Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on prostaglandin E2 production in cultured mouse parietal bones

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] was tested for its effects on prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production and bone resorption in cultured mouse parietal bones. We found that at 24 h 1,25-(OH)2D3 increased 45Ca release but did not affect PGE2 production. However, at 48 h 1,25-(OH)2D3 produced a dose-related increase in PGE2 production. PGE2 production was increased with 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 10(-10)-10(-8) M, and 45Ca release was increased with 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 10(-11)-10(-8) M. The effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on PGE2 production persisted in the presence of cortisol (10(-8) M), and the effects were greater in the presence of arachidonic acid (10(-5) M) or fetal bovine serum (10%). Human interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1, 1 ng/ml) and bovine parathyroid hormone-(1-34) (PTH, 10 ng/ml) increased PGE2 production earlier and to a greater extent than 1,25-(OH)2D3. The PGE2 response to IL-1 and PTH was not affected by 1,25-(OH)2D3 at 24 h, but at 48 h 1,25-(OH)2D3 (10(-8) M) increased the PGE2 response to both IL-1 and PTH. The stimulation of 45Ca release at 48 h by high concentrations of 1,25-(OH)2D3, PTH, or IL-1 was similar, and there was no evidence for an additive effect. To test for an effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on endogenous IL-1 production, experiments were performed in the presence of an IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra, 1000 ng/ml), which has been found to block selectively IL-1 effects on bone resorption and PG production.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Different roles for calcium and cyclic AMP in the action of PTH: studies in bone explants and isolated bone cells

In fetal mouse calvaria forskolin (0.1-100 microM), like PTH, stimulated cyclic AMP production in a dose-dependent way. The dose-response curve for forskolin-induced bone mineral release (24 hrs), however, demonstrated a biphasic character, showing stimulation at 0.1 microM and inhibition at 5 and 10 microM. In addition, forskolin-stimulated bone resorption reached a plateau after 48 hrs of incubation, a phenomenon which did not occur with PTH. Forskolin (0.1 microM) strongly stimulated PTH-induced cyclic AMP production in fetal mouse calvaria. However, PTH-stimulated bone resorption and PTH-induced increase in cytosolic free Ca2+ in bone fetal rat cells were not stimulated by forskolin (0.1 microM). 9-(Tetrahydro-2-furyl) adenine (100 microM) completely blunted PTH-stimulated cyclic AMP response in fetal mouse calvaria. PTH-stimulated bone resorption was also completely inhibited, but only after 6 hrs and not after 24 hrs of incubation. With nifedipine and varabamil PTH-stimulated bone resorption was significantly inhibited after 24 hrs of incubation and not significantly after 6 hrs of incubation. A23187 (1 microM) significantly stimulated PTH-stimulated cyclic AMP level and increased basal cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration in cultured rat bone cells. In calvaria, however, it had no effect on either basal and PTH-stimulated cyclic AMP production or on basal and PTH-stimulated bone resorption (6 and 24 hrs). From these observations it follows that in calvaria manipulation of intracellular cyclic AMP only (partially) affects bone resorption. This observation points to a role for an additional second messenger in establishing full blown bone resorption. Some of the results are published in short elsewhere.     

Comparison between the effects of forskolin and calcitonin on bone resorption and osteoclast morphology in vitro

