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Biomedical subjects

S Papapoulos

Publications and source records attributed to S Papapoulos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Urokinase-receptor/integrin complexes are functionally involved in adhesion and progression of human breast cancer in vivo.

Interactions between specific cell-surface molecules, which include the urokinase receptor (uPAR) and integrins, are crucial to processes of tumor invasion and metastasis. Here we demonstrate that uPAR and beta1-integrins may cluster at distinct sites at the cell surface of metastatic MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells and form functional complexes. Attachment assays performed in the presence of a synthetic peptide (p25), which interferes with the formation of uPAR-integrin complexes, reveal that uPAR is able to regulate the adhesive function of integrins in breast cancer cells. On dissociation of the uPAR-integrin complexes by p25, tumor cell attachment to the extracellular matrix was either decreased (vitronectin) or increased (fibronectin). Moreover, the tumor cells display remarkable morphological changes when cultured on fibronectin in the continuous presence of p25, leading to increased cell spreading and attachment. In marked contrast to control conditions, increased cellular adhesion to fibronectin after p25 treatment was entirely beta1-integrin-mediated. The role of uPAR-integrin complexes in tumor progression was studied in an in vivo bone xenograft model. Stably transfected MDA-MB-231 cells that overexpress p25 showed a significant reduction in tumor progression in bone (P < or = 0.0001 versus mock-control). In line with these observations, continuous administration of p25 (25 microg/mouse/day, osmotic minipumps) for 28 days resulted in significantly reduced tumor progression of MDA-MB-231 cells in bone (P < or = 0.005) when compared to scrambled control peptide. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that uPAR can act as an adhesion receptor in breast cancer and is capable of regulating integrin function. Our findings strongly suggest that adhesive and proteolytic events are tightly associated in metastatic breast cancer cells and that functional integrin-uPAR complexes are involved in tumor progression in vivo.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Effect of angiogenic and antiangiogenic compounds on the outgrowth of capillary structures from fetal mouse bone explants.

Fetal mouse metatarsals are well-known models to study cartilage differentiation and osteoclastic resorption. We show here the outgrowth of PECAM-1 positive tubelike structures from the bone rudiments. This feature can be used to study angiogenesis in vitro. The area of outgrowth significantly increased with culture time, as shown by computerized image analysis of PECAM-1 positive tubelike structures. Treatment with recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF-A) stimulated the formation of tubelike structures. Treatment of explants with the angiogenesis inhibitor endostatin, the chemokine IP-10, and the thalidomide derivative phatolyl glutamic acid (PG-acid) resulted in an inhibition of the formation of PECAM-1 positive tubelike structures of 48.8% (+/- 4%), 50.2% (+/- 12%), and 80.8% (+/- 3%), respectively. Outgrowth of tubelike structures was partly dependent on endogenous VEGF-A because treatment with anti-mVEGF-A and truncated VEGF receptor 1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, sFIt1) strongly inhibited the formation of tubelike structures 74% (+/- 4%) and 38% (+/- 5%), respectively. Neither onset of tube formation nor total area of tubelike structures were changed when metatarsals were cultured on a fibrin gel or collagen type I gel. Tube formation required activation of matrix metalloproteinases because treatment of the bones with an inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases completely inhibited migration and tube formation, whereas treatment with an inhibitor of plasmin had no effect. In conclusion, we describe a new in vitro model to study angiogenesis that can be used to test the angiogenic or antiangiogenic potential of novel test compounds that also combines the multicellularity of in vivo assays with the accessibility and flexibility of in vitro assays.

Animals↗

Monitoring metastatic behavior of human tumor cells in mice with species-specific polymerase chain reaction: elevated expression of angiogenesis and bone resorption stimulators by breast cancer in bone metastases.

