Effect of sodium vanadate on deoxyribonucleic acid and protein syntheses in cultured rat calvariae

Sodium vanadate, an agent known to have multiple cellular actions, was studied for its effects on aspects of bone formation in cultures of 21-day-old fetal rat calvariae. Vanadate (0.1-10 microM) stimulated the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into acid-insoluble residues (DNA); the effect appeared after 3 h and was sustained for 96 h. Vanadate increased the bone DNA content and mitotic index. Treatment with vanadate at 10 microM for 24 h or at 0.3-1 microM for 96 h increased the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP), but the effect was not specific for collagen; vanadate also increased the labeling of noncollagen protein (NCP). Vanadate increased the incorporation of [3H]proline into type I collagen without affecting other collagen types. Vanadate (100 microM) caused a marked and irreversible inhibitory effect on the labeling of DNA, CDP, and NCP. Treatment with vanadate at multiple doses for 3-96 h did not stimulate alkaline phosphatase activity, but this enzyme was inhibited in bones exposed to 1 mM vanadate for 24 h or 10 microM vanadate for 96 h. The stimulatory effect on DNA labeling was primarily observed in the periosteum, while that on CDP labeling was seen only in the periosteum-free bone. These studies indicate that sodium vanadate stimulates bone DNA, collagen, and NCP syntheses in vitro, although high doses of vanadate have an irreversible inhibitory effect.     

Differential effects of continuous and transient treatment with parathyroid hormone related peptide (PTHrp) on bone collagen synthesis

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTHrp), a polypeptide synthesized by tumors associated with hypercalcemia and known to cause bone resorption, was examined for its effects on bone formation in cultures of 21-day fetal rat calvariae. Continuous treatment with PTHrp for 24-72 h stimulated DNA synthesis, but inhibited [3H] proline incorporation into collagen by about 50%. In contrast, transient exposure to PTHrp at 0.1-1.0 nM for 24 h followed by removal of the factor for 48 h caused an increase in [3H]proline incorporation into collagen and noncollagen protein by 2- and 1.6-fold, respectively. The stimulatory effect was seen in the periosteum-free bone, and was decreased, but not prevented by hydroxyurea. PTHrp at 1-10 nM for 24 h increased medium insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I levels by 2.5-4.4-fold, and the effect was sustained 48 h after the removal of the agent. An IGF I neutralizing antibody prevented the stimulatory effect of PTHrp on bone collagen synthesis. PTH had the same stimulatory effects as those of PTHrp on bone collagen synthesis and IGF I concentrations, although slightly lower doses were needed to observe the enhancement of [3H]proline incorporation into collagen. It is concluded that continuous treatment with PTHrp inhibits, whereas transient treatment stimulates, collagen synthesis; the stimulatory effect appears mediated by an enhancement in the local production of IGF I.     

Effect of hormones and growth factors on alkaline phosphatase activity and collagen synthesis in cultured rat calvariae

Studies on the direct effects of hormones and growth factors on bone alkaline phosphatase have been limited to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] and have not been compared to other parameters of bone formation. Insulin, PTH, 1,25(OH)2D3, epidermal and fibroblast growth factors (EGF, FGF) were examined for their effects on alkaline phosphatase activity and type I, [alpha 1 (I)]2 alpha 2, collagen synthesis in cultures of 21-day fetal rat calvariae. After 24 hr and 96 hr of treatment, insulin increased whereas PTH, 1,25(OH)2D3, EGF and FGF inhibited calvarial alkaline phosphatase activity and the incorporation of 3H-proline into collagenase-digestible protein and type I collagen. The agents tested did not affect the release of alkaline phosphatase into the culture medium. Although type I collagen was the only collagen detected, a small amount of another collagen might have been also synthesized. The hormonal effects on alkaline phosphatase activity and type I collagen synthesis were of greater magnitude after 96 hr than after 24 hr of continuous exposure to the agents tested and the two parameters correlated well (r = 0.88 after 96 hr and r = 0.97 after 24 hr of treatment. These studies indicate that insulin increases bone alkaline phosphatase activity and type I collagen synthesis in calvariae whereas PTH, 1,25(OH)2D3, EGF and FGF have an inhibitory effect. The results suggest that these agents affect osteoblastic function.     

