Tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) distribution in normal and pathological human bone

Degradation of skeletal connective tissue is regulated, at least in part, by the balance between matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs), their natural inhibitors. The balance between MMPs and TIMPs may therefore be a determinant of normal bone turnover, and imbalance could thus lead to reduced organization of bone structure. To test this hypothesis, the cellular expression of MMPs and TIMP-1 was investigated by immunohistochemistry in human neonatal rib and osteophytic and heterotopic bone; these differ in their structure, with heterotopic bone showing the least and normal rib the most organized development. In all samples, high levels of MMPs were expressed. Collagenase and stromelysin-2 were detected in chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts, whereas gelatinase-B was confined to osteoclasts and mononuclear cells. Matrix-associated stromelysin-1 was present in fibrous tissue and osteoid. In contrast, the expression of TIMP-1 varied markedly between the three types of bone. In heterotopic bone only occasional low level TIMP-1 expression was detected in chondrocytes and osteoblasts. Osteophytic bone showed varying levels of TIMP-1, which was matrix-bound in fibrous tissue and cell-associated in osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and occasional mononuclear cells. In both types of bone, expression of TIMP-1 by osteoclasts was absent despite large numbers of these cells. Neonatal rib bone showed consistent expression of TIMP-1, particularly in chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and lining cells. In contrast to pathological bone, many osteoclasts were TIMP-1 positive. These results suggest that, in heterotopic and osteophytic bone, the low levels of TIMP-1, and in particular its absence in osteoclasts, may partly explain the more poorly organized bone formation in these pathological bone samples. Furthermore, TIMP-1 may play a role in the regulation of bone modeling and remodeling in normal developing human bone.     

EphB4-EphrinB2双向信号传导在骨重建中的作用

Eph-Ephrin双向信号传导机制是近年来细胞间的通讯机制的研究热点,在神经系统、血管内皮系统及肿瘤形成和转移方面发挥着重要的作用。研究发现该信号传导系统在骨重建中发挥重要作用。破骨细胞上存在EphrinB2配体,成骨细胞前体上存在EphB4受体,以细胞直接接触的方式,通过胞内酪氨酸激酶信号系统,在成骨细胞和破骨细胞内分别产生正向和反向信号,促进成骨细胞前体分化成熟,同时抑制破骨细胞功能,并促进其凋亡。     

Parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide type 1 receptor in human bone.

The parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related peptide (PTH/PTHrP) receptor (denoted as PTH-1R) is a key signaling factor through which calcium-regulating hormones PTH and PTHrP exert their effects on bone. There are contradictory reports regarding the capability of osteoclasts to express PTH-1R. To address this issue in humans, bone biopsy specimen samples from 9 normal controls and 16 patients with moderate to severe secondary renal hyperparathyroid bone disease (2 degrees HPT) with elevated PTH levels were studied to determine whether osteoclasts in the bone microenvironment express PTH-1R messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein. We report that osteoclasts express the PTH-1R mRNA but the protein is detected only in patients with 2 degrees HPT. The PTH-1R mRNA and protein also were found in osteoblasts, osteocytes, and bone marrow cells. Receptor expression was higher in osteoclasts and osteoblasts of patients with 2 degrees HPT than normal controls (98.0 +/- 1.1% vs. 65.7 +/- 14.3% and 65.8 +/- 3.4% vs. 39.1 +/- 6.2%; p < 0.01, respectively). Approximately half of osteoclasts found in bone of patients with 2 degrees HPT have the PTH-1R protein. In patients with 2 degrees HPT, a positive relationship exists between erosion depth, a parameter of osteoclastic activity, and the percentage of osteoclasts with PTH-1R protein (r = 0.58; p < 0.05). In normal controls, an inverse relationship exists between the percentage of osteoblasts with receptor mRNA, mRNA signals/cell, and serum PTH levels (r = -0.82 and p < 0.05 and r = -0.78 and p < 0.01, respectively). The results provide the novel evidence of PTH-1R in human osteoclasts and suggest a functional role for the receptors in 2 degrees HPT.     

