建立小鼠成骨与破骨细胞相互作用的共育新体系

背景：众所周知,骨重建是骨组织中重要的生物学反应过程,其中成骨细胞与破骨细胞发挥了关键作用。但目前,关于骨重建中成骨与破骨细胞间信号传递的深层机制还不清楚。 目的：利用transwell技术,在体外建立一种成骨与破骨细胞的新型共育体系,为深入研究骨重建中成骨与破骨细胞的相互作用提供成熟的实验模型。 方法：采用MC3T3-E1成骨样细胞株与RAW264.7破骨前体细胞株,进行体外成骨与破骨细胞的诱导分化,并利用Transwell共培养板(0.4 µm聚酯膜)建立成骨与破骨细胞的共育体系。共培养6 d后,通过测定细胞活性和碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活力分析成骨细胞的增殖和分化活性,利用抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色、甲苯胺蓝(TB)染色、TRAP活性测定及扫描电镜技术观察破骨细胞的分化及骨吸收功能。 结果与结论：共培养体系中成骨样细胞的无限增殖能力减弱,而分化活性明显增强,同时破骨前体细胞被诱导分化为成熟的破骨细胞,并具有一定的骨吸收功能。因此,该共培养体系可用于骨重建中成骨与破骨细胞间信号通路的深层研究。     

Expression of osteoprotegerin and RANK ligand in breast cancer bone metastasis

Bone destruction is primarily mediated by osteoclastic bone resorption, and cancer cells stimulate the formation and activation of osteoclasts next to metastatic foci. Accumulating evidences indicate that receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) is the ultimate extracellular mediator that stimulates osteoclast differentiation into mature osteoclasts. In contrast, osteoprotegerin (OPG) inhibits osteoclast development. In order to elucidate a mechanism for cancer-induced osteoclastogenesis, cells from a human breast cancer line, MDA-MB-231, were directly co-cultured with ST2, MC3T3-E1, or with primary mouse calvarial cells. Osteoclast-like cells and tartarate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activities were then quantitated. We examined these cell lines and samples from breast cancer by RT-PCR for the expressions of OPG and RANKL mRNA. Compared to controls, co-culture of MDA-MB-231 cells with stromal or osteoblastic cells induced an increase in number of osteoclasts and TRAP activities. MDA-MB-231 cells alone or breast cancer samples did not express RANKL mRNA. However, co-culture of these cancer cells with stromal or osteoblastic cells induced RANKL mRNA expression and decreased OPG mRNA expression. These experiments demonstrate that direct interactions between breast cancer and stromal or osteoblastic cells induce osteoclastogenesis in vitro through modulating RANKL expression.     

Fluid Flow-Induced Calcium Response in Osteoclasts: Signaling Pathways

Intracellular calcium oscillation and its downstream signaling in osteoclasts is believed to play critical roles in regulating bone resorption. Our previous study demonstrated that fluid shear stress (FSS) induced more calcium responsive peaks in the late differentiated osteoclasts than the early ones. In this paper, the signaling pathways of FSS-induced calcium response for the osteoclasts in different differentiation stages were studied. RAW264.7 macrophage cells were induced to differentiate into osteoclasts with the conditioned medium from MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Furthermore pharmacological agents were added to block the specific signaling pathways. Finally the cells were exposed to FSS at different levels (1 or 10 dyne/cm²) after being induced for 4 or 8 days. The results showed that the mechanosensitive, cation-selective channels, phospholipase C (PLC) and endoplasmic reticulum constituted the major signaling pathway for mechanical stimulation-induced calcium response in osteoclasts. Extracellular calcium or ATP involved with calcium oscillation in a FSS magnitude-dependent manner. This pathway study may help to give insight into the molecular mechanism of mechanical stimulation-regulated bone remodeling.     