Inhibitory effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma on deoxyribonucleic acid and collagen synthesis by rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8)

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha) and interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) have potent effects on bone resorption and collagen synthesis in cultured rat long bones. Since the effects of TNF alpha and IFN gamma may result from interaction with multiple cell types, we studied the effects of these cytokines on the synthesis of DNA and collagen in one cell type with osteoblast phenotype, cloned rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8). Recombinant human TNF alpha did not affect DNA synthesis after 48 h with concentrations of 10(-11)-10(-8) M and inhibited DNA synthesis slightly at 10(-6) M. Recombinant rat IFN gamma (5-500 U/ml) caused a dose-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis. Coincubation with TNF alpha and IFN gamma inhibited DNA synthesis more than maximal doses of either cytokine alone. This enhanced inhibitory effect was due to the induction of a response to TNF alpha by IFN gamma, since preexposure of cells to IFN gamma for 24 h, followed by incubation with TNF alpha alone for an additional 48 h, also resulted in increased inhibition of DNA synthesis. Preexposure to TNF alpha for 24 h, followed by IFN gamma alone, did not increase the inhibition of DNA synthesis. Incubation with either IFN gamma (5-500 U/ml) or TNF alpha (10(-10)-10(-6) M) inhibited the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagen. Coincubation with intermediate concentrations of both cytokines resulted in an inhibitory effect greater than that produced by maximal concentrations of either alone. The results indicate that 1) IFN gamma and TNF alpha have direct actions on osteoblast-like cells in vitro; 2) IFN gamma modulates the DNA response to TNF alpha; and 3) the greater responses to combined cytokines than to high doses of either alone suggest that these cytokines act, at least in part, through different pathways.     

Interleukin-1 has independent effects on deoxyribonucleic acid and collagen synthesis in cultures of rat calvariae

Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a monokine known to be important in host defense mechanisms and recently reported to stimulate bone resorption, was studied for its effects on bone formation in cultures of 21-day-old fetal rat calvariae. IL-1 at 0.1-5 U/ml stimulated the incorporation of [3H] thymidine into acid-insoluble residues (DNA) by 29-123% in calvariae treated for 24-96 h. IL-1 also increased the bone DNA content and the number of mitoses after colcemid arrest. IL-1 stimulated total protein synthesis. Treatment with IL-1 at 0.01-1 U/ml for 24 h caused a small increase in the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP) and non-collagen protein (NCP). However, higher doses of IL-1 (5 U/ml) or longer exposure to the agent (1 U/ml for 96 h) inhibited the labeling of CDP but not of NCP. IL-1 affected only type I collagen. The stimulatory effects of IL-1 on DNA, CDP, and NCP labeling were independent, since they were observed at different doses, and hydroxyurea abolished the effect on DNA without changing that on CDP and NCP labeling. Indomethacin blocked the stimulatory effect on CDP and NCP labeling, suggesting a prostaglandin-mediated effect, but did not change the IL-1 effect on DNA synthesis. These studies indicate that IL-1 stimulates calvarial DNA, collagen, and NCP synthesis, but exposure of the calvariae to high IL-1 doses or to IL-1 for prolonged periods of time results in an inhibition of collagen synthesis.     

Hormonal control of bone collagen synthesis in vitro. Effects of insulin and glucagon.

The direct effects of porcine insulin and glucagon on bone collagen and non-collagen protein synthesis have been examined in cultures of calvaria obtained from 21-day fetal rats. Bones were incubated for 24 to 96 h and [3H]proline was added for the last 2 h of culture. Incorporation of the label into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP) and noncollagen protein (NCP) was determined using purified bacterial collagenase. Insulin increased the labeling of CDP by 60 to 115% at concentrations of 10(-9) to 10(-6) M. A smaller stimulatory effect was observed on NCP. The effect on CDP appeared after 12 to 24 h of culture, was maintained for 96 h in the continuous presence of the hormone, but was lost within 3 h of removal of insulin from the culture medium. Insulin appeared to have a direct effect on collagen synthesis and not on collagen breakdown. Insulin did not affect the incorporation of [3H]uridine or [3H]thymidine into the RNA and DNA fractions of bone at 24 h. Insulin opposed the inhibitory effects of parathyroid hormone and dibutyryl cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate and to a lesser extent, the inhibitory effect of isobutylmethylxanthine on the labeling of CDP. Glucagon did not affect the response to insulin and by itself had small and variable inhibitory effects on proline incorporation.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibits collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity independently of its effect on deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in osteoblast-enriched bone cell cultures

