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Hepatocyte growth factor is a coupling factor for osteoclasts and osteoblasts in vitro.

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), also known as scatter factor, is a powerful motogen, mitogen, and morphogen produced by cells of mesodermal origin, acting on epithelial and endothelial cells. Its receptor is the tyrosine kinase encoded by the c-MET protooncogene. We show that the HGF receptor is expressed by human primary osteoclasts, by osteoclast-like cell lines, and by osteoblasts. In both cell lineages, HGF stimulation triggers the receptor kinase activity and autophosphorylation. In osteoclasts, HGF receptor activation is followed by increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration and by activation of the pp60c-Src kinase. HGF induces changes in osteoclast shape and stimulates chemotactic migration and DNA replication. Osteoblasts respond to HGF by entering the cell cycle, as indicated by stimulation of DNA synthesis. Interestingly, osteoclasts were found to synthesize and secrete biologically active HGF. These data strongly suggest the possibility of an autocrine regulation of the osteoclast by HGF and a paracrine regulation of the osteoblast by the HGF produced by the osteoclast.

Bone Neoplasms↗

Protein-tyrosine phosphatase activity regulates osteoclast formation and function: inhibition by alendronate.

Alendronate (ALN), an aminobisphosphonate used in the treatment of osteoporosis, is a potent inhibitor of bone resorption. Its molecular target is still unknown. This study examines the effects of ALN on the activity of osteoclast protein-tyrosine phosphatase (PTP; protein-tyrosine-phosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.48), called PTPepsilon. Using osteoclast-like cells generated by coculturing mouse bone marrow cells with mouse calvaria osteoblasts, we found by molecular cloning and RNA blot hybridization that PTPepsilon is highly expressed in osteoclastic cells. A purified fusion protein of PTPepsilon expressed in bacteria was inhibited by ALN with an IC50 of 2 microM. Other PTP inhibitors--orthovanadate and phenylarsine oxide (PAO)-inhibited PTPepsilon with IC50 values of 0.3 microM and 18 microM, respectively. ALN and another bisphosphonate, etidronate, also inhibited the activities of other bacterially expressed PTPs such as PTPsigma and CD45 (also called leukocyte common antigen). The PTP inhibitors ALN, orthovanadate, and PAO suppressed in vitro formation of multinucleated osteoclasts from osteoclast precursors and in vitro bone resorption by isolated rat osteoclasts (pit formation) with estimated IC50 values of 10 microM, 3 microM, and 0.05 microM, respectively. These findings suggest that tyrosine phosphatase activity plays an important role in osteoclast formation and function and is a putative molecular target of bisphosphonate action.

Alendronate↗

Osteoclast differentiation factor is a ligand for osteoprotegerin/osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory factor and is identical to TRANCE/RANKL.

Osteoclasts, the multinucleated cells that resorb bone, develop from hematopoietic cells of monocyte/macrophage lineage. Osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) are formed by coculturing spleen cells with osteoblasts or bone marrow stromal cells in the presence of bone-resorbing factors. The cell-to-cell interaction between osteoblasts/stromal cells and osteoclast progenitors is essential for OCL formation. Recently, we purified and molecularly cloned osteoclastogenesis-inhibitory factor (OCIF), which was identical to osteoprotegerin (OPG). OPG/OCIF is a secreted member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and inhibits osteoclastogenesis by interrupting the cell-to-cell interaction. Here we report the expression cloning of a ligand for OPG/OCIF from a complementary DNA library of mouse stromal cells. The protein was found to be a member of the membrane-associated tumor necrosis factor ligand family and induced OCL formation from osteoclast progenitors. A genetically engineered soluble form containing the extracellular domain of the protein induced OCL formation from spleen cells in the absence of osteoblasts/stromal cells. OPG/OCIF abolished the OCL formation induced by the protein. Expression of its gene in osteoblasts/stromal cells was up-regulated by bone-resorbing factors. We conclude that the membrane-bound protein is osteoclast differentiation factor (ODF), a long-sought ligand mediating an essential signal to osteoclast progenitors for their differentiation into osteoclasts. ODF was found to be identical to TRANCE/RANKL, which enhances T-cell growth and dendritic-cell function. ODF seems to be an important regulator in not only osteoclastogenesis but also immune system.

