Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor exhibits hypocalcemic effects in normal mice and in hypercalcemic nude mice carrying tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy

Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) is a novel secreted protein that inhibits osteoclastogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we examined the effects of OCIF on serum calcium (Ca) concentrations in normal mice and in hypercalcemic nude mice carrying tumors associated with humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy. In normal mice, a single intraperitoneal injection of OCIF reduced serum Ca levels in a dose-dependent manner. Significant decrease in serum Ca (by 1.6 ± 0.3 mg/dL, n = 5) was observed 2 h after the injection of OCIF at 20 mg/kg and the hypocalcemic effect continued for up to 12 h. Serum phosphate (Pi) concentrations also decreased in response to OCIF. Urinary excretion of Ca, Pi, and creatinine did not change significantly after injection of OCIF or vehicle. In hypercalcemic, tumor-bearing nude mice, a single intraperitoneal injection of OCIF at 20 mg/kg resulted in a dramatic decrease in serum Ca (maximal decrease 2.8 ± 0.37 mg/dL, n = 11), which continued for up to 24 h. The results suggest that OCIF decreased serum Ca through its inhibitory effect on bone resorption. Furthermore, it is suggested that OCIF has therapeutic potential for the treatment of hypercalcemic conditions such as malignancy-associated hypercalcemia.     

Electron microscopy of developing calvaria reveals images that suggest that osteoclasts engulf and destroy osteocytes during bone resorption

Summary It is generally accepted that osteoclasts are responsible for the breakdown and removal of bone matrix constituents. However, very little is known about the fate of osteocytes during bone resorption. In the present study we have examined sites of bone destruction in calvaria of young rats aged 4–9 days in the hope of obtaining information on the fate of osteocytes. Decalcified glutaraldehyde-formaldehyde-fixed specimens were prepared for ultrathin section electron microscopy. When sequentially arranged, the images obtained suggest that osteoclasts engulf and destroy osteocytes during bone degradation. We propose that the following sequence of events takes place when a lacuna is opened up by an osteoclast: (1) When the osteoclast comes in contact with an osteocyte, the villi of the ruffled border become flat and broad. (2) Long osteoclastic extensions surround the osteocyte. (3) The osteocyte is subsequently internalized with apparent degradation.     

促甲状腺素及其受体与骨质疏松关系的研究进展

骨质疏松症(OP)是严重威胁老年人身心健康的常见疾病。随着人口老年化,老年性骨质疏松症发病率逐年增加。近年来内分泌性骨质疏松日见增多,促甲状腺激素(TSH)及促甲状腺激素受体(TSHR)与骨量减少、骨质疏松的关系倍受关注。成骨细胞和破骨细胞上的促甲状腺激素受体的作用是造成这一作用的关键。而此过程还会受到2型碘化甲腺氨酸脱碘酶、肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)等的影响。同时促甲状腺激素受体存在基因多态性,对其功能存在不同程度的影响,也可能是造成骨质疏松的重要原因。通过对这个领域的深入研究为内分泌性骨质疏松的防治提供依据。     

Flurbiprofen-induced stimulation of periosteal bone formation and inhibition of bone resorption in older rats

The skeletal effects of flurbiprofen (Fb), a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, was studied by histomorphometry in 9-month-old retired female breeder, Sprague-Dawley rats. Flurbiprofen was given subcutaneously at 0, 0.2, 0.1, 0.5, 2.5, or 5 mg/kg/d for 21 days. Flurbiprofen had no effect on longitudinal growth, but stimulated radial growth (+200%) over controls. In the tibial shaft, Fb stimulated the mineral apposition rate (+25%), mineral bone formation rate (+100%), and periosteal labeling length (+64%) at the 2.5 and 5.0 mg Fb/kg dose levels, and had no effect on marrow cavity size compared to controls. However, these changes were insufficient to increase cortical bone mass. In the proximal tibial metaphysis, Fb suppressed osteoclasts/mm² of metaphyseal tissue (-47%), osteoclasts/mm of bone surface (-46%), and the osteoclast/osteoblast ratio (-50%), increased the calcified cartilage core population (+100%), and had no effect on osteoblast numbers at all dose levels. There was an insignificant increase in metaphyseal cancellous bone mass. The current study leads to the conclusion that flurbiprofen-stimulated periosteal bone growth was due to direct stimulation of osteoblast recruitment and activity independent of longitudinal bone growth. Further, it confirms early findings in young rats that flurbiprofen induced depressed bone resorption without lowering bone formation. However, because of insufficient treatment time, the older rat did not accumulate bone as the young rats did.     

