PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

N Udagawa

Publications and source records attributed to N Udagawa.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Regulation by calcitonin and glucocorticoids of calcitonin receptor gene expression in mouse osteoclasts.

We previously studied regulation of the calcitonin (CT) receptor (CTR) by glucocorticoid (GC) and CT in cultures of mature mouse osteoclast-like cells (OCLs). The present studies were designed to examine the interaction of CT and GC in regulation of the CTR in osteoclasts and the molecular mechanisms involved. Treatment of OCLs with 10(-7) M dexamethasone (Dex) increased the CTR number in a time-dependent manner, whereas treatment with 10(-9) M salmon CT (sCT) reduced CTR number; neither treatment changed receptor affinity. Dex pretreatment somewhat antagonized the CT-induced reduction in [125I]sCT specific binding. Dex increased, and sCT pretreatment decreased, the sCT-responsive adenylate cyclase activity in parallel with the change in receptor binding. Dex treatment resulted in an increase in CTR messenger RNA (mRNA) levels, as assessed by reverse transcription-PCR, indicating that the increased CTR number was mediated by de novo CTR synthesis. This effect was specific to GCs and was not reproduced by mineralocorticoids or sex steroids. Treatment with sCT resulted in a rapid and profound reduction in CTR mRNA expression, and this reductions was somewhat delayed by Dex pretreatment. OCLs were treated with 5,6-dichloro-1 beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole to enable estimation of the mRNA decay rates in the absence of ongoing transcription. The stability of CTR mRNA was similar to the control value in Dex-treated OCLs, suggesting that the effect of Dex may be due to changes in transcriptional activity. Interestingly, transcriptional inhibition by 5,6-dichloro-1 beta-D-ribofuranosyl benzimidazole abolished the ability of CT to reduce CTR mRNA levels, suggesting that CT may act by increasing the rate of CTR mRNA decay, and that this effect requires ongoing transcription. The 3'-untranslated region of the mouse CTR mRNA contains four copies of the AUUUA motif, as well as other A/U-rich sequences, which have been shown to determine the stability of other mRNA transcripts. The stability results were consistent with the results of the nuclear transcript run-on assay, which indicated that treatment with Dex enhanced the rate of transcription, whereas CT had no effect. These results show that GC and CT influence CTR expression by distinct mechanisms and provide the basis for identification of the cellular factors involved.

Animals↗

The role of gp130-mediated signals in osteoclast development: regulation of interleukin 11 production by osteoblasts and distribution of its receptor in bone marrow cultures.

Interleukin (IL)-11 is a multifunctional cytokine whose role in osteoclast development has not been fully elucidated. We examined IL-11 production by primary osteoblasts and the effects of rat monoclonal anti-mouse glycoprotein 130 (gp130) antibody on osteoclast formation, using a coculture of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells. IL-1, TNF alpha, PGE2, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25(OH)2D3) similarly induced production of IL-11 by osteoblasts, but IL-6, IL-4, and TGF beta did not. Primary osteoblasts constitutively expressed mRNAs for both IL-11 receptor (IL-11R alpha) and gp130. Osteotropic factors did not modulate IL-11R alpha mRNA at 24 h, but steady-state gp130 mRNA expression in osteoblasts was upregulated by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, PTH, or IL-1. In cocultures, the formation of multinucleated osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) in response to IL-11, or IL-6 together with its soluble IL-6 receptor was dose-dependently inhibited by rat monoclonal anti-mouse gp130 antibody. Furthermore, adding anti-gp130 antibody abolished OCL formation induced by IL-1, and partially inhibited OCL formation induced by PGE2, PTH, or 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. During osteoclast formation in marrow cultures, a sequential relationship existed between the expression of calcitonin receptor mRNA and IL-11R alpha mRNA. Osteoblasts as well as OCLs expressed transcripts for IL-11R alpha, as indicated by RT-PCR analysis and in situ hybridization. These results suggest a central role of gp130-coupled cytokines, especially IL-11, in osteoclast development. Since osteoblasts and mature osteoclasts expressed IL-11R alpha mRNA, both bone-forming and bone-resorbing cells are potential targets of IL-11.

