). 1,25(OH)2D3 and PGE2 also restored Ca content (103 +/- 4.5% and 98 +/- 3.8%, respectively) and stimulated ALP activity (142 +/- 2.3% and 133 +/- 3.6%). These results show that the administration of these hormones restores bone-forming ability in aged rats. A combination treatment of these hormones with rhBMP-2 might be applicable to the reconstruction of bone defects in elderly patients.     

Synergistic action of static stretching and BMP-2 stimulation in the osteoblast differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts

Static stretching is a major type of mechanical stimuli utilized during distraction osteogenesis (DO), a general surgical method for the lengthening of bone. The molecular signals that drive the regenerative process in DO include a variety of cytokines. Among these, bone morphogenic protein (BMP, -2 and -4) has been reported to exhibit strongly enhanced expression following the application of mechanical strain during the distraction phase. We hypothesize that mechanical stretching enhances osteoblast differentiation in DO by means of interaction with BMP-2 induced cytokine stimulation. C2C12 pluripotential myoblasts were exposed to stretching load and the resulting cell proliferation and osteoblast differentiation were then examined. The application of static stretching force resulted in significant cell proliferation at day 3, although with variable intensity according to the magnitude of stretching. A combined treatment of stretching load with BMP-2 stimulation significantly increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and up-regulated the gene expression of osteogenic markers (ALP, type I collagen, osteopontin, osteocalcin, cbfa1, osterix and dlx5). Results obtained with the combined treatment yielded more activity than just the BMP-2 treatment or stretching alone. These results reveal that specific levels of static stretching force increase cell proliferation and effectively stimulate the osteoblast differentiation of C2C12 cells in conjunction with BMP-2 stimulation, thus indicating a synergistic interaction between mechanical strain and cytokine signaling.     

Sclerostin inhibition of Wnt-3a-induced C3H10T1/2 cell differentiation is indirect and mediated by bone morphogenetic proteins

High bone mass diseases are caused both by activating mutations in the Wnt pathway and by loss of SOST, a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonist, leading to the activation of BMP signaling. Given the phenotypic similarity between mutations that activate these signaling pathways, it seems likely that BMPs and Wnts operate in parallel or represent components of the same pathway, modulating osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we show that in C3H10T1/2 cells, Wnt-3A and BMP-6 proteins were inducers of osteoblast differentiation, as measured by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction. Surprisingly, sclerostin, noggin, and human BMP receptor 1A (BMPR1A)-FC fusion proteins blocked Wnt-3A-induced ALP as well as BMP-6-induced ALP activity. Dkk-1, a Wnt inhibitor, blocked Wnt-induced ALP activity but not BMP-induced ALP activity. Early Wnt-3A signaling as measured by beta-catenin accumulation was not affected by the BMP antagonists but was blocked by Dkk-1. Wnt-3A induced the appearance of BMP-4 mRNA 12 h prior to that of ALP in C3H10T1/2 cells. We propose that sclerostin and other BMP antagonists do not block Wnt signaling directly. Sclerostin blocks Wnt-induced ALP activity by blocking the activity of BMP proteins produced by Wnt treatment. The expression of BMP proteins in this autocrine loop is essential for Wnt-3A-induced osteoblast differentiation.     

Activation of osteo-progenitor cells by a novel synthetic peptide derived from the bone morphogenetic protein-2 knuckle epitope

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) promotes the formation and regeneration of bone and cartilage, and also participates in organogenesis, cell differentiation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis. BMP-2 has two epitopes referred to as the "wrist epitope" and the "knuckle epitope". The wrist epitope is thought to bind to BMP receptor IA and the knuckle epitope to BMP receptor type II. However, the precise receptor-binding region in BMP-2 has not yet been clarified. Here, we report that a synthetic peptide, KIPKASSVPTELSAISTLYL, corresponding to residues 73-92 of the knuckle epitope of BMP-2, elevated alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity in the murine multipotent mesenchymal cell line, C3H10T1/2. The 73-92 peptide significantly inhibited the binding of rhBMP-2 to both BMP receptors type IA and type II. The 73-92 peptide also promoted the expression of osteocalcin mRNA and induced ectopic calcification when it was immobilized on a covalently cross-linked alginate gel and implanted into rat calf muscle. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the calcified product was identical to that of the rat tibia, and the major peaks were attributed to hydroxyapatite. These results indicate that the 73-92 peptide may be one of the receptor-binding sites on BMP-2 and may stimulate bone precursor cells to induce calcification.     

