p38 MAPK-mediated signals are required for inducing osteoclast differentiation but not for osteoclast function

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)-induced signals play critical roles in osteoclast differentiation and function. SB203580, an inhibitor of p38 MAPK, blocked osteoclast formation induced by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and prostaglandin E(2) in cocultures of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells. Nevertheless, SB203580 showed no inhibitory effect on RANKL expression in osteoblasts treated with 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and prostaglandin E(2). RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow cultures was inhibited by SB203580, suggesting a direct effect of SB203580 on osteoclast precursors, but not on osteoblasts, in osteoclast differentiation. However, SB203580 inhibited neither the survival nor dentine-resorption activity of osteoclasts induced by RANKL. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IL-1, and TNFalpha all stimulated the survival of osteoclasts, which was not inhibited by SB203580. Phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was induced by RANKL, IL-1, TNFalpha, and LPS in osteoclast precursors but not in osteoclasts. LPS stimulated phosphorylation of MAPK kinase 3/6 and ATF2, upstream and downstream signals of p38 MAPK, respectively, in osteoclast precursors but not in osteoclasts. Nevertheless, LPS induced degradation of IkappaB and phosphorylation of ERK in osteoclasts as well as in osteoclast precursors. These results suggest that osteoclast function is induced through a mechanism independent of p38 MAPK-mediated signaling.     

Prostaglandin E2 strongly inhibits human osteoclast formation

Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) enhances osteoclast formation in mouse macrophage cultures treated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL). The effects of PGE(2) on human osteoclast formation were examined in cultures of CD14(+) cells prepared from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. CD14(+) cells differentiated into osteoclasts in the presence of RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. CD14(+) cells expressed EP2 and EP4, but not EP1 or EP3, whereas CD14(+) cell-derived osteoclasts expressed none of the PGE(2) receptors. PGE(2) and PGE(1) alcohol (an EP2/4 agonist) stimulated cAMP production in CD14(+) cells. In contrast to mouse macrophage cultures, PGE(2) and PGE(1) alcohol inhibited RANKL-induced human osteoclast formation in CD14(+) cell cultures. H-89 blocked the inhibitory effect of PGE(2) on human osteoclast formation. These results suggest that the inhibitory effect of PGE(2) on human osteoclast formation is mediated by EP2/EP4 signals. SaOS4/3 cells have been shown to support human osteoclast formation in cocultures with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to PTH. PGE(2) inhibited PTH-induced osteoclast formation in cocultures of SaOS4/3 cells and CD14(+) cells. Conversely, NS398 (a cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor) enhanced osteoclast formation induced by PTH in the cocultures. The conditioned medium of CD14(+) cells pretreated with PGE(2) inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation not only in human CD14(+) cell cultures, but also in mouse macrophage cultures. These results suggest that PGE(2) inhibits human osteoclast formation through the production of an inhibitory factor(s) for osteoclastogenesis of osteoclast precursors.     

Cross-talk between the interleukin-6 and prostaglandin E(2) signaling systems results in enhancement of osteoclastogenesis through effects on the osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-{kappa}B (RANK) ligand/RANK system

The osteoprotegerin (OPG)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB (RANK) system is the dominant and final mediator of osteoclastogenesis. Abnormalities of this system have been implicated in the pathogenesis of many skeletal diseases. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and prostaglandin (PG)E(2), a major eicosanoid product of the COX-2-catalyzed pathway, play key roles in normal bone tissue remodeling. PGE(2) exerts its actions by binding and activating the E series of prostaglandin (EP) receptor. Activation of EP(2) and EP(4) receptors is associated with PGE(2)-induced osteoclast differentiation. IL-6, a major proinflammatory cytokine, has also been reported to induce osteoclast differentiation. Although interactions between the COX-2/PGE(2) and IL-6 systems have been described in bone cells, the mechanisms underlying these cooperative signaling pathways and the possible involvement of the OPG/RANKL/RANK system have not been fully elucidated. We demonstrate that COX-2, PGE(2), and IL-6 stimulate osteoblast growth and osteoclast differentiation. Effects on osteoclast differentiation, particularly with IL-6, were most marked when osteoclast precursor cells were grown in coculture with osteoblasts, indicating a possible role of the RANK/RANKL/OPG system. COX-2 and PGE(2) stimulated osteoclastogenesis through inhibition of OPG secretion, stimulation of RANKL production by osteoblasts, and up-regulation of RANK expression in osteoclasts. PGE(2) stimulated IL-6 secretion by bone cells, whereas COX-2 inhibitors decreased this same parameter. IL-6, in turn, increased PGE(2) secretion, COX-2, and EP receptor subtype expression in bone cells. Finally, IL-6 was the mediator of PGE(2)-induced suppression of OPG production by osteoblasts. These findings provide evidence for cross-talk between the PGE(2) and IL-6 signaling enhance osteoclast differentiation via effects on the OPG/RANKL/RANK system in bone cells.     