Animals↗

Alendronate mechanism of action: geranylgeraniol, an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway, prevents inhibition of osteoclast formation, bone resorption, and kinase activation in vitro.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates were shown to cause macrophage apoptosis by inhibiting enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway leading from mevalonate to cholesterol. This study suggests that, in osteoclasts, geranylgeranyl diphosphate, the substrate for prenylation of most GTP binding proteins, is likely to be the crucial intermediate affected by these bisphosphonates. We report that murine osteoclast formation in culture is inhibited by both lovastatin, an inhibitor of hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA reductase, and alendronate. Lovastatin effects are blocked fully by mevalonate and less effectively by geranylgeraniol whereas alendronate effects are blocked partially by mevalonate and more effectively by geranylgeraniol. Alendronate inhibition of bone resorption in mouse calvaria also is blocked by mevalonate whereas clodronate inhibition is not. Furthermore, rabbit osteoclast formation and activity also are inhibited by lovastatin and alendronate. The lovastatin effects are prevented by mevalonate or geranylgeraniol, and alendronate effects are prevented by geranylgeraniol. Farnesol and squalene are without effect. Signaling studies show that lovastatin and alendronate activate in purified osteoclasts a 34-kDa kinase. Lovastatin-mediated activation is blocked by mevalonate and geranylgeraniol whereas alendronate activation is blocked by geranylgeraniol. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that alendronate, acting directly on osteoclasts, inhibits a rate-limiting step in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway, essential for osteoclast function. This inhibition is prevented by exogenous geranylgeraniol, probably required for prenylation of GTP binding proteins that control cytoskeletal reorganization, vesicular fusion, and apoptosis, processes involved in osteoclast activation and survival.

Alendronate↗

Interleukin-1 alpha activates an NF-kappaB-like factor in osteoclast-like cells.

We investigated the NF-kappaB transcription factor in osteoclast-like cells. Osteoclast-like cells were differentiated from mouse bone marrow cells in co-culture with mouse calvaria-derived primary osteoblasts in the presence of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and prostaglandin E2 in collagen gel-coated dishes. We enriched osteoclast-like cells from the co-cultures by Pronase treatment. When the enriched osteoclast-like cells were treated with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, interleukin-1 (IL-1), calcitonin, or macrophage colony-stimulating factor, only IL-1 activated an NF-kappaB-like factor, which specifically bound to a kappaB motif DNA sequence, as detected by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. IL-1 also activated NF-kappaB induction in osteoblasts. However, the NF-kappaB-like factor induced by IL-1-stimulated osteoclast-like cells is of smaller molecular size than the factor in osteoblasts, as shown by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. The NF-kappaB activity of osteoclast-like cells was recognized completely by antibodies against the p50 subunit, and only partially by antibodies against the p65 subunit of NF-++kappaB. Antibodies against c-Rel, Rel B, and p52 did not recognize the NF-kappaB-like factor. These results suggest that IL-1 activates an NF-kappaB-like factor in osteoclast-like cells, which contains p50 and p65-related proteins.

Animals↗

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha induces differentiation of and bone resorption by osteoclasts.

Osteoclast progenitors differentiate into mature osteoclasts in the presence of receptor activator of NF-kappaB (RANK) ligand on stromal or osteoblastic cells and monocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). The soluble RANK ligand induces the same differentiation in vitro without stromal cells. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a potent cytokine involved in the regulation of osteoclast activity, promotes bone resorption via a primary effect on osteoblasts; however, it remains unclear whether TNF-alpha can also directly induce the differentiation of osteoclast progenitors into mature osteoclasts. This study revealed that TNF-alpha directly induced the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells (MNCs), which produced resorption pits on bone in vitro in the presence of M-CSF. The bone resorption activity of TNF-alpha-induced MNCs was lower than that of soluble RANK ligand-induced MNCs; however, interleukin-1beta stimulated this activity of TNF-alpha-induced MNCs without an increase in the number of MNCs. In this case, interleukin-1beta did not induce TRAP-positive MNC formation. The osteoclast progenitors expressed TNF receptors, p55 and p75; and the induction of TRAP-positive MNCs by TNF-alpha was inhibited completely by an anti-p55 antibody and partially by an anti-p75 antibody. Our findings presented here are the first to indicate that TNF-alpha is a crucial differentiation factor for osteoclasts. Our results suggest that TNF-alpha and M-CSF play an important role in local osteolysis in chronic inflammatory diseases.

Animals↗

Inhibition of osteoclast function by adenovirus expressing antisense protein-tyrosine kinase 2.