Down-regulation of N-methyl D-aspartate receptor in rat-modeled disuse osteopenia

Lack of mechanical stress may result in osteoporosis; however, the underlying mechanisms of disuse osteoporosis remain unclear. It has been indicated that mechanical loading causes extracellular glutamate accumulation in osteoblasts. We hypothesized that the glutamate receptor mediation on bone cells might also be involved in mechanically stimulated osteogenesis. In this study, we investigated the changes of bone formation and the expressions of osteogenic genes and N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, the major glutamate receptors, in disused bones. Rat modeled disuse osteopenia in hind limbs was induced by a 3-week tail suspension in Sprague-Dawley rats. Bone mineral density and trabecular bone volume of distal femurs were measured to verify the osteopenia of disused bones. The mRNA expressions of cbfa1/Runx2, type I collagen, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteocalcin (OC) in bones were measured as osteogenic markers. The influences of mechanical unloading on the expressions of NMDA receptors (NR₁ and NR₂D) in bones were also examined. The effects of NMDA mediation on osteogenesis were tested by a treatment of MK-801, a non-competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, in cultured osteoblasts and bone marrow stroma cells. Our result showed that mRNA expressions of cbfa1/Runx2, type I collagen, ALP and OC were significantly decreased in disused bones. The mRNA and protein expressions of NR₁ and NR₂D were significantly decreased in disused bones; furthermore, immunolocalization of both receptors showed decreases in osteoblasts, but not in osteoclasts. The results from the in vitro study showed that MK-801 inhibited mRNA expression of cbfa1/Runx2 in bone marrow stroma cells and also inhibited those of collagen type I, ALP and OC of osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that NMDA receptor mediation may play an important role in transmitting mechanical loading in bones, and decreases of the expressions of NMDA receptors in disused bones, especially in osteoblasts, may contribute to the decrease of osteogenesis.     

Trabecular bone turnover, bone marrow cell development, and gene expression of bone matrix proteins after low calcium feeding in rats

Low-calcium-fed animals have been accepted as one of the experimental models showing a reduction in bone mass. However, the effects of short-term low-calcium feeding on bone turnover, the development of osteoprogenitor cells, and gene expression of bone matrix proteins have not been reported. In this study, we examined the effect of a low-calcium diet on rat tibia and analyzed the changes in the bone by histomorphometry, bone marrow cell culture, and in situ and Northern hybridization of the bone matrix proteins. Rats were fed either a low-calcium diet (0.05% Ca) or a normal calcium diet (0.5% Ca) using the pair feeding technique. They were killed at day 0, 12 h, and days 1, 2, and 3. In the low-calcium group, the serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) level was temporarily increased in 12 h after feeding the low-calcium diet. Bone mineral density in the trabecular bone was significantly decreased from 1 day after the low-calcium feeding, but cortical bone did not show any changes during the experimental period. The bone volume per tissue volume in the proximal tibia also decreased from day 1 in the low-calcium group. The number of osteoclasts and osteoblasts on the trabecular bone surface was increased in the low-calcium group compared with the normal-calcium group. An ex vivo study showed that the number of progenitors of osteoclasts and osteoblasts in bone marrow was also increased in the low-calcium group of rats. The localization of type I collagen mRNA was observed in osteoblasts in the low-calcium group. The Northern hybridization study showed that the gene expression of type I collagen, osteopontin, and osteocalcin was increased at day 3 in the low-calcium group. These results indicated that the trabecular bone surface quickly responded to the low-calcium feeding and that bone remodeling activity was activated probably by PTH. The changes in bone marrow cell populations and the gene expression of bone matrix proteins are closely associated with increased bone turnover induced by the low-calcium diet, resulting in rapid bone loss of the trabecular bone.     