BMP9经JNK激酶途径调控间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化

为了证实JNK激酶在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9) 诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化中的作用,利用重组腺病毒将BMP9导入间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2. 通过碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性测定、钙盐沉积实验、荧光素酶报告基因检测、Western印迹和组织化学染色等方法,检测BMP9是否可经JNK激酶途径调控间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2向成骨分化.动物实验验证在RNA沉默JNK蛋白激酶后,对BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2向成骨分化的影响．结果发现,BMP9可以增强JNK 激酶的磷酸化;利用JNK抑制剂SP600125抑制JNK激酶活性后,BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2的早期成骨指标ALP活性和晚期指标钙盐沉积均受到抑制,而且经典SMAD信号的活化也相应受到抑制;RNA干扰沉默JNK基因表达后,同样也可抑制BMP9 诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性和裸鼠皮下异位成骨．因此表明,BMP9可活化JNK激酶途径从而诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2向成骨分化．     

BMP-13 Emerges as a Potential Inhibitor of Bone Formation

Bone morphogenetic protein-13 (BMP-13) plays an important role in skeletal development. In the light of a recent report that mutations in the BMP-13 gene are associated with spine vertebral fusion in Klippel-Feil syndrome, we hypothesized that BMP-13 signaling is crucial for regulating embryonic endochondral ossification. In this study, we found that BMP-13 inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (BM MSCs) in vitro. The endogenous BMP-13 gene expression in MSCs was examined under expansion conditions. The MSCs were then induced to differentiate into osteoblasts in osteo-inductive medium containing exogenous BMP-13. Gene expression was analysed by real-time PCR. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression and activity, proteoglycan (PG) synthesis and matrix mineralization were assessed by cytological staining or ALP assay. Results showed that endogenous BMP-13 mRNA expression was higher than BMP-2 or -7 during MSC growth. BMP-13 supplementation strongly inhibited matrix mineralization and ALP activity of osteogenic differentiated MSCs, yet increased PG synthesis under the same conditions. In conclusion, BMP-13 inhibited osteogenic differentiation of MSCs, implying that functional mutations or deficiency of BMP-13 may allow excess bone formation. Our finding provides an insight into the molecular mechanisms and the therapeutic potential of BMP-13 in restricting pathological bone formation.     

Oxysterol-induced osteoblastic differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells is mediated through a PKC- and PKA-dependent pathway

Oxysterols form a large family of oxygenated derivatives of cholesterol that are present in circulation, and in human and animal tissues. The discovery of osteoinductive molecules that can induce the lineage-specific differentiation of cells into osteoblastic cells and therefore enhance bone formation is crucial for better management of bone fractures and osteoporosis. We previously reported that specific oxysterols have potent osteoinductive properties and induce the osteoblastic differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells. In the present report we demonstrate that the induction of osteoblastic differentiation by oxysterols is mediated through a protein kinase C (PKC)- and protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent mechanism(s). Furthermore, oxysterol-induced-osteoblastic differentiation is marked by the prolonged DNA-binding activity of Runx2 in M2-10B4 bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and C3H10T1/2 embryonic fibroblastic cells. This increased activity of Runx2 is almost completely inhibited by PKC inhibitors Bisindolylmaleimide and Rottlerin, and only minimally inhibited by PKA inihibitor H-89. PKC- and PKA-dependent mechanisms appear to also regulate other markers of osteoblastic differentiation including alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteocalcin mRNA expression in response to oxysterols. Finally, osteogenic oxysterols induce osteoblastic differentiation with BMP7 and BMP14 in a synergistic manner as demonstrated by the enhanced Runx2 DNA-binding activity, ALP activity, and osteocalcin mRNA expression. Since Runx2 is an indispensable factor that regulates the differentiation of osteoblastic cells and bone formation in vitro and in vivo, its increased activity in oxysterol-treated cells further validates the potential role of oxysterols in lineage-specific differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cells and their potential therapeutic use as bone anabolic factors.     