Animals↗

Interleukin-6 and soluble interleukin-6 receptors in the synovial fluids from rheumatoid arthritis patients are responsible for osteoclast-like cell formation.

Chronic immune responses and inflammatory reactions in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often cause severe destruction of cartilage and bone, but its mechanism is still a matter of controversy. We reported that interleukin-6 (IL-6) alone does not induce osteoclast formation, but soluble interleukin-6 receptors (sIL-6R) triggered the formation in the presence of IL-6 in cocultures of murine osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. In this study, we examined the involvement of sIL-6R and IL-6 in joint destruction in patients with RA. Although the frequency of patients having osteoclast-like multinucleated cells in synovium derived from the knee joint was not significantly different between RA (65%) and osteoarthritis (OA) patients (43%), the number of osteoclast-like cells found in the synovium was greater in the former than in the latter. Multinucleated cells obtained from RA synovium expressed the osteoclast-specific phenotype such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, carbonic anhydrase II, vacuolar proton-ATPase and vitronectin receptors at similar levels to those from a human giant cell tumor of bone. The concentration of both IL-6 and sIL-6R was significantly higher in the synovial fluids from patients with RA than with OA. The concentration of IL-6 and sIL-6R correlated well with the roentgenologic grades of joint destruction. Dose-response curves for human IL-6 and human sIL-6R in inducing osteoclast-like cell formation in cocultures indicated that the RA synovial fluids contained sufficient IL-6 and sIL-6R to induce osteoclastogenesis. When synovial fluids from RA and OA patients were added to the cocultures, some of the RA synovial fluids containing high levels of IL-6 and sIL-6R stimulated osteoclast-like cell formation, which was strikingly inhibited by adding anti-IL-6R antibody simultaneously. These results suggest that IL-6 in the RA synovial fluids is at least in part responsible for joint destruction in the presence of sIL-6R through osteoclastogenesis.

Acid Phosphatase↗

c-fos antisense DNA inhibits proliferation of osteoclast progenitors in osteoclast development but not macrophage differentiation in vitro.

We previously reported that osteoclast formation in vitro, by coculture of mouse bone marrow and primary osteoblastic cells, occurs in two phases: proliferation of osteoclast progenitors followed by terminal differentiation into mature osteoclasts. Using this coculture system, we examined the effects of c-fos antisense and sense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides on osteoclast development and macrophage differentiation. Treatment with c-fos antisense for the first 4 days of coculture inhibited osteoclast formation in a dose-dependent fashion. However, when c-fos antisense was added during the second phase of coculture (4-6 days), osteoclast formation was unaffected. In contrast, c-fos antisense treatment had no effect on the appearance of F4/80 antigen-positive cells of the macrophage lineage in these cultures or on the induction by colony stimulating factor-1 of macrophage colony formation in cultures of mouse bone marrow cells in agar. Neither osteoclast differentiation nor macrophage appearance was inhibited by adding control c-fos sense in the cocultures. When c-fos antisense was added into an assay of bone resorption by mature osteoclasts, pit formation on dentine slices was unaffected. These results indicate that c-fos plays an important role in the proliferative phase of osteoclast progenitors in osteoclast development, but not in the terminal differentiation phase or in the bone resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts. c-fos antisense specifically inhibited osteoclast formation but had no effect on macrophage development.

Analysis of Variance↗

Physiological levels of calcitonin regulate the mouse osteoclast calcitonin receptor by a protein kinase Alpha-mediated mechanism.

