Cheol Kyu Park

MicroRNA-124 regulates osteoclast differentiation.

Osteoclasts are specialized cells for bone-resorption originated from precursors of macrophage/monocyte lineage. The receptor activator of NFκB ligand (RANKL) initiates osteoclast differentiation, in which nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) plays a key role as a master transcription factor. In the present report, we show that microRNA-124 (miR-124) regulates osteoclastogenesis of mouse bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) by suppressing NFATc1 expression. On the other hand, synthetic inhibitor that binds specifically to miR-124 enhanced osteoclast differentiation and NFATc1 expression. The overexpression of a constitutively active form of NFATc1 prevented the inhibitory effect of miR-124 on osteoclastogenesis. Finally, miR-124 also affected the proliferation and motility of osteoclast precursors, the latter coinciding with the reduced expression of RhoA and Rac1. These findings not only reveal unprecedented role of miR-124 in osteoclastogenesis but also suggest a novel mode of regulation of NFATc1 in osteoclasts.

Nrf2 is a novel regulator of bone acquisition

Nuclear factor E2 p45-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a transcription factor involved in the expression of cytoprotective genes induced by external stresses. We investigated the role of Nrf2 in osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation. Nrf2 knockdown or deletion increased osteoclastic differentiation from bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs) through the upregulation of NF-κB, c-Fos, and NFATc1 transcription factors. Nrf2 also inhibited osteoblast differentiation and mineralization via suppression of key regulatory proteins, such as Runx2, osteocalcin, and osterix. Micro-computed tomography and histomorphometric analyses showed an increase in bone mass of Nrf2 knockout compared to that of wild type mice. In addition, the mineral apposition rate and the number of osteoblasts in bone were higher in Nrf2 knockout mice. However, bone resorption parameters, namely DPD and CTX levels, were not affected by Nrf2 deletion. In a coculture condition where calvarial osteoblasts and BMMs from wild type and Nrf2 knockout mice were grown, deletion of Nrf2 in osteoblasts markedly reduced osteoclast formation. This effect was due to an increase in OPG expression in Nrf2 knockout osteoblasts. Taken as a whole, these results indicate that Nrf2 is intrinsically inhibitory to both osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation but its effect on osteoblasts is dominant to its effect on osteoclasts in vivo.

Bavachalcone inhibits osteoclast differentiation through suppression of NFATc1 induction by RANKL

Osteoclasts are cells that have a specialized role for bone resorption and are responsible for many bone diseases such as osteoporosis. As herbal products are invaluable sources in discovery of compounds for new therapies, we sought to identify compounds efficacious in suppressing osteoclastogenesis from medicinal plants that have been implicated for treatment of osteoporotic conditions. Bavachalcone was isolated from Psoralea corylifolia, and its effects on osteoclast differentiation were evaluated with primary cultures of osteoclast precursor cells. In addition, the molecular mechanism of action was investigated. Bavachalcone inhibited osteoclast formation from precursor cells with the IC(50) of approximately 1.5 microg ml(-1). The activation of MEK, ERK, and Akt by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL), the osteoclast differentiation factor, was prominently reduced in the presence of bavachalcone. The induction of c-Fos and NFATc1, key transcription factors for osteoclastogenesis, by RANKL was also suppressed by bavachalcone. In conclusion, bavachalcone inhibits osteoclastogenesis by interfering with the ERK and Akt signaling pathways and the induction of c-Fos and NFATc1 during differentiation. Our results suggest that bavachalcone may be useful as a therapeutic drug for bone resorption-associated diseases.

Expression profiling of lipopolysaccharide target genes in RAW264.7 cells by oligonucleotide microarray analyses

In inflammatory responses, induction of cytokines and other immune regulator genes in macrophages by pathogen-associated signal such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plays a crucial role. In this study, the gene expression profile changes by LPS treatment in the macrophage/monocyte lineage cell line RAW264. 7 was investigated. A 60-mer oligonucleotide microarray of which probes target 32381 mouse genes was used. A reverse transcription-in vitro translation labeling protocol and a chemileuminescence detection system were employed. The mRNA expression levels in RAW264. 7 cells treated for 6 h with LPS and the control vehicle were compared. 747 genes were up-regulated and 523 genes were down-regulated by more than 2 folds. 320 genes showing more than 4-fold change by LPS treatment were further classified for the biological process, molecular function, and signaling pathway. The biological process categories that showed high number of increased genes include the immunity and defense, the nucleic acid metabolism, the protein metabolism and modification, and the signal transduction process. The chemokine-cytokine signaling, interleukin signaling, Toll receptor signaling, and apoptosis signaling pathways involved high number of genes differentially expressed in response to LPS. These expression profile data provide more comprehensive information on LPS-target genes in RAW264. 7 cells, which will be useful in comparing gene expression changes induced by extracts and compounds from anti-inflammatory medicinal herbs.

Stimulation of osteoclast migration and bone resorption by C–C chemokine ligands 19 and 21

Osteoclasts are responsible for the bone erosion associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The upregulation of the chemokines CCL19 and CCL21 and their receptor CCR7 has been linked to RA pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of CCL19 and CCL21 on osteoclasts and to reveal their underlying mechanisms. The expression of CCL19, CCL21 and CCR7 was higher in RA patients than in osteoarthritis patients. In differentiating osteoclasts, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and lipopolysaccharide stimulated CCR7 expression. CCL19 and CCL21 promoted osteoclast migration and resorption activity. These effects were dependent on the presence of CCR7 and abolished by the inhibition of the Rho signaling pathway. CCL19 and CCL21 promoted bone resorption by osteoclasts in an in vivo mice calvarial model. These findings demonstrate for the first time that CCL19, CCL21 and CCR7 play important roles in bone destruction by increasing osteoclast migration and resorption activity. This study also suggests that the interaction of CCL19 and CCL21 with CCR7 is an effective strategic focus in developing therapeutics for alleviating inflammatory bone destruction.