Truncated human LMP-1 triggers differentiation of C2C12 cells to an osteoblastic phenotype in vitro

LIM mineralization protein-1 （LMP-1） is a novel intracellular osteoinductive protein that has been shown to induce bone formation both in vitro and in viva. LMP-1 contains an N-terminal PDZ domain and three C-terminal LIM domains. In this study, we investigated whether a truncated form of human LMP-1 （hLMP-1 [t]）, lacking the three C-terminal LIM domains, triggers the differentiation of pluripotent myoblastic C2C12 cells to the osteoblast lineage. C2C12 cells were transiently transduced with AdS-hLMP-1 （t）-green fluorescent protein or viral vector control. The expression of hLMP-1 （t） RNA and the truncated protein were examined. The results showed that hLMP-1 （t） blocked myotube formation in C2C12 cultures and significantly enhanced the alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity. In addition, the expressions of ALP, osteocalcin, and bone morphogenetic protein （BMP）-2 and BMP-7 genes were also increased. The induction of these key osteogenic markers suggests that hLMP- 1 （t） can trigger the pluripotent myoblastic C2C12 cells to differentiate into osteoblastic lineage, thus extending our previous observation that LMP-1 and LMP-1 （t） enhances the osteoblastic phenotype in cultures of cells already committed to the osteoblastic lineage. Therefore, C2C12 cells are an appropriate model system for the examination of LMP-1 induction of the osteoblastic phenotype and the study of mechanisms of LMP-1 action.     

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 converts the differentiation pathway of C2C12 myoblasts into the osteoblast lineage [published erratum appears in J Cell Biol 1995 Feb;128(4):following 713]

The implantation of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) into muscular tissues induces ectopic bone formation at the site of implantation. To investigate the mechanism underlying this process, we examined whether recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) converts the differentiation pathway of the clonal myoblastic cell line, C2C12, into that of osteoblast lineage. Incubating the cells with 300 ng/ml of BMP- 2 for 6 d almost completely inhibited the formation of the multinucleated myotubes expressing troponin T and myosin heavy chain, and induced the appearance of numerous alkaline phosphatase (ALP)- positive cells. BMP-2 dose dependently induced ALP activity, parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent 3',5'-cAMP production, and osteocalcin production at concentrations above 100 ng/ml. The concentration of BMP-2 required to induce these osteoblastic phenotypes was the same as that required to almost completely inhibit myotube formation. Incubating primary muscle cells with 300 ng/ml of BMP-2 for 6 d also inhibited myotube formation, whereas induced ALP activity and osteocalcin production. Incubation with 300 ng/ml of BMP-2 suppressed the expression of mRNA for muscle creatine kinase within 6 h, whereas it induced mRNA expression for ALP, PTH/PTH-related protein (PTHrP) receptors, and osteocalcin within 24-48 h. BMP-2 completely inhibited the expression of myogenin mRNA by day 3. By day 3, BMP-2 also inhibited the expression of MyoD mRNA, but it was transiently stimulated 12 h after exposure to BMP-2. Expression of Id-1 mRNA was greatly stimulated by BMP-2. When C2C12 cells pretreated with BMP-2 for 6 d were transferred to a colony assay system in the absence of BMP-2, more than 84% of the colonies generated became troponin T-positive and ALP activity disappeared. TGF-beta 1 also inhibited myotube formation in C2C12 cells, and suppressed the expression of myogenin and MyoD mRNAs without inducing that of Id-1 mRNA. However, no osteoblastic phenotype was induced by TGF-beta 1 in C2C12 cells. TGF-beta 1 potentiated the inhibitory effect of BMP-2 on myotube formation, whereas TGF-beta 1 reduced ALP activity and osteocalcin production induced by BMP-2 in C2C12 cells. These results indicate that BMP-2 specifically converts the differentiation pathway of C2C12 myoblasts into that of osteoblast lineage cells, but that the conversion is not heritable.