Osteoclast activation is initiated by adhesion to bone, cytoskeletal rearrangement, formation of the sealing zone, and formation of the polarized ruffled membrane. Previous findings suggest that protein-tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), a cytoplasmic kinase related to focal adhesion kinase, participates in these events. This study examines the role of PYK2 in adhesion-mediated signaling and osteoclast function, using PYK2 antisense. We produced a recombinant adenovirus containing a 300-base pair reversed 5'-coding region of PYK2 and used full-length PYK2 as a control. Murine osteoclast-like cells or their mononuclear precursors were generated in a co-culture of bone marrow and osteoblasts. Infection with antisense adenovirus significantly reduced the expression of endogenous PYK2 protein relative to uninfected cells or to cells infected with sense PYK2 and caused: 1) a reduction in osteoclast formation in vitro; 2) inhibition of cell spreading and of actin ring formation in osteoclasts plated on glass or bone and of attachment and spreading of osteoclast precursors plated on vitronectin; 3) inhibition of bone resorption in vitro; 4) marked reduction in p130(Cas) tyrosine phosphorylation; and 5) no change in alpha(v)beta(3) integrin expression or c-Src tyrosine phosphorylation. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that PYK2 plays a central role in the adhesion-dependent cytoskeletal organization and sealing zone formation required for osteoclastic bone resorption.

Actins↗

Downregulation of small GTPase Rab7 impairs osteoclast polarization and bone resorption.

During skeletal growth and remodeling the mineralized bone matrix is resorbed by osteoclasts through the constant secretion of protons and proteases to the bone surface. This relies on the formation of specialized plasma membrane domains, the sealing zone and the ruffled border, and vectorial transportation of intracellular vesicles in bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Here we show that Rab7, a small GTPase that is associated with late endosomes, is highly expressed and is predominantly localized at the ruffled border in bone-resorbing osteoclasts. The decreased expression of Rab7 in cultured osteoclasts by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides disrupted the polarization of the osteoclasts and the targeting of vesicles to the ruffled border. These impairments caused a significant inhibition of bone resorption in vitro. The results indicate that the late endocytotic pathway is involved in the osteoclast polarization and bone resorption and underscore the importance of Rab7 in osteoclast function.

Actins↗

Transcriptional program of mouse osteoclast differentiation governed by the macrophage colony-stimulating factor and the ligand for the receptor activator of NFkappa B.

Cytokines macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and the receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand (RANKL) induce differentiation of bone marrow hematopoietic precursor cells into bone-resorbing osteoclasts without the requirement for stromal cells of mesenchymal origin. We used this recently described mouse cell system and oligonucleotide microarrays representing about 9,400 different genes to analyze gene expression in hematopoietic cells undergoing differentiation to osteoclasts. The ability of microarrays to detect the genes of interest was validated by showing expression and expected regulation of several osteoclast marker genes. In total 750 known transcripts were up-regulated by > or =2-fold, and 91% of them at an early time in culture, suggesting that almost the whole differentiation program is defined already in pre-osteoclasts. As expected, M-CSF alone induced the receptor for RANKL (RANK), but also, unexpectedly, other RANK/NFkappaB pathway components (TRAF2A, PI3-kinase, MEKK3, RIPK1), providing a molecular explanation for the synergy of M-CSF and RANKL. Furthermore, interleukins, interferons, and their receptors (IL-1alpha, IL-18, IFN-beta, IL-11Ralpha2, IL-6/11R gp130, IFNgammaR) were induced by M-CSF. Although interleukins are thought to regulate osteoclasts via modulation of M-CSF and RANKL expression in stromal cells, we showed that a mix of IL-1, IL-6, and IL-11 directly increased the activity of osteoclasts by 8.5-fold. RANKL induced about 70 novel target genes, including chemokines and growth factors (RANTES (regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted), PDGFalpha, IGF1), histamine, and alpha1A-adrenergic receptors, and three waves of distinct receptors, transcription factors, and signaling molecules. In conclusion, M-CSF induced genes necessary for a direct response to RANKL and interleukins, while RANKL directed a three-stage differentiation program and induced genes for interaction with osteoblasts and immune and nerve cells. Thus, global gene expression suggests a more dynamic role of osteoclasts in bone physiology than previously anticipated.

Animals↗

Rho-dependent Rho kinase activation increases CD44 surface expression and bone resorption in osteoclasts.