The adenylate cyclase activator forskolin (1-10 mumol/L) inhibited 45Ca release from parathyroid hormone (PTH; 10 nmol/L) stimulated prelabeled neonatal mouse calvaria in short term culture (24 h). This effect of forskolin was potentiated by rolipram, Ro 20-1724, and isobutyl-methylxanthine, three structurally different inhibitors of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase. Forskolin (10 mumol/L) and calcitonin (30 mU/mL) inhibited the mobilization of stable calcium and inorganic phosphate as well as the release of the lysomal enzymes beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase from PTH-stimulated unlabeled bones. Osteoclasts in PTH-stimulated calvaria showed active ruffled borders with numerous membrane infoldings. Treatment of PTH-stimulated bones with forskolin and calcitonin resulted in a rapid (2 h) loss of the active ruffled border. In addition, forskolin and calcitonin induced similar changes with respect to the number and size distribution of cytoplasmic vesicles in PTH-activated osteoclasts. After 24 h, all signs of osteoclast inactivation were still prominent, whereas after 48 h of treatment with forskolin or calcitonin, the reappearance of a ruffled border on a number of osteoclasts signaled an escape from the inhibitory action of both calcitonin or forskolin. These data indicate that forskolin inhibits bone resorption by a cyclic AMP dependent mechanism and that the effect of forskolin and calcitonin on bone resorption and osteoclast morphology are comparable. These observations lend further support to the view that cyclic AMP may be an intracellular mediator of the inhibitory action of calcitonin on multinucleated osteoclasts.     

Simultaneous assessment of bone resorption and formation in cultures of 22-day fetal rat parietal bones: effects of parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E2

We have developed a method that allows us to measure bone resorption and formation simultaneously in the parietal bones from 22-day fetal rat calvaria. Parietal bones labeled with 45Ca, by injection of the mother, were cultured for 72 h with parathyroid hormone (PTH, bovine 1-34, 1.56 nM) or prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 100 nM), in the presence or absence of indomethacin (Indo, 1 microM) or corticosterone (Cort, 1 microM). Two hours prior to the end of the culture, the bones were pulsed with [3H]-proline or [3H]-thymidine. Resorption was assessed as the percent of 45Ca released into the medium. Incorporation of [3H]-proline into collagenase digestible protein (CDP) and of [3H]-thymidine into DNA (TDR) were measured to assess collagen and DNA synthesis, respectively. Basal %45Ca release was 16 +/- 1% and was significantly decreased by Indo and Cort. Cort decreased TDR and CDP while Indo did not. PTH and PGE2 significantly increased %45Ca release, and this was not blocked by Indo. However, in the presence of Cort, only PTH increased %45Ca release while PGE2 did not. PGE2 increased TDR under all culture conditions while PTH increased TDR only in the presence of Cort. While PTH and PGE2 had the same effects on bone resorption, they had different effects on CDP. PGE2 increased CDP in the presence of Indo or Cort but PTH did not. Thus, this model allows us to study bone resorption, collagen synthesis, and DNA synthesis simultaneously. We have also shown that PTH and PGE2 differ in their sensitivity to inhibition of resorption by Cort and in their effects on bone formation.     

Comparison of the effects of auranofin, gold sodium thiomalate, and penicillamine on resorption of cultured fetal rat long bones

We compared three antirheumatic agents: auranofin (Aur), gold sodium thiomalate (GST), and penicillamine (Pen) for their effect on resorption in control unstimulated cultures of fetal rat long bones and in cultures stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and murine interleukin-1 (mIL-1). Aur (3 X 10(-6) M) and GST (10(-4) M) inhibited PTH-stimulated bone resorption by 39 and 42%, respectively. The same concentrations of Aur and GST inhibited PGE2-stimulated bones by 72 and 44, respectively, and mIL-1-stimulated bones by 74 and 50%, respectively. Pen (10(-4) M) was not effective against any of the stimulators. Dose-response curves showed that Aur was at least 10 times more potent than GST. Inhibition by Aur was sustained after removal of the drug, while there was full recovery from GST. Aur inhibited 3H-thymidine and 3H-proline incorporation into bones, while GST had no effect. Aur and GST decreased beta-glucuronidase activity to undetectable levels at five days of culture. Part of the therapeutic effectiveness of Aur and GST may reside in their ability to inhibit periarticular destruction by inhibiting PGE2- and IL-1-mediated osteoclastic bone resorption.     