Runx2基因对骨代谢调控的研究进展

人体骨代谢是一个复杂的过程,是破骨细胞（ osteoclast ,OC）吸收旧骨和成骨细胞（ osteoblast ,OB）形成新骨的动态平衡的过程。 Runx2（core binding factor alphal 1,核心结合因子a1）是调控成骨细胞和破骨细胞的分化促进骨形成的关键调控因子,通过调控成骨细胞特异性细胞外基质蛋白基因的表达和成骨细胞周期参与成骨细胞的分化过程,促进骨形成和抑制骨吸收。本文就Runx2在骨代谢中的作用作一综述。     

运动调控骨代谢的关键膜上受体—G蛋白偶联受体48

G蛋白偶联受体48(GPR48)作为一富含亮氨酸重复序列的膜上七次跨膜受体,其LRR结构域与R-spondin1或Norrin结合形成复合体后可作用于下游关键因子可调控骨质疏松、阿尔茨海默病、高血压等疾病发生。骨作为重要的生理学和生物力学组织,由成骨细胞(OB)和破骨细胞(OC)分别主导的骨形成和骨吸收之间的拮抗及协同调控骨组织代谢平衡。骨细胞是力学刺激敏感细胞,调节应力加载后的骨适应性反应,而运动训练对骨产生的力学刺激可翻译成结构级联性生化反应(Wnt、c AMP/PKA/Atf4、OPG/RANKL/RANK等途径稳态表达),调控骨形成和/或骨吸收。并且,GPR48通过R-spondin1可直接调控以上信号途径的激活状态。那么,GPR48能否通过下游级联信号途径从而在运动影响骨代谢中起分子介导作用呢?探究GPR48在运动影响骨代谢中的作用及其分子介导机制,希望能进一步完善运动影响骨代谢的分子机制信号网络并为骨疾病诊治提供新靶点和非药物干预方式。     

Identification of the Vitamin D Receptor in Osteoblasts and Chondrocytes But Not Osteoclasts in Mouse Bone

Bone is clearly a target of vitamin D and as expected, the vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed in osteoblasts. However, the presence of VDR in other cells such as osteocytes, osteoclasts, chondroclasts, and chondrocytes is uncertain. Because of difficulties in obtaining sections of undecalcified adult bone, identification of the site of VDR expression in adult bone tissue has been problematic. In addition, the antibodies to VDR used in previous studies lacked specificity, a property crucial for unambiguous conclusions. In the present study, VDR in the various cells from neonatal and adult mouse bone tissues was identified by a highly specific and sensitive immunohistochemistry method following bone decalcification with EGTA. For accurate evaluation of weak immunosignals, samples from Demay VDR knockout mice were used as negative control. Molecular markers were used to identify cell types. Our results showed that EGTA‐decalcification of bone tissue had no detectable effect on the immunoreactivity of VDR. VDR was found in osteoblasts and hypertrophic chondrocytes but not in the multinucleated osteoclasts, chondroclasts, and bone marrow stromal cells. Of interest is the finding that immature osteoblasts contain large amounts of VDR, whereas the levels are low or undetectable in mature osteoblasts including bone lining cells and osteocytes. Proliferating chondrocytes appear devoid of VDR, although low levels were found in the hypertrophic chondrocytes. These data demonstrate that osteoblasts and chondrocytes are major targets of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D, but osteoclasts and chondroclasts are minor targets or not at all. A high level of VDR was found in the immature osteoblasts located in the cancellous bone, indicating that they are major targets of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D. Thus, the immature osteoblasts are perhaps responsible for the vitamin D hormone signaling resulting in calcium mobilization and in osteogenesis. © 2014 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.     