低强度高频率振动对成骨细胞生物学特性的影响

目的　研究低强度高频率振动（low-magnitude high-frequency vibration, LMHFV）对成骨细胞生物学特性的影响。 方法　建立LMHFV加载MC3T3-E1细胞模型,观察不同频率LMHFV对MC3T3-E1细胞OPG/RANKL浓度比的影响,获得OPG/RANKL浓度比最高的频率（F）为后续研究频率;以0 Hz为对照,观察LMHFV对MC3T3-E1细胞碱性磷酸酶 (ALP)、骨钙素(OCN) mRNA和蛋白活性,及钙化结节形成的影响;LMHFV加载形成的条件培养液（CMF）孵育RAW264.7细胞,观察CMF对破骨细胞抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（TRAP）染色、多核破骨细胞形成、TRAP mRNA及蛋白活性的影响;观察LMHFV对MC3T3-E1细胞环氧化酶2(COX-2)蛋白水平的表达及COX-2抑制剂NS-398对LMHFV影响MC3T3-E1细胞分化的作用。 结果　30 Hz LMHFV获得OPG/RANKL浓度比最高,促进ALP、OCN mRNA及蛋白活性增加,增加钙化结节形成。30 Hz LMHFV形成的CM抑制RAW264.7细胞向多核破骨细胞分化,抑制TRAP mRNA及活性;LMHFV可诱导COX-2蛋白水平增加,NS-398能抑制LMHFV促进成骨细胞分化。 结论　30 Hz的LMHFV对MC3T3-E1细胞OPG/RANKL浓度比及成骨分化具有积极的影响,通过调控成骨细胞OPG/RANKL浓度比间接抑制骨吸收,COX-2通路参与了LMHFV对成骨细胞生物学特性的调节作用。     

Different effects of carbon ion and γ-irradiation on expression of receptor activator of NF-kB ligand in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells

We investigated the effects of carbon ion and γ-irradiation on osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells by comparing mRNA expression levels for RANKL and osteoprotegerin by RT-PCR. MC3T3-E1 cells were irradiated with 2, 4, or 6 Gy of carbon ions or γ-rays, and total RNA was harvested 1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days after irradiation. The RANKL mRNA/OPG mRNA ratio in carbon ion-irradiated MC3T3-E1 cells was lower, while in γ-irradiated MC3T3-E1 cells this ratio was higher than in non-irradiated cells. To evaluate osteoclastogenesis of MC3T3-E1 cells, carbon ion-or γ-irradiated cells were co-cultured with non-irradiated cells from murine bone marrow. Staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) in co-cultures showed that carbon ion irradiation suppressed osteoclastogenesis. This result is consistent with the lower RANKL/OPG mRNA ratio for carbon ion-irradiated cells. These results suggest that carbon ion irradiation acts primarily on osteoblastic cells, leading to a decrease in the RANKL/OPG mRNA ratio. This effect, in turn, leads to a decrease in osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast activity, which results in an increase in bone volume. __________ Translated from Byulleten’ Eksperimental’noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 142, No. 11, pp. 566–572, November, 2006     

Alveolar mononuclear cells can develop into multinucleated osteoclasts: an in vitro cell culture model

Previous studies have shown that osteoclasts are derived from mononuclear cells of hemopoietic bone marrow and peripheral blood. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the presence of multinucleated osteoclasts after adding alveolar mononuclear cells to new-born rat calvaria osteoblasts in vitro. To utilize osteoclast-free bone, fetal calvariae were obtained from newborn Wistar-rats and cultured in DMEM medium for 14 days. On the day of osteoblast culture, alveolar mononuclear cells were isolated from newborn Wistar rats with a serial washing method and then co-cultured with the calvarial osteoblasts. Bone resorption characteristics were observed both with light and scanning electron microscopy. When alveolar mononuclear cells were cultured for 14 days on the calvarial osteoblasts in response to 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, they formed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive mononuclear and multinucleated cells. Resorption pits were seen in the 7-14 days long-term cultures. These results indicate that osteoclasts can be derived from alveolar mononuclear cells in vitro when a suitable microenvironment is provided by calvarial osteoblasts and vitamin D(3).     