The effects of high dose of parathyroid hormone on fetal osteoclasts and their precursors in vivo: An ultrastructural-cytochemical study

Background: It is not well known how the immediate precursors of osteoclast develop into osteoclasts in the fetus. This ultrastructural-cytochemical study was designed to clarify the formation process of the osteoclasts and their increased activities in the fetal mouse limb buds after administration of high dose parathyroid hormone (PTH). Methods: Twenty-four or forty-eight hours after the high doses of PTH were injected into amniotic fluid of the pregnant C₃H mice, the femoral limb buds of embryos were dissected out. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) reactions were performed while preparing specimens for electron microscopy. Results: Both control and PTH-given preosteoclasts and osteoclasts exhibited TRAP-positivities in dense bodies and vesicles. As effects of PTH, a binucleated preosteoclast of tandem fashion was observed. More osteoclastic hyperactivities were observed in the diaphyseal bone marrow. An osteoclast with a large cytoplasm exhibited two sets of clear zones and ruffled borders. Some osteoclasts demonstrated prominent amoeboid figures, while other osteoclasts developed large cytoplasmic vacuoles, which contained pieces of calcified chondroid bars. Conclusions: Our results revealed the progression of maturation from young preosteoclasts to osteoclasts. An existence of a peculiar binucleated preosteoclasts suggested one of the processes for multinucleation of the osteoclast. Quite remarkable osteoclastic hyperactivities were obviously the effects of high dose PTH. Our results also indicated the endophagocytic ability of the osteoclast. How PTH affected the osteoclasts and their precursors in the diaphyseal bone marrow can be speculated. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Osteoclasts contain macrophage and megakaryocyte antigens

The origin and mechanism of formation of the osteoclast remains controversial. Although it is known to be derived from a circulating mononuclear percursor, the identity of this cell is unknown. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies raised against macrophage and other marrow-derived cells, we determined the immunocytochemical staining of human osteoclasts in both fetal bone metaphyseal imprints and frozen sections. Osteoclasts and marrow mononuclear cells were stained by three broad spectrum antimacrophage antibodies, EBM-11, Y182a and BM2. T310, an antibody which stains macrophages and T helper cells, and C17, an antimegakaryocyte antibody, also stained osteoclasts. EBM-11, Y182a and BM2 also stained megakaryocytes in bone imprints as well as normal bone marrow smears. The presence of macrophage-associated antigens in osteoclasts, megakaryocytes and bone marrow mononuclear cells indicates that they are phenotypically similar to macrophages.     

白细胞介素1刺激破骨细胞性骨吸收作用的实验研究

目的：了解白细胞介素1β（IL－1β）在破骨细胞性骨吸收中的刺激作用及其相应的作用机制。方法：分别将新生大鼠破骨细胞单独以及和成骨细胞联合接种于预置象牙片的培养板中。24h后培养液中加入不同浓度的IL－1β。继续培养48h,然后取出象牙片,超声处理后行甲苯胺蓝染色,光镜下观察骨吸收陷窝的数目并计算其部面积。结果：IL－1β能够明显增加坡骨细胞和成骨细胞联合培养组象牙片上吸收陷窝的数目和面前,且刺激作用呈剂量依赖性,但对单独培养的破骨细胞无明显刺激作用。结论：IL－1β的刺激骨吸收作用由成骨细胞所介导,而非直接作用于破骨细胞。     

雷公藤甲素通过抑制破骨细胞生成预防骨丢失的研究

目的 探讨雷公藤甲素抗骨质疏松的作用及机制。方法 建立大鼠老年性骨质疏松模型。40只22月龄雄性SD大鼠随机分为雷公藤甲素（每天15μg/kg腹腔注射）治疗组和生理盐水对照组（每天15μg/kg腹腔注射）,连续8周。采用显微CT分析胫骨近端骨松质的骨密度(BMD)和骨显微结构。WB检测成骨相关蛋白表达水平。TRACP-5b染色法测定破骨细胞数,同时检测骨吸收标志物表达水平。结果 显微CT结果显示,雷公藤甲素治疗组大鼠骨密度、骨体积/总体积比值(Bv/Tv)、骨小梁厚度(Tb.Th)、骨小梁数目(Tb.N)、骨小梁间距(Tb.Sp)均显著高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组的成骨相关蛋白表达水平无明显差异,TRACP-5b染色显示雷公藤甲素减少了体内破骨细胞的数量（P<0.05）,同时血液骨吸收标志物水平也明显降低（P<0.05）。结论 雷公藤甲素通过抑制破骨细胞生成进而对老年性骨质疏松有保护作用。雷公藤甲素可能是治疗老年性骨质疏松症的一种可行方案。     

Etidronate (EHDP) Inhibits Osteoclastic-Bone Resorption, Promotes Apoptosis and Disrupts Actin Rings in Isolate-Mature Osteoclasts

Bisphosphonates, therapeutic reagents against tumoral bone diseases (Paget's disease or osteoporosis), are potent inhibitors of bone resorption. The mechanisms by which they directly act on mature osteoclasts remain unclear. Using a recently developed technique for isolation of highly purified mammalian mature osteoclasts, we demonstrated that etidronate [ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate (EHDP), 1-hydroxy-1,1-ethylidenebisphosphonate], inhibited directly osteoclastic bone-resorbing activity by pit assay. In addition, EHDP also directly induced apoptosis and disrupted actin rings in osteoclasts. The data support previous data on non-purified osteoclasts and results in vivo. Received: 26 June 1997 / Accepted: 27 July 1998