Tie2 ligands angiopoietin-1 and angiopoietin-2 are coexpressed with vascular endothelial cell growth factor in growing human bone

Angiogenesis is essential for bone growth and repair. Recent studies have shown that the endothelial-specific mitogen vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key regulator of vascular invasion into the growth plate in infant and adolescent animals. In order to identify mechanisms regulating VEGF-induced angiogenesis in growing bone, we have investigated the expression of the angiopoietins (Ang-1 and Ang-2) in human neonatal ribs. Ang-1 and Ang-2 exhibited similar patterns of staining in the growing rib. In the cartilage, expression of Ang-1 and Ang-2 increased with chondrocyte maturation. Ang-1, Ang-2, and VEGF were not detected in the resting zone except adjacent to vascular canals, and maximum expression was detected at the cartilage bone interface. In the cartilage, Ang-2 was more highly expressed than Ang-1 or VEGF, with staining observed in the proliferating, hypertrophic, and mineralized zones. In the bone, Ang-1, Ang-2, and VEGF were detected in modeling and remodeling sites. Ang-1 was detected in the majority of osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and in some marrow space cells. Ang-2 was expressed at variable levels by osteoblasts and osteoclasts in modeling and remodeling bone. VEGF was detected in cells at bone surfaces and in the marrow spaces. Strong staining for VEGF was observed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts in modeling and remodeling bone. In the perichondrium, Ang-1, Ang-2, and VEGF were most highly expressed adjacent to the hypertrophic zone and at sites of bone collar formation. In the periosteum, Ang-1, Ang-2, and VEGF expression colocalized with alkaline phosphatase expression. These observations provide the first evidence for the expression of the angiopoietins in growing human bone in vivo. The distribution of Ang-1, Ang-2, and VEGF indicate these factors may play key roles in the regulation of angiogenesis at sites of endochondral ossification, intramembranous ossification, and bone turnover in the growing human skeleton.     

Vasoactive intestinal peptide regulates osteoclast activity via specific binding sites on both osteoclasts and osteoblasts

Clinical and experimental observations, together with immunohistochemical findings, suggest that neuro-osteogenic interactions may occur in the skeleton. In this study, we have examined the effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), one of the neuropeptides present in bone, on the activity of the bone-resorbing osteoclast. Effects on bone resorption were assessed by counting the number of pits formed by rat osteoclasts incubated on devitalized slices of bovine cortical bone. Under conditions with an initially sparse density of stromal cells/osteoblasts, VIP caused a rapid cytoplasmic contraction and decreased motility of osteoclasts. This was coupled with a decrease in the number of resorption lacunae and a decrease in the total area resorbed by the osteoclasts in 48-h cultures. Time-course experiments revealed that the inhibitory effects on contraction and motility were transient and that the cells gradually regained their activity, such that, when culture time was prolonged to 120 h, a stimulatory effect by VIP on bone resorption was observed. When osteoclasts were incubated on bone slices, in the presence of an initially large number of stromal cells/osteoblasts, VIP treatment increased the number of resorption pits and total bone area resorbed in 48-h cultures. Using atomic force microscopy, we provide direct evidence that both osteoclasts and stromal cells/osteoblasts bind VIP. Also, VIP was shown to cause a rapid rise of intracellular calcium in osteoclasts and in a proportion (20%) of stromal cells/osteoblasts. Taken together, these data suggest that differentiated osteoclasts are equipped with receptors for VIP that are linked to a transient inhibition of osteoclast activity and, in addition, that stromal cells/osteoblasts have VIP receptors coupled to a delayed stimulation of osteoclastic resorption.     

Cortisol Decreases Hepatocyte Growth Factor Levels in Human Osteoblast-Like Cells

Osteoporosis is a well-known side effect of long-term treatment with glucocorticoids. The hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) receptor is expressed by human osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and mouse osteoblasts also express HGF, indicating that HGF may regulate bone metabolism. Because HGF could be a candidate factor in the local paracrine signaling between osteoblasts and osteoclasts in bone, we decided to study whether human osteoblasts secrete HGF and whether glucocorticoids regulate the expression of HGF. HGF was easily detectable in the culture medium from human osteoblast-like cells (hOB). The HGF protein released into the culture medium was increased with increasing confluency. Hydrocortisone decreased the amount of HGF released into the culture medium from hOB in a dose-dependent manner with a maximal effect at 10⁻ M. Time-course studies revealed that hydrocortisone decreased the amount of HGF released into the culture medium significantly after 16 hours of stimulation (65 ± 2% of control culture). This effect of hydrocortisone was maximal after 24 hours of stimulation (52 ± 8% of control culture). In conclusion, HGF is produced by primary cultured hOB cells. Furthermore, the amount of HGF released into the culture medium is decreased by glucocorticoids. The biological significance of this finding remains to be demonstrated. Received: 29 December 1998 / Accepted: 13 August 1999     