Constitutive c-fos expression in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells stimulates osteoclast maturation and osteoclastic bone resorption.

The effect of culture supernatants of c-fos-transfected MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells on osteoclastic bone resorption was studied. Human c-fos cDNA was integrated in the expression vector pH8, and the cells were transfected using the calcium phosphate precipitation technique. Osteoclastic bone resorption was quantified by the pit formation assay, and the osteoclast maturation from precursor was assessed by the generation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells (MNC). The culture supernatants of MC3T3-E1 transfectants constitutively expressing c-fos gene enhanced osteoclast-like MNC formation from haematopoietic blast cells compared with those of control transfectants (P < 0.01). The culture supernatants also promoted osteoclastic bone resorption: the pit number, 118.7 +/- 38.5, was significantly higher than 19.0 +/- 10.1 of the control (P < 0.05). The absorption area, 12,394 +/- 3145 mm2, was significantly larger than 1646 +/- 314 mm2 of the control (P < 0.05). The culture supernatants also promoted bone resorption by purified chick osteoclasts (P < 0.05). The results show that constitutive expression of c-fos gene in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells stimulates osteoclast maturation and osteoclastic bone resorption by releasing humoral mediator(s).     

Compressive Force Induces Osteoclast Differentiation via Prostaglandin E2 Production in MC3T3-E1 Cells

In orthodontic tooth movement, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) released from osteoblasts can alter the normal process of bone remodeling. We previously showed that compressive force (CF) controls bone formation by stimulating the production of PGE₂ and Ep2 and/or Ep4 receptors in osteoblasts. The present study was undertaken to examine the effect of CF on the production of PGE₂, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) using osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and to examine the indirect effect of CF on osteoclast differentiation using RAW264.7 cells as osteoclast precursors. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with or without continuous CF (1.0 or 3.0 g/cm²) for 24 hr, and PGE₂ production was determined using ELISA. The expression of COX-2, M-CSF, RANKL, and OPG genes and proteins was determined using real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Osteoclast differentiation was estimated using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining of RAW 264.7 cells cultured for 10 days with conditioned medium from CF-treated MC3T3-E1 cells and soluble RANKL. As CF increased, PGE₂ production and the expression of COX-2, M-CSF, and RANKL increased, whereas OPG expression decreased. The number of TRAP-positive cells increased as CF increased. Celecoxib, a specific inhibitor of COX-2, blocked the stimulatory effect of CF on TRAP staining and the production of PGE₂, M-CSF, RANKL, and OPG. These results suggest that CF induces osteoclast differentiation by increasing M-CSF production and decreasing OPG production via PGE₂ in osteoblasts.     

Metastatic breast cancer cells suppress osteoblast adhesion and differentiation

Bone is a primary target for colonization of metastatic breast cancer cells. Once present, the breast cancer cells activate osteoclasts, thereby stimulating bone loss. Bone degradation is accompanied by pain and increased susceptibility to fractures. However, targeted inhibition of osteoclasts does not completely prevent lesion progression, nor does it heal the lesions. This suggests that breast cancer cells may also affect osteoblasts, cells that build bone. The focus of this study was to determine the ability of breast cancer cells to alter osteoblast function. MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts were cultured with conditioned medium from MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and subsequently assayed for changes in differentiation. Osteoblast differentiation was monitored by expression of osteocalcin, bone sialoprotein and alkaline phosphatase, and by mineralization. Osteoblasts cultured with MDA-MB-231 conditioned medium did not express these mature bone proteins, nor did they mineralize a matrix. Inhibition of osteoblast differentiation was found to be due to transforming growth factor β present in MDA-MB-231 conditioned medium. Interestingly, breast cancer conditioned medium also altered cell adhesion. When osteoblasts were assayed for adhesion properties using interference reflection microscopy and scanning acoustic microscopy, there was a reduction in focal adhesion plaques and sites of detachment were clearly visible. F-actin was disassembled and punctate in osteoblasts cultured with MDA-MB-231 conditioned medium rather than organized in long stress fibers. Taken together, these observations suggest that metastatic breast cancer cells alter osteoblast adhesion and prevent differentiation. These affects could account for the continued loss of bone after osteoclast inhibition in patients with bone-metastatic breast cancer.     

