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J A Lorenzo

Publications and source records attributed to J A Lorenzo.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Regulation of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand and osteoprotegerin mRNA expression by parathyroid hormone is predominantly mediated by the protein kinase a pathway in murine bone marrow cultures.

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) stimulates receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) mRNA and inhibits osteoprotegerin (OPG) mRNA expression in murine bone marrow cultures. To understand the mechanisms influencing these responses, we investigated the role of the protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways in the regulation of RANKL and OPG mRNA expression in murine bone marrow cultures. Murine bone marrow cells were stimulated with bovine PTH(1-34) and (1-34) amide, which activate both pathways; PTH(3-34), which more selectively activates the PKC and calcium pathways; and human PTH (1-31), which stimulates adenylyl cyclase, but not protein kinase C. We also examined agents that more directly activate either the PKA pathway (forskolin [FSK] and 8-bromo cAMP [8-Br-cAMP]) or the PKC pathway (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [PMA]) in murine bone marrow cultures. After 1 h, RANKL mRNA expression was stimulated to a similar degree by agents that activate either or both the PKA and PKC pathways. However, this effect was sustained for 24 h only with agents that stimulated PKA. OPG mRNA expression was inhibited by all agents that stimulated PKA at 6 h. In contrast, PKC-specific stimulators [PMA and bPTH(3-34)] had no effect on OPG regulation in this culture system. To determine the involvement of the PKC signaling pathway in responses of RANKL, bone marrow cells were pretreated with PMA for 24 h and then treated with PTH(1-34) or FSK for 2 h. PMA pretreatment did not alter the ability of PTH or FSK to stimulate RANKL or inhibit OPG mRNA expression. Treatment of cells with H-89, a PKA inhibitor, significantly reduced the ability of PTH and FSK to induce RANKL and inhibit OPG mRNA expression. Calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor, significantly reduced PMA-stimulated RANKL mRNA expression without altering PTH- or FSK-mediated effects on RANKL or OPG mRNA. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor for protein synthesis, inhibited PTH-stimulated RANKL mRNA expression by 60% without altering the effect of PTH on OPG mRNA expression. To examine the involvement of prostaglandin in PMA-mediated responses, cells were treated with indomethacin, a nonspecific prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS) inhibitor, or NS-398, a selective inhibitor of PGHS-2. Neither PGHS inhibitor altered PMA-induced effects on RANKL and OPG mRNA expression. These results demonstrate that the PKA pathway is predominantly involved in the effects of PTH on RANKL mRNA expression in murine bone marrow cultures, but there is also a PKC-mediated response, which is not sustained. Inhibition of OPG by PTH appears to be a selective PKA response.

Animals↗

Interferon-alpha plus ribavirin for 12 months increases the sustained response rates in chronic hepatitis C relapsers.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness and tolerability of combination therapy for 12 months have not been evaluated sufficiently in chronic hepatitis C relapsers to interferon. AIMS: To evaluate the sustained response to interferon plus ribavirin for 12 months in chronic hepatitis C relapsers. METHODS: We included 55 chronic hepatitis C relapsers in a 12-month treatment protocol with interferon (3 MU thrice weekly) plus ribavirin (1-1.2 g/day). The effectiveness was evaluated using serum aminotransferase and hepatitis C virus RNA levels, alanine aminotransferase normalization and viraemia clearance after 12 months, defining the end-of-treatment response, and 6 months after completion of therapy, defining the sustained response. Adverse effects were recorded. RESULTS: End-of-treatment response and sustained response were achieved in 47 (85%) and 37 (67%) patients, respectively; there were 10 (21%) relapsers after combination therapy. Predictive factors of sustained response included the genotype (non-1 95% vs. 1 48%; P < 0.001), lower viraemia (503 917 +/- 553 230 vs. 901 393 +/- 548 267 copies/mL; P < 0.005), higher alanine aminotransferase levels (137 +/- 75 vs. 103 +/- 41 IU/L; P < 0.05) and a lower gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase/alanine aminotransferase ratio (0.30 +/- 0.23 vs. 0.49 +/- 0.39; P < 0.05). Tolerance to therapy was good, with no withdrawals. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon plus ribavirin treatment for 12 months in chronic hepatitis C relapsers yields high sustained response rates and is well tolerated. The sustained response is related to a non-1 genotype, lower baseline viraemia, higher alanine aminotransferase level and a lower gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase/alanine aminotransferase ratio.