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), a product of activated monocytes, induces tissue wasting in certain solid tumors in vivo and in in vitro model systems. Recent studies indicate that TNF alpha also regulates cell replication and expression of differentiated function in a variety of nonneoplastic cell systems. Since monocyte products could accumulate in bone with trauma, inflammation, or other disease states, bone cell activity might be altered by the presence of these pathophysiological molecules. Using cells obtained by sequential enzyme release from fetal rat parietal bone, we find that TNF alpha has acute stimulatory and inhibitory effects on bone cell macromolecular synthesis. Within 24 h of exposure, recombinant human TNF alpha at 0.3-100 nM progressively increases the rate of DNA synthesis in osteoblast-enriched cell cultures up to 3- to 4-fold, and 3-100 nM TNF alpha reduces collagen production and alkaline phosphatase activity by 20-30%. These decreases are not altered by 1 mM hydroxyurea, which blocks the mitogenic effect of TNF alpha by 85-90%. In addition, hydroxyproline levels in the culture medium do not increase relative to the control value after TNF alpha treatment, suggesting that decreased collagen production results from less synthesis rather than increased collagen degradation. Hybridization studies with cDNA encoding the alpha 1-chain of rat type I collagen show that TNF alpha increases type I collagen mRNA to an extent similar to its effect on cell replication. Therefore, TNF alpha appears to inhibit collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity in osteoblast-enriched cell cultures by mechanisms that are not related to its effects on cell replication.     

Aging of FRTL-5 rat thyroid cells causes sensitivity to cytotoxicity induced by tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

While investigating the modulation of the growth and function of the FRTL-5 rat thyroid cell line by recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), we noticed that pronounced changes in several response parameters occurred with increasing passage number. For young cells (passage less than 20), TNF alpha by itself slightly increased [3H]thymidine incorporation and DNA content, and had a minimal effect on basal 125I uptake. When combined with TSH, TNF alpha had no influence on TSH-stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation, but significantly inhibited TSH-stimulated 125I uptake. Compared with young cells, aged cells (passage greater than 40), in contrast, developed a high sensitivity to TNF alpha. TNF alpha markedly stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA, inhibited TSH-stimulated 125I uptake per micrograms DNA, but dramatically decreased the total DNA content and cell number. TSH augmented the TNF alpha effect in aged cells, resulting in a further reduction of DNA content. Aphidicolin, a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase-alpha which is associated with DNA replication, dramatically inhibited TNF alpha-induced [3H]thymidine incorporation in both young and aged cells; this suggested that the effect of TNF alpha on FRTL-5 cell growth is related to DNA replication, rather than DNA repair. 51Cr release from FRTL-5 cells, a measure of cytotoxicity, increased 2-fold over baseline in aged cells at a dose of 400 ng/ml TNF alpha and decreased to 70% of baseline in young cells at this same dose. The protein kinase-A (PKA) and protein kinase-C (PKC) signal transduction mechanisms of TNF alpha in aged cells (passage greater than 40) were also studied. TNF alpha increased cAMP and also increased relative PKA and PKC activity in 1-40 min. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), an activator of PKC, increased [3H]thymidine incorporation and DNA content. PMA did not affect the TNF alpha-induced increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation or its reduction of DNA content. When the cells were pretreated with a high concentration of PMA (1 microM/24 h) to down-regulate PKC, the TNF alpha dose-dependent increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation and decrease in DNA content were only slightly inhibited, suggesting that the main effects of TNF alpha are independent of PKC. We conclude that the sensitivity of FRTL-5 cells to the cytotoxic effect of TNF alpha increases with aging.     

Effects of the calcium antagonist verapamil on in vitro synthesis of skeletal collagen and noncollagen protein.

