PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Carol Pilbeam

Publications and source records attributed to Carol Pilbeam.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

Fluid flow induces Rankl expression in primary murine calvarial osteoblasts.

Mechanical loading of bone generates fluid flow within the mineralized matrix that exerts fluid shear stress (FSS) on cells. We examined effects of FSS on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), a critical factor for osteoclast formation. Primary murine osteoblasts were subjected to pulsatile FSS (5 Hz, 10 dynes/cm(2)) for 1 h and then returned to static culture for varying times (post-FSS). Protein levels were measured by Western analysis and mRNA by Northern analysis, RT-PCR and quantitative PCR. There were 20- to 40-fold increases in RANKL mRNA at 2-4 h post-FSS. RANKL protein was induced by 2 h post-FSS and remained elevated for at least 8 h. Effects were independent of cyclooxygenase-2 activity. Small increases (up to three-fold) in mRNA of the decoy receptor for RANKL, osteoprotegerin, were seen. Five min of FSS, followed by static culture, was as effective in stimulating RANKL mRNA as 4 h of continuous FSS. FSS induced cAMP activity, and H-89, a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, blocked the FSS induction of RANKL. H-89 also inhibited the PKC pathway, but specific PKC inhibitors, GF109203X and Go6983, did not inhibit FSS-induced RANKL. FSS induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, and PD98059, an inhibitor of the ERK pathway, inhibited the FSS induction of RANKL mRNA 60%-90%. Thus, brief exposure to FSS resulted in sustained induction of RANKL expression after stopping FSS, and this induction was dependent on PKA and ERK signaling pathways. Increased RANKL after mechanical loading may play a role in initiating bone remodeling.

Animals↗

Null mutation in macrophage migration inhibitory factor prevents muscle cell loss and fibrosis in partial bladder outlet obstruction.

Idiopathic detrusor underactivity (DU) and detrusor decompensation which develops following partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) are both associated with smooth muscle degeneration and fibrosis. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an important mediator of bladder inflammation, has been shown to promote fibroblast survival and muscle death in other tissues. We evaluated the hypothesis that MIF has similar actions in the bladder by studying detrusor responses to pBOO or sham surgery in anesthetized female mice rendered null for the mif gene (MIF KO) and in wild-type (WT) controls, all killed 3 wk after surgery. WT mice revealed intense MIF immunoreactivity in urothelial cells which decreased, without change in overall mif mRNA levels. Stereologically sound quantitative morphometric measurements were performed in the middetrusor region of each bladder. MIF KO bladders were normal in appearance, yet were 30-40% heavier, with increased middetrusor collagen and muscle, compared with WT controls. In WT mice, pBOO increased the collagen-to-muscle ratio 1.9-fold and middetrusor collagen 1.8-fold, while nucleated muscle counts were 22% lower. In MIF KO mice, by contrast, pBOO had no significant effect on any of these parameters. In primary bladder muscle cultures, treatment with rMIF protein increased TUNEL staining, raising the proportion of early and late apoptotic cells on flow cytometry. Our studies implicate MIF in the sequence of events leading to detrusor muscle loss and fibrosis in obstruction. They raise the possibility that strategies designed to antagonize MIF synthesis, release, or biological activity could prevent or delay DU and urinary retention.

Animals↗

Overexpression of COX-2 in human osteosarcoma cells decreases proliferation and increases apoptosis.

Overexpression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is generally considered to promote tumorigenesis. To investigate a potential role of COX-2 in osteosarcoma, we overexpressed COX-2 in human osteosarcoma cells. Saos-2 cells deficient in COX-2 expression were retrovirally transduced or stably transfected with murine COX-2 cDNA. Functional expression of COX-2 was confirmed by Northern and Western analyses and prostaglandin production. Overexpression of COX-2 reduced cell numbers by 50% to 70% compared with controls. Decreased proliferation in COX-2-overexpressing cells was associated with cell cycle prolongation in G(2)-M. Apoptosis, measured by both Annexin V binding assay and terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, was increased in cells overexpressing COX-2, and the increase was not reversed by treatment with NS-398, indicating that the effects were not mediated by prostaglandins. Retroviral COX-2 overexpression in two other human osteosarcoma cell lines, U2OS and TE85, also decreased cell viability. However, in the human colon carcinoma HCT-116 cell line, which is deficient in COX-2, retroviral overexpression of COX-2, at similar efficiency as in Saos-2 cells, increased resistance to apoptosis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), measured by flow cytometry, were increased by COX-2 overexpression in Saos-2 cells but not in HCT-116 cells. Inhibition of peroxidase activity, but not of COX activity, blocked the ROS increase. Antioxidants blocked the increase in ROS and the increase in apoptosis due to COX-2 overexpression in Saos-2 cells. Our results suggest that (a) COX-2 overexpression in osteosarcoma cells may increase resistance to tumorigenesis by increasing ROS to levels that decrease cell viability and (b) the effects of COX-2 overexpression are cell type/tissue dependent.