新型氯化锂复合磷酸钙骨水泥的理化性能及成骨特性

BACKGROUND: Lithium chloride is a widely used inorganic ion inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and it can be combined with glycogen synthase kinase-3β to activate the classical Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby promoting human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts proliferation and accelerating bone repair. OBJECTIVE: To observe the physicochemical properties of novel lithium chloride/calcium phosphate cement, and to explore its osteoinductive biological property. METHODS: Calcium phosphate cement served as control group, and lithium chloride/calcium phosphate cement containing different lithium content as experimental groups. The setting time and compressive strength of bone cement in each group were detected, and the microstructure of the material surface observed under scanning electron microscopy. Bone cement and MC3T3-E1 cells were co-cultured in vitro, and the growth and adhesion morphology of MC3T3-E1 cells on the surface of bone cement were observed under the scanning electron microscope. Effect of bone cement extracts on cell proliferation was determined through MTT assay, and alkaline phosphatase kit used for determining alkaline phosphatase activity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Lithium chloride/calcium phosphate cement had the same physicochemical properties to the calcium phosphate cement. Initial and final setting time, compressive strength and morphology of bone cement had no significant differences among groups. MC3T3-E1 cells grew and adhered well on the material surface. Results of MTT assay showed that compared with the calcium phosphate cement, the lithium chloride/calcium phosphate cement was better to improve osteoblast proliferation in vitro. In addition, the alkaline phosphatase activity in MC3T3-E1 cells was higher in experimental groups than the control group. These findings indicate that lithium chloride/calcium phosphate cement can maintain good physicochemical properties, and release lithium ions to promote bone formation.       

牵张应力介导细胞成骨分化及相关基因的表达

背景：ERK1/2信号通路和核因子κB信号通路是否参与了牵张应力作用下MC3T3-E1细胞成骨分化及相关基因表达的调控,尚不清楚。 目的：观察机械牵张应力对作用下ERK1/2和核因子κB通路对成骨细胞碱性磷酸酶、Ⅰ型胶原、骨钙蛋白、白细胞介素6表达的影响,探讨ERK1/2与核因子κB信号通路对成骨细胞分化的调控作用。 方法：体外培养的MC3T3-E1细胞,以ERK1/2通路特异性抑制剂PD098059及核因子κB通路抑制剂PDTC分别处理30 min后加载12%的拉伸应变率24 h,以正常细胞及单纯加载12%牵张应力24 h为对照。采用ELISA及Real-time PCR方法检测细胞加载前后碱性磷酸酶活性、Ⅰ型胶原、骨钙蛋白及白细胞介素6 mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：在12%牵张应力作用下,MC3T3-E1细胞碱性磷酸酶、Ⅰ型胶原、白细胞介素6的表达受ERK1/2信号通路的调控,而骨钙蛋白基因表达的变化不受ERK1/2通路的影响。核因子κB信号通路抑制剂PDTC可显著抑制机械牵应张力作用下MC3T3-E1细胞碱性磷酸酶活性的降低,同时抑制白细胞介素6基因的表达,而Ⅰ型胶原、骨钙蛋白基因表达的变化不受核因子κB信号通路的影响。结果表明牵张应力可以通过ERK1/2和核因子κB通路影响MC3T3-E1细胞的成骨分化及相关基因表达。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程全文链接：     

小分子肽对成骨前体细胞MC3T3-E1骨保护素和核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体表达的影响

