Hepatocellular carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: possibility of osteoclastogenesis by hepatocyte-derived cells

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a primary osteolytic tumor that is characterized by the formation of osteoclast-like giant cells. In addition to GCT of bone, extraskeletal GCT are known to be formed in several soft tissues. Giant cells in GCT of bone were suggested to be identical to osteoclasts, but the characterization of giant cells in extraskeletal GCT remains incomplete. In this study, a case of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells was analyzed. Immunohistochemistry revealed the expression of almost all markers of osteoclasts: tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, CD68, CD51, CD54 and matrix metalloprotease-9, in osteoclast-like giant cells in the tumor. In situ hybridization revealed the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B (RANK) in the giant cells and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in the tumor cells. The hepatic origin of the sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma cells was confirmed by the expression of albumin. This is the first report suggesting that hepatocyte-derived cells possess the potential for osteoclastogenesis. In addition, these findings suggest that osteoclast-like cells in the hepatocellular carcinoma were formed by the same mechanism as osteoclastogenesis in bone.     

DANCR Mediates the Rescuing Effects of Sesamin on Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Treatment via Orchestrating Osteogenesis and Osteoclastogenesis

As one of the leading causes of bone fracture in postmenopausal women and in older men, osteoporosis worldwide is attracting more attention in recent decades. Osteoporosis is a common disease mainly resulting from an imbalance of bone formation and bone resorption. Pharmaceutically active compounds that both activate osteogenesis, while repressing osteoclastogenesis hold the potential of being therapeutic medications for osteoporosis treatment. In the present study, sesamin, a bioactive ingredient derived from the seed of Sesamum Indicum, was screened out from a bioactive compound library and shown to exhibit dual-regulating functions on these two processes. Sesamin was demonstrated to promote osteogenesis by upregulating Wnt/β-catenin, while repressing osteoclastogenesis via downregulating NF-κB signaling . Furthermore, DANCR was found to be the key regulator in sesamin-mediated bone formation and resorption . In an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporotic mouse model, sesamin could rescue OVX-induced bone loss and impairment. The increased serum level of DANCR caused by OVX was also downregulated upon sesamin treatment. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that sesamin plays a dual-functional role in both osteogenesis activation and osteoclastogenesis de-activation in a DANCR-dependent manner, suggesting that it may be a possible medication candidate for osteoporotic patients with elevated DNACR expression levels.     

Notch信号促进核因子κB受体活化因子配体诱导的破骨细胞分化的体外研究

目的 探讨Notch信号抑制对核因子κB受体活化因子配体（RANKL）诱导的小鼠RAW264.7细胞向破骨细胞分化的影响。方法 建立RANKL诱导的小鼠RAW264.7细胞体外分化模型,实时定量聚合酶链反应（real-time PCR）检测Notch信号成分（Notch1、Notch2、Delta1、Jagged1）、下游靶基因Hes1以及破骨细胞标志基因抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（TRAP）和Cathepsin K在诱导前后mRNA的表达。在诱导体系中加入不同浓度的γ分泌酶抑制剂（GSI）,抑制Notch受体的表达,TRAP染色检测破骨细胞分化的变化情况。结果 50 ng•mL-1 RANKL诱导小鼠RAW264.7细胞3 d,Notch1、Notch2、Delta1、Jagged1及Hes1的mRNA表达均有不同程度的提高,其中以Notch2、Jagged1增高最明显;破骨细胞标志基因表达显著增高。在RANKL诱导的同时加入不同浓度GSI,抑制Notch的表达,可致Notch下游靶基因Hes1表达下降,同时TRAP阳性细胞计数显著减少,且呈剂量依赖性。结论 Notch信号可促进RANKL诱导的RAW264.7细胞向破骨细胞分化。     