Adult↗

Cellular and molecular interactions between immune system and bone.

Functional interdependence between immune and bone systems is reflected in a number of regulatory molecules acting on the cells of both systems and common precursors for bone and immune cells. Therefore, the disturbances of the immune system may affect bone metabolism, and vice versa. This review addresses the roles of two major immune cell populations, T and B lymphocytes, in the regulation of bone metabolism. Experimental models and human diseases demonstrated that T lymphocytes may produce many bone cell regulatory cytokines, including two essential stimulators of osteoclastogenesis: receptor for activation of nuclear factor kappa b (NF-kappa B) (RANK) ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor. The effect of T lymphocytes on osteoclastogenesis may be both stimulatory and inhibitory, and depends on the activation stage and pattern of cytokine production. We showed that acute removal of T lymphocytes stimulated osteoclast differentiation in vitro and enhanced new cartilage and bone formation at non-osseous sites in vivo. B lymphocytes may be even more closely related to bone cells, as B lymphopoiesis requires an intimate contact with osteoblastic/stromal cells, and estrogens, powerful regulators of bone mass, are also involved in the differentiation of the B lymphocyte lineage. Also, B lymphocyte progenitors may give rise to functional osteoclasts. Both B and T lymphocytes may act through the RANKL/RANK/osteoprotegerin cytokine system, which has been independently discovered within immune and bone systems. These cytokines have crucial roles in the development and function of osteoclasts, dendritic cells, and T and B lymphocytes, as well as in the thymus and lymph node organogenesis. The cytokines produced by immune cells may affect bone cell function and vice versa, but the full complexity of these interactions awaits further investigation.

Animals↗

Depletion of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in mice in vivo enhances 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-stimulated osteoclast-like cell formation in vitro by a mechanism that is dependent on prostaglandin synthesis.

To investigate the role of T lymphocytes in osteoclastogenesis, we performed in vivo depletion of CD4 and/or CD8 T lymphocyte subsets and evaluated in vitro osteoclast-like cell (OCL) formation. T lymphocyte depletion (TLD) with mAbs was confirmed 24 h later by flow cytometry. OCL formation was stimulated with 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)) in bone marrow and with recombinant mouse (rm) receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANK-L) and rmM-CSF in bone marrow and spleen cell cultures. OCL formation was up to 2-fold greater in 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)-stimulated bone marrow cultures from TLD mice than in those from intact mice. In contrast, TLD did not alter OCL formation in bone marrow or spleen cell cultures that were stimulated with rmRANK-L and rmM-CSF. The effects of TLD seemed to be mediated by enhanced PG synthesis, because the PGE(2) concentration in the medium of 1, 25-(OH)(2)D(3)-stimulated bone marrow cultures from TLD mice was 5-fold higher than that in cultures from intact mice, and indomethacin treatment abolished the stimulatory effect of TLD on OCL formation. There was a 2-fold increase in RANK-L expression and an almost complete suppression of osteoprotegerin expression in 1, 25-(OH)(2)D(3)-stimulated bone marrow cultures from TLD mice compared with those from intact mice. Although there was a small (20%) increase in IL-1alpha expression in 1, 25-(OH)(2)D(3)-stimulated bone marrow cultures from TLD mice, TLD in mice lacking type I IL-1R and wild-type mice produced similar effects on OCL formation. Our data demonstrate that TLD up-regulates OCL formation in vitro by increasing PG production, which, in turn, produces reciprocal changes in RANK-L and osteoprotegerin expression. These results suggest that T lymphocytes influence osteoclastogenesis by altering bone marrow stromal cell function.