背景：体内实验显示,小分子肽能明显增加去卵巢大鼠的骨钙含量,使其骨密度增加,能很好地预防骨质疏松。同时体外实验显示,小分子肽能促进小鼠成骨细胞和成骨前体细胞MC3T3-E1增殖、分化、矿化,并且可能是通过抑制核转录因子 p50和p65的表达来起作用。而小分子肽对骨保护素/核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体的影响尚不明确。 目的：观察小分子肽对MC3T3-E1在增殖、分化、矿化过程中骨保护素和RANKL表达的影响。 方法：以体积分数10%胎牛血清的DMEM培养液为空白对照组,50,100 mg/L质量浓度小分子肽作用小鼠成骨前体细胞MC3T3-E1,分别于作用3,6,12,18,24,30 d后,收集细胞提取蛋白,Western Blot检测骨保护素和核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体蛋白的表达。 结果与结论：50,100 mg/L小分子肽作用MC3T3-E1后能明显促进作用骨保护素的表达(P < 0.01),而对核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体无明显影响。小分子肽作用后MC3T3-E1中骨保护素/核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体的比值要明显高于空白对照组(P < 0.01)。因此,认为小分子肽可以通过增加骨保护素的表达来影响骨保护素/核转录因子κB受体活化因子配体系统,间接地抑制破骨细胞的数量和功能。     

Grooves affect primary bone marrow but not osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell cultures

To elucidate the influence of microtextures on bone cell performance, primary adult rat bone marrow cells (RBMC) and osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on tissue culture pretreated plates to which grooves at different density were applied. RBMC cells were found to be significantly affected by grooves in the substratum in contrast to osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, taking culture morphology, total cell number, cell mass, and cell activity (MTT-dehydrogenase), parameter for differentiation of osteoblast progenitor cells into (pre-)osteoblasts (alkalinephosphatase activity, ALP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity as indices. TRAP is located in lysosomes and secretory granules mainly although not solely in osteoclasts. By applying grooves to and/or by chemical treatment of unpretreated pure polysterene plates it could be concluded that the effects on RBMC cells were evoked not only by the presence of grooves but also by the surface chemistry of the grooved and ungrooved surface areas.     

Local effects of impaired mechanical properties of collagen on bone formation and resorption

Summary To study the relationship between the mechanical properties of collagen and the bone turnover, 2-week-old Balb/C mice were fed on a diet containing 0.25% Beta aminopropionitrile (B-APN), a potent inhibitor of collagen crosslink formation, for 3 weeks. Mandibular incisor socket was selected for the analysis of bone formation and resorption parameters. Plastic embedded sections stained with toludine blue and cut at 4 µm were used to analyze the average area of bone lamellae, bone-forming surface, and the number of osteoblasts/mm of forming surface. Similar sections were used to localize acid phosphatase on resorbing surfaces and within the osteoclasts, while bone alkaline phosphatase was determined by a colorimetric method. Morphometric analyses showed that the area of newly formed bone lamellae, total forming surface, number of osteoblasts and the Alk. Pase activity were significantly lower in B-APN-fed mice as compared to the controls. There was a concomitant smaller, but significant, reduction in total resorption surface, active resorption surface and the number of osteoclasts. These results suggest that the regulation of bone formation and resorption at this site, which is independent of systemic regulation, is influenced by the mechanical properties of the collagenous matrix, which in turn may have a significant effect on the existing pool of bone-forming cells, but may not influence the recruitment of new cells.     

Advances in bone biology and new treatments for bone loss

Recent advances in bone biology have led to a more detailed understanding of bone remodeling which is a process that leads to resorption of old bone and replacement by formation of new bone. The most important discoveries in this process of bone remodeling were those of the RANK Ligand/RANK/OPG system which is now recognized the dominant pathway regulating bone resorption. RANK Ligand (RANKL) is a cytokine belonging to the tumor necrosis factor family and is expressed by osteoblasts; it binds to membrane bound receptor RANK on osteoclasts and promotes differentiation of marrow cells through various stages to multinucleated osteoclasts which resorb bone. Several hormones such as parathyroid hormone, calcitriol and prostaglandins stimulate RANK Ligand expression by osteoblasts. Osteoblasts also secrete osteoprotegerin (OPG) which is a soluble receptor that is a potent antagonist of osteoclast formation by binding and inactivating RANKL and OPG is therefore an important regulator of bone resorption. OPG is stimulated by estrogen. OPG has been genetically engineered and in human subjects is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption. Another method for preventing bone resorption is to develope antibodies against RANKL and this has been shown to be a successful strategy. A single subcutaneous injection of this antibody (Denosumab) every 6 months proved to be a potent inhibitor of bone resorption and clinical fracture trials using this agent are now underway. These are novel developments that have risen from basic research in bone biology and other discoveries in the bone remodeling process can be expected to lead to further treatment options for various bone diseases.     