Inhibition of parathyroid hormone-stimulated bone resorption by monovalent cation ionophores

Summary The actions of divalent cation ionophores on bone resorption in vitro are complex; both enhancement of resorption and inhibition of stimulated resorption have been observed with the ionophore A23187. We have found in neonatal mouse calvaria, in which divalent ionophores were only inhibitory, that monovalent cation ionophores were even more potent inhibitors of stimulated bone resorption. Nigericin, monensin, and X206 each inhibited the release of calcium (Ca) from calvaria that were stimulated to resorb by 0.1 U/ml parathyroid hormone (PTH). Actions of the three ionophores were dose dependent and were maximal at 10⁻⁷M, 3×10⁻⁷M, and 1.2×10⁻⁷M, respectively, compared to A23187, which was maximally inhibitory at 2×10⁻⁶M. After pretreatment with nigericin alone or together with PTH for 24 h, inhibition of stimulated resorption was partially reversible. Prolonged (48 h) treatment, either with ionophore alone or together with PTH, caused irreversible inhibition of stimulated Ca release. However, the ionophore was only partially inhibitory if it was added to calvaria stimulated by pretreatment with PTH alone for 24 or 48 h. Resorption stimulated by prostaglandin E₂, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, and epidermal growth factor was also inhibited by monovalent ionophores, indicating that the inhibition was not at the level of the PTH receptor. In addition, ionophores did not lower basal or PTH-stimulated production of cyclic AMP by calvaria. Submaximal doses of nigericin were synergistic with calcitonin or ouabain in inhibiting PTH-stimulated resorption. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that stimulated release of Ca from bone occurs by a Na/Ca exchange mechanism. Thus monovalent cation ionophores would increase intracellular Na⁺, thereby decreasing the Na gradient across bone cell membranes, leading to conditions unfavorable for Ca efflux coupled to further Na influx.     

Effects of four bisphosphonates on bone resorption, lysosomal enzyme release, protein synthesis and mitotic activities in mouse calvarial bones in vitro

The effects of 3-amino-1-hydroxy-propylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (AHPrBP), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (HEBP), dichloromethylenebisphosphonate (Cl2MBP) and azacycloheptylidene-2,2-bisphosphonate (AHBP) on bone were examined in organ culture using newborn mice calvaria. AHPrBP, HEBP and Cl2MBP caused a dose-dependent inhibition of PTH-stimulated (10 nmol/l) release of 45Ca from the calvaria, at and above a concentration of 3 mumol/l, whereas AHBP only caused a slight inhibition, at and above 100 mumol/l. AHPrBP inhibited PTH-stimulated release of 3H from bones prelabelled with [3H]-proline. AHPrBP (30 mumol/l) diminished the stimulatory effect of 1 alpha(OH)vitamin D3 (10 nmol/l), prostaglandin E2 (0.1 mumol/l) and renal tumor conditioned media on 45Ca release. AHPrBP and Cl2MBP, at and above 3 mumol/l, decreased PTH-stimulated mobilization of Ca2+ and Pi and in parallel the release of beta-glucuronidase without affecting the release of lactate dehydrogenase. The inhibitory effect of AHPrBP (30 mumol/l) on PTH-induced 45Ca release was irreversible. The inhibition by AHPrBP (30 mumol/l) on spontaneous and PTH-stimulated release of 45Ca can be seen first after 24 h of culture. Similarly the inhibitory effect by HEBP (30 mumol/l) and Cl2MBP (30 mumol/l) was delayed and could be observed after 36 and 24 h of culture, respectively. PTH-stimulated release of Ca2+, Pi, beta-glucuronidase and beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase was reduced by AHPrBP first after 24 h of culture. AHPrBP, HEBP and Cl2MBP, at concentrations which are inhibitory on bone resorption, do not affect protein synthesis and mitotic activities in mouse calvaria. These data show that AHPrBP, HEBP and Cl2MBP inhibit bone resorption in vitro and in parallel decrease lysosomal enzyme release by a mechanism, which is not related to cytotoxicity. In addition, the delayed inhibitory effect on bone resorption and lysosomal enzyme release by all the compounds suggest that bisphosphonates inhibit bone resorption indirectly and not by a direct effect on existing osteoclasts. The delayed inhibition by bisphosphonates on bone resorption may be due to decreased recruitment of new osteoclasts as a consequence of an inhibitory action on mononuclear osteoclast precursor cells.     