Tumor-stroma interactions are of primary importance in determining the pathogenesis of metastasis. Here, we describe the application of sensitive competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques for detection and quantitation of human breast cancer cells (MDA-MB-231) in an in vivo mouse model of experimental metastasis. Human-specific oligonucleotide primers in competitive PCR reactions were used to quantify the amount of MDA-MB-231 cells per tissue per organ. Using this species-specific (semi)quantitative PCR approach, gene expression patterns of (human) tumor cells or (mouse) stromal cells in metastatic lesions in the skeleton or soft tissues were investigated and compared. In all metastatic lesions, MDA-MB-231 cells express angiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factors [VEGFs]; VEGF-A, -B, and -C) and bone-acting cytokines (parathyroid hormone-related protein [PTHrP] and macrophage colony-stimulating factor [M-CSF]). In these metastases, PECAM-1-positive blood vessels and stromal cells of mouse origin are detected. The latter express angiogenic factors and markers of sprouting vessels (VEGF receptors flt-1/flk - 1/flk-4 and CD31/PECAM-1). Strikingly, steady-state messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of VEGF-A and -B and the major bone resorption stimulators PTHrP and M-CSF by tumor cells were elevated significantly in bone versus soft tissues (p < or = 0.05, p < or = 0.0001, p < or = 0.001, and p < or = 0.05, respectively), indicating tissue-specific expression of these tumor progression factors. In conclusion, MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells express a variety of factors in vivo that have been implicated in metastatic bone disease and that correlate with poor survival of patients with breast cancer. We hypothesize that the observed up-regulated expression of angiogenic and bone-resorbing factors by the breast cancer cells in the skeleton underlie the clinically observed osteotropism of breast cancer cells and pathogenesis of osteolytic bone metastases. The application of the species-specific competitive PCR-based assay in vivo can provide new information concerning the involvement of gene families in tumor progression and metastatic disease and greatly facilitates the study of tumor-stroma interactions in cancer invasion and metastasis.

Animals↗

Tumour progression and angiogenesis in bone metastasis from breast cancer: new approaches to an old problem.

Breast cancer metastasizes frequently to the skeleton and causes considerable morbidity and deterioration of the quality of life. The clinical consequences of skeletal metastases are bone pain, pathological fractures, hypercalcaemia and nerve compression syndromes. From the moment breast cancer cells are located in the bone microenvironment, they may release factors which stimulate bone resorption and angiogenesis leading to growth of skeletal metastases and a subsequent selective increase in the attraction of new cancer cells to bone. In this review, emerging new concepts of breast cancer-bone interactions, in particular the involvement of angiogenesis, proteolysis and the role of cancer-induced bone resorption in skeletal metastasis are discussed. Better understanding of the processes involved in the metastasis of cancer cells to bone, local tumour growth and subsequent destruction of skeletal architecture can lead to optimal methods for the prevention and treatment of metastatic bone disease.

Animals↗

Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase is the molecular target of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates.

Bisphosphonates (Bps), inhibitors of osteoclastic bone resorption, are used in the treatment of skeletal disorders. Recent evidence indicated that farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) synthase and/or isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) isomerase is the intracellular target(s) of bisphosphonate action. To examine which enzyme is specifically affected, we determined the effect of different Bps on incorporation of [(14)C]mevalonate (MVA), [(14)C]IPP, and [(14)C]dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) into polyisoprenyl pyrophosphates in a homogenate of bovine brain. HPLC analysis revealed that the three intermediates were incorporated into FPP and geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP). In contrast to clodronate, the nitrogen-containing Bps (NBps), alendronate, risedronate, olpadronate, and ibandronate, completely blocked FPP and GGPP formation and induced in incubations with [(14)C]MVA a 3- to 5-fold increase in incorporation of label into IPP and/or DMAPP. Using a method that could distinguish DMAPP from IPP on basis of their difference in stability in acid, we found that none of the NBps affected the conversion of [(14)C]IPP into DMAPP, catalyzed by IPP isomerase, excluding this enzyme as target of NBp action. On the basis of these and our previous findings, we conclude that none of the enzymes up- or downstream of FPP synthase are affected by NBps, and FPP synthase is, therefore, the exclusive molecular target of NBp action.

Animals↗

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates inhibit isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase/farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase activity with relative potencies corresponding to their antiresorptive potencies in vitro and in vivo.

Bisphosphonates, synthetic compounds which suppress bone resorption, are used in the treatment of skeletal disorders. Their mode of action and intracellular targets have not yet been identified. Recent evidence suggested that enzymes of the mevalonate pathway are the potential targets. In this study, we examined the effect of four potent nitrogen (N)-containing bisphosphonates, clodronate and NH2-olpadronate, an inactive analogue of olpadronate, on isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase/farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, and protein geranylgeranyl transferase I activity. We found that all N-containing bisphosphonates inhibited isopentenyl pyrophosphate isomerase/farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase activity dose dependently with relative potencies corresponding to their antiresorptive potencies in vitro and in vivo, whereas clodronate and NH2-olpadronate had no effect. Furthermore, none of the bisphosphonates tested affected geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase or geranylgeranyl transferase I activity. Our study reveals for the first time the intracellular target of N-containing bisphosphonates and supports the view that all bisphosphonates do not share the same molecular mechanism of action.

Animals↗

Diagnosis and management of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women: clinical guidelines. International Committee for Osteoporosis Clinical Guidelines.