Effects of the calcium antagonist verapamil on the synthesis of fetal rat bone collagen and noncollagen protein were investigated in tissue culture. Protein synthesis was quantitated by measuring the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible (CDP) and noncollagen protein (NCP) using bacterial collagenase; [3H]proline was added for the last 2 h of culture. Verapamil (10(-5)--10(-4) M) decreased the incorporation of label into CDP and NCP after 24 h of culture; CDP formation was inhibited to a greater extent than NCP. The inhibitory response was observed in the presence and absence of unlabeled medium proline and was not associated with changes in trichloroacetic acid-extractable radioactivity. Increasing medium calcium from 1.0 to 5.0 mM did not affect the response to 10(-4) M verapamil, whereas 3.0 mM calcium abolished the response to 10(-5) M verapamil. The inhibitory effect was reversed by 48 h of control treatment subsequent to 24-h treatment with the antagonist. Verapamil did not decrease the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA or [3H]uridine into RNA, nor was there any effect of the antagonist on the DNA content of cultured bones. The prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin did not affect the response to verapamil. We conclude that a critical concentration of intracellular calcium is necessary for normal synthesis of skeletal protein in tissue culture, and that collagen may be more sensitive to changes in intracellular calcium than NCP. In addition, other ions (e.g. sodium and potassium) may also be involved in the control of skeletal protein synthesis.     

Parathyroid hormone-related protein modulates the effect of transforming growth factor-beta on deoxyribonucleic acid and collagen synthesis in fetal rat bone cells

Proteins with biochemical function and sequence similarity to PTH are produced by many tumors associated with hypercalcemia and may have a role in pathological bone remodeling. Synthetic polypeptides comprising the amino-terminus of human PTH-related protein (PTH-rp) were examined for effects in intact fetal rat calvariae, and in osteoblast-enriched (ob) cultures isolated from fetal rat parietal bone. In cultured calvariae, 0.5-5 nM PTH-rp stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation into DNA by 25-70% after 24 h of treatment and decreased relative [3H]proline incorporation into collagen by 50%; the inhibitory effect on collagen production was not altered by hydroxyurea, which decreased DNA synthesis by 85%. PTH-rp also increased [3H]hydroxyproline levels by 100% in culture medium from bones prelabeled with [3H]proline, indicating accelerated matrix turnover. In contrast to results in intact calvariae, PTH-rp had little effect on basal DNA and collagen synthesis in serum-deprived ob cultures. However, when ob cultures were treated with transforming growth factor type beta at concentrations similar to those found in calvarial culture medium, 0.02-2 nM PTH-rp enhanced DNA synthesis and decreased collagen production. Furthermore, equimolar PTH-rp and PTH concentrations similarly displaced 125I-PTH-rp binding and enhanced cAMP synthesis in ob cultures. These studies suggest that PTH-rp regulates osteoblastic cell activity primarily through PTH-related pathways and may act in part by modulating the effects of locally produced transforming growth factor-beta in bone.     

Effects of desamino-(1-3)-insulin-like growth factor I on bone cell function in rat calvarial cultures.

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I, a polypeptide synthesized by skeletal cells, and its amino terminus truncated derivative desamino-(1-3)-IGF I (des-IGF I) were compared for their effects on bone formation in vitro. Des-IGF I and IGF I were studied for their effects on DNA and collagen synthesis in cultures of intact fetal rat calvariae and of osteoblast-enriched (Ob) cells from fetal rat parietal bone, and for their ability to bind to IGF receptors in Ob cells and to IGF binding proteins (IGF-BPs) from calvariae. Des-IGF I and IGF I increased [3H] thymidine incorporation into DNA, [3H]proline incorporation into collagen and noncollagen protein, and the mitotic index in intact calvariae. Both factors had similar actions in calvariae. Des-IGF I stimulated all parameters studied at 1 nM, and IGF I was effective on the labeling of DNA at 1 nM, but concentrations of 10 nM were required to observe changes in collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis and in the mitotic index. The effect of des-IGF I on collagen synthesis was independent from that on DNA synthesis, as it is known for IGF I, and both forms of IGF I were equally potent for their inhibitory effects on collagen degradation in calvarial cultures. In Ob cells, neither des-IGF I nor IGF I altered the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into DNA, but both factors at 10-100 nM increased [3H]proline incorporation into collagen to a similar extent. Receptor studies revealed a similar binding capacity for des-IGF I and IGF I to the IGF I receptor(s) in Ob cells, although at 0.2 nM des-IGF I was slightly more effective than IGF I. In contrast, des-IGF I was 100-fold less effective than IGF I for its ability to bind to partially purified IGF-BPs from cultured calvariae. In conclusion, des-IGF I enhances calvarial DNA and collagen synthesis and osteoblastic collagen synthesis to a somewhat greater extent than IGF I, in spite of a much lesser affinity for IGF-BPs.     