成骨与破骨细胞促红细胞生成素肝细胞受体B4/肝配蛋白B2双向信号通路

成骨细胞与破骨细胞以直接接触的方式共同调控骨重建平衡,这也决定了两者的不可分割性。最新研究表明前破骨细胞肝配蛋白(Ephrin)B2与成骨细胞膜上促红细胞生成素肝细胞受体(Eph)B4受体的直接接触来调控骨稳态平衡。具有EphrinB2配体的前破骨细胞可通过直接接触具有EphB4受体的前成骨细胞从而触发各自相应的下游信号转导分子。通过激活成骨细胞膜表面Eph受体而起正向作用,进一步去抑制下游信号转导分子RhoA活性促进前体细胞分化成熟。反之,EphrinB2配体的激活起到反向作用,抑制破骨相关转录因子的C-fos/NFATc1转录级联反应来抑制前破骨细胞的分化,磨损颗粒导致的骨溶解会使破骨细胞上EphrinB2配体表达明显升高,并且会促进NFATc1的高表达,可以通过这种双向信号的机制来减弱甚至是抑制磨损颗粒导致的破骨细胞的进一步分化。     

Adenosine triphosphate stimulates human osteoclast activity via upregulation of osteoblast-expressed receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand

Nucleotides such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and uridine triphosphate (UTP) exist in the extracellular environment where they are agonists at P2 receptors. Both P2Y G-protein-coupled receptors and P2X ligand-gated ion channels are expressed by osteoblasts and osteoclasts, reflected in the diverse nucleotide-induced effects reported to occur in bone. Previous reports have implicated ATP as a proresorptive agent; however, these studies were unable to determine whether ATP mediated its actions directly on osteoclasts, or indirectly via osteoblasts. The development of techniques to generate human osteoclasts in vitro has allowed us to further investigate the intriguing role of extracellular nucleotides with regard to osteoclast activity. This study reports that nearly all P2-receptor-subtype mRNAs were expressed throughout human osteoclast development, and provides evidence for functional P2 receptor expression by these cells. In cultures of human osteoclasts alone, neither ATP nor UTP affected the quantity of resorption by these cells; however, in cocultures of osteoblast-like UMR-106 cells and human osteoclasts, ATP, but not UTP, greatly enhanced resorption, indicating a role for osteoblasts in mediating the proresorptive effects of ATP. Furthermore, ATP, but not UTP, elevated receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA and protein expression by UMR-106 cells. These data are consistent with observations that UMR-106 cells predominantly express P2Y(1) with low expression of P2Y(2), thereby explaining the response to ATP and not UTP, and further substantiating the involvement of osteoblasts in ATP-induced effects on osteoclasts. These results significantly advance our understanding of the role of P2 receptors in bone, and indicate that local-acting ATP may play a pivotal role in osteoclast activation at bone-resorbing sites by inducing elevated expression of RANKL.     