Animals↗

Role of B lymphocytes in new bone formation.

Although there may be a close relationship between B lymphocytes and osteoclasts, or bone resorbing cells, little is known about the role of B lymphocytes in bone formation. We compared in vivo new bone induction in mice homozygous for the B-cell deficient (microMT) gene knockout, which lack functional B lymphocytes, with bone induction in control wild-type (C57BL/6) mice. Our comparison used two models of new bone induction in vivo: endochondral osteoinduction by subcutaneous implantation of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP-2) and osteogenic regeneration after tibial bone marrow ablation. The expression of bone-specific proteins (bone sialoprotein, osteopontin, and osteocalcin) and inflammatory/immunomodulatory cytokines (interleukin-1alpha and -1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) was assessed by Northern blot analysis or reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Ossicles induced by rhBMP-2 were larger in volume and mass in microMT knockout mice, but relative volumes of the newly induced bone, cartilage, and bone marrow were similar in the two groups. Six days after tibial bone marrow ablation, microMT knockout mice resorbed the initial blood clot faster and formed more trabecular bone, paralleled by greater levels of bone sialoprotein mRNA than in the wild-type mice. microMT knockout and wild-type mice also differed in the expression pattern of inflammatory/immunomodulatory cytokines during the development of the newly induced bone, suggesting that a genetic lack of B lymphocytes may create a change in the immunological milieu at the site of new bone induction, which stimulates the initial accumulation and proliferation of mesenchymal progenitor.

Animals↗

Prostaglandin G/H synthase-2 is required for maximal formation of osteoclast-like cells in culture.

We examined the effect on osteoclast formation of disrupting the prostaglandin G/H synthase genes PGHS-1 and-2. Prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) production was significantly reduced in marrow cultures from mice lacking PGHS-2 (PGHS-2(-/-)) compared with wild-type (PGHS-2(+/+)) cultures. Osteoclast formation, whether stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-D) or by parathyroid hormone (PTH), was reduced by 60-70% in PGHS-2(-/-) cultures relative to wild-type cultures, an effect that could be reversed by providing exogenous PGE(2). Cultures from heterozygous mice showed an intermediate response. PGHS inhibitors caused a similar drop in osteoclast formation in wild-type cultures. Co-culture experiments showed that supporting osteoblasts, rather than osteoclast precursors, accounted for the blunted response to 1,25-D and PTH. This lack of response appeared to result from reduced expression of RANK ligand (RANKL) in osteoblasts. We cultured spleen cells with exogenous RANKL and found that osteoclast formation was 50% lower in PGHS-2(-/-) than in wild-type cultures, apparently because the former cells expressed high levels of GM-CSF. Injection of PTH above the calvaria caused hypercalcemia in wild-type but not PGHS-2(-/-) mice. Histological examination of bone from 5-week-old PGHS-2(-/-) mice revealed no abnormalities. Mice lacking PGHS-1 were similar to wild-type mice in all of these parameters. These data suggest that PGHS-2 is not necessary for wild-type bone development but plays a critical role in bone resorption stimulated by 1,25-D and PTH.