The authors, all physicians involved in clinical research on bone and practicing clinicians, propose practical guidelines for identifying persons with osteoporosis or those at high risk of developing the disease and for managing patients who may benefit from therapy. These guidelines are based on an analysis of peer-reviewed articles published before November 1998. A flowchart of women who might benefit from treatment is provided, including clinical presentation (recent fracture of the spine, hip, or other bone or no fracture; risk factors for osteoporosis); relevant investigations (bone mineral density measurement and laboratory tests required for the differential diagnosis); and therapeutic management (general measures such as calcium and vitamin D supplementation and specific pharmacologic interventions such as estrogen, bisphosphonates, intranasal calcitonin, raloxifene, fluoride salts, and other compounds that have been assessed in randomized clinical trials). The strongest evidence for antifracture efficacy (reduction of vertebral and nonvertebral fracture risk) was observed with alendronate.

Adult↗

Inhibition of intravacuolar acidification by antisense RNA decreases osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro.

The role of proton transport and production in osteoclast differentiation was studied in vitro by inhibiting the transcription/translation of carbonic anhydrase II (CA II) and vacuolar H(+)-ATPase (V-ATPase) by antisense RNA molecules. Antisense RNAs targeted against CA II, or the 16 kDa or 60 kDa subunit of V-ATPase were used to block the expression of the specific proteins. A significant decrease in bone resorption rate and TRAP-positive osteoclast number was seen in rat bone marrow cultures and fetal mouse metacarpal cultures after antisense treatment. Intravacuolar acidification in rat bone marrow cells was also significantly decreased after antisense treatment. The CA II antisense RNA increased the number of TRAP-positive mononuclear cells, suggesting inhibition of osteoclast precursor fusion. Antisense molecules decreased the number of monocytes and macrophages, but increased the number of granulocytes in marrow cultures. GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-6 were used to stimulate haematopoietic stem cell differentiation. The 16 kDa V-ATPase antisense RNA abolished the stimulatory effect of GM-CSF, IL-3 and IL-6 on TRAP-positive osteoclast formation, but did not affect the formation of monocytes and macrophages after IL-3 treatment, or the formation of granulocytes after IL-6 treatment. These results suggest that CA II and V-ATPase are needed, not only for the actual resorption, but also for osteoclast formation in vitro.

Acid Phosphatase↗

The role of geranylgeranylation in bone resorption and its suppression by bisphosphonates in fetal bone explants in vitro: A clue to the mechanism of action of nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates.

Bisphosphonates, synthetic compounds used in the treatment of skeletal disorders, suppress osteoclast-mediated bone resorption by a yet unidentified mechanism. Previous studies showed that some bisphosphonates can inhibit enzymes of the mevalonate pathway, and nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates inhibit protein prenylation in mouse macrophages. In the present study, we examined the involvement of the mevalonate pathway in basal and bisphosphonate-inhibited osteoclastic resorption in fetal mouse long bone explants, an experimental model representative of the in vivo action of bisphosphonates. Mevastatin inhibited bone resorption at concentrations similar to those of the potent bisphosphonate ibandronate. This effect could be totally reversed by the addition of mevalnate and geranylgeraniol but not farnesol. The first two intermediates but not the latter could also stimulate basal bone resorption. The inhibitory effect of ibandronate on bone resorption could be totally reversed by the addition of geranylgeraniol and to a small extent only by mevalonate and farnesol, indicating that the bisphosphonate acts at a level of the mevalonate pathway different from that of mevastatin. Histologic sections of ibandronate-treated bone explants showed further rescue of functioning osteoclasts during concomitant treatment with geranylgeraniol. Finally, the reversibility of bisphosphonate inhibited osteoclastic resorption by geranylgeraniol was also demonstrated for the potent nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates alendronate, olpadronate, and risedronate but not for the non-nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates clodronate and etidronate. These studies demonstrate that protein geranylgeranylation but not farnesylation is important for osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates exert their antiresorptive action probably by affecting enzymes of the mevalonate pathway involved in the generation of geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate.

Animals↗

Can we prevent fractures?

The primary aim of any intervention in osteoporosis is the prevention of fractures in individuals who have not yet fractured or the prevention of the progression of the disease in individuals with fragility fractures. There is currently insufficient evidence to recommend either a population-based prevention strategy or a strategy based on general screening with treatment of those individuals identified at high risk. Identification of subjects with strong clinical risk factors for osteoporotic fractures with subsequent measurement or not of bone mineral density as well as those with fragility fractures constitute at present the most rational approach to fracture prevention. Current measures to prevent osteoporotic fractures aim mainly at influencing bone mass and bone turnover and reducing the risk and impact of falls. Interventions that can reduce effectively the frequency of osteoporotic fractures in subjects at risk are available and new or alternative interventions are being developed. Issues related to the impact of these interventions on public health and health economics need to be addressed and methods to calculate the clinical outcomes in a way allowing comparison with outcomes of interventions in other common diseases should be developed.