We have reported that calcitonin (CT) treatment induced downregulation of the CT receptor (CTR) in mouse osteoclast-like cells (OCLs). Here, we studied the features of homologous down-regulation of the CTR in mature mouse OCLs. Treatment with salmon CT (sCT) and human CT (hCT) reduced [125I]sCT specific binding. The decreased binding after 24 h of CT treatment was associated with a decrease in the cell surface receptor concentration. The extent of CT-induced down-regulation in 24 h was dose-dependent, and the ED50 value was 3.6 +/- 4.1 (mean +/- SD; n = 3) x 10(-13 M for sCT and 4.9 +/- 3.3 x 10(-11) M for hCT. These values were very similar to those for the CT inhibition of the bone-resorbing activity of OCLs. The data suggest that these two distinct actions of CT may be mediated by a common intracellular pathway. Treatment of OCLs with activators of protein kinase A (PKA) mimicked the effect of CT on CTR downregulation, whereas neither activation of protein kinase C nor elevation of intracellular Ca2+ did so. Attenuation of CT-induced CTR down-regulation by the competitive cAMP antagonist, RpcAMP, and high concentrations of H-7, but not by protein kinase C-specific inhibitors (sphingosine, staurosporine, and a lower concentration of H-7), suggested that the PKA pathway is primarily involved in homologous regulation of the CTR. The changes in CTR messenger RNA confirm the findings in binding studies and demonstrate that CT treatment of OCLs results in decreased CTR synthesis through the PKA pathway. The low concentrations of hCT that result in CTR regulation are very close to the physiological range, providing new insights into a dynamic relationship between circulating levels of CT and CTR expression in osteoclasts.

Animals↗

Calcitonin receptor down-regulation relates to calcitonin resistance in mature mouse osteoclasts.

We have reported that short calcitonin (CT) treatment of mature mouse osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) in culture induced prolonged down-regulation of the CT receptor (CTR) and desensitization to CT rechallenge, at the level of adenylate cyclase activity. In this study, we have extended those studies to examine the bone resorbing activity of OCLs pretreated with CT. OCLs, which formed on gelled type I collagen, were pretreated with salmon CT (sCT)(10(-9)M, 1 h) and 24 h later were replated onto plastic dishes or dentine slices after removal from the gel by collagenase digestion. The number and population of either mononuclear or multinuclear OCLs that adhere to either surface was not affected by sCT pretreatment. It was found that OCLs pretreated with sCT regained reduced but significant bone resorbing capacity, which was quantitated as the surface area resorbed by OCLs on dentine slices. However, compared with control, the number of resorption pits produced by sCT- pretreated OCLs was slightly reduced, and the total pit area was decreased by approximately 40-50%. The distribution of individual pit sizes was altered by sCT-pretreatment so that the number of larger pits was predominantly reduced, suggesting that short sCT treatment may produce a long lasting decrease in osteoclast mobility. sCT was able to inhibit bone resorption activity of CT-pretreated OCLs (ED50:10(-13)-10(-12)M). Importantly, the ED50 of sCT inhibition of bone resorption in sCT-pretreated OCLs was approximately 100-fold greater than for control, indicating resistance of the OCLs to CT rechallenge. Consistent with these results, treatment of OCLs with sCT greatly decreased the expression of CTR messenger RNA, whereas no significant effect was observed on the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase messenger RNA expression, a marker of resorptive capacity of osteoclasts. These results indicate, therefore, that an important component of escape of osteoclastic resorption from CT inhibition is CT resistance of mature osteoclasts, which regain bone resorbing function.

Animals↗

Interleukin (IL)-6 induction of osteoclast differentiation depends on IL-6 receptors expressed on osteoblastic cells but not on osteoclast progenitors.