Mechanisms involved in bone resorption

Osteoclasts, which are present only in bone, are multinucleated giant cells with the capacity to resorb mineralized tissues. These osteoclasts are derived from hemopoietic progenitors of the monocyte-macrophage lineage. Osteoblasts or bone marrow-derived stromal cells are involved in osteoclastogenesis through a mechanism involving cell-to-cell contact with osteoclast progenitors. Experiments on the osteopetrotic op/op mouse model have established that a product ofosteo blasts, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), regulates differentiation of osteoclast progenitors into osteoclasts. Recent discovery of osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF)/receptor activator of NF-κ Bligand (RANKL) allowed elucidation of the precise mechanism by which osteoblasts regulate osteoclastic bone resorption. Treatment of osteoblasts with bone-resorbing factors up-regulated expression of RANKL mRNA. In contrast, TNF α stimulates osteoclast differentiation in the presence of M-CSF through a mechanism independent of the RANKL system. IL-1 also directly acts on mature osteoclasts as a potentiator of osteoclast activation. In addition, TGF-β super family members, such as bone morphogenetic proteins(BMPs) strikingly enhanced osteoclast differentiation from their progenitors and survival of mature osteoclasts induced by RANKL. These results suggest that BMP-mediated signals cross-communicate with RANKL-mediated ones in inducing osteoclast differentiation and function. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Bone morphogenetic protein 2 stimulates osteoclast differentiation and survival supported by receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand.

Bone is a major storage site for TGFbeta superfamily members, including TGFbeta and bone morphogenetic proteins. It is believed that these cytokines are released from bone during bone resorption. Recent studies have shown that both RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor are two essential factors produced by osteoblasts for inducing osteoclast differentiation. In the present study we examined the effects of bone morphogenetic protein-2 on osteoclast differentiation and survival supported by RANKL and/or macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages differentiated into osteoclasts in the presence of RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. TGFbeta superfamily members such as bone morphogenetic protein-2, TGFbeta, and activin A markedly enhanced osteoclast differentiation induced by RANKL and macrophage colony-stimulating factor, although each cytokine alone failed to induce osteoclast differentiation in the absence of RANKL. Addition of a soluble form of bone morphogenetic protein receptor type IA to the culture markedly inhibited not only osteoclast formation induced by RANKL and bone morphogenetic protein-2, but also the basal osteoclast formation supported by RANKL alone. Either RANKL or macrophage colony-stimulating factor stimulated the survival of purified osteoclasts. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 enhanced the survival of purified osteoclasts supported by RANKL, but not by macrophage colony-stimulating factor. Both bone marrow macrophages and mature osteoclasts expressed bone morphogenetic protein-2 and bone morphogenetic protein receptor type IA mRNAs. An EMSA revealed that RANKL activated nuclear factor-kappaB in purified osteoclasts. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 alone did not activate nuclear factor-kappaB, but rather inhibited the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB induced by RANKL in purified osteoclasts. These findings suggest that bone morphogenetic protein-mediated signals cross-communicate with RANKL-mediated ones in inducing osteoclast differentiation and survival. The enhancement of RANKL-induced survival of osteoclasts by bone morphogenetic protein-2 appears unrelated to nuclear factor-kappaB activation.     

Lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclastogenesis in Src homology 2-domain phosphatase-1-deficient viable motheaten mice

Osteoclasts are hemopoietic cells that participate in bone resorption and remodeling. Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) are critical for development of osteoclasts. The Toll-like receptor (TLR) family shares some of the downstream signaling with RANK. The TLR4 ligand, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), is reported to accelerate bone lysis; however, signaling via TLRs has never been reported to induce osteoclastogenesis without RANKL. In this study we showed that significant numbers of mature osteoclasts were generated from protein tyrosine phosphatase Src homology 2-domain phosphatase-1-defective Hcph(me-v)/Hcph(me-v) (me(v)/me(v)) bone marrow cells in the presence of M-CSF and LPS without addition of RANKL in culture. This M-CSF plus LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis was not inhibited by an anti-TNFalpha antagonistic antibody or by osteoprotegerin, a decoy receptor for RANKL. The replacement of RANKL by TLR ligands only occurred with LPS. Other ligands, a peptidoglycan for TLR2 or an unmethylated CpG oligonucleotide for TLR9, did not support osteoclast generation. The osteoclast precursors as well as RANKL-responsive osteoclast precursors were present in the Kit-positive cell-enriched fraction of bone marrow cells. Although me(v)/me(v) bone marrow cells required a comparable concentration of RANKL or TNFalpha as wild-type cells for the initiation of osteoclastogenesis, the numbers of multinucleated osteoclasts in me(v)/me(v) bone marrow cultures were significantly increased by the equivalent dose of RANKL or TNFalpha in the presence of M-CSF. These results indicate that a defect of Src homology 2-domain phosphatase-1 function not only accelerates physiological osteoclast development by RANKL/RANK, but also acquires a novel pathway for osteoclastogenesis by LPS.     