Animals↗

Knockout of the murine prostaglandin EP2 receptor impairs osteoclastogenesis in vitro.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) stimulates the formation of osteoclast-like tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells (TRAP + MNC) in vitro. This effect likely results from stimulation of adenylyl cyclase, which is mediated by two PGE2 receptors, designated EP2 and EP4. We used cells from mice in which the EP2 receptor had been disrupted to test its role in the formation of TRAP + MNC. EP2 heterozygous (+/-) mice in a C57BL/6 x 129/SvEv background were bred to produce homozygous null (EP2 -/-) and wild-type (EP2 +/+) mice. PGE2, PTH, or 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D increased TRAP+ MNC in 7-day cultures of bone marrow cells from EP2 +/+ mice. In cultures from EP2 -/- animals, responses to PGE2, PTH, and 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D were reduced by 86%, 58%, and 50%, respectively. A selective EP4 receptor antagonist (EP4RA) further inhibited TRAP+ MNC formation in both EP2 +/+ and EP2 -/- cultures. In cocultures of spleen and calvarial osteoblastic cells, the response to PGE2 or PTH was reduced by 92% or 85% when both osteoblastic cells and spleen cells were from EP2 -/- mice, by 88% or 68% when only osteoblastic cells were from EP2 -/- mice and by 58% or 35% when only spleen cells were from EP2 -/- mice. PGE2 increased receptor activator of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB ligand (RANKL) messenger RNA expression in osteoblastic and bone marrow cell cultures from EP2 +/+ mice 2-fold but had little effect on cells from EP2 -/- mice. Spleen cells cultured with RANKL and macrophage colony stimulating factor produced TRAP+ MNC. PGE2 increased the number of TRAP+ MNC in spleen cell cultures from EP2 +/+ mice but not in cultures from EP2 -/- mice. EP4RA had no effect on the PGE2 response in spleen cell cultures. PGE2 decreased the expression of messenger RNA for granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor in spleen cell cultures from EP2 +/+ mice but had little effect on cells from EP2 -/- mice. These data demonstrate that the prostaglandin EP2 receptor plays a role in the formation of osteoclast-like cells in vitro. A major defect in EP2 -/- mice appears to be in the capacity of osteoblastic cells to stimulate osteoclast formation. In addition, there appears to be a defect in the response of cells of the osteoclastic lineage to PGE2 in EP2 -/- mice.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Parathyroid hormone stimulates TRANCE and inhibits osteoprotegerin messenger ribonucleic acid expression in murine bone marrow cultures: correlation with osteoclast-like cell formation.

We studied the effects of PTH on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of NF kappaB (RANK) messenger RNA (mRNA) in cultured murine bone marrow, calvaria, and osteoblasts. TRANCE, OPG, and RANK are recently identified regulators of osteoclast formation. Bone marrow cells were cultured with or without PTH(1-34) for 6 days. TRANCE, OPG, and RANK mRNA were measured by RT-PCR. In 6-day cultures, PTH stimulated the number of OCL/well in a dose-dependent manner. A time course showed significant (P < 0.01) increases in OCL/well after 24 h of PTH (100 ng/ml). TRANCE mRNA expression, like OCL formation, increased dose dependently and was maximal, with 10-100 ng/ml PTH. In contrast, OPG mRNA expression was decreased by 0.1 ng/ml PTH (40%) and completely abolished by 1 ng/ml. TRANCE mRNA expression was rapidly stimulated by PTH (maximal response at 1 h, 8.1-fold over control). Expression declined by 40% at 24 h but was still much greater than control at 6 days (4.6-fold) in a time-course study. PTH caused a transient stimulation of OPG mRNA at 1 h (2-fold), which returned to basal levels by 2 h. After 6 h, PTH completely inhibited OPG mRNA. There were only minor effects of PTH on RANK mRNA expression. PTH had less potent effects on TRANCE and OPG mRNA expression in calvaria organ cultures and osteoblasts. In mouse calvaria cultures, TRANCE expression was detectable in controls and was increased 2.9-fold by PTH at 24 h. PTH treatment of calvaria decreased OPG expression by 30% at 6 h. MC3T3 E-1 osteoblastic cells expressed minimal levels of TRANCE mRNA either before or after PTH treatment. OPG mRNA was present in MC3T3 E-1 cells, but levels were not modulated by PTH. In primary osteoblastic cells, PTH stimulated TRANCE mRNA expression 4-fold at 2 h and inhibited OPG mRNA expression by 46%. These results demonstrate a tight correlation between the ability of PTH to stimulate OCL formation in marrow culture and expression of TRANCE (r = 0.87, P < or = 0.05) and OPG mRNA (r = -0.88, P < or = 0.05). Reciprocal regulation of TRANCE and OPG mRNA by PTH preceded its effects on OCL formation by 18-23 h. Hence, it is likely that PTH regulates bone resorption, at least in part, via its effects on TRANCE and OPG expression.