We reported that interleukin (IL) 6 alone cannot induce osteoclast formation in cocultures of mouse bone marrow and osteoblastic cells, but soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) strikingly triggered osteoclast formation induced by IL-6. In this study, we examined the mechanism of osteoclast formation by IL-6 and related cytokines through the interaction between osteoblastic cells and osteoclast progenitors. When dexamethasone was added to the cocultures, IL-6 could stimulate osteoclast formation without the help of soluble IL-6R. Osteoblastic cells expressed a very low level of IL-6R mRNA, whereas fresh mouse spleen and bone marrow cells, both of which are considered to be osteoclast progenitors, constitutively expressed relatively high levels of IL-6R mRNA. Treatment of osteoblastic cells with dexamethasone induced a marked increase in the expression of IL-6R mRNA. By immunoblotting with antiphosphotyrosine antibody, IL-6 did not tyrosine-phosphorylate a protein with a molecular mass of 130 kD in osteoblastic cells but did so in dexamethasone-pretreated osteoblastic cells. Osteoblastic cells from transgenic mice constitutively expressing human IL-6R could support osteoclast development in the presence of human IL-6 alone in cocultures with normal spleen cells. In contrast, osteoclast progenitors in spleen cells from transgenic mice overexpressing human IL-6R were not able to differentiate into osteoclasts in response to IL-6 in cocultures with normal osteoblastic cells. These results clearly indicate that the ability of IL-6 to induce osteoclast differentiation depends on signal transduction mediated by IL-6R expressed on osteoblastic cells but not on osteoclast progenitors.

Animals↗

Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, blocks osteoclastic bone resorption.

The biological role of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase was examined in osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) formed in co-cultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. The expression of PI-3 kinase in OCLs was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Wortmannin (WT), a specific inhibitor of PI-3 kinase, inhibited PI-3 kinase activity in OCLs both in vitro and in vivo. WT also inhibited pit-forming activity on dentine slices and disrupted a ringed structure of F-actin-containing dots (an actin ring) in OCLs in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory profiles of WT for pit and actin ring formation were similar to that for PI-3 kinase activity in OCLs. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that OCLs treated with WT did not form ruffled borders. Instead, numerous electron lucent vacuoles of differing sizes were found throughout the cytoplasm. These results suggest that PI-3 kinase is important in osteoclastic bone resorption.

Actins↗

Possible involvement of focal adhesion kinase, p125FAK, in osteoclastic bone resorption.

Involvement of tyrosine phosphorylation in osteoclastic bone resorption was examined using osteoclast-like multinucleated cells prepared from co-cultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells in the presence of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. When osteoclast-like cells were plated on culture dishes in the presence of 10% fetal bovine serum, they were sharply stained in their peripheral region by anti-phosphotyrosine antibody. Western blot analysis revealed that 115- to 130-kD proteins were tyrosine-phosphorylated in osteoclast-like cells. Using immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting, one of the proteins with 115-130 kD was identified as focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK), a tyrosine kinase, which is localized in focal adhesions. Immunostaining with anti-p125FAK antibody revealed that p125FAK was mainly localized at the periphery of osteoclast-like cells. Herbimycin A, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, not only suppressed tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK but also changed the intracellular localization of p125FAK and disrupted a ringed structure of F-actin-containing podosomes in osteoclast-like cells. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to p125FAK inhibited dentine resorption by osteoclast-like cells, whereas sense oligodeoxynucleotides did not. These results suggest that p125FAK is involved in osteoclastic bone resorption and that tyrosine phosphorylation of p125FAK is critical for regulating osteoclast function.

Animals↗

An ultrastructural evaluation of the effects of cysteine-proteinase inhibitors on osteoclastic resorptive functions.

This study was designed to evaluate the effects of specific and potent cathepsin inhibitors on osteoclastic resorptive functions in vitro by means of a novel ultrastructural assay system. Mouse bone marrow cell-derived osteoclasts were suspended on dentine slices and cultured for 48 hours in the presence of either E-64 (a generalized cysteine proteinase inhibitor) or Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2 (a selective cathepsin L inhibitor). After the removal of cultured osteoclasts, co-cultured dentine slices were examined using electron microscopy: backscattered (BSEM), scanning (SEM), and atomic force (AFM). In morphometric analyses of BSEM images, there were no significant differences in the areas of demineralized dentine surfaces between control and inhibitor-treated groups, suggesting that cathepsin inhibitors had no effect on dentine demineralization by cultured osteoclasts. However, in SEM and AFM observations, both inhibitors remarkably reduced to the same extent, the formation of deep resorption lacunae on dentine slices that had resulted from degradation of matrix collagen. In addition, Z-Phe-Phe-CHN2 treatment produced deeper, ring-like grooves with little collagen exposure in shallow resorption lacunae. These results strongly suggest that (1) cathepsins released by osteoclasts are involved in the formation of deep resorption lacunae, and (2) cathepsin L plays a key role in bone resorption.