Insulin-like growth factor I has independent effects on bone matrix formation and cell replication

The effects of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and insulin on bone matrix synthesis and bone cell replication were studied in cultured 21-day-old fetal rat calvariae. Histomorphometry techniques were developed to measure the incorporation of [2,3-3H]proline and [methyl-3H]thymidine into bone matrix and bone cell nuclei, respectively, using autoradiographs of sagittal sections of calvariae cultured with IGF-I, insulin, or vehicle for up to 96 h. To confirm an effect on bone formation, IGF-I was also studied for its effects on [3H]proline incorporation into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP) and noncollagen protein and on [3H]thymidine incorporation into acid-precipitable material (DNA). IGF-I at 10(-9)-10(-7) M significantly increased the rate of bone matrix apposition and CDP after 24 h by 45-50% and increased cell labeling by 8-fold in the osteoprogenitor cell zone, by 4-fold in the osteoblast cell zone, and by 2-fold in the periosteal fibroblast zone. Insulin at 10(-9)-10(-6) M also increased matrix apposition rate and CDP by 40-50%, but increased cell labeling by 2-fold only at a concentration of 10(-7) M or higher and then only in the osteoprogenitor cell zone. When hydroxyurea was added to IGF-I-treated bones, the effects of IGF-I on DNA synthesis were abolished, but the increase in bone matrix apposition induced by IGF-I was only partly diminished. In conclusion, IGF-I stimulates matrix synthesis in calvariae, an effect that is partly, although not completely, dependent on its stimulatory effect on DNA synthesis.     

Cortisol modulates the actions of interleukin-1 alpha on bone formation, resorption, and prostaglandin production in cultured mouse parietal bones

Previous studies have shown that both interleukin-1 (IL-1) and glucocorticoids inhibit collagen synthesis in bone organ and cell cultures. In this study we examined their interactions in cultured neonatal mouse parietal bones. IL-1 alpha stimulated [3H]thymidine incorporation. Cortisol decreased thymidine incorporation, but did not block the effect of IL-1. Both cortisol and IL-1 alpha decreased the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible protein (CDP) and reduced alpha 1(I)procollagen mRNA levels at 72 h. Noncollagen protein (NCP) labeling was increased by IL-1 and decreased by cortisol. In the presence of cortisol, IL-1 alpha (6 pM) increased CDP as well as NCP labeling. The increase in CDP labeling was paralleled by an increase in alpha 1(I)procollagen mRNA, suggesting a pretranslational site for the cortisol-IL-1 alpha interaction. In the same bones, cortisol consistently blocked IL-1 alpha-stimulated 45Ca release and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. The ability of IL-1 alpha to increase CDP in the presence of cortisol was the same in the presence or absence of indomethacin, an inhibitor of PGE2 synthesis, or aphidicholin (30 microM), an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, indicating that the reversal was neither PG mediated nor dependent on cell proliferation. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that IL-1 inhibits collagen, but not NCP or DNA, synthesis and that cortisol inhibits IL-1 alpha-induced bone resorption and PGE2 production and reverses its inhibitory effect on collagen synthesis in cultured neonatal mouse calvariae.     

Effects of various cytokines on collagen synthesis by normal rat hepatocytes in primary cultures and fibroblasts

Collagen formation is an important function of liver parenchymal and nonparenchymal cells that may be relevant to the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis. In the present study, the effect of various kinds of cytokines and prednisolone on collagen synthesis by hepatocytes obtained from perfused rat livers and confluent human skin fibroblasts were investigated. The cells were cultured in serum-free medium for 24 h with [3H]proline and various additives. The amounts of collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis were calculated from the incorporation of [3H]proline into collagen-sensitive and collagen-resistant proteins. The additions of interleukin 1 alpha, interleukin 1 beta and transforming growth factor alpha enhanced both collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis by hepatocytes as well as by fibroblasts. Transforming growth factor beta also increased both collagen and noncollagen protein synthesis by fibroblasts while it selectively inhibited collagen synthesis by hepatocytes. Interferon preparations and prednisolone showed a selective suppression of collagen synthesis by both cells, indicating that these additives did not affect either cell viability or proliferation during the observed period. These results suggest that collagen synthesis by liver parenchymal cells is either positively or negatively modulated by various kinds of cytokines and hormone.     