Bone-resorbing activity and prostaglandin E produced by human periodontal ligament cells in vitro

Human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells were derived from healthy premolars extracted for orthodontic treatment and were utilized for in vitro experiments in passages 4-6. Human PDL cells were seeded in tissue culture tubes and incubated with interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), indomethacin, parathyroid hormone (PTH), or their combinations, for 1 h. The medium was then replaced with serum-free BGJb medium and incubated for 24 h without further additions. Prostaglandin E (PGE) concentrations in the conditioned media (CM) were measured by radioimmunoassay, and bone-resorbing activity was measured using 45Ca-labeled neonatal mouse calvariae. The results of this study indicated that (1) unstimulated cultured PDL cells produced PGE, and PDL CM stimulated bone resorption; (2) cytokine-treated (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha) PDL cells had increased production of PGE and bone-resorbing activity compared to unstimulated PDL cells; (3) indomethacin completely inhibited PGE production from unstimulated PDL cells but only partially inhibited bone-resorbing activity, indicating that PDL cells produced nonprostaglandin bone-resorbing factor(s); (4) IFN-gamma did not change PGE or bone-resorbing activity production by cytokine-stimulated PDL cells; and (5) PTH treatment of PDL cells in addition to cytokines (IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, and TNF-alpha) had additive effects on the production of bone-resorbing activity and synergistic effects on PGE production compared to cytokine treatment alone.     

On the role of cyclic AMP as a mediator of bone resorption: gamma-interferon completely inhibits cholera toxin- and forskolin-induced but only partially inhibits parathyroid hormone-stimulated 45Ca release from mouse calvarial bones.

The effects of gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) on bone resorption and cyclic AMP formation stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), forskolin, and cholera toxin have been studied in cultured neonatal mouse calvarial bones. Bone resorption was assessed by the release of 45Ca from prelabeled mouse calvarial bone fragments. Cyclic AMP formation was quantified by analyzing the amount of the nucleotide in calvarial bone tissue. gamma-IFN completely blocked the 45Ca release response to forskolin and cholera toxin in 96 h cultures. In contrast, the 45Ca release response to PTH was only partially inhibited, an effect that was seen over a wide range of PTH concentrations. The inhibitory effect of gamma-IFN was dose dependent, with a threshold for action at 10 U/ml. Forskolin-stimulated 45Ca release could only be inhibited when gamma-IFN was added simultaneously with forskolin; gamma-IFN added to bones prestimulated with forskolin had no effect. The inhibitory effect of gamma-IFN on PTH-stimulated 45Ca release was seen first after a time lag of 48 h. In contrast calcitonin caused an inhibition after only 3 h. PTH and cholera toxin stimulation of radioactive calcium release was also inhibited by gamma-IFN in bones treated with indomethacin. gamma-IFN inhibited forskolin-induced 45Ca release in bones treated with the mitotic inhibitor hydroxyurea. No effect of gamma-IFN on cyclic AMP formation induced by PTH, cholera toxin, or forskolin could be seen. These data show that gamma-IFN inhibits forskolin- and cholera toxin-induced bone resorption by a mechanism unrelated to prostaglandin production or mitotic activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

The inhibitory effect of bupivacaine on prostaglandin E(2) (EP(1)) receptor functioning: mechanism of action