Involvement of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand/osteoclast differentiation factor in osteoclastogenesis from synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To clarify the mechanism by which osteoclasts are formed in culture of rheumatoid synoviocytes by exploring the involvement of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL)/osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF). METHODS: Osteoclast formation was evaluated in cocultures of rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in the presence of macrophage colony stimulating factor and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]2D3) utilizing separating membrane filters. RANKL/ODF expression was examined by Northern blotting in synovial tissues from 5 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and tissues from patients with giant cell tumor (GCT), osteosarcoma (OS), and osteoarthritis (OA). RANKL/ODF expression and the ability of synovial fibroblasts to support osteoclastogenesis were investigated in coculture with PBMC in the presence or absence of 1,25(OH)2D3, and soluble RANKL/ODF and osteoprotegerin (OPG)/osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effects of OPG/OCIF on the osteoclastogenesis in the primary culture of rheumatoid synoviocytes and the coculture system were determined. RESULTS: Synovial fibroblasts did not induce osteoclastogenesis when separately cocultured with PBMC. Northern blotting revealed that RANKL/ODF was highly expressed in all tissues from RA and GCT patients, but not from OA or OS patients. Cultured rheumatoid synovial fibroblasts efficiently induced osteoclastogenesis in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3, which was accompanied by up-regulated expression of RANKL/ODF and decreased production of OPG/OCIF. Osteoclastogenesis from synoviocytes was dose-dependently inhibited by OPG/OCIF. CONCLUSION: RANKL/ODF expressed on synovial fibroblasts is involved in rheumatoid bone destruction by inducing osteoclastogenesis and would therefore be a good therapeutic target.     

Regulation of osteoclast development by Notch signaling directed to osteoclast precursors and through stromal cells

Osteoclasts are derived from hematopoietic precursor cells belonging to the monocyte/macrophage lineage. Osteoclast development has been reported to be regulated by several molecules such as macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand (RANKL), and a decoy receptor of RANKL, osteoprotegerin (OPG). Recently, it was demonstrated that the Notch signaling pathway regulates myeloid differentiation and antagonizes cell fate determination, however, the effect of Notch signaling on the osteoclast lineage has not been reported. In this study, we examined the effect of signaling via Notch receptors on the differentiation into osteoclasts by using cells from the bone marrow, spleen, and peritoneal cavity, and a cloned macrophagelike cell line. Osteoclastogenesis was inhibited by an immobilized Notch ligand, Delta-1. The dish-adherent bone marrow cells precultured with M-CSF expressed both Mac-1 and M-CSF receptors, c-Fms; osteoclastogenesis of these cells was efficiently inhibited. The immobilized Delta-1 also down-regulated the surface c-Fms expression, while the c-Fms gene expression was not changed. Genes for Notch receptors and Notch ligands are expressed in not only hematopoietic cells but also stromal cells that support osteoclast development. Constitutively active Notch1-transfected stromal cells showed increased expression of RANKL and OPG genes, and strong inhibition of M-CSF gene expression, resulting in reduction of their ability to support osteoclast development. Taken together, these findings indicate that Notch signaling affects both osteoclast precursors and stromal cells and thereby negatively regulates osteoclastogenesis.     

New insight in the mechanism of osteoclast activation and formation in multiple myeloma: focus on the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL)

The increase of osteoclast activation and formation is mainly involved in the development of the osteolytic bone lesions that characterize multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The mechanisms by which myeloma cells induce bone resorption have not been clear for many years. Recently, new evidence has elucidated which factors are critically involved in the activation of osteoclastic cells in MM. The potential role of the critical osteoclastogenic factor, the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), and its soluble antagonist osteoprotegerin (OPG) in the activation of bone resorption in MM is summarized in this review. It has been demonstrated that human MM cells induce an imbalance in the bone marrow environment of the RANKL/OPG ratio in favor of RANKL that triggers the osteoclast formation and activation leading to bone destruction. The direct production of the chemokine macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1alpha) by myeloma cells, in combination with the RANKL induction in BM stromal cells in response to myeloma cells, are critical in osteoclast activation and osteoclastogenesis.