Immunolocalization of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in Meckel's cartilage compared with developing endochondral bones in mice

We examined the immunolocalization of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) in areas of resorption caused by osteoclasts/chondroclasts on embryonic days 14-16 (E14-16) in Meckel's cartilage, and compared the results with those in endochondral bones in mice. Intense RANKL and OPG immunoreactivity was detected in the chondrocytes in Meckel's cartilage. On E15, when the incisor teeth were closest to the middle portion of Meckel's cartilage, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive cells appeared on the lateral side of the cartilage. Furthermore, the dental follicle showed moderate immunoreactivity for RANKL and OPG, whereas osteoblasts derived from perichondral cells were immunonegative for RANKL and OPG in that area. On E16, cartilage resorption by TRAP-positive cells had progressed at the differential position, and intensely immunoreactive products of RANKL were overlapped on and found to exist next to TRAP-positive cells in the resorption area. In developing metatarsal tissue, OPG immunoreactivity was intense in periosteal osteoblasts, whereas RANKL was only faintly seen in some of the periosteal cells. In epiphyseal chondrocytes of the developing femur, RANKL immunoreactivity was moderate, and OPG scarcely detected. These results indicate a peculiarity of RANKL and OPG immunolocalization in resorption of Meckel's cartilage. Growth of the incisor teeth may be involved in the time- and position-specific resorption of Meckel's cartilage through local regulation of the RANKL/OPG system in dental follicular cells and periosteal osteoblasts, whereas RANKL and OPG in chondrocytes seem to contribute to resorption through regulation of the chondroclast function.     

Prostate cancer derived prostatic acid phosphatase promotes an osteoblastic response in the bone microenvironment

Approximately 90 % of patients who die of prostate cancer (PCa) have bone metastases, often promoting osteoblastic lesions. We observed that 88 % of castration-resistant PCa (CRPC) bone metastases express prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), a soluble secreted protein expressed by prostate epithelial cells in predominately osteoblastic (n = 18) or osteolytic (n = 15) lesions. Additionally, conditioned media (CM) of an osteoblastic PCa xenograft LuCaP 23.1 contained significant levels of PAP and promoted mineralization in mouse and human calvaria-derived cells (MC3T3-E1 and HCO). To demonstrate that PAP promotes mineralization, we stimulated MC3T3-E1 cells with PAP and observed increased mineralization, which could be blocked with the specific PAP inhibitor, phosphonic acid. Furthermore, the mineralization promoted by LuCaP 23.1 CM was also blocked by phosphonic acid, suggesting PAP is responsible for the mineralization promoting activity of LuCaP 23.1. In addition, gene expression arrays comparing osteoblastic to osteolytic CRPC (n = 14) identified betacellulin (BTC) as a gene upregulated during the osteoblastic response in osteoblasts during new bone formation. Moreover, BTC levels were increased in bone marrow stromal cells in response to LuCaP 23.1 CM in vitro. Because new bone formation does occur in osteoblastic and can occur in osteolytic CRPC bone metastases, we confirmed by immunohistochemistry (n = 36) that BTC was highly expressed in osteoblasts involved in new bone formation occurring in both osteoblastic and osteolytic sites. These studies suggest a role for PAP in promoting the osteoblastic reaction in CRPC bone metastases and identify BTC as a novel downstream protein expressed in osteoblasts during new bone formation.