Dioxins interfere with differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts

We have previously shown that the environmental contaminant 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) affects bone growth, modelling and mechanical strength in vivo. In this study, we utilized differentiation of bone marrow stem cells to osteoblasts and osteoclasts as a model system to study the effects of TCDD on bones. Stem cells were isolated from bone marrow of femurs and tibias of rats and mice. Progress of osteoblastic differentiation was monitored by measuring mRNA expression levels of differentiation markers from control and TCDD-treated cells using quantitative RT-PCR. TCDD significantly and dose-dependently decreased the mRNA levels of RUNX2, alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. Also the activity of alkaline phosphatase was significantly inhibited in both rat and mice cells. In the case of osteoclasts, TCDD decreased the number of TRACP+ multinucleated cells, with corresponding decreases in the number of F-actin rings and the area of resorption. Studies in AHR-knockout mice indicated that TCDD has no effect on the expression of osteoblastic differentiation markers suggesting that TCDD mediates its effects by AHR. Both osteoblastic and osteoclastic effects took place at very low doses of TCDD, as in most cases 100 fM TCDD was enough to significantly affect the differentiation markers. Therefore, differentiation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts from bone marrow stem cells seems to be a very sensitive target for TCDD. Disrupting effects in osteoblastic cells, in addition to disturbed osteoclastogenesis, may thus play a role in adverse effects on bone quality in TCDD exposed animals.     

Notch信号通路在骨重建过程中的双向调节作用

Notch信号通路对骨形成及骨吸收的刺激和抑制作用都被广泛报道,其在成骨细胞、骨细胞、破骨细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞等的生成或分化中的作用出现了"矛盾"的结果,表现为对于骨形成-骨吸收偶联关系的双向调节作用,可见,Notch信号通路对骨重建过程的影响并非单一的促进或抑制作用,本文就Notch信号通路对成骨细胞、破骨细胞、骨髓间充质干细胞生成、分化及功能的双向调节作用做一综述,以期为相关骨代谢疾病的研究思路提供参考。     

PDGF Receptor Signaling in Osteoblast Lineage Cells Controls Bone Resorption Through Upregulation of Csf1 Expression

The physiological functions of platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFRs) α and β in osteoblast biology and bone metabolism remain to be established. Here, we show that PDGFRA and PDGFRB genes are expressed by osteoblast-lineage canopy and reversal cells in close proximity to PDGFB-expressing osteoclasts within human trabecular bone remodeling units. We also report that, although removal of only one of the two PDGFRs in Osterix-positive cells does not affect bone phenotype, suppression of both PDGFRs in those osteoblast lineage cells increases trabecular bone volume in male mice as well as in female gonad-intact and ovariectomized mice. Furthermore, osteoblast lineage-specific suppression of PDGFRs reduces Csf1 expression, bone marrow level of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), number of osteoclasts, and, therefore, bone resorption, but does not change bone formation. Finally, abrogation of PDGFR signaling in osteoblasts blocks PDGF-induced ERK1/2-mediated Csf1 expression and M-CSF secretion in osteoblast cultures and calcitriol-mediated osteoclastogenesis in co-cultures. In conclusion, our results indicate that PDGFR signaling in osteoblast lineage cells controls bone resorption through ERK1/2-mediated Csf1 expression. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Visualizing mineral binding and uptake of bisphosphonate by osteoclasts and non-resorbing cells

