Downregulation of PKD1 by shRNA results in defective osteogenic differentiation via cAMP/PKA pathway in human MG-63 cells

Mutations and/or deletions of Pkd1 in mouse models resulted in attenuation of osteoblast function and defective bone formation; however, the function of PKD1 in human osteoblast and bone remains uncertain. In the current study, we used lentivirus-mediated shRNA technology to stably knock down PKD1 in the human osteoblastic MG-63 cell line and to investigate the role of PKD1 on human osteoblast function and molecular mechanisms. We found that a 53% reduction of PKD1 by PKD1 shRNA in stable, transfected MG-63 cells resulted in increased cell proliferation and impaired osteoblastic differentiation as reflected by increased BrdU incorporation, decreased alkaline phosphatase activity, and calcium deposition and by decreased expression of RUNX2 and OSTERIX compared to control shRNA MG-63 cells. In addition, knockdown of PKD1 mRNA caused enhanced adipogenesis in stable PKD1 shRNA MG-63 cells as evidenced by elevated lipid accumulation and increased expression of adipocyte-related markers such as PPARγ and aP2. The stable PKD1 shRNA MG-63 cells exhibited lower basal intracellular calcium, which led to attenuated cytosolic calcium signaling in response to fluid flow shear stress, as well as increased intracellular cAMP messages in response to forskolin (10 μM) stimulation. Moreover, increased cell proliferation, inhibited osteoblastic differentiation, and osteogenic and adipogenic gene markers were significantly reversed in stable PKD1 shRNA MG-63 cells when treated with H89 (1 μM), an inhibitor of PKA. These findings suggest that downregulation of PKD1 in human MG-63 cells resulted in defective osteoblast function via intracellular calcium-cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.     

1alpha,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 inhibits HGF synthesis and secretion from MG-63 human osteosarcoma cells

Several mesenchymally derived cells, including osteoblasts, secrete hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). 1alpha,25(OH)(2)-vitamin D(3) [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] inhibits proliferation and induces differentiation of MG-63 osteoblastic cells. Here we show that MG-63 cells secrete copious amounts of HGF and that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) inhibits HGF production. MG-63 cells also express HGF receptor (c-Met) mRNA, suggesting an autocrine action of HGF. Indeed, although exogenous HGF failed to stimulate cellular proliferation, neutralizing endogenous HGF with a neutralizing antibody inhibited MG-63 cell proliferation; moreover, inhibiting HGF synthesis with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) followed by addition of HGF rescued hormone-induced inhibition of proliferation. Nonneutralized cells displayed constitutive phosphorylation of c-Met and the mitogen-activated protein kinases mitogen/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MEK) 1 and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk) 1/2, which were inhibited by anti-HGF antibody. Constitutive phosphorylation of Erk1/2 was also abolished by 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Addition of HGF to MG-63 cells treated with neutralizing HGF antibody induced rapid phosphorylation of c-Met, MEK1, and Erk1/2. Thus endogenous HGF induces a constitutively active, autocrine mitogenic loop in MG-63 cells. The known antiproliferative effect of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) on MG-63 cells can be accounted for by the concomitant 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced inhibition of HGF production.     

Phosphatidylcholine metabolism and choline kinase in human osteoblasts

There is a paucity of information about phosphatidylcholine (PC) biosynthesis in bone formation. Thus, we characterized PC metabolism in both primary human osteoblasts (HOB) and human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells. Our results show that the CDP-choline pathway is the only de novo route for PC biosynthesis in both HOB and MG-63 cells. Both CK activity and CKα expression in MG-63 cells were significantly higher than those in HOB cells. Silencing of CKα in MG-63 cells had no significant effect on PC concentration but decreased the amount of phosphocholine by approximately 80%. The silencing of CKα also reduced cell proliferation. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of CK activity impaired the mineralization capacity of MG-63 cells. Our data suggest that CK and its product phosphocholine are required for the normal growth and mineralization of MG-63 cells.     