Effect of hypoxia on the synthesis of glycosaminoglycans and collagen by rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells in culture

This study evaluated the effect of hypoxia on the connective tissue metabolism of rabbit aortic smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in culture. When the oxygen saturation of the incubation medium was lowered from 20% to 2-3%, synthesis of sulphated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and hyaluronic acid, as determined from the incorporation of [3H]glucosamine, was stimulated. However, this occurred only after 24 h preincubation of the SMCs in hypoxia. The collagen synthesis of the cells was determined from the incorporation of [3H]proline into protein hydroxyproline and calculated in mass units from the specific intracellular precursor radioactivity. The total protein synthesis was similarly determined from the incorporation of [3H]proline into protein-bound proline. Hypoxia decreased the collagen synthesis, but did not affect the total protein synthesis of the cells. When compared with the control cultures the cell protein of the SMC cultures kept in hypoxia, decreased on the first day in hypoxia whereafter it increased. These results may explain the mechanisms by which hypoxia affects the connective tissue metabolism of the arterial wall in vivo.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha inhibits 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-stimulated bone Gla protein synthesis in rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8) by a pretranslational mechanism

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF alpha), a 17,000 mol wt protein, mediates a variety of immunological and inflammatory events. TNF alpha is a potent inhibitor of bone collagen synthesis and stimulator of osteoclastic bone resorption, the net effect of which is to cause bone loss. We have previously reported that TNF alpha inhibits the synthesis of collagen by osteoblastic cells in culture out of proportion to effects on total protein synthesis, suggesting that inhibition of bone formation by TNF alpha may be due to selective inhibition of matrix protein synthesis. To further test this hypothesis and to evaluate the mechanism of TNF alpha action, we studied the effect of TNF alpha on synthesis of the osteoblast-specific bone Gla protein (BGP) by ROS 17/2.8 cells, which have the osteoblast phenotype. Cells were cultured with 10 nM 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to stimulate BGP secretion, followed by the addition of TNF alpha (1-100 ng/ml) in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-containing medium. TNF alpha (10 ng/ml) inhibited BGP secretion to 42 +/- 5%, 19 +/- 10%, and 15 +/- 3% of control values after 24, 48, and 72 h of treatment. After 48 h, inhibition of BGP secretion was observed with 2 ng/ml TNF alpha and was maximum with 100 ng/ml. To determine the effect of TNF alpha on total protein synthesis, cells were pulse labeled with [14C]leucine during the last 4 h of TNF alpha treatment, and incorporation of radioactivity into trichloroacetic acid-precipitable protein in cell layer and medium was determined. The TNF alpha inhibition of BGP secretion was independent of changes in [14C]leucine incorporation, suggesting that TNF alpha did not have a general inhibitory effect on total protein synthesis. Cell number was not affected by TNF alpha. Northern analysis of steady state BGP mRNA revealed a dose-dependent decrease in the BGP/cyclophilin mRNA hybridization signal intensity after 24 h of treatment. The maximum inhibitory effect was 41 +/- 5% of the control value with 100 ng/ml TNF alpha. The effect of TNF alpha on steady state BGP mRNA levels was not prevented by treatment of cells with cycloheximide, suggesting that TNF-induced new protein synthesis was not required for TNF alpha action. These results suggest that the mechanism of TNF alpha inhibition of BGP synthesis includes a pretranslational site and support the hypothesis that TNF alpha inhibits bone formation by a selective inhibition of matrix protein production.     