Prostaglandin E(2) receptors, subtype EP(1) (PGE(2)EP(1)) have been linked to several physiologic responses, such as fever, inflammation, and mechanical hyperalgesia. Local anesthetics modulate these responses, which may be due to direct interaction of local anesthetics with PGE(2)EP(1) receptor signaling. We sought to characterize the local anesthetic effects on PGE(2)EP(1) signaling and elucidate mechanisms of anesthetic action. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, recombinant expressed PGE(2)EP(1) receptors were functional (half maximal effect concentration, 2.09 +/- 0.98 x 10(-6) M). Bupivacaine, after incubation for 10 min, inhibited concentration-dependent PGE(2)EP(1) receptor functioning (half-maximal inhibitory effect concentration, 3.06 +/- 1.26 x 10(-6) M). Prolonged incubation in bupivacaine (24 h) inhibited PGE(2)-induced calcium-dependent chloride currents (I(Cl(Ca))) even more. Intracellular pathways were not significantly inhibited after 10 min of incubation in bupivacaine. But I(Cl(Ca)) activated by intracellular injection of GTPgammaS (a nonhydrolyzable guanosine triphosphate [GTP] analog that activates G proteins, irreversible because it cannot be dephosphorylated by the intrinsic GTPase activity of the alpha subunit of the G protein) was reduced after 24 h of incubation in bupivacaine, indicating a G protein-dependent effect. However, inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate- and CaCl(2)- induced I(Cl(Ca)) were unaffected by bupivacaine at any time points tested. Therefore, bupivacaine's effect is at phospholipase C or at the G protein or the PGE(2)EP(1) receptor. All inhibitory effects were reversible. We conclude that bupivacaine inhibited PGE(2)EP(1) receptor signaling at clinically relevant concentrations. These effects could, at least in part, explain how local anesthetics affect physiologic responses such as fever, inflammation, and hyperalgesia during the perioperative period.     

Bone resorption by isolated chick osteoclasts in culture is stimulated by murine spleen cell supernatant fluids (osteoclast-activating factor) and inhibited by calcitonin and prostaglandin E2

The question of whether any of the agents known to activate bone resorption in vivo or in organ cultures acts directly on the osteoclast or via intermediate target cells that secondarily secrete locally paracrine factors is important for our understanding of bone remodeling. In an attempt to clarify this issue for some of the agents, we have taken advantage of the recent progress in obtaining and culturing relatively pure populations of osteoclasts. We performed an in vitro bone-resorbing assay in which isolated and partially purified chick osteoclasts were cultured on devitalized, paired and standardized bone disks prepared from rat calvaria prelabeled with both 45Ca and 3H-proline. Some of the isolated osteoclasts attached to the devitalized bone matrix, formed a ruffled border, and acidified the bone-resorbing compartment that they established with the matrix, thereby indicating that they resorbed bone in a physiologic manner. Salmon calcitonin added to these cultures (0.3 U/ml = 60 ng/ml) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) (10(-6) M) inhibited both basal and stimulated 45Ca and 3H-proline release. Neither parathyroid hormone (PTH) 1-34 (1 U/ml), 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (10(-8) and 10(-9) M), nor interleukin 1 (IL-1) (purified from P388D1 macrophage culture supernatant fluids or recombinant murine IL-1-alpha) (100 ng/ml) stimulated bone resorption in these cultures. In contrast, supernatant fluids from concanavalin A (Con-A)-activated murine spleen cell cultures (murine osteoclast-activating factor; OAF) consistently and significantly induced a 3- to 5-fold stimulation of bone resorption in this system.     

Modifications of the mouse calvarial technique improve the responsiveness to stimulators of bone resorption

The effect of a preincubation period, in basic medium or in medium with inhibitors of prostaglandin biosynthesis, on the response to different stimulators of bone resorption has been studied in an organ culture system using calvarial bones from neonatal mice. Bone resorption was assessed either by the release of 45Ca or by the release of 3H from [3H]-proline labeled bones. Preincubated bones were cultured for 18-24 hr in medium, with and without indomethacin, hydrocortisone, and dexamethasone, and then extensively washed before being transferred to culture medium containing different stimulators of bone resorption. Preincubation in medium containing indomethacin or corticosteroids resulted in an increased response to parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), 1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin-D3 and thrombin as compared to the response in bones which were exposed to the stimulants directly after dissection. Preincubation in basic medium did not enhance the subsequent response to PTH. By using a preincubation period in indomethacin, the dose-response curves for the stimulatory effect of PTH and PGE2 on mineral mobilization could be sensitized as compared to the curves obtained with fresh bones. Thus, the concentration of agonists causing 50% stimulation of 45Ca release was decreased by a factor of 10. The threshold for actions of PTH and PGE2 on 45Ca release was 0.01-0.03 and 1-3 nmol/l, respectively.     