Animals↗

[People accompanying children to pediatric visits: is something changing?].

OBJECTIVE: To find out if the social father-mother stereotypes as regards the care of children are reproduced in the daily practice of Pediatrics Consultations, in order to do so, this study looks at who accompanies children to the consultations and the factors which led to fathers taking their children. DESIGN: An observational crossover study. SETTING: Otero Health Center, Oviedo. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of 300 visits obtained over a year from the consultations of the Pediatrician. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Collected Socioeconomic variables of parents, type of Consultation (Spontaneous or Programmed), who accompanied the child, sufficiency of information brought to the consultation and child management detected. People accompanying children were: Mother only (66.7%; IC 95%: 64.1-74.7), father and mother (14.7%; IC 95%: 11.0-19.3), father only or with others (7.6%; IC 95%: 5.0-11.4). In all cases information was sufficient and child management adequate. Mother came to 70.8% (IC 95%: 60.1-79.7); father to 4.5% (IC 95%: 1.5-11.8) and both to 21.3% (IC 95%: 13.7-31.6) of Programmed Consultations. A Logistic Regression found age of childrens and Education level of father associated with father accompany to consultation. CONCLUSION: Mother normally accompanies child to pediatrician consultations. Father participates in child care, principally in families with a higher Socioeconomic level.

Adolescent↗

Parathyroid hormone induces interleukin-6 heterogeneous nuclear and messenger RNA expression in murine calvarial organ cultures.

The cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), is produced by osteoblasts and may in part mediate parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated bone resorption. The goals of the present study were: (1) to examine PTH induction of IL-6 expression in 7-day-old mouse calvarial organ cultures; (2) to assess the role of intracellular signaling pathways in this model; and (3) to determine whether PTH regulates IL-6 expression by a transcriptional mechanism. Northern blot analysis of calvarial RNA showed that PTH(1-34) at 0.1-100 nmol/L induced IL-6 mRNA at 0.5 h with a peak at 2 h. Forskolin at 10 micromol/L and 8-bromocyclic-AMP at 3 mmol/L also induced IL-6 mRNA with a peak at 2 h. Phorbol myristate acetate induced IL-6 expression, whereas ionomycin and PTH(3-34) amide, an N-terminal-truncated PTH analog that has reduced ability to activate the cAMP-PKA pathway, were much less effective. PMA pretreatment of calvariae greatly blocked IL-6 mRNA induction by a subsequent dose of PMA and decreased induction by PTH and forskolin to a much lesser extent. A reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to measure IL-6 heterogeneous nuclear RNA (hnRNA) and mRNA. A 5' primer spanning exons 1 and 2 and a 3' primer complementary to exon 5 of the murine IL-6 gene were used to detect IL-6 mRNA as a 638 bp product. A 5' primer corresponding to intron 4 of the murine IL-6 gene and the 3' primer were used to detect IL-6 hnRNA as a 370 bp product. RT-PCR of total calvarial RNA showed that the induction of IL-6 hnRNA by PTH and other agonists was similar to their induction of IL-6 mRNA. These data support the conclusion that PTH transcriptionally induces IL-6 gene expression in murine calvarial organ cultures mainly through the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway.

8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate↗

Osteoclasts and effects of interleukin 4 in development of chronic osteomyelitis.