人参皂苷Rg1组合诱导人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞分化过程中Prohibitin的表达与定位变化

选择性抽提经人参皂苷Rg1组合（RCT）诱导处理前后的人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞核基质,对prohibitin在核基质中的存在、分布及其与相关基因产物在RCT处理前后MG-63细胞中的共定位关系进行观察研究.蛋白质组学分析结果显示,prohibitin存在于人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞核基质蛋白组分中,并在RCT处理后细胞核基质中表达下调;蛋白质印迹杂交确证了prohibitin在MG-63细胞核基质中的存在及其在RCT处理后下调变化;免疫荧光显微镜观察进一步证实prohibitin定位在核基质上,经RCT处理后出现分布位置与表达水平变化;激光共聚焦显微镜观察可见prohibitin与c-Fos、c-Myc、p53和Rb基因产物均存在共定位关系,并在RCT处理后共定位分布区域出现变化.本研究证实了prohibitin是一种新发现的核基质蛋白,其在核基质上的定位与表达在RCT诱导分化前后发生显著变化,并与相关癌基因、抑癌基因产物存在共定位关系.实验表明RCT处理引起的prohibitin的变化与人成骨肉瘤MG-63细胞的诱导分化与调控具有密切关系,为深入揭示RCT等中药有效成分诱导肿瘤细胞分化的机理提供了重要科学依据和深入探索的新方向.     

The proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts in co-culture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells: An improved analysis using fluorescence-activated cell sorting

The interaction of osteoblasts and endothelial cells plays a pivotal role in osteogenesis. This interaction has been extensively studied using their direct co-culture in vitro. However, co-culture experiments require clear discrimination between the two different cell types in the mixture, but this was rarely achieved. This study is the first to use fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) for the separation and quantitative analysis of the proliferation and differentiation of MG-63 cells grown in direct co-culture with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The cells of the MG-63 cell line have properties consistent with the characteristics of normal osteoblasts. We labeled HUVECs with fluorescent antibody against CD31 and used FACS to measure the proportions of each cell type and to separate them based on their different fluorescence intensities. The rate of proliferation of the MG-63 cells was estimated based on a count of the total viable cells and the proportion of MG-63 cells in the mixture. The mRNA expression levels of the osteoblast differentiation markers alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen type 1 (Coll-1) and osteocalcin (OC) in the MG-63 cells were measured via real-time PCR after the separation via FACS. We found that HUVECs stimulated the proliferation of the MG-63 cells after 72 h of co-culture, and inhibited it after 120 h of co-culture. The mRNA expression levels of ALP and Coll-1 significantly increased, whereas that of OC significantly decreased in MG-63 after co-culture with HUVECs. Using FACS for the quantitative analysis of the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts directly interacting with endothelial cells could have merit for further co-culture research.     

Type III collagen is essential for growth acceleration of human osteoblastic cells by ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a long-acting vitamin C derivative.

Collagen has been reported to be essential for the proliferation of various kinds of cells including human osteoblastic cells [Takamizawa, S., Maehata, Y., Imai, K., Senoo, H., Sato, S., Hata, R., 2004. Effects of ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a long-acting vitamin C derivative, on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblast-like cells. Cell Biol. Int. 28, 255-265], but the type(s) of collagen responsible for growth regulation is not known. Presently we found that ascorbic acid 2-phosphate, a long-acting vitamin C derivative, stimulated both cell growth and the expression of mRNA for type III collagen in human osteoblast-like MG-63 cells and in normal human osteoblasts, as well as in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, but not the expression of type I collagen in these cells. Epidermal growth factor also stimulated both cell growth and expression of type III collagen mRNA in MG-63 cells. Among MG-63 cell clones, their growth rates correlated significantly with their COL3A1 messenger RNA levels but not with their COL1A1 or COL1A2 messenger RNA levels. Transfection of MG-63 cells with siRNA for COL3A1 but not with that for COL1A1 decreased the growth rates of the transfected cells concomitant with a drop in the level of COL3A1 mRNA. Furthermore, cell proliferation as observed by thymidine incorporation into DNA and cell number was increased when MG-63 cells were cultured on type III collagen-coated dishes. Taken together, our results indicate that type III collagen is the collagen component responsible for the growth stimulation of human osteoblastic cells.     

