Administration of colony stimulating factor-1 to toothless osteopetrotic rats normalizes osteoblast, but not osteoclast, gene expression

The toothless (tl) osteopetrotic mutation in the rat is characterized by generalized skeletal sclerosis, a severe reduction in the numbers of osteoclasts, monocytes, and macrophages, and absence of tooth eruption. Studies examining gene expression in bone-derived cells of tl rats and their normal littermates have shown that genes related to osteoblast function are aberrantly expressed in tl rats compared to normal littermates. We have previously shown that exogenous administration of colony stimulating factor-1 (CSF-1) to tl rats results in a dramatic reduction of the skeletal sclerosis and significant increases in the number of osteoclasts. Thus, we examined the effects of CSF-1 on osteoblast and osteoclast gene expression in tl rats as demonstrated by Northern blot analysis. While osteoblast-related gene expression as reflected by mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and type I collagen was normalized, osteoclastrelated gene expression, as reflected by mRNA levels of carbonic anhydrase II and tartrate-resistant adenosine triphosphatase, remained significantly lower in CSF-1-treated tl rats compared to untreated normal littermates. Since previous studies have not demonstrated the CSF-1 receptor on osteoblasts, these results suggest that osteoblast abnormalities in tl rats are an effect of the osteopetrotic condition rather than the cause of the disease.     

T淋巴细胞在雌激素缺乏状态下对破骨细胞的影响

雌激素缺乏是导致绝经后女性破骨细胞活化的重要因素。雌激素缺乏一方面可促进胸腺T细胞输出，诱导T细胞活化和增殖，导致骨髓活化T细胞增多而促进破骨细胞形成；另一方面通过促炎细胞因子进一步增强活化T细胞的破骨作用。活化的T细胞不仅表达核因子-κB受体活化因子配体（RANKL）和巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（M—CSF）等促骨吸收因子，抑制成骨细胞分化和形成，直接参与破骨过程；而且其产生的肿瘤坏死因子．仪还可与骨髓基质细胞表达的RANKL和M-CSF协同作用，增强破骨前体细胞对RANKL的敏感性，促进破骨细胞的发育和功能，引起骨形成和骨吸收的失衡，最终导致骨丢失增加。     

甲状旁腺激素在体外对破骨细胞分化及骨重吸收能力的影响

目的 探讨甲状旁腺激素(PTH)在体外直接对破骨细胞(OCs)分化及骨吸收能力的影响，以及其与成骨细胞(OBs)中核因子kB受体激活剂受体配体(ligand of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B，RANKL)基因和OPG(osteoprotegerin)基因表达的关系。方法体外直接用PTH诱导C3h小鼠全骨髓分化出OCs，用牙片小坑法(pits assayr)观察OCs对骨的重吸收能力。并采用多重RT-PCR方法检测在不同PTH作用浓度和不同作用时间的条件下,OBs中RANKL基因和OPG基因的表达情况。结果(1)PTH在体外可诱导C3h小鼠全骨髓分化出OCs，且在一定浓度范围内，随着PTH增加，OCs的形成数目和骨组织的破坏程度随之增加；(2)在一定PTH浓度和时间范围内，OBs中的RANKL-mRNA及OPG-mRNA表达呈剂量依赖性和时间依赖性。结论 PTH在体外可通过诱导RANKL基因和OPG基因表达而直接影响OCs的分化和骨重吸收功能。     

PERK-eIF2α-ATF4信号通路参与调控磷酸三钙磨损颗粒诱导的假体周围骨溶解

目的 探讨蛋白激酶R样内质网激酶（PERK）-真核细胞起始因子2α（eIF2α）-活化转录因子4（ATF4）介导的内质网应激通路在磷酸三钙（TCP）磨损颗粒诱导假体周围骨溶解中的作用。 方法 取雄性ICR小鼠30只,随机分为3组：假手术组（sham,n=10）、TCP磨损颗粒组（模型组,n=10）和salubrinal干预组(SAL,n=10)。采用TCP磨损颗粒诱导小鼠颅骨溶解模型,于术后第2天颅顶局部注射SAL（1 mg/kg）,每隔2 d 1次,持续干预2周。实验结束后处死动物取颅骨和外周血。Western blotting法检测TCP磨损颗粒植入部位周围骨组织中内质网应激分子伴侣葡萄糖调节蛋白78（GRP78）、C/EBP同源蛋白（CHOP）表达水平及PERK-eIF2α-ATF4信号通路的活化情况;HE染色和抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（TRAP）染色观察SAL对假体周围骨溶解和破骨细胞形成的影响;Real-time PCR检测SAL对破骨细胞活化相关基因抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶（TRAP）、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）和 c-fos的mRNA水平;ELISA法检测SAL对血清中肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）和前列腺素E₂（PGE₂）水平的影响。 结果 TCP磨损颗粒可诱导假体周围骨组织发生内质网应激反应,同时激活PERK-eIF2α-ATF4信号通路,表现为TCP磨损颗粒组小鼠颅骨组织中内质网应激通路蛋白GRP78、CHOP和磷酸化PERK（p-PERK）、磷酸化eIF2α（p-eIF2α）和ATF4蛋白表达均显著上调,而PERK和eIF2α蛋白明显下调（P<0.05）;而颅顶局部注射eIF2α特异性抑制剂SAL可明显阻止TCP磨损颗粒诱导假体周围破骨细胞形成和骨溶解,减少TRAP、MMP-9和cathepsin K 的mRNA水平（P<0.05）;同时抑制TNF-α、PGE2和IL-1β等炎症因子的产生（P<0.05）。 结论 PERK-eIF2α-ATF4介导的内质网应激通路参与调控TCP磨损颗粒诱导的小鼠颅骨溶解;抑制该信号通路可减轻TCP磨损颗粒诱导的假体周围骨溶解和关节松动。     

The W9 peptide directly stimulates osteoblast differentiation via RANKL signaling

Objective

A RANKL-binding peptide, WP9QY (W9), is known to inhibit mouse osteoclastogenesis by stimulating the production of autocrine factors such as bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) to induce osteoblast differentiation. In the present study, we investigated whether osteoblastic differentiation is mediated by RANKL signaling.