Selective stimulation of net calcium efflux from chick embryo tibiae by parathyroid hormone in vitro

Summary The purpose of this study was to measure in an in vitro system the movement of Ca and phosphate (P_i) out of bone when treated with parathyroid hormone (PTH). Tibiae from 13-day chick embryos were incubated for up to 8 h in a defined medium containing 1.8 mM Ca. Medium samples were collected every 2 h and were analyzed for Ca, P_i and lactate. Net effluxes from the bones were calculated. When bones were incubated with PTH in the medium (1 U/ml), net Ca efflux was increased 44, 60 and 100% at 4, 6 and 8 h, respectively. At no time was net P_i efflux affected by the hormone. The well known PTH-stimulated lactate production was not seen until 8 h. Lower doses of PTH (0.1 and 0.3 U/ml) were also effective. Comparing PTH (1 U/ml) responsiveness at higher (2.2 mM) and lower (0.9 mM) medium Ca concentrations, showed that with 2.2 mM Ca no increased Ca efflux was seen, while with 0.9 mM Ca significant elevation in medium Ca occurred 2 h sooner than in the experiments using 1.8 mM Ca. In another experiment, varying the medium P_i level from 1 to 2 mM had no effect on the Ca response to PTH. In neither experiment was P_i release affected by PTH. The results of this study have led to the following conclusions: (1) PTH acts on bone to cause an early dose related increase in net Ca efflux; (2) the effect is specific for Ca, since it is not accompanied by an increased P_i efflux, and may be saturated by raising the medium Ca level; and (3) PTH-stimulated Ca efflux in this system is not correlated with, and is probably not a result of increased lactate production.     

Parathyroid hormone-stimulated resorption in calvaria cultured in serum-free medium is enhanced by the calcium-mobilizing activity of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3)

1,25(OH)(2)D(3) enhances parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced Ca(2+) signaling in osteoblasts by activating plasma membrane voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) channels (VSCCs). The ability of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) or the VSCC-activating analog AT (25-hydroxy-16-ene-23-yne-D(3)) to enhance parathyroid hormone-stimulated (45)Ca(2+) release from cultured new-born rat calvaria was measured. Analog BT (1,24-dihydroxy-22-ene-24-cyclopropyl-D(3)), that does not mobilize Ca(2+), also was tested along with PTH. Control experiments were performed with and without PTH and with and without serum. Individual calvaria labeled in utero with (45)Ca(2+) were cultivated in serum-free medium on filters at the medium/air interface of 24-well culture plates and (45)Ca(2+) release followed over 72 h. The results demonstrated that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and the Ca(2+)-mobilizing analog, AT, but not the nuclear receptor-binding analog, BT, enhanced PTH-stimulated (45)Ca(2+) release under serum-free conditions. This enhancement effect of the seco-steroids was not evident in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum. The effect of analog AT was faster than that of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3). Nitrendipine, a specific L-type VSCC blocker, attenuated enhancement by vitamin D compounds, indicating that the high-threshold L-type VSCC is a molecular transducer of costimulation. These results emphasize the synergy between the calcitropic hormones 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) and PTH in cultures containing osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and suggest that the Ca(2+)-mobilizing activity of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) enhances Ca(2+) release from bone.     