Changes in polyamines, c-myc and c-fos gene expression in osteoblast-like cells exposed to pulsed electromagnetic fields

Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation promotes the healing of fractures in humans, though its effect is little known. The processes of tissue repair include protein synthesis and cell differentiation. The polyamines (PA) are compounds playing a relevant role in both protein synthesis processes and cell differentiation through c-myc and c-fos gene activation. Since several studies have demonstrated that PEMF acts on embryonic bone cells, human osteoblast-like cells and osteosarcoma TE-85 cell line, in this study we analyzed the effect on cell PAs, proliferation, and c-myc and c-fos gene expression of MG-63 human osteoblast-like cell cultures exposed to a clinically useful PEMF. The cells were grown in medium with 0.5 or 10% fetal calf serum (FCS). c-myc and c-fos gene expressions were determined by RT-PCR. Putrescine (PUT), spermidine (SPD), or spermine (SPM) levels were evaluated by HPLC. [(3)H]-thymidine was added to cultures for DNA analysis. The PEMF increased [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation (P < or = .01), while PUT decreased after treatment (P < or = .01); SPM and SPD were not significantly affected. c-myc was activated after 1 h and downregulated thereafter, while c-fos mRNA levels increased after 0.5 h and then decreased. PUT, SPD, SPM trends, and [(3)H]-thymidine incorporation were significantly related to PEMF treatment. These results indicate that exposure to PEMF exerts biological effects on the intracellular PUT of MG-63 cells and DNA synthesis, influencing the genes encoding c-myc and c-fos gene expression. These observations provide evidence that in vitro PEMF affects the mechanisms involved in cell proliferation and differentiation.     

基于JAK2/STAT3信号通路探讨白藜芦醇对骨肉瘤MG-63细胞凋亡及迁移的影响

摘要 目的：研究白藜芦醇(RES)通过蛋白酪氨酸激酶2/信号转导子与激活子3（JAK2/STAT3）信号通路对人骨肉瘤体外细胞株MG-63细胞凋亡、侵袭和迁移的影响。方法：体外培养MG-63细胞,以不同浓度的RES作用于MG-63细胞。Annexin V-FITC/PI双染流式细胞术检测不同时间和不同浓度的RES对MG-63细胞凋亡的影响。划痕实验和Transwell实验检测不同时间和不同浓度的RES对MG-63细胞侵袭和迁移能力的影响。免疫印迹实验检测不同时间和不同浓度的RES对MG-63细胞磷酸化蛋白酪氨酸激酶2（p-JAK2）、磷酸化信号转导子与激活子3（p-STAT3）、凋亡相关蛋白B淋巴细胞瘤-2（Bcl-2）、Bcl-2家族促凋亡蛋白（Bax）及基质金属蛋白酶（MMP）-2、MMP-9表达的影响。结果：RES浓度越高,时间越久,MG-63细胞凋亡率越高（P<0.05）。RES浓度越高,MG-63细胞迁移和侵袭能力越弱(P<0.05)。RES处理MG-63细胞后其p-JAK2、p-STAT3、Bcl-2以及MMP-2、MMP-9的表达明显降低,而Bax蛋白表达明显升高,且p-JAK2、p-STAT3、Bax、Bcl-2以及MMP-2、MMP-9的表达水平变化具有RES浓度依赖性（P<0.05）。结论：RES可能通过调控JAK2/STAT3信号通路促使人骨肉瘤MG-63细胞凋亡,并抑制MG-63细胞侵袭和迁移。     

Silencing of HMGA1 expression by RNA interference suppresses growth of osteogenic sarcoma

The expression of high mobility group protein A1 (HMGA1) protein has been closely related to various malignant and prognostic degrees of tumor. To investigate the influence of down-regulating HMGA1 on the tumor and the mechanism underlying antitumor of HMGA1, we transfected the HMGA1 shRNA vector into the osteogenic sarcoma MG-63 cell and observed the changes of cell proliferation, invasion abilities, and the tumor growth. HMGA1 gene expression could be efficiently inhibited, and cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and matrix metalloprotease level were also decreased. BALB/C nude mice injected with the MG-63 cells transfected HMGA1 shRNA showed the significant lower tumor weight, tumor volume, and longer tumor-forming time compared with the control group. Our results suggest that knockdown of HMGA1 could inhibit growth and metastasis potentials of MG-63 cells, which may be a therapeutic target protein for osteogenic sarcoma and may be of biological importance.     