Antioxidants↗

Role of Cbfa1/Runx2 in the fluid shear stress induction of COX-2 in osteoblasts.

Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is thought to be important for the anabolic effects of mechanical loading. The transcription factor Cbfa1/Runx2 is essential for osteoblastic differentiation. We examined the role of Cbfa1 in the fluid shear stress (FSS) induction of COX-2 in MC3T3-E1 cells stably transfected with a COX-2 promoter-luciferase reporter. Cells were subjected to FSS for 30 min and returned to static culture (post-FSS). COX-2 mRNA and promoter activity peaked 0.5-1h and 2-3h, respectively, post-FSS. Mutation of the Cbfa1 consensus sequence at -267/-261 bp decreased the FSS fold-induction of luciferase activity by 50%. On electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), proteins binding to an oligonucleotide spanning the Cbfa1 site were supershifted by specific antibody to Cbfa1. FSS did not increase Cbfa1 binding on EMSA or Cbfa1 mRNA or protein levels. These data suggest that transcriptional activity of Cbfa1, independent of its level of expression, is necessary for maximal FSS induction of COX-2 in osteoblasts.

Animals↗

Do cyclooxygenase-2 knockout mice have primary hyperparathyroidism?

The absence of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity in vitro reduces differentiation of both bone-forming and bone-resorbing cells. To examine the balance of COX-2 effects on bone in vivo, we studied COX-2 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice. After weaning, KO mice died 4 times faster than WT mice, consistent with reports of progressive renal failure in KO mice. Among KO mice killed at 4 months of age, some had renal failure with marked secondary hyperparathyroidism, but others appeared healthy. On the assumption that renal failure was not inevitable in COX-2 KO mice and that phenotypic differences might increase with age, we studied KO mice surviving to 10 months of age with serum creatinine levels similar to those of WT mice. In 10-month-old male KO mice, serum calcium and PTH, but not phosphorus, levels were increased compared with those in WT mice. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) levels were markedly elevated in KO mice. Skeletal analysis showed small nonsignificant decreases in cortical bone density by BMD and either an increase (distal femur, by microcomputed tomography) or no difference (distal femur, by static histomorphometry) in trabecular bone density in KO mice. There was a trend toward increased percent osteoblastic and osteoclastic surfaces, and on dynamic histomorphometry, the rates of trabecular bone formation and mineral apposition were increased in KO mice relative to WT mice. Similar trends were observed for most parameters in 10-month-old female COX-2 KO mice. However, rates of trabecular bone formation and mineral apposition were increased in 10-month-old WT females compared with males and did not increase further in female KO mice. These data suggest that COX-2 KO mice with intact renal function have primary hyperparathyroidism, and that effects of increased PTH and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) to increase bone turnover may compensate for the absence of COX-2.

Animals↗

Differential regulation of platelet-derived growth factor stimulated migration and proliferation in osteoblastic cells.

Osteoblastic migration and proliferation in response to growth factors are essential for skeletal development, bone remodeling, and fracture repair, as well as pathologic processes, such as metastasis. We studied migration in response to platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF, 10 ng/ml) in a wounding model. PDGF stimulated a twofold increase in migration of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and murine calvarial osteoblasts over 24-48 h. PDGF also stimulated a tenfold increase in 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Migration and DNA replication, as measured by BrdU incorporation, could be stimulated in the same cell. Blocking DNA replication with aphidicolin did not reduce the distance migrated. To examine the role of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in migration and proliferation, we used specific inhibitors of p38 MAP kinase, extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). For these signaling studies, proliferation was measured by carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) using flow cytometry. Inhibition of the p38 MAP kinase pathway by SB203580 and SB202190 blocked PDGF-stimulated migration but had no effect on proliferation. Inhibition of the ERK pathway by PD98059 and U0126 inhibited proliferation but did not inhibit migration. Inhibition of JNK activity by SP600125 inhibited both migration and proliferation. Hence, the stimulation of migration and proliferation by PDGF occurred by both overlapping and independent pathways. The JNK pathway was involved in both migration and proliferation, whereas the p38 pathway was predominantly involved in migration and the ERK pathway predominantly involved in proliferation.

Animals↗

Role of cyclooxygenase-2 in bone resorption.