Osteoclast cell fusion: mechanisms and molecules

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing multinuclear polykaryon that are essential for bone remodeling and are formed through cell fusion of mononuclear macrophage/monocyte-lineage hematopoietic precursors. In arthritic joints, a large number of activated osteoclasts can be detected, which are suggested to be causative of bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis. It has been fully established that osteoclastogenesis is critically regulated by several key essential factors, such as M-CSF and RANKL. However, regarding their most characteristic property, i.e., cell fusion to form giant polykaryons, there are still miscellaneous questions to be clarified, although several molecules have been shown to be critically involved in this process. Here we review the latest knowledge about osteoclastogenic cell fusion and novel concepts underlying the characteristic phenomenon. Because cell fusion is a genuine property of mature osteoclasts, modulating this process will become a promising therapeutic tool for bone resorptive disorders in the future.     

在酵母中异源表达人破骨细胞钠氢转运蛋白

目的 在酿酒酵母中异源表达人破骨细胞分化成熟潜在因子钠氢转运蛋白2(HsNHA2),鉴定其作为盐离子载体转运Na+的功能,并对其在细胞中的表达进行初步定位分析.方法 采用高保真PCR试剂盒扩增出HsNHA2;构建酵母表达载体,通过电穿孔的方式转入到酿酒酵母菌株中;Western印迹检测其在酵母菌株的表达;通过NaCl选择压力观察菌株在高盐环境中的生长表型,并用根皮素抑制HsNHA2观察其抗盐功能;最后用细胞原位荧光染色确定HsNHA2在细胞中的表达位置.结果 Western印迹证实HsNHA2在酵母菌株中正常表达;生长曲线显示HsNHA2可使菌株在高盐环境中生长,根皮素抑制HsNHA2表达后菌株不能在0.2mol/L NaCl培养基中生长;免疫荧光染色初步证明HsNHA2表达在细胞膜上.结论 HsNHA2作为盐离子载体在酵母细胞中主要表达在细胞膜上行使转运Na+的功能,以维持细胞正常生长.     

Intracellular signal transduction pathways: good therapeutic targets for joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis

Preventing joint destruction is one of the most challenging issues in treating patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and I propose that intracellular signaling pathways in osteoclasts and synovial fibroblastic cells (SFCs) can be good therapeutic targets. Osteoclasts are primarily involved in the bone destruction in RA joints, and SFCs support osteoclast differentiation and activation by producing various proinflammatory cytokines including receptor activator of NF-B ligand (RANKL), the osteoclast differentiation factor belonging to the tumor necrosis factor- superfamily. Suppressing c-Src pathways by adenovirus vector-mediated C-terminal Src family kinase (Csk) gene or Ras/extracellular-regulating kinase (ERK) pathways by introducing dominant negative Ras (Ras^DN) adenovirus reduced osteoclastic bone resorption as well as the abnormal proliferation and interleukin-6 production of SFCs, and the local injection of these viruses ameliorated the joint destruction in adjuvant arthritis rats. Moreover, chondrogenic differentiation of SFCs could be induced by stimulating activin receptor-like kinase 3 pathways.     

The role of osteoblast cells in the pathogenesis of unicameral bone cysts

Purpose

The pathogenesis of unicameral bone cysts (UBCs) remains largely unknown. Osteoclasts have been implicated, but the role of osteoblastic cells has, to date, not been explored. This study investigated the pathophysiology of UBCs by examining the interactions between the cyst fluid and human bone marrow stromal cells (hBMSCs) and the effect of the fluid on osteogenesis.

Methods

Fluid was aspirated from two UBCs and analysed for protein, electrolyte and cytokine levels. Graded concentrations of the fluid were used as culture media for hBMSCs to determine the effects of the fluid on hBMSC proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The fibrocellular lining was analysed histologically and by electron microscopy.

Results

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining of hBMSCs that were cultured in cyst fluid demonstrated increased cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation compared to basal media controls. Biochemical analysis of these hBMSCs compared to basal controls confirmed a marked increase in DNA content (as a marker of proliferation) and ALP activity (as a marker of osteogenic differentiation) which was highly significant (p < 0.001). Osteoclasts were demonstrated in abundance in the cyst lining. The cyst fluid cytokine profile revealed levels of the pro-osteoclast cytokines IL-6, MIP-1α and MCP-1 that were 19×, 31× and 35× greater than those in reference serum.

Conclusions

Cyst fluid promoted osteoblastic growth and differentiation. Despite appearing paradoxical that the cyst fluid promoted osteogenesis, osteoblastic cells are required for osteoclastogenesis through RANKL signalling. Three key cytokines in this pathway (IL-6, MIP-1α, MCP-1) were highly elevated in cyst fluid. These findings may hold the key to the pathogenesis of UBCs, with implications for treatment methods.