Simvastatin and atorvastatin enhance gene expression of collagen type 1 and osteocalcin in primary human osteoblasts and MG-63 cultures

To clarify the mechanism of the stimulatory effect of statins on bone formation, we have assessed the effect of simvastatin and atorvastatin on osteoblast activity by analysing cell proliferation, as well as collagen, osteocalcin, and bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP2) gene expression in primary human osteoblast (hOB) and MG-63 cell line cultures. Explants of bone from patients without any metabolic disease under orthopedic hip procedures were used to obtain hOB. Cell cultures were established, synchronized, and different concentrations of simvastatin or atorvastatin were added (10(-9) M, 10(-8) M, 10(-7) M, 10(-6) M) during the experiment. Cell proliferation was analyzed after 24 h. Collagen polypeptide alpha1 type 1 (COL1A1) gene expression, osteocalcin, and BMP2 expression levels were quantified by real-time PCR after 24 h incubation with statins. There was a statistically significant decrease in cell proliferation related to simvastatin or atorvastatin addition at all concentrations in primary hOB compared with those not treated. A significant increase in COL1A1, osteocalcin, and BMP2 gene expression was detected when hOB cultures were treated with simvastatin or atorvastatin at different concentrations. Similar but less significant effects were found on MG-63 cells. After statin treatment we observed both an arrest of proliferation in hOB cells and an increase in collagen, osteocalcin, and BMP2 gene expression, consistent with a stimulatory effect towards mature osteoblast differentiation. These findings support the bone-forming effect of statins, probably through the BMP2 pathway.     

Mechanosensitivity of human osteosarcoma cells and phospholipase C beta2 expression

Bone adapts to mechanical load by osteosynthesis, suggesting that osteoblasts might respond to mechanical stimuli. We therefore investigated cell proliferation and phospholipase C (PLC) expression in osteoblasts. One Hertz uniaxial stretching at 4000 microstrains significantly increased the proliferation rates of human osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line MG-63 and primary human osteoblasts. However, U-2/OS, SaOS-2, OST, and MNNG/HOS cells showed no significant changes in proliferation rate. We investigated the expression pattern of different isoforms of PLC in these cell lines. We were able to detect PLC beta1, beta3, gamma1, gamma2, and delta1 in all cells, but PLC beta2 was only detectable in the mechanosensitive cells. We therefore investigated the possible role of PLC beta2 in mechanotransduction. Inducible antisense expression for 24h inhibited the translation of PLC beta1 in U-2/OS cells by 35% and PLC beta2 in MG-63 by 29%. Fluid shear flow experiments with MG-63 lacking PLC beta2 revealed a significantly higher level of cells losing attachment to coverslips and a significantly lower number of cells increasing intracellular free calcium.     

Expression,purification, and refolding of a recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 in vitro

In this work, the recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) gene was cloned from MG-63 cells by RT-PCR, and the protein was expressed in Escherichia coli expression system, purified by Ni–NTA column under denaturing conditions and refolded at 4 °C by urea gradient dialysis. We found that the protein refolding yield was increased with the increase of pH value from pH 6.0 to pH 9.0. The yield was 42% and 96% at pH 7.4 and pH 9.0, respectively, while that at pH 6.0 was only 3.4%. The cell culture results showed that the rhBMP-2 refolded at pH 7.4 urea gradient dialysis had higher biological activity for MG-63 cell proliferation and differentiation than that refolded at pH 9.0 since pH 7.4 is closer to the conditions in vivo leading to the formation of dimers through the interchain disulfide bond. Moreover, the biological activity for MG-63 was promoted with the increase of rhBMP-2 concentration in the cell culture medium. This work may be important for the in vitro production and biomedical application of rhBMP-2 protein.     

Ginsenoside Rb1 promotes adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 cells by enhancing PPARgamma2 and C/EBPalpha gene expression

Evidence has accumulated that ginseng and its main active constituents, ginsenosides, possess anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitizing properties which may be partly realized by regulating adipocyte development and functions. In the present study, we explored the effect of ginsenoside Rb(1), the most abundant ginsenoside in ginseng root, on adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells. We found that with standard differentiation inducers, ginsenoside Rb(1) facilitated adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes in a dose-dependent manner; 10 microM Rb(1) increased lipid accumulation by about 56%. Treatment of differentiating adipocytes with 10 microM Rb(1) increased the expression of mRNA and protein of PPARgamma(2) and C/EBPalpha, as well as mRNA of ap2, one of their target genes. After the treatment of differentiating adipocytes with Rb(1), basal and insulin-mediated glucose uptake was significantly augmented, accompanied by the up-regulation of mRNA and protein level of GLUT4, but not of GLUT1. In addition, ginsenoside Rb(1) also inhibited the proliferation of preconfluent 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Our data indicate that anti-diabetic and insulin-sensitizing activities of ginsenosides, at least in part, are involved in the enhancing effect on PPARgamma2 and C/EBPalpha expression, hence promoting adipogenesis.