Osteoclasts from osteopontin-deficient mice exhibit decreased CD44 surface expression [corrected]. Osteopontin (OPN)/alphavbeta3 generated Rho signaling pathway is required for the surface expression of CD44. In this work we show the Rho effector, Rho kinase (ROK-alpha), to be a potent activator of CD44 surface expression. ROK-alpha activation was associated with autophosphorylation, leading to its translocation to the plasma membrane, as well as its association with CD44. ROK-alpha promoted CD44 surface expression through phosphorylation of CD44 and ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) proteins and CD44.ERM.actin complex formation. Osteoclasts from OPN-/- mice exhibited an approximately 55-60% decrease in basal level ROK-alpha phosphorylation as compared with wild type osteoclasts. Furthermore, RhoVal-14 transduction was only partially effective in stimulating ROK-alpha/CD44 phosphorylation, as well as CD44 surface expression, in these osteoclasts. Studies on the inhibition of Rho by C3 transferase or ROK-alpha by the specific inhibitor, Y-27632, showed a decrease in the phosphorylation mediated by ROK-alpha and CD44 surface expression. Neutralizing antibodies to alphav, beta3, or CD44 inhibited the migration and bone resorption of wild type osteoclasts. However, only anti-alphav or -beta3 antibodies blocked OPN-induced phosphorylation of ROK-alpha, CD44, and the ERM proteins. Our results strongly suggest a role for ROK-alpha in alphavbeta3-mediated Rho signaling, which is required for the phosphorylation events and CD44 surface expression. The functional deficiencies in the Rho effector(s) because of the lack of OPN were associated with decreased CD44 surface expression and hypomotility in the OPN-/- osteoclasts. Finally, we find that cooperativity exists between alphavbeta3 and CD44 for osteoclast motility and bone resorption.

Animals↗

Membrane rafts play a crucial role in receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB signaling and osteoclast function.

Membrane lipid rafts play a key role in immune cell activation by recruiting and excluding specific signaling components of immune cell surface receptors upon the receptor engagement. Despite this, the role of these microdomains in the regulation of osteoclasts as controlled by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (RANK) has yet to be established. In this study, we demonstrate that the raft microdomain expression plays an essential role in osteoclast function and differentiation. Expression of raft component flotillin greatly increased during osteoclast differentiation, whereas engagement of RANK induced the translocation of tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 to rafts where Src was constitutively resident. Disruption of rafts blocked TRAF6 translocation and Akt activation by RANK ligand in osteoclasts and further reduced the survival of osteoclasts. Actin ring formation and bone resorption by osteoclasts were also found to require the integrity of rafts. Our observations demonstrate for the first time that RANK-mediated signaling and osteoclast function are critically dependent on the expression and integrity of raft membrane microdomains.

Animals↗

Functional identification of three receptor activator of NF-kappa B cytoplasmic motifs mediating osteoclast differentiation and function.

Receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and its receptor activator of NF-kappa B (RANK) play pivotal roles in osteoclast differentiation and function. However, the structural determinants of the RANK that mediate osteoclast formation and function have not been definitively identified. To address this issue, we developed a chimeric receptor approach that permits a structure/function study of the RANK cytoplasmic domain in osteoclasts. Using this approach, we examined the role of six RANK putative tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor-binding motifs (PTM) (PTM1, ILLMT-REE(286-293); PTM2, PSQPS(349-353); PTM3, PFQEP(369-373); PTM4, VYVSQTSQE(537-545); PTM5, PVQEET(559-564); and PTM6, PVQEQG(604-609)) in osteoclast formation and function. Our data revealed that the RANK cytoplasmic domain possesses three functional motifs (PFQEP(369-373), PVQEET(559-564), and PVQEQG(604-609)) capable of mediating osteoclast formation and function. Moreover, we demonstrated that these motifs play distinct roles in activating intracellular signaling. PFQEP(369-373) initiates NF-kappa B, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, extracellular signal-regulated kinase, and p38 signaling pathways and PVQEET(559-564) activates NF-kappa B and p38 pathways in osteoclasts, whereas PVQEQG(604-609) is only capable of activating NF-kappa B pathway. Significantly, the revelation of these functional RANK cytoplasmic motifs has not only laid a foundation for further delineating RANK signaling pathways in osteoclasts, but, more importantly, these RANK motifs themselves represent potential therapeutic targets for bone disorders such as osteoporosis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Osteoclast differentiation is impaired in the absence of inhibitor of kappa B kinase alpha.