The cellular response to trauma and infection was studied in a murine model of posttraumatic osteomyelitis. Osteoclast response differed markedly depending on whether infection with Staphylococcus aureus accompanied the bone trauma. In animals recovering from sterile trauma, osteoclastic activity that was limited to the damaged or dead bone fragments caused rapid elimination of all recognizable dead bone within 1 week. New bone was laid down in an orderly fashion. Animals with superimposed infection had an intense polymorphonuclear leukocyte response develop. Additionally, osteoclasts behaved as acute inflammatory responders with substantial activity at the margins of the infected site and at previously uninjured tibial cortex adjacent to the infection. Despite the exuberant osteoclast response, bony fragments were not resorbed (for at least 4 weeks after the trauma), that is, sequestra developed, and new bone was laid down over morphologically dead bone and on the cortex (involucrum). When the inhibitory cytokine, interleukin 4 was given in a single dose with the bacterial inoculum, the osteoclast response was moderated with almost complete elimination of osteoclast activity at normal tibial cortex adjacent to the infected site. The limitation of osteoclastic activity did not impair the host's containment of bacterial growth.

Animals↗

Mice lacking the type I interleukin-1 receptor do not lose bone mass after ovariectomy.

We measured the effects of ovariectomy on the bone mass of mice that lacked type I interleukin-1 receptor (IL-I R1 -/- mice) in two genetic backgrounds (C57BL/6 x 129/Sv and C57BL/6) to investigate the role of interleukin-1 in the actions of estrogen on bone. At three weeks after surgery, ovariectomized wild-type mice decreased trabecular bone volume in the proximal humerus by 70% in a C57BL/6 x 129/Sv background and 48% in a C57BL/6 background compared to sham-operated controls. In contrast, there was no significant decrease in trabecular bone mass in IL-1 R1 -/- mice after ovariectomy. The estrogen status of all groups was confirmed by measurement of uterine wet weight. These results demonstrate that a functional IL-1 response pathway is required for mice to lose trabecular bone mass after ovariectomy in this model and they imply that IL-1 is an important mediator of the effects of ovariectomy on bone mass. Hence, therapeutic interventions that block the effects of IL-1 on bone may be beneficial for treating diseases of rapid bone loss such as post-menopausal osteoporosis.

Animals↗

Interleukin-6 expression and histomorphometry of bones from mice deficient in receptors for interleukin-1 or tumor necrosis factor.

We examined the roles of interleukin-1 Type I receptor (IL-1R1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1) in bone metabolism using mice rendered deficient in these receptors by gene targeting. Sections of decalcified paraffin-embedded calvariae and humeri from 11- to 12-week-old mice deficient in IL-1 Type I receptor (IL-1R1-/-) or TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1-/-) were examined by histomorphometry. Wild-type mice (C57BL/6J x 129/J, WILD) served as controls. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production in primary osteoblastic and bone marrow stromal cell cultures in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH, 100 ng/ml), IL-1 alpha (10 ng/ml), and TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) was also examined. IL-1R1-/- and TNFR1-/- mice were viable and appeared phenotypically normal. However, the body weights of the IL-1R1-/- mice were 30% less than WILD, while the TNFR1-/- mice weighed 30% more than WILD mice of equivalent age. Calvariae and humeri of IL-1R1-/- and TNFR1-/- mice were normal with respect to trabecular bone volume, osteoclast number, osteoclast surface, growth plate widths, and cortical thickness. Receptor deficiency was confirmed by determining the ability of PTH, IL-1 alpha, and TNF-alpha to stimulate IL-6 in the media of primary calvaria-derived osteoblastic cell cultures from CD-1 and cytokine receptor-deficient mice. After 24 h of treatment, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha did not stimulate IL-6 production in osteoblasts from IL-1R1-/- and TNFR1-/- mice, respectively. In contrast, PTH increased IL-6 levels in the cells from all mice. IL-6 protein levels in bone marrow supernatants and conditioned media from untreated bone marrow stromal cells were undetectable in WILD, IL-1R1-/-, and TNFR1-/- mice. PTH, IL-1 alpha and TNF-alpha increased IL-6 mRNA and protein production in the WILD bone marrow stromal cells. In contrast, PTH and TNF-alpha increased IL-6 mRNA and protein levels in IL-1R1-/- bone marrow stromal cells while IL-1 alpha had no effect. These findings demonstrate that normal bone development in mice can occur in the absence of IL-1R1 or TNFR1 expression.