Animals↗

Modulation of osteoclast differentiation by local factors.

Bone-resorbing osteoclasts are of hemopoietic cell origin, probably of the CFU-M-derived monocyte-macrophage family. Bone marrow-derived osteoblastic stromal cells play an important role in modulating the differentiation of osteoclast progenitors in two different ways: one is the production of soluble factors, and the other is cell-to-cell recognition between osteoclast progenitors and osteoblastic stromal cells. M-CSF is probably the most important soluble factor, which appears to be necessary for not only proliferation of osteoclast progenitors, but also differentiation into mature osteoclasts and their survival. A number of local factors as well as systemic hormones induce osteoclast differentiation. They are classified into three categories in terms of the signal transduction: vitamin D receptor-mediated signals [1 alpha,25(OH)2D3]; protein kinase A-mediated signals (PTH, PTHrP, PGE2, and IL-1); and gp130-mediated signals (IL-6, IL-11, oncostatin M, and leukemia inhibitory factor). All of these osteoclast-inducing factors appear to act on osteoblastic cells to commonly induce osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), which recognizes osteoclast progenitors and prepares them to differentiate into mature osteoclasts. This line of approach will undoubtedly produce new ways to treat several metabolic bone diseases caused by abnormal osteoclast recruitment such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis, Paget's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal disease.

Animals↗

A possible mechanism of the specific action of bisphosphonates on osteoclasts: tiludronate preferentially affects polarized osteoclasts having ruffled borders.

The mechanism of action of tiludronate [(4-chlorophenyl)-thiomethylene bisphosphonate] on osteoclastic bone resorption was examined in mouse culture systems. Tiludronate did not inhibit the formation of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) induced by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in cocultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. OCLs obtained from cocultures on collagen gel-coated dishes, treated with tiludronate, formed as many resorption pits on dentine slices as those obtained from the control cocultures. However, pit formation by OCLs was dose-dependently inhibited when tiludronate was added directly to the pit formation assay. Other bisphosphonates such as alendronate and etidronate dose-dependently inhibited pit formation according to the in vivo potencies of the respective bisphosphonates to inhibit bone resorption. However, they had no inhibitory effect on the recruitment of OCLs induced by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 in the cocultures. When OCLs were placed on dentine slices, they formed the ringed structure of F-actin-containing podosomes and ruffled borders (polarized OCLs) even in the presence of tiludronate. However, the actin rings in OCLs were disrupted by the addition of tiludronate soon after they began to resorb dentine. In contrast, OCLs placed on collagen gel formed neither actin rings nor ruffled borders (nonpolarized OCLs), and showed no response to tiludronate. OCLs formed from the spleen cells of osteosclerotic (oc/oc) mice developed the ringed structure of podosomes, but not ruffled borders, on dentine slices. The actin ring in the oc/oc spleen cell-derived OCLs placed on dentine slices was not disrupted by the addition of tiludronate.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

The small GTP-binding protein, rho p21, is involved in bone resorption by regulating cytoskeletal organization in osteoclasts.