Long-term effects of physiologic concentrations of dexamethasone on human bone-derived cells

Bone cells derived from human trabecular explants display osteoblastic features. We examined the modulation of alkaline phosphatase activity and cAMP production as the result of exposing trabecular explants to physiologic concentrations of dexamethasone for 4 weeks during cellular outgrowth and subculture. Cells treated with dexamethasone were observed to grow generally more slowly than control cells. Cells appeared larger and more polygonal, and staining for alkaline phosphatase was more intense in the dexamethasone-exposed cultures. There was a progressive increase in cellular PTH responsiveness with increasing duration of exposure of cells to dexamethasone. Cells grown for 6 weeks in 3 x 10(-8) M dexamethasone had a 10-fold increase in PTH-stimulated cyclic AMP accumulation. Dexamethasone-treated cells also had a significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity. 1,25-(OH)2D3-stimulated alkaline phosphatase activity was increased approximately 20-fold. cAMP responses were significantly increased to PTH (21.7-fold), PGE1 (2.67-fold), and forskolin (4.81-fold), but not to cholera toxin. Dexamethasone-treated cells also had a mean decrease in 1,25-(OH)2D3-stimulated osteocalcin production to 26.2% of control values (p less than 0.001). Hydrocortisone treatment gave rise to similar effects but of smaller magnitude than those of dexamethasone. Testosterone did not have a significant effect on alkaline phosphatase activity or cAMP production. Skin fibroblasts showed a significant enhancement of alkaline phosphatase activity in response to dexamethasone, but of a much smaller magnitude than in bone cells. The phenotypic changes induced by long-term culture in dexamethasone are consistent with the promotion of a more differentiated osteoblastic phenotype.     

Protein kinase C involvement in interleukin-6 production by parathyroid hormone and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in UMR-106 osteoblastic cells.

The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is increased in bone and bone cells by several resorptive stimuli, including parathyroid hormone (PTH), IL-1beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). The current studies were designed to determine the contribution of the protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathway to the effects of these three agents to increase IL-6 in UMR-106 rat osteoblastic cells. Cells were pretreated with vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide [DMSO]) or the phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB; 300 nM) for 48 h to down-regulate phorbol-sensitive PKC isozymes. Either PTH (0.1-10 nM), IL-1beta (0.1-10 nM), or TNF-alpha (5 nM and 10 nM) was then added for 24 h in the continued presence of vehicle or PDB. PKC isozymes were visualized by Western immunoblotting and IL-6 was determined by bioassay. PDB pretreatment caused a partial down-regulation of the conventional alpha-PKC and betaI-PKC isozymes and complete down-regulation of the novel delta-isoenzyme and epsilon-isozymes but it had no effect on the atypical zeta-PKC isozyme. PDB pretreatment reduced IL-6 responses to 5 nM and 10 nM PTH by 61% and 33%, respectively, reduced IL-6 responses to 5nM and 10 nM TNF-a by 54% and 42%, respectively, and failed to inhibit the IL-6 responses to 0.1-10 nM IL-1beta. The PDB pretreatment protocol significantly enhanced PTH-stimulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. The PKC inhibitor calphostin C also decreased IL-6 responses to PTH. Thus, in this osteoblast cell line, the PKC pathway is an important component of the signaling pathway for the IL-6 production stimulated by PTH and TNF-alpha but not that from IL-1beta.     

Dynamic compression counteracts IL-1 beta-induced release of nitric oxide and PGE2 by superficial zone chondrocytes cultured in agarose constructs