Animals↗

Lack of evidence for an increase in interleukin-6 expression in adult murine bone, bone marrow, and marrow stromal cell cultures after ovariectomy.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has been implicated as a mediator of postmenopausal bone loss. In vitro studies of bone and bone marrow cells have suggested that estrogen regulates bone turnover by controlling the production of IL-6, a potent stimulator of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. To investigate this hypothesis in an in vivo model, we examined the effect of ovariectomy or estrogen replacement on IL-6 mRNA and protein expression in adult mouse bone and bone marrow in vivo and in marrow stromal cell cultures. Eight-week-old CD-1 mice were sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), or ovariectomized and subcutaneously implanted with 21-day slow-release pellets containing 10 micrograms of 17 beta-estradiol (O + E). Placebo pellets were implanted in the SHAM and OVX mice. Uterine weights at 1, 2, or 3 weeks after surgery were significantly decreased (68-76%) in OVX animals compared with SHAM or O + E. In mice sacrificed at 1 or 3 weeks after surgery, we found by nonquantitative reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), that SHAM, OVX, and O + E calvariae (CALV) constitutively expressed IL-6 mRNA. In contrast, IL-6 mRNA was either barely detectable or absent in the tibia (TIB) and bone marrow (BM). In the mice sacrificed 3 weeks after surgery, we determined by quantitative RT-PCR that IL-6 mRNA in the CALV from the OVX and O + E groups were decreased by 81 and 92%, respectively, compared with SHAM. IL-6 protein levels in the flushed bone marrow (BMSups) were detectable and were not significantly different among the groups. In bone marrow cells that were cultured for 1 week, basal levels of IL-6 protein were low and did not differ significantly among the SHAM, OVX, or O + E groups sacrificed 1, 2, or 3 weeks after surgery. After the addition of hrIL-1 alpha, IL-6 protein levels increased 100- to 1300-fold over control. IL-6 levels in cells from animals sacrificed 2 weeks after surgery were significantly lower in the hrIL-1 alpha-stimulated OVX and O + E groups than in hrIL-1 alpha-stimulated SHAM cell cultures. In conclusion, in this model we could find no increase in IL-6 production with in vivo estrogen withdrawal in calvaria, long bones, bone marrow, or marrow stromal cell cultures. If increases in IL-6 expression are involved in the effects of estrogen withdrawal on bone, the magnitude of these changes are relatively small and below the limits of detection of the assays that we employed.

Animals↗

Ovariectomy enhances and estrogen replacement inhibits the activity of bone marrow factors that stimulate prostaglandin production in cultured mouse calvariae.

To examine PG production in estrogen deficiency, we studied effects on cultured neonatal mouse calvariae of bone marrow supernatants (MSup) from sham-operated (SHAM), ovariectomized (OVX), or 17 beta-estradiol (OVX+E)-treated mice. MSups were obtained 3 wk after OVX when bone density had decreased significantly. 10-60% MSup increased medium PGE2 and levels of mRNA for inducible and constitutive prostaglandin G/H synthase (PGHS-2 and PGHS-1) and cytosolic phospholipase A2 in calvarial cultures. OVX MSups had twofold greater effects on PGHS-2 and medium PGE2 than other MSups. IL-1 receptor antagonist and anti-IL-1 alpha neutralizing antibody decreased MSup-stimulated PGHS-2 mRNA and PGE2 levels and diminished differences among OVX, sham-operated, and OVX+E groups. In contrast, antibodies to IL-1 beta, IL-6, IL-11, and TNF alpha had little effect. There were no significant differences in IL-1 alpha concentrations or IL-1 alpha mRNA levels in MSups or marrow cells. PGHS-2 mRNA in freshly isolated tibiae from OVX mice was slightly greater than from sham-operated. We conclude that bone marrow factors can increase PG production through stimulation of PGHS-2; that OVX increases and estrogen decreases activity of these factors; and that IL-1 alpha activity, together with additional unknown factors, mediates the differential MSup effects.