Rho protein (rho p21), a p21ras-related small guanine nucleotide binding protein, regulates cytoskeletal organization in a number of different types of cells. Evidence has indicated that Clostridium botulinum-derived ADP-ribosyltransferase (C3 exoenzyme) specifically ADP-ribosylates rho p21 at Asn41 and renders it functionally inactive. In this study, we examined the involvement of rho p21 in osteoclastic bone resorption using the C3 exoenzyme. When osteoclast-like multinucleated cells obtained from cocultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells were placed on dentine slices, they formed ringed structures of podosomes containing F-actin (corresponding to the clear zone) within 8 hours. Many resorption pits were formed on dentine slices after culture for 24 hours. The C3 exoenzyme at 0.15-10 micrograms/ml added to the culture medium disrupted the ringed structure of podosomes in osteoclast-like cells in a dose-dependent manner. Correspondingly, pit formation by osteoclast-like cells on dentine slices was dose-dependently inhibited also by adding the C3 exoenzyme. Microinjection of the C3 exoenzyme into osteoclast-like cells placed on culture dishes completely disrupted the ringed podosome structure within 20 minutes. The amount of the rho p21 which was ADP-ribosylated by the C3 exoenzyme in vitro was much greater in purified osteoclast-like cells than in osteoblastic cells. Prior exposure of the purified osteoclast-like cell preparation to the C3 exoenzyme in vivo markedly decreased the amount of unribosylated rho p21. This indicated that the C3 exoenzyme incorporated into osteoclast-like cells effectively ADP-ribosylates rho p21 in vivo.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Actins↗

Postmitotic osteoclast precursors are mononuclear cells which express macrophage-associated phenotypes.

We previously demonstrated that osteoclast-like multinucleated cells were formed within 6 days in cocultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and spleen cells in response to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3[1 alpha,25(OH)2D3] which was added together with hydroxyurea on Days 4-6 (final 2 days of the 6-day coculture period). Using this coculture system, chronological changes of macrophage-associated phenotypes such as nonspecific esterase (NSE) and antigens to Mac-1, Mac-2, and F4/80 were examined in postmitotic osteoclast precursors during differentiation into osteoclasts induced by 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 (10 nM) added on Day 4. Osteoclast differentiation was assessed by examining expression of calcitonin receptors (CTRs) by autoradiography using 125I-labeled salmon CT. CTRs were first detected on small mononuclear cells within 12 hr after adding 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. The number of CTR-positive mononuclear cells attained a maximum at 24 hr and decreased thereafter. CTR-positive multinucleated cells were first observed at 24 hr and reached a maximum population at 48 hr. All CTR-positive cells showed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity (a marker enzyme of osteoclasts). Most of the CTR-positive mononuclear cells which appeared at 12 hr were positive for NSE and antigens to Mac-1 and Mac-2, but negative for F4/80 antigen. The proportion of CTR-positive cells expressing NSE and Mac-1 to total CTR-positive mononuclear cells decreased time dependently. Like authentic osteoclasts, CTR-positive multinucleated cells were negative for NSE and antigens to Mac-1 and F4/80, but positive for Mac-2. These results indicate that postmitotic osteoclast precursors are mononuclear phagocytes with macrophage-associated phenotypes, some of which disappear rapidly during their differentiation into osteoclasts.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in osteoclasts and its role in resorption.

By means of light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry, we have demonstrated the expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in mouse osteoclasts. In fully differentiated osteoclasts, intense immunolabeling was observed along the plasma membranes including those of ruffled borders and associated pale vesicles and vacuoles, whereas those of clear zones and basolateral cell surfaces were entirely free of immunoreaction. Specific expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase was also detected over polyribosomes and cisterns of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. Multinucleated osteoclastic cells were suspended on dentine slices and cultured for 48 h in the presence or absence of either concanamycin B or bafilomycin A1, specific inhibitors of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Morphometric analysis of co-cultured dentine slices with backscattered electron microscopy revealed that both inhibitors strongly reduced the formation of resorption lacunae in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that vacuolar H(+)-ATPase is produced in the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, stored in the membrane vesicles, and transported into the ruffled border membranes of osteoclasts, and that this enzyme plays a key role in the creation of an acidic subosteoclastic microenvironment for the demineralization of co-cultured substrates.

Animals↗

Soluble interleukin-6 receptor triggers osteoclast formation by interleukin 6.