Elevated Response to Type I IFN Enhances RANKL-Mediated Osteoclastogenesis in Usp18-Knockout Mice

A balance between bone formation and bone resorption is critical for the maintenance of bone mass. In many pathological conditions, including chronic inflammation, uncontrolled activation of osteoclast differentiation often causes excessive bone resorption that results in osteoporosis. In this study, we identified the osteopenia phenotype of mice lacking Usp18 (also called Ubp43), which is a deISGylating enzyme and is known as a negative regulator of type I IFN signaling. The expression of Usp18 was induced in preosteoclasts upon receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) treatment. In an in vitro osteoclast-differentiation assay, bone marrow macrophages from Usp18-deficient mice exhibited an enhanced differentiation to multinucleated cells, elevated activation of NFATc1, and an increased expression of osteoclast marker genes upon RANKL treatment. Furthermore, in vitro quantification of bone resorption revealed a great increase in osteoclastic activities in Usp18-deficient cells. Interestingly, proinflammatory cytokine genes, such as IP-10 (CXCL10), were highly expressed in Usp18-deficient bone marrow macrophages upon RANKL treatment compared with wild-type cells. In addition, serum cytokine levels, especially IP-10, were significantly high in Usp18-knockout mice. In sum, we suggest that, although type I IFN is known to restrict osteoclast differentiation, the exaggerated activation of the type I IFN response in Usp18-knockout mice causes an osteopenia phenotype in mice.

Novel extraneural role of neurite outgrowth inhibitor A: Modulation of osteoclastogenesis via positive feedback regulation of nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1

Osteoclasts are bone‐resorbing cells differentiated from macrophage/monocyte lineage precursors upon receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) stimulation. In a proteomic approach to identify proteins involved in osteoclastogenesis, we observed a dramatic increase in the expression of neurite outgrowth inhibitor A (Nogo‐A) upon RANKL stimulation of mouse bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) in a nuclear factor of activated T cell cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1)‐dependent manner. The knockdown of Nogo‐A in BMMs significantly reduced RANKL‐dependent osteoclast differentiation accompanied by diminished NFATc1 induction, suggesting that a positive feedback mechanism is involved. Conversely, Nogo‐A overexpression in BMMs as well as in RAW264.7 macrophages greatly augmented osteoclastogenesis, with concomitant increase in the NFATc1 induction. Both the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway and calcium oscillation, which are central to RANKL‐dependent NFATc1 activation and induction, were enhanced by Nogo‐A. Finally, Nogo‐A knockdown in mouse calvariae prevented interleukin 1 (IL‐1)‐induced bone loss. These findings not only reveal an unprecedented extraneural role of Nogo‐A in osteoclastogenesis but also suggest a novel drug target against bone‐lytic diseases.

Caveolin-1 regulates osteoclastogenesis and bone metabolism in a sex-dependent manner.

Background: Caveolin-1 plays important roles in the regulation of diverse cellular responses. Results: Caveolin-1 knockdown reduced osteoclastogenesis in vitro, and caveolin-1 knock-out resulted in an increased and decreased osteoclastogenesis in male and female mice, respectively. Conclusion: Regulation of osteoclastogenesis by caveolin-1 was dependent on sex. Significance: This indicates a complicated, but critical, role of caveolin-1 in the regulation of bone metabolism. Lipid raft microdomains have important roles in various cellular responses. Caveolae are a specialized type of lipid rafts that are stabilized by oligomers of caveolin proteins. Here, we show that caveolin-1 (Cav-1) plays a crucial role in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. We found that caveolin-1 was dramatically up-regulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), the osteoclast differentiation factor. Knockdown of Cav-1 reduced osteoclastogenesis and induction of NFATc1, the master transcription factor for osteoclastogenesis, by RANKL. Consistent with the in vitro results, injection of caveolin-1 siRNA onto mice calvariae showed reduction in RANKL-induced bone resorption and osteoclast formation. Moreover, Cav-1−/− female mice had higher bone volume and lower osteoclast number compared with wild type mice. However, Cav-1−/− male mice had both osteoclast and osteoblast numbers higher than wild type mice with no difference in bone volume. The sex dependence in the effect of Cav-1 deficiency was partly attributed to decreased receptor activator of nuclear factor κB and increased cFms expression in osteoclast precursors of female and male mice, respectively. Taken together, these data demonstrate that Cav-1 has a complicated but critical role for osteoclastogenesis.

Gα12 regulates osteoclastogenesis by modulating NFATc1 expression

The G12 family of G protein alpha subunits has been shown to participate in the regulation of various physiological processes. However, the role of Gα12 in bone physiology has not been well described. Here, by micro‐CT analysis, we discovered that Gα12‐knockout mice have an osteopetrotic phenotype. Histological examination showed lower osteoclast number in femoral tissue of Gα12‐knockout mice compared to wild‐type mice. Additionally, in vitro osteoclastic differentiation of precursor cells with receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL) showed that Gα12 deficiency decreased the number of osteoclast generated and the bone resorption activity. The induction of nuclear factor of activated T‐cell c1 (NFATc1), the key transcription factor of osteoclastogenesis, and the activation of RhoA by RANKL was also significantly suppressed by Gα12 deficiency. We further found that the RANKL induction of NFATc1 was not dependent on RhoA signalling, while osteoclast precursor migration and bone resorption required RhoA in the Gα12‐mediated regulation of osteoclasts. Therefore, Gα12 plays a role in differentiation through NFATc1 and in cell migration and resorption activity through RhoA during osteoclastogenesis.