Signaling through the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) is required for both osteoclast differentiation and mammary gland development, yet the extent to which RANK utilizes similar signaling pathways in these tissues remains unclear. Mice expressing a kinase-inactive form of the inhibitor of kappa B kinase alpha (IKK alpha) have mammary gland defects similar to those of RANK-null mice yet have apparently normal osteoclast function. Because mice that completely lack IKK alpha have severe skin and skeletal defects that are not associated with IKK alpha-kinase activity, we wished to directly examine osteoclastogenesis in IKK alpha(-/-) mice. We found that unlike RANK-null mice, which completely lack osteoclasts, IKK alpha(-/-) mice did possess normal numbers of TRAP(+) osteoclasts. However, only 32% of these cells were multinucleated compared with 57% in wild-type littermates. A more profound defect in osteoclastogenesis was observed in vitro using IKK alpha(-/-) hematopoietic cells treated with colony-stimulating factor 1 and RANK ligand (RANKL), as the cells failed to form large, multinucleated osteoclasts. Additionally, overall RANKL-induced global gene expression was significantly blunted in IKK alpha(-/-) cells, including osteoclast-specific genes such as TRAP, MMP-9, and c-Src. IKK alpha was not required for RANKL-mediated I kappa B alpha degradation or phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinases but was required for RANKL-induced p100 processing. Treatment of IKK alpha(-/-) cells with tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in combination with RANKL led to partial rescue of osteoclastogenesis despite a lack of p100 processing. However, the ability of TNF alpha alone or in combination with transforming growth factor beta to induce osteoclast differentiation was dependent on IKK alpha, suggesting that synergy between RANKL and TNFalpha can overcome p100 processing defects in IKK alpha(-/-) cells.

Acid Phosphatase↗

Expression of parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide (PthrP) and PTH/PTHrP receptor in osteoclast-like giant cells.

Osteoclast-like giant cells (OCGC), which resemble osteoclasts at both the morphologic and immunohistochemical levels, develop in neoplastic tissue. In bone marrow, parathyroid hormone (PTH)-related peptide (PTHrP) can induce osteoclast differentiation by stimulating osteoclast progenitors through the PTH/PTHrP receptor (PPR). To evaluate the possible involvement of PTHrP in OCGC formation in tumors, we analyzed both PTHrP and PPR expression by immunohistochemistry in giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) and anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) containing OCGC. In all cases of either GCTB (n = 5) or ATC (n = 4), intense stainingfor PTHrP was found in OCGC, but only faintly in mononuclear cells. PPR expression in OCGC was also demonstrated in 3 cases of GCTB and 2 cases of ATC. Double staining for PPR and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) revealed that PPR was mainly expressed by PCNA-negative mononuclear cells and OCGC in these tumors. This suggests that OCGC might be derived from non-proliferating mononuclear cells by PTHrP stimulation via PPR. Furthermore, the profiles of PTHrP and PPR expression in OCGC were compared with those in the neoplastic GC found in malignancy (n = 6), osteoclasts in bone with osteoarthritis (n = 5), reactive GC, including Langhans-type and foreign body-type in pulmonary tuberculosis (n = 8), and ruptured epidermal cyst (n = 14) in order to clarify whether their distribution pattern was unique to OCGC. In all cases of malignancy, expression of both PTHrP and PPR was observed ubiquitously in neoplastic GC and mononuclear cells regardless of PCNA immunoreactivity. In contrast, in osteoclasts and reactive GC, PTHrP immunoreactivity was seen in all cases and in 7 of 22 cases, respectively, but no PPR expression was observed in either. In situ hybridization confirmed PTHrP expression at the transcriptional level in OCGC and neoplastic GC, but not in osteoclasts. Thus, although PTHrP expression was commonly observed in various types of multinucleated giant cells, their immunohistochemical profiles for PPR were distinct. We conclude that PPR might play a role during OCGC formation in GCTB and ATC.