It has been reported that soluble interleukin (IL)-6 receptor (sIL-6R) is detected in the serum of healthy individuals and its level is increased in patients with multiple myeloma and human immunodeficiency virus infection. Although several reports have suggested that sIL-6R potentiates IL-6 action, its physiological role remains unclear. In this study, we examined the role of sIL-6R on osteoclast formation by IL-6, using a coculture of mouse osteoblasts and bone marrow cells. Neither recombinant mouse IL-6 (mIL-6) nor mouse sIL-6R (smIL-6R) induced osteoclast-like multinucleated cell (MNC) formation when they were added separately. In contrast, simultaneous treatment with mIL-6 and smIL-6R strikingly induced MNC formation. These MNCs satisfied major criteria of authentic osteoclasts, such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, calcitonin receptors, and pit formation on dentine slices. The MNC formation induced by mIL-6 and smIL-6R was dose-dependently inhibited by adding monoclonal anti-mouse IL-6R antibody (MR16-1). It is likely that osteoblasts and osteoclast progenitors are capable of transducing a signal from a complex of IL-6 and sIL-6R through gp130, even though they may have no or a very small number of IL-6Rs. Factors such as IL-11, oncostatin M, and leukemia inhibitory factor, which are known to exert their functions through gp130 (the signal-transducing chain of IL-6R), also induced MNC formation in our coculture system. These results suggest that increased circulating or locally produced sIL-6R induces osteoclast formation in the presence of IL-6 mediated by a mechanism involving gp130. This may play an important physiological or pathological role in conditions associated with increased osteoclastic bone resorption.

Animals↗

New resorption assay with mouse osteoclast-like multinucleated cells formed in vitro.

We previously reported a procedure to obtain a preparation containing a large number of mouse osteoclast (OCL)-like multinucleated cells (MNCs) formed in cocultures of mouse osteoblastic and bone marrow cells in the presence of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3]. The MNCs satisfied major criteria of OCLs, such as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, acid production, calcitonin (CT) receptors, and the ability to form resorption pits on bone slices. In this report, we describe a simple resorption assay system using MNC preparations. After culturing MNC preparations or disaggregated rat OCL preparations on dentin slices, they were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin. The stained area corresponded exactly with the resorption pits visualized by scanning electron microscopy and were measured using an image analysis system attached to a light microscope. Pit formation by MNCs was gradually enhanced by reducing the medium pH (pH 7.5 < 7.2 < 6.9). The plan area resorbed by MNCs increased linearly for up to 72 h. These results are very similar to those obtained with OCL preparations. In multiple standard assays with MNC preparations, more than 250 MNCs could be placed on a dentin slice, and the total area resorbed to a level of up to 9% of the whole surface within 48 h. In contrast, in multiple assays with OCL preparations, it was not easy to place more than 50 OCLs on a slice and the resorbed area was only 0.7% of the surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acid Phosphatase↗

Cytochalasin D reduces osteoclastic bone resorption by inhibiting development of ruffled border-clear zone complex.

The osteoclastic cytoskeleton has been demonstrated to be composed of microfilaments. Osteoclastic multinucleated cells were suspended on dentine slices and cultured for 24 hours in the presence or absence of cytochalasin D (CD), a specific and potent inhibitor of actin filament elongation to determine the role of this cytoskeleton. Cultured cells and co-cultured dentine slices were examined ultrastructurally. Unlike those in control cultures without CD, osteoclasts in CD-treated cultures became spherical in shape and lacked microvilli on their basolateral cell surfaces. Most importantly, CD treatment induced a complete disappearance of the ruffled border-clear zone complexes in osteoclasts, which resulted in loss of osteoclast-cytoplasmic polarity. Morphometric analysis of backscattered electron micrographs of co-cultured dentine slices revealed that CD treatment strongly inhibited the formation of resorption lacunae in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that the cytoarchitecture, as well as the bone-resorbing function, of the osteoclast is highly regulated by the F-actin-containing microfilamentous cytoskeleton in the ruffled border-clear zone complex.

Actins↗