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of IL-1 beta-induced *NO and PGE(2)release by stimulated superficial and deep chondrocyte/agarose constructs subjected to mechanical compression. DESIGN: Chondrocyte sub-populations were seeded separately in agarose constructs and cultured unstrained, within a 24-well tissue culture plate, for 48 h in medium supplemented with IL-1 beta and/or L-N-(1-iminoethyl)-ornithine (L-NIO). In a separate experiment, superficial and deep cell containing constructs were subjected to 15% dynamic compressive strain at 1 Hz, for 48 h, in the presence or absence of IL-1 beta and/or L-NIO. Nitrite was measured using the Griess assay, PGE(2)release was determined using an EIA kit and [3H]-thymidine and 35SO(4)incorporation were assessed by TCA and alcian blue precipitation, respectively. RESULTS: The current data reveal that IL-1 beta significantly enhanced *NO and PGE(2)release for superficial chondrocytes, an effect reversed with L-NIO. *NO and PGE(2)levels did not significantly change by deep cells in the presence of IL-1 beta and/or L-NIO. For both cell sub-populations, IL-1 beta inhibited cell proliferation whereas proteoglycan synthesis was not affected. Dynamic compression inhibited the release of *NO and PGE(2)in the presence and absence of IL-1 beta, for cells from both sub-populations. L-NIO reduced *NO and enhanced PGE(2)release for superficial zone chondrocytes, an effect not observed for deep cells in response to dynamic compression. The magnitude of stimulation of [3H]-thymidine incorporation was similar for both cell sub-populations and was not influenced by L-NIO, indicating an z.rad;NO-independent pathway. The dynamic compression-induced stimulation of 35SO(4)incorporation was enhanced with L-NIO for IL-1 beta-stimulated deep cells, indicating an *NO-dependent pathway. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest that dynamic compression inhibits *NO and PGE(2)release in IL-1 beta-stimulated superficial cells via distinct pathways, a significant finding that may contribute to the development of intervention strategies for the treatment of inflammatory joint disorders.     

Glucocorticoids increase parathyroid hormone receptors in rat osteoblastic osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2)

The effects of glucocorticoids on parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors was studied using rat osteosarcoma-derived cells (ROS 17/2), which have an osteoblastic phenotype, and [125I][Nle8,Nle18,Tyr34]bovine(b)PTH-(1-34)amide as the radioligand. Treatment of cells with physiologic concentrations of hydrocortisone resulted in a time and dose-dependent increase in PTH binding. The increase in PTH binding could be observed by 10 h of exposure to hydrocortisone (2 x 10(-7) M), was maximally enhanced by 48 h, and was maintained for the subsequent 7 days of continuous exposure to the steroid. With removal of hydrocortisone, PTH receptor binding promptly returned toward control levels. The increase in PTH binding was attributed to an increase in the availability of receptor binding sites, not to altered receptor binding affinity, and was blocked by cycloheximide. PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase was also enhanced by glucocorticoids, and a close correlation was observed between PTH binding and PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase. However, hydrocortisone not only increased PTH binding but also enhanced the efficiency of postreceptor signaling: 5'-guanylimidodiphosphate [Gpp(NH)p]- and forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were also increased. Thus, enhanced PTH stimulation of adenylate cyclase by glucocorticoids resulted from at least two effects--increased receptor availability and enhanced postreceptor efficiency of transmembranous signaling.     

Evidence for two pathways for stimulation of collagenolysis in bone

Summary The effect of parathormone (PTH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or interleukin-1 (IL-1) on calcium release and collagen degradation in bone was examinedin vitro using labeled neonatal calvaria of normal mice and also of osteopetrotic microphthalmic (mi/mi) mice that have defective osteoclasts. All three agents stimulated calcium release from normal bone but not from mi/mi bone. PTH stimulated the degradation of both noncalcified and calcified collagen in normal bone as well as the degradation of noncalcified collagen in mi/mi bone. However, LPS and IL-1 only stimulated the degradation of calcified collagen in normal bone. One-half maximal stimulation of noncalcified collagen degradation in normal or mi/mi bone was achieved by about 3 nM PTH compared with about 1 nM PTH for that of calcium release from normal bone. While calcitonin (CT) and leupeptin inhibited calcium release and thereby the degradation of calcified collagen, neither agent inhibited PTH-stimulated noncalcified collagen degradation in normal or mi/mi bone. The data indicate the existence of two pathways that lead to collagen degradation in bone. One is intimately connected with the resorptive process stimulated by a variety of agents, and is probably mediated by osteoclasts. A second mechanism is sensitive only to PTH and appears to be associated with nonosteoclastic cells since it can operate under conditions in which osteoclasts are thought to be inactive or are inhibited.