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 and human bone-derived cells in vitro: effects on alkaline phosphatase, type I collagen and proliferation

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], but not 24,25-(OH)2D3 stimulates the alkaline phosphatase activity of cultured human bone cell populations. The stimulatory effect of the sterol was dose dependent (10(-10)-10(-7) M), evident by 24 h, and observed over a range of cell densities. Analysis of the radiolabeled collagens synthesised by human bone cell cultures indicated the synthesis of predominantly type I collagen. In the presence of 1,25-(OH)2D3, but not 24,25-(OH)2D3, there was a dose-dependent (10(-11)-10(-9) M) increase in radiolabeled proline incorporation into collagenase-digestible protein and in the amount of collagen synthesized, expressed as a percentage of the total protein synthesis. The effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was observed over a range of cell densities and appeared to be specific for the synthesis of type I collagen. The stimulatory effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on alkaline phosphatase activity and the increase in proline incorporation into collagenase-digestible protein were accompanied by a dose-dependent (5 X 10(-11) to 5 X 10(-8) M) inhibition of bone cell proliferation. These findings suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 is an important modulator of the growth and differentiation of human bone cells in vitro. They are also consistent with the possibility that 1,25-(OH)2D3 has direct effects on bone formation in vivo.     

Cortisol modulation of osteoblast metabolic activity in cultured neonatal rat bone

The effects of cortisol on basal levels of indices of osteoblast metabolic activity and on PTH regulation of osteoblast activity in vitro were examined in intact bone preparations from neonatal rat calvaria. Uniform punch sections from the frontal portion of calvaria of 3-day-old rats were cultured for 24 h at 37 C in modified BGJb medium. When bone sections were incubated in medium supplemented with cortisol (100 nM) for 24 h, indices of osteoblast metabolic activity, expressed both per total bone section and per micrograms bone DNA, were significantly increased relative to control values. Expressed per micrograms DNA, the following percentage increases were observed in cortisol-treated cultures: alkaline phosphatase activity, +22% (P less than 0.02); [3H] collagen synthesis, +41% (P less than 0.001); and [14C]citrate decarboxylation, + 108% (P less than 0.001). Total DNA per bone section after 24 h was increased by 18% (P less than 0.01), and [3H]thymidine incorporation at 24 h was increased by 26% (P less than 0.01) relative to control values. Stimulation by cortisol occurred in a dose-related manner over concentrations from 1 nM to 1 microM. The stimulatory effects of cortisol were first seen after 6 h of exposure and increased steadily through 24 h of exposure. Incubation in the presence of PTH-(1-34) (100 ng/ml) resulted in significant decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, and citrate decarboxylation after 24 h of exposure (P less than 0.001). The relative order of sensitivity to PTH suppression was identical to the relative sensitivity to cortisol stimulation. In the presence of cortisol (100 nM), the suppressive effect of PTH on all three indices was increased significantly by a factor of 2- to 4-fold. It is concluded that in intact cultured bone, physiological concentrations of cortisol produce both an initial enhancement of indices of osteoblast metabolism and increased osteoblast sensitivity to regulation by PTH.     

Multiple hormonal mechanisms for the control of collagen synthesis in an osteoblast-like cell line, MMB-1

An isolated osteoblast-like cell line (MMB-1) was used to study the hormonal regulation of collagen synthesis in bone cells. Collagen synthesis was measured by incorporation of [3H]proline into collagenase-digestible and collagenase-non-digestible proteins after exposure of the cells in culture to varying concentrations of PTH, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], osteoclast-activating factor, and insulin. Collagen synthesis was inhibited by 10(-10) M 1,25-(OH)2D3 and 3 X 10(-10) M PTH after 9-12 h of treatment. Osteoclast-activating factor at 10(-10) M also inhibited collagen synthesis. Insulin at 10(-8) M increased collagen synthesis without stimulating proline incorporation into noncollagen proteins. No effect on collagen synthesis was observed with 24,25-(OH)2D3. Inhibition of collagen synthesis was also observed when cells were treated with either 3 X 10(-5) M 8-bromo-cAMP or 3 X 10(-5) M (Bu)2cAMP. For all agents tested, the onset of the effects was gradual, with differences from controls beginning at 4-8 h, and maximal effects occurring only after 24 h or more of treatment. The collagen synthesized by these cells remained associated primarily with the cell monolayer and was estimated to be greater than 90% type I collagen. No detectable changes in the type or composition of collagen synthesized were found with any of the hormonal treatments. These studies indicate that the synthesis of collagen in bone cells is under multihormonal control, with both cAMP-dependent and cAMP-independent mechanisms involved. The MMB-1 cell line offers a suitable model system for studies of the interactions of hormones in the control of bone turnover.