Accidental Falls↗

Ovariectomy and orchidectomy induce a transient increase in the osteoclastogenic potential of bone marrow cells in the mouse.

Withdrawal of gender steroids in both women and men is associated with an increase in bone turnover with bone resorption exceeding bone formation leading to bone loss. To further investigate this process, the osteoclastogenic potential of mouse bone marrow cells was assessed at different timepoints after ovariectomy (ovx) or orchidectomy (orx). Cocultures of osteoclast-free fetal mouse long bones together with bone marrow from ovariectomized or orchidectomized mice indicated that the withdrawal of gender steroids in female and male mice induces a transient increase in osteoclastogenesis. The osteoclastogenic potential of the bone marrow cells was increased 7 days after ovx or orx. However, osteoclastic resorption was not increased at 3 days after surgery and had normalized 30 days after either ovx or orx. These results suggest that the withdrawal of gender steroids induces a transient increase in osteoclastogenesis in mice of both genders, which is associated with the early phase of rapid bone loss.

Animals↗

Attachment characteristics and involvement of integrins in adhesion of breast cancer cell lines to extracellular bone matrix components.

Evidence is mounting that changes in the ability of cancer cells to adhere to extracellular matrices play a decisive role in metastatic spread. The mechanism underlying the preference of breast cancer cells to metastasize to bone is, however, poorly understood. We investigated the expression and involvement of integrin adhesion receptors in the adhesion of breast cancer cells to bone matrix (constituents) in two in vitro attachment assays using RGD peptides and anti-integrin antibodies. Breast cancer cells adhered rapidly to extracellular bone matrix. Adhesion of most cells to vitronectin, fibronectin, thrombospondin, osteopontin, and the fairly bone-specific bone sialoprotein was inhibited by the 200 micrograms/ml GRGDS peptide. These data suggest that integrin adhesion receptors can modulate the attachment of breast cancer cells to bone matrix molecules. In accordance with these findings, we found that alpha 1-alpha 5(beta 1) and alpha v(beta 3) integrins were expressed by mammary carcinoma cells. Highly tumorigenic MDA-MB-231 cells, which form osteolytic metastases in vivo, expressed relatively high levels of alpha 2 beta 1, alpha 3 beta 1, alpha 5 beta 1, alpha v beta 3 integrins, when compared to MCF-7, T47D, and ZR75-1 breast cancer cells. Addition of function-blocking anti-alpha 2 beta 1, -alpha 3 beta 1, -alpha 5 beta 1, and -alpha v beta 3 antibodies significantly inhibited the adhesion of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells to bone matrices. In conclusion, our data suggest a possible role for beta 1 and beta 3 integrin subfamily members in the establishment of skeletal metastases in advanced breast cancer patients. Clearly, functional evidence is required to understand the mechanisms involved in the development of skeletal metastases in breast cancer patients.

Bone and Bones↗

Bisphosphonates inhibit the adhesion of breast cancer cells to bone matrices in vitro.

Bisphosphonates are used with increasing frequency in the management of skeletal complications in patients with breast cancer. In this paper, we have investigated whether bisphosphonates, besides their known beneficial effects on tumor-associated osteoclastic resorption, are capable of inhibiting breast cancer cell adhesion to bone matrix. For that we used two in vitro models for bone matrix (cortical bone slices and cryostat sections of trabecular bone from neonatal mouse tails). Four bone matrix-bound nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (pamidronate, olpadronate, alendronate, and ibandronate) inhibited adhesion and spreading of breast cancer cells to bone dose-dependently, whereas etidronate and clodronate had little or no effect. Strikingly, the relative order of potency of the bisphosphonates in inhibiting the adhesion of cancer cells to cortical and trabecular bone corresponded to their relative antiresorptive potencies in vivo as well as their ranking in in vitro bone resorption assays with predictive value for their clinical efficacy. It appears that nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates alter selectively the adhesive properties of the extracellular bone matrix preventing the attachment of breast cancer cells to it. Besides the beneficial effects of bisphosphonates on tumor-induced osteoclastic resorption, the previously unrecognized effect presented in this paper makes these agents suitable for earlier pharmacologic intervention in patients with breast cancer at risk of developing bone metastases.

Animals↗

Dissociation of binding and antiresorptive properties of hydroxybisphosphonates by substitution of the hydroxyl with an amino group.