骨关节布鲁氏菌病的研究进展

近年来布鲁氏菌病在一些国家和地区呈流行趋势,所致的骨与关节受损较为常见。其中骨关节受累最常见的3种形式是骶髂关节炎、脊椎炎和外周关节炎。骨损伤机制逐渐被阐明:TNF-α和参与调节骨质代谢的核因子κB受体活化因子配体(RANKL )参与其中,并由单核巨噬细胞、中性粒细胞、CD4⁺T细胞和B细胞等炎性细胞介导。此外,布鲁氏菌可直接作用于骨细胞和打破骨重塑的稳态平衡。通过作用成骨细胞抑制骨基质沉积、改变细胞表型产生金属蛋白酶(MMPs)和分泌细胞因子,从而促进骨基质降解。布鲁氏菌还可通过诱导破骨细胞生成和增强破骨细胞活化,进而增加矿物质和有机骨基质吸收,加剧了骨损伤。关节组织的病理学实验发现滑膜组织除了诱导细胞分泌趋化因子的激活、生成炎性细胞因子和基质金属蛋白酶,布鲁氏菌感染也可抑制滑膜细胞凋亡。布鲁氏菌是一种细胞内细菌,在巨噬细胞的内质网中优先复制。近年来骨与关节布鲁氏菌病分子机制的研究揭示布鲁氏菌与人类免疫细胞及骨关节细胞之间的相互作用在骨与关节损伤中发挥了重要作用。     

Bisphosphonate‐Induced Osteopetrosis: Novel Bone Modeling Defects,Metaphyseal Osteopenia,and Osteosclerosis Fractures After Drug Exposure Ceases

In 2003, we reported on a 12‐yr‐old boy who had developed osteopetrosis (OPT) while receiving pamidronate (PMD) for idiopathic bone pain and enigmatic elevation in circulating bone alkaline phosphatase. Now 17 yr of age, he was re‐evaluated 6.5 yr after PMD exposure stopped. Our patient described less bone pain but further limb fractures. His growth plates were fused, yet hyperphosphatasemia persisted. Radiographs documented interval fractures of a metacarpal, an osteosclerotic distal radius, and a dense diaphyseal segment of an ulna where a “chalkstick” break remained incompletely healed after 2 yr. There was new L₄ spondylolysis, and previous L₅ spondylolysis had caused spondylolisthesis. Modeling disturbances of OPT persisted, but partial recovery was shown by metaphyseal surfaces with a unique concave shape. Metaphyseal osteosclerosis had remodeled imperfectly to become focal areas of dense, diaphyseal bone. Newer metaphyseal bone was unexpectedly osteopenic, especially in his distal femurs where cortices were thin and a paucity of trabeculae was documented by CT. Femoral necks had become short and wide with an abnormal contour. A “bone‐within‐bone” configuration was now present throughout his skeleton. In vertebrae, endplates were thin, and trabecular osteopenia was present central and peripheral to the bands of osteosclerosis. BMD Z‐scores assessed by DXA had decreased into the normal range in his spine, hip, and whole body. Iliac crest biopsy showed active bone formation, with much less accumulated primary spongiosa than during the PMD infusions. Osteoclasts that had been dysmorphic, round cells without polarization and off of bone surfaces were now unremarkable in number, location, and appearance. In conclusion, bisphosphonate toxicity during childhood can impair skeletal modeling and remodeling with structural changes that evolve and carry into adult life.     

Interactions between microenvironment and cancer cells in two animal models of bone metastasis

The preferential proliferation of cancer cells in the bone microenvironment is poorly characterised. Expression pattern of bone marrow and other organ microenvironment in contact with osteolytic (Walker W256) and osteoblastic (MatLyLu MLL) metastases were investigated. Fisher and Copenhagen rats received, respectively, W256 and MLL cells injection. Bone and soft tissues were analysed by immunochemistry for DKK1, cathepsin K, RANKL, MCSF or IL6 expression. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAcP)-positive cells were detected by a histoenzymatic technique. In bone, expressions of MCSF and DKK1 were shown in stromal cells of the bone marrow, in contact with metastatic foci of both tumours. Many stromal cells were found RANKL positive in the vicinity of the tumours. Cells expressing cathepsin K and multinucleated TRAcP+ cells were found in direct contact with trabeculae but also in bone marrow spaces near metastatic cells. In extraosseous tumours, cells in contact with malignant cells did not expressed DKK1, MCSF, cathepsin K and IL6. Some RANKL+ cells were found in the periphery of subcutaneous tumours but may represent Langerhans cells. Abnormal presence of TRAcP+ cells was never observed in the vicinity of malignant cells. Interaction between stromal and cancer cells induces the expression on the formers of characteristics leading to osteoclastogenesis only in the bone microenvironment.     