Prostaglandins (PGs) are abundant in bone and are potent regulators of bone cell function. Osteoblasts produce PGs, and this production is highly regulated by local and systemic factors. Bone resorption is a highly regulated process involving interactions of osteoclastic precursors with osteoblasts or stromal cells. Many factors that stimulate PGs production also stimulate resorption in organ and marrow culture. Cyclooxygenase (COX) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of arachidonic acid to PGs. There are two forms of COX, COX-1 and COX-2. COX-2 is an inducible primary-response or immediate early gene. COX-2 expression is induced by many factors through the transcriptional pathway in osteoblasts. Stimulated production of PGs by osteoblasts requires both the induction of COX-2 expression and the availability of arachidonic acid substrate. PGs are complex, potent regulators of bone cell function in vivo. PGE2, which may be the most important local eicosanoid in skeletal regulation, can stimulate resorption. We report that COX-2 expression and associated PG production are necessary for maximal resorption responses to 1,25 (OH)2D3 and parathyroid hormone (PTH). PGs can increase osteoclast formation by enhancing induction of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) expression in osteoblasts and enhancing the action of RANKL on osteoclast precursors by inhibiting granulocyte macropharge-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF). In vitro, PGE2 can stimulate the differentiation of both osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and the net balance of these two effects under physiologic or pathologic conditions in vivo is not yet clear. Our in vivo data suggest that a role for COX-2 in bone resorption may be most evident when bone resorption is accelerated. Some of the complexity of PG actions on bone can be explained by the multiplicity of receptors for PGs. There are at least four distinct receptors for PGE2 with differential signaling pathways that have not yet been fully elucidated. Further studies are needed to clarify the specific pathways of PGs action in bone. Once this is accomplished, it may be possible to identify therapeutic applications of manipulating PGs in skeletal disorders.

Animals↗

Fluid flow induces COX-2 expression in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts via a PKA signaling pathway.

Mechanical loading of bone generates fluid flow within the mineralized matrix which can exert fluid shear stress (FSS) at cell membranes. FSS induces new transcription of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, with peak effects at 4-5h. Using MC3T3-E1 cells stably transfected with the COX-2 promoter fused to a luciferase reporter, we examined involvement of the protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways in the peak COX-2 mRNA and luciferase responses to FSS (10dyn/cm(2)). Neither inhibition nor down-regulation of the PKC pathway affected the FSS stimulation of COX-2 mRNA or luciferase activity. In contrast, inhibitors of the PKA pathway, used at doses which inhibited forskolin-stimulated luciferase activity by 70-80%, reduced FSS-stimulated COX-2 mRNA expression and luciferase activity by 50-80%. Hence, peak FSS induction of COX-2 expression in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells is largely dependent on the PKA signaling pathway.

Animals↗

Cell-to-Cell adhesion via intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and leukocyte function-associated antigen-1 pathway is involved in 1alpha,25(OH)2D3, PTH and IL-1alpha-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption.

Cell-to-cell interaction is required for the differentiation of osteoclast precursors as well as for osteoclast function. The present study was undertaken to determine whether 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25D), PTH, IL-1alpha and PGE2 depend on cell-to-cell interactions through the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1/leukocyte function-associated antigen (LFA)-1 pathway in osteoclast formation and bone resorption. We found that mouse osteoblasts expressed ICAM-1 and that the expression was increased by treatment with PTH, IL-1alpha or 1,25D, but not by PGE2. In resorption assays measuring either 45Ca release from bone organ cultures or pit formation in bone cell cultures, 1,25D-, PTH- and IL-1alpha-stimulated resorption was inhibited by anti-ICAM-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) and/or anti-LFA-1 mAb, while basal and PGE2-stimulated bone resorbing activities were not affected by these mAbs. Furthermore, in a mouse bone marrow culture system, stimulation of osteoclast-like (OCL) cell formation by 1,25D (10 nM), PTH (10 ng/ml) or IL-1alpha (10 ng/ml) was inhibited by the addition of anti-ICAM-1 mAb and/or anti-LFA-1 mAb. In a coculture system of murine spleen cells and osteoblasts, the ICAM-1/LFA-1 interaction was also involved in 1,25D-, PTH- and IL-1alpha-stimulated TRAP-positive MNC formation. However, anti-ICAM-1 mAb and anti-LFA-1 mAb did not alter either 1,25D- or PTH-stimulated receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA transcription in bone marrow cultures. Taken together, we here propose that ICAM-1-mediated cell-to-cell adhesion of osteoblasts and osteoclast precursors is involved in RANKL-dependent osteoclast maturation stimulated by 1,25D, PTH, and IL-1alpha.

Animals↗