Bisphosphonates (BPs) target bone due to their high affinity for calcium ions. During osteoclastic resorption, these drugs are released from the acidified bone surface and taken up by osteoclasts, where they act by inhibiting the prenylation of small GTPases essential for osteoclast function. However, it remains unclear exactly how osteoclasts internalise BPs from bone and whether other cells in the bone microenvironment can also take up BPs from the bone surface. We have investigated this using a novel fluorescently-labelled alendronate analogue (FL-ALN), and by examining changes in protein prenylation following treatment of cells with risedronate (RIS). Confocal microscopic analysis showed that FL-ALN was efficiently internalised from solution or from the surface of dentine by resorbing osteoclasts into intracellular vesicles. Accordingly, unprenylated Rap1A accumulated to the same extent whether osteoclasts were cultured on RIS-coated dentine or with RIS in solution. By contrast, J774 macrophages internalised FL-ALN and RIS from solution, but took up comparatively little from dentine, due to their inability to resorb the mineral. Calvarial osteoblasts and MCF-7 tumour cells internalised even less FL-ALN and RIS, both from solution and from the surface of dentine. Accordingly, the viability of J774 and MCF-7 cells was drastically reduced when cultured with RIS in solution, but not when cultured on dentine pre-coated with RIS. However, when J774 macrophages were co-cultured with rabbit osteoclasts, J774 cells that were adjacent to resorbing osteoclasts frequently internalised more FL-ALN than J774 cells more distant from osteoclasts. This was possibly a result of increased availability of BP to these J774 cells due to transcytosis through osteoclasts, since FL-ALN partially co-localised with trancytosed, resorbed matrix protein within osteoclasts. In addition, J774 cells occupying resorption pits internalised more FL-ALN than those on unresorbed surfaces. These data demonstrate that osteoclasts are able to take up large amounts of BP, due to their ability to release the BP from the dentine surface during resorption. By contrast, non-resorbing cells take up only small amounts of BP that becomes available due to natural desorption from the dentine surface. However, BP uptake by non-resorbing cells can be increased when cultured in the presence of resorbing osteoclasts.     

(Pre-)osteoclasts induce retraction of osteoblasts before their fusion to osteoclasts.

Precursors of osteoclasts seeded on top of a confluent layer of osteoblasts/bone lining cells induced retraction of the latter cells. The (pre)osteoclasts then migrated in the formed cell-free areas and fused to form osteoclast-like cells. Retraction of the osteoblasts/bone lining cells proved to depend on activity of matrix metalloproteinases, and TGF-beta1 prevented the retraction. INTRODUCTION: It is well known that osteoblasts have a profound effect on (pre)osteoclasts in inducing the formation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Whether, on the other hand, (pre)osteoclasts also modulate osteoblast activity is largely unknown. Because osteoblasts/bone lining cells have to retract from the surface before resorption of bone by osteoclasts, we addressed the question of whether (pre)osteoclasts have the capacity to induce such an activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Rabbit calvarial osteoblasts/bone lining cells or periosteal fibroblasts were cultured until confluency, after which rabbit peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were seeded on top of them. The co-cultures were maintained for up to 15 days in the presence or absence of the cytokines transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 and TNF-alpha and selective inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases and serine proteinases. The formation of cell-free areas and the number of TRACP+ multinucleated osteoclast-like cells were analyzed. In addition, formation of cell-free areas was analyzed in co-cultures of osteoblasts with mature osteoclasts. RESULTS: The seeding of PBMCs on a confluent layer of osteoblasts/bone lining cells resulted in the following sequence of events. (1) A low number of PBMCs strongly attached to osteoblasts. 2) At these sites of contact, the osteoblasts retracted, thus forming cell-free areas. (3) The PBMCs invaded these areas and attached to the surface of the well, after which they fused and formed multinucleated TRACP+ osteoclast-like cells. Retraction was only seen if the cells were in direct contact; conditioned media from cultured PBMCs added to osteoblasts had no effect. Mature osteoclasts seeded on osteoblasts similarly induced retraction, but this retraction occurred at a much faster rate (within 2 days) than the retraction effectuated by the osteoclast precursors (after 8 days in co-culture). Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase activity, but not of serine proteinases, strongly reduced retraction of the osteoblasts, thus indicating that this type of cell movement depends on the activity of matrix metalloproteinases. A similar inhibitory effect was found with TGF-beta1. TNF-alpha had no effect on osteoblast retraction but enhanced the formation of multinucleated osteoclast-like cells. Addition of PBMCs to confluent layers of periosteal fibroblasts resulted in similar phenomena as observed in co-cultures with osteoblasts. However, the cell-free areas proved to be significantly smaller, and the number of multinucleated cells formed within cell-free areas was three to four times lower. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that osteoclast precursors and mature osteoclasts have the capacity to modulate the activity of osteoblasts and that, yet unknown, membrane-bound signaling molecules are essential in inducing retraction of osteoblasts and the subsequent formation of cell-free areas.