Osteoclastogenic Potential of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Cleidocranial Dysplasia

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is an autosomal dominant skeletal dysplasia characterized by hypoplastic or aplastic clavicles, dental abnormalities, and delayed closure of the cranial sutures. In addition, mid-face hypoplasia, short stature, skeletal anomalies and osteoporosis are common. We aimed to evaluate osteoclastogenesis in a child (4 years old), who presented with clinical signs of CCD and who have been diagnosed as affected by deletion of RUNX2, master gene in osteoblast differentiation, but also affecting T cell development and indirectly osteoclastogenesis. The results of this study may help to understand whether in this disease is present an alteration in the bone-resorptive cells, the osteoclasts (OCs). Unfractionated and T cell-depleted Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) from patient were cultured in presence/absence of recombinant human M-CSF and RANKL. At the end of the culture period, OCs only developed following the addition of M-CSF and RANKL. Moreover, real-time PCR experiment showed that freshly isolated T cells expressed the osteoclastogenic cytokines (RANKL and TNFα) at very low level, as in controls. This is in accordance with results arising from flow cytometry experiments demonstrating an high percentage of circulating CD4⁺CD28⁺ and CD4⁺CD27⁺ T cells, not able to produce osteoclastogenic cytokines. Also RANKL, OPG and CTX serum levels in CCD patient are similar to controls, whereas QUS measurements showed an osteoporotic status (BTT-Z score -3.09) in the patient. In conclusions, our findings suggest that the heterozygous deletion of RUNX2 in this CCD patient did not alter the osteoclastogenic potential of PBMCs in vitro.     

p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor LY2228820 enhances bortezomib-induced cytotoxicity and inhibits osteoclastogenesis in multiple myeloma; therapeutic implications

The interaction between multiple myeloma (MM) cells and the bone marrow (BM) microenvironment induces proliferation and survival of MM cells, as well as osteoclastogenesis. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of novel p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) inhibitor LY2228820 (LY) in MM. Although cytotoxicity against MM cell lines was modest, LY significantly enhanced the toxicity of bortezomib by down-regulating bortezomib-induced heat shock protein 27 phosphorylation. LY inhibited interleukin-6 secretion from long term cultured-BM stromal cells and BM mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) derived from MM patients in remission. LY also inhibited macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha secretion from patient MM cells and BMMNCs as well as normal CD14 positive osteoclast precursor cells. Moreover, LY significantly inhibited in vitro osteoclastogenesis from CD14 positive cells induced by macrophage-colony stimulating factor and soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand. Finally, LY also inhibited in vivo osteoclatogenesis in a severe combined immunodeficiency mouse model of human MM. These results suggest that LY represents a promising novel targeted approach to improve MM patient outcome both by enhancing the effect of bortezomib and by reducing osteoskeletal events.     

Osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor/osteoprotegerin ameliorates the decrease in both bone mineral density and bone strength in immobilized rats

Rat models of immobilization-induced osteopenia are characterized by uncoupling of bone metabolism, i.e., increased bone resorption and decreased bone formation in trabecular bone. Using such a rat model, the efficacy of osteoclastogenesis inhibitory factor (OCIF)/osteoprotegerin, a novel secreted protein that inhibits osteoclastogenesis, in reducing bone loss was investigated. Male Fischer rats were neurectomized and injected intramuscularly with either OCIF (0.2, 1.0, or 5.0 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle once daily for 7 days. On the eighth day after sciatic neurectomy, significant bone loss was observed in the vehicle-injected rats. OCIF ameliorated the decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) of both the proximal and distal femur in a dose-dependent manner. OCIF also ameliorated the decrease in bone strength of the femoral neck at the highest dose. A high correlation (r = 0.805) was detected between the BMD of the distal femur and the bone strength of the femoral neck. When OCIF was administered intermittently to the immobilized rats twice weekly (on days 1 and 4) after immobilization, it also ameliorated the decrease in BMD of the distal femur. These results suggest that OCIF has therapeutic potential for the treatment of immobilization-induced osteopenia. Received: April 18, 2001 / Accepted: July 23, 2001