The purpose of this study was to examine the role of the R1 moiety of bisphosphonates in binding to bone mineral and for antiresorptive action. For this, the R1 chain of three clinically useful hydroxybisphosphonates (etidronate, pamidronate, and olpadronate) was substituted with an amino group. The effects of the aminosubstituted bisphosphonates were compared with those of their hydroxy counterparts in a crystal growth assay and in fetal mouse long bone cultures which are representative of bisphosphonate actions in vivo. It was found that all three aminosubstituted compounds and their hydroxy analogs bound with similar affinity to bone mineral and inhibited the growth of calcium oxalate crystals to the same extent. Surprisingly, the antiresorptive effect of olpadronate was totally abolished by the amino substitution of the hydroxyl group while that of pamidronate was reduced by about six-fold and that of etidronate did not change. These studies demonstrate the involvement of the entire bisphosphonate molecule in the cellular mechanism of antiresorptive action. In addition, the aminosubstituted analog of olpadronate, which lacks any antiresorptive action but retains all other properties of olpadronate, provides an excellent tool for the study of specific cellular effects involved in bisphosphonate action.

Amines↗

Prednisone treatment of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis. Disease activity and bone mass in comparison with chloroquine treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Prednisone is frequently used in the treatment of elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the balance between efficacy and toxicity, including the effect on bone mass, has not been investigated in long-term studies. This prospective, randomized study was undertaken to compare disease activity and bone mass during long-term treatment with prednisone versus chloroquine in this patient population. METHODS: Patients with active RA diagnosed at age > or = 60 were randomized to receive prednisone (15 mg/day for 1 month, with the dosage tapered as low as possible thereafter) (n = 28) or chloroquine (n = 28). Patients who did not show a response received other second-line drugs as an adjunct to prednisone or as a replacement for chloroquine. Bone mass was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The study duration was 2 years. RESULTS: During the 2 years, treatment with other second-line drugs was needed for 12 patients in the prednisone group (43%) and 8 in the chloroquine group (29%). Functional capacity and disease activity improved significantly in both groups and did not differ significantly between the groups, except for a greater improvement in the prednisone group at 1 month. Radiographic scores for joint destruction progressed similarly in both groups. There was a nonsignificant excess bone loss of 1.8% in the spine and 1.5% in the hip in the prednisone group, compared with the chloroquine group. CONCLUSION: Neither treatment was entirely satisfactory since a significant number of patients needed an additional second-line drug over the 2-year period.

Aged↗

In vitro and ex vivo evidence that estrogens suppress increased bone resorption induced by ovariectomy or PTH stimulation through an effect on osteoclastogenesis.

The mechanism of bone loss following cessation of ovarian function is still unclear. Several studies have shown an increase in bone turnover following natural or surgical menopause which could be prevented by estrogen administration. However, a direct effect of estrogen on osteoclast-mediated bone resorption has been difficult to demonstrate in vitro. Recent evidence suggested that estrogen withdrawal stimulates the production of bone resorbing cytokines, (e.g., interleukin-6, IL-6), which regulate osteoclast formation in the bone marrow microenvironment. We studied the effects of 17beta-estradiol on osteoclastic resorption, measured as 45calcium release, in vitro using cultures of fetal mouse long bone explants in which different stages of osteoclast development and activity are represented. 17beta-estradiol (10(-12)-10(-8) M) had no effect on basal or parathyroid hormone (PTH)-stimulated resorption of bone explants in which mature osteoclasts (radii/ulnae) or osteoclast precursors/progenitors (metacarpals) are present. 17beta-estradiol, however, inhibited significantly the PTH-stimulated resorption of osteoclast-free metacarpals cultured together with mouse fetal liver as a source of early osteoclast progenitors; basal resorption was also not inhibited in this system. In ex vivo studies we further examined the effects of culturing bone marrow cells from ovariectomized (OVX) or sham-operated mice as an osteoclastic source together with osteoclast-free metacarpals on 45calcium release and bone histology. Cocultures of the bone marrow cells from OVX mice with osteoclast-free metacarpals increased significantly the osteoclast formation and subsequent osteoclastic resorption compared with control cocultures. This increase in resorption was prevented by either treatment of the OVX animals with estrogen for 1 week starting immediately after OVX or injection of the OVX animals with an IL-6 neutralizing antibody. We conclude that estrogens suppress the increased osteoclastic resorption induced by PTH or OVX through an effect on hematopoietic progenitor cells of the osteoclast lineage. Furthermore our data suggest that IL-6 is involved in the increase in osteoclastic resorption following OVX.

Animals↗