Carcinoma↗

Osteoclast formation from circulating precursors in osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE: An imbalance between bone formation and bone resorption is thought to underlie the pathogenesis of reduced bone mass in osteoporosis. Bone resorption is carried out by osteoclasts. which are formed from marrow-derived cells that circulate in the monocyte fraction. The aim of this study was to determine the role of osteoclast formation in the pathogenesis of bone loss in osteoporosis. METHODS: The proportion of circulating osteoclast precursors and their relative sensitivity to the osteoclastogenic effects of M-CSF. 1,25(OH)2D3 and RANKL were assessed in primary osteoporosis patients and normal controls. RESULTS: Although there was no difference in the number of circulating osteoclast precursors in osteoporosis patients and normal controls. osteoclasts formed from osteoporosis patients exhibited substantially increased resorptive activity relative to normal controls. Although no increased sensitivity to the osteoclastogenic effects of 1,25(OH)D3 or M-CSF was noted, increased bone resorption was found in osteoporosis peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures to which these factors were added. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that osteoclast functional activity rather than formation is increased in primary involutional osteoporosis and that dexamethasone acts to increase osteoclast formation.

Aged↗

Osteoclast-like cell formation by circulating myeloma B lymphocytes: role of RANK-L.

Excessive bone resorption in multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of B lymphoid origin, is mediated through osteoclasts, which respond to local osteoclast-activating factors produced by tumor cells within the bone marrow microenvironment. Direct bone resorption by myeloma cells is investigated in the present study, since a connection between B lymphocytes and osteoclast differentiation pathways has been recently postulated in mice. Peripheral CD19+ B lymphocytes isolated from 10 myeloma patients with multiple osteolytic lesions and 10 healthy donors were cultured in the presence of M-CSF and RANK-L, two major osteoclast-activating factors. The TRAP expression and resorption of bone substrates were employed to evaluate osteoclast differentiation. MM patients were characterized by the presence of circulating B lymphocytes endowed with both phenotypical and functional properties of osteoclast-like cells in vitro when stimulated with RANK-L. The absence of these characteristics in B lymphocytes from healthy donors indicates that the transformation can be ascribed to the presence of clonogenic B cells in patients with MM. Clonotypic B lymphocytes may contribute to the pathogenesis of bone disease in MM by acting as RANK-L-dependent osteoclast progenitors.

Aged↗

Evidence for the presence of a proton pump of the vacuolar H(+)-ATPase type in the ruffled borders of osteoclasts.

Microsomal membrane vesicles prepared either from chicken medullary bone or isolated osteoclasts were shown to have ATP-dependent H(+)-transport activity. This activity was N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive but resistant to oligomycin and orthovanadate, suggesting a vacuolar-type ATPase. Furthermore, immunological cross-reactivity of 60- and 70-kD osteoclast membrane antigens with Neurospora crassa vacuolar ATPase was observed when analyzed by immunoblotting. Same antibodies labeled only osteoclasts in chicken and rat bone in immunohistochemistry. Immunoelectronmicroscopy localized these antigens in apical membranes of rat osteoclasts and kidney intercalated cells of inner stripe of outer medulla. Pretreatment of animals with parathyroid hormone enhanced the immunoreaction in the apical membranes of osteoclasts. No immunoreaction was seen in osteoclasts when antibodies against gastric H+,K(+)-ATPase were used. These results suggest that osteoclast resorbs bone by secreting protons through vacuolar H(+)-ATPase.

Animals↗

The effects of parathyroid hormone, colchicine, and calcitonin on the ultrastructure and the activity of osteoclasts in organ culture.

The ultrastructure of osteoclasts was examined in fetal rat bones after stimulation or inhibition of resorption in culture. A central ruffled border area completely encircled by a clear zone was considered to represent the resorbing system of the cell. The proportion of ruffled border and clear zone in osteoclast cross sections was compared with changes in bone resorption as measured by the release of previously incorporated radioactive calcium ((45)Ca). In control cultures 55% of the osteoclast cross sections showed an area closely apposed to bone and this consisted mainly of clear zone; only 11% showed ruffled borders. Treatment with parathyroid hormone (PTH) increased (45)Ca release, increased the frequency of finding areas closely apposed to bone (79%), and markedly increased the frequency of the ruffled border area (64%). Colchicine given concurrently with PTH decreased the number of osteoclasts. Colchicine or calcitonin treatment after PTH stimulation decreased the proportion of ruffled border area significantly by 1 h; this was followed by a decrease in (45)Ca release. These inhibited osteoclasts resembled osteoclasts from control, unstimulated cultures, suggesting that the cells had returned to their inactive state. Colchicine-treated osteoclasts also showed a loss of microtubules and a massive accumulation of 100 A filaments, suggesting that synthesis of microtubular subunits had increased.

Animals↗