Animals↗

Expression of the calcitonin receptor in bone marrow cell cultures and in bone: a specific marker of the differentiated osteoclast that is regulated by calcitonin.

We studied the temporal sequence of osteoclast (OC) differentiation from precursor cells in murine marrow cultures. Two markers of the OC phenotype, calcitonin (CT) receptor (CTR) and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), were assessed. Marrow cells from C57BL/6 mice were cultured for 3, 5, 7, and 9 days with or without 1,25-(OH)2vitamin D3 (10(-8) M). In controls only small numbers of osteoclastic multinucleated cells 9MNCs) formed per well (< 15 per well). In contrast, 1,25-(OH)2D3 strongly stimulated MNC formation (> 80 per well on day 7). Messenger RNA (mRNA) for TRAP was detectable by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction amplification in both control and 1,25-(OH)2D3 treated groups at all times. However, TRAP mRNA was detectable in MNCs by the less sensitive in situ hybridization only on days 5, 7, and 9 and only in 1,25-(OH)2D3 treated cells. In control cultures, CTR mRNA was present on day 3 only in nonadherent cells and was not present in adherent cells (where MNCs formed) at any time point. In 1,25-(OH)2D3 treated cultures CTR mRNA was detectable in nonadherent cells on day 3 and in adherent cells on day 5 and thereafter. Peak levels of CTR mRNA were seen in adherent cells on day 7 (15-fold more than day 5 and 4-fold more than day 9). CT (10(-7) M) treatment of 7 day cultures, which had been stimulated to express the osteoclastic phenotype, caused a marked decrease in CTR mRNA expression at 24 h. There was no effect of CT treatment on CTR mRNA expression at 3 h or on TRAP mRNA expression at 3 or 24 h. In neonatal mouse calvaria cultures, CTR mRNA expression was constitutively present and was markedly decreased by 48 h of CT treatment. Similarly, bone resorption in these cultures was inhibited at 24 h by CT treatment, but at 48 and 72 h there was escape from the inhibitory effects of CT on resorption. In the marrow cultures, MNCs were greater than 98% positive for [125I]-salmon calcitonin (sCT) binding and this binding was completely competed away by excess cold sCT (10(-7) M). All primary isolated osteoclasts from 1- to 3-day-old mouse long bones exhibited [125I]-sCT binding and TRAP activity and were strongly positive for CTR and TRAP mRNA by in situ hybridization. Both MNCs that formed in bone marrow cultures and isolated primary osteoclasts formed resorption pits on bone slices.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Acid Phosphatase↗

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression and monocyte recruitment in osseous inflammation in the mouse.

In bone, early events in inflammation involve the production and release of primary proinflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1 beta. By activation of target cells, these cytokines are thought to induce a second wave of cytokines, including monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1). MCP-1 is a cytokine that stimulates chemotaxis of monocytes. Experiments were undertaken to examine the expression of MCP-1 in bone-associated cells in vivo. To observe in vivo expression of MCP-1, an inflammatory lesion was created in the murine mandible. Immunohistochemistry experiments using specific antibodies to MCP-1 were conducted to identify MCP-1-expressing cells in inflamed and noninflamed bone. We found that osteoblasts were the principal cells expressing MCP-1 in inflamed bone. There was little or no MCP-1 expression in noninflamed bone. Immunohistochemistry experiments were carried out to assess monocyte recruitment during osseous inflammation. The number of MCP-1-positive cells was significantly correlated to the number of monocytes/macrophages present (n = 15; r = 0.69; P < = 0.01). These in vivo results strongly suggest that MCP-1 is an important mediator involved in the recruitment of monocytes/macrophages in inflamed bone.

Animals↗