Mayumi Iwatake

Punicalagin attenuates osteoclast differentiation by impairing NFATc1 expression and blocking Akt- and JNK-dependent pathways

Punicalagin is a bioactive polyphenol that is classified as an ellagitannin. Although punicalagin has been shown to have various pharmacological effects, such as anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects, no studies have reported the effects of punicalagin on osteoclasts (OCLs). In this study, we investigated the effects of punicalagin on OCL differentiation by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand in the murine monocytic RAW-D cell line and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). Treatment with punicalagin significantly inhibited OCL formation from RAW-D cells and BMMs and prevented bone resorption of BMM-derived OCLs. Moreover, punicalagin impaired multinucleation and actin-ring formation in OCLs, and decreased the protein levels of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic-1 (NFATc1), which is a master regulator of OCL differentiation, and concomitantly reduced the expression levels of Src and cathepsin K, which are transcriptionally regulated by NFATc1. The effects of punicalagin on intracellular signaling during the OCL differentiation of BMMs indicated that punicalagin-treated OCLs displayed markedly reduced phosphorylation of Jun N-terminal kinase and Akt, and partially impaired phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B alpha compared with untreated OCLs. Thus, punicalagin may affect bone metabolism by inhibiting OCL differentiation.

The Rho-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor Plekhg5 modulates cell polarity, adhesion, migration, and podosome organization in macrophages and osteoclasts

ABSTRACT Osteoclasts are multinucleated bone‐resorbing cells that are formed by fusion of monocyte/macrophage lineage. Osteoclasts and macrophages generate podosomes that are actin‐based dynamic organelles implicated in cell adhesion, spreading, migration, and degradation. However, the detailed mechanisms of podosome organization remain unknown. Here, we identified the Rho‐specific guanine‐nucleotide exchange factor (Rho‐GEF) Plekhg5 as an up‐regulated gene during differentiation of osteoclasts from macrophages. Knockdown of Plekhg5 with small interfering RNA in both macrophages and osteoclasts induced larger cell formation with impaired cell polarity and resulted in an elongated and flattened shape. In macrophages, Plekhg5 depletion enhanced random migration, but impaired directional migration, adhesion, and matrix degradation. Plekhg5 in osteoclasts affected random migration, podosome organization, and bone resorption. Plekhg5 depletion affected signaling and localization of several Rho downstream effectors. In fact, end‐binding protein 1 (EB1), cofilin and vinculin were abnormally localized in Plekhg5‐depleted cells, and mDia1 and LIM kinase (LIMK)1 were upregulated in Plekhg5‐depleted cells compared with control cells. However, overexpression of Plekhg5 in macrophages induced an increase in its mRNA level, but failed to increase the protein level, indicating that overexpressed Plekhg5 was degraded in macrophages but not HEK293T cells. Thus, Plekhg5 affects cell polarity, migration, adhesion, degradation, and podosome organization in macrophages and osteoclasts. HIGHLIGHTSKnockdown of Plekhg5 in both macrophages and osteoclasts induced larger formation with impaired cell polarity and an elongated and flattened shape.Plekhg5 depletion in macrophages impaired directional migration, adhesion, and matrix degradation.Plekhg5 in osteoclasts affected random migration, podosome organization, and bone resorption.

Castalagin exerts inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis through blocking a broad range of signaling pathways with low cytotoxicity

Castalagin is a rare plant polyphenol that is classified as a hydrolyzable tannin. Although it has antioxidant, antitumorigenic, and leishmanicidal effects, the utility of castalagin against bone diseases remain to be elucidated. Here, we investigated the effects of castalagin on the differentiation of osteoclasts (OCLs), multinucleated bone‐resorbing cells. After stimulation with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL), the formation of OCLs from bone marrow‐derived macrophages was significantly inhibited by castalagin even at 1 μM. However, castalagin displayed little cytotoxicity at a higher concentration of 50 μM. The effects of castalagin on intracellular signaling during OCL differentiation showed that castalagin suppresses RANKL‐stimulated phosphorylation of major signaling pathways including protein kinase B (Akt), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, Jun N‐terminal kinase, p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinases, and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B alpha. Moreover, following castalagin treatment, the protein levels of nuclear factor of activated T‐cells, cytoplasmic 1, a master regulator for OCL differentiation, and NF‐κB were decreased. Thus, castalagin exerts inhibitory effects on osteoclastogenesis through blockage of a broad range of signaling pathways, but has low cytotoxicity. Copyright

Dual Effects of Liquiritigenin on the Proliferation of Bone Cells: Promotion of Osteoblast Differentiation and Inhibition of Osteoclast Differentiation.

Bone is constantly controlled by a balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. Liquiritigenin is a plant‐derived flavonoid and has various pharmacological effects, such as antioxidative, antitumor, and antiinflammatory effects. Here, we show that liquiritigenin has dual effects on the proliferation of bone cells, regarding the promotion of osteoblast differentiation and the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. Liquiritigenin‐treated murine osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells showed an increased alkaline phosphatase activity and enhanced phosphorylation of Smad1/5 compared with untreated cells. Moreover, liquiritigenin inhibited osteoclast differentiation, its bone‐resorption activity through slightly decreased the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase, and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa Bα; however, the phosphorylation of Akt and p38 slightly increased in bone marrow‐derived osteoclasts. The expression levels of the osteoclast marker proteins nuclear factor of activated T‐cell cytoplasmic‐1, Src, and cathepsin K diminished. These results suggest that liquiritigenin may be useful as a therapeutic and/or preventive agent for osteoporosis or inflammatory bone diseases. Copyright

Cobalt protoporphyrin represses osteoclastogenesis through blocking multiple signaling pathways

Cobalt protoporphyrin (CoPP) is a metallo-protoporphyrin that works as a powerful inducer of heme oxigenase-1 (HO-1) in various tissues and cells. Our recent studies have demonstrated that induction of HO-1 by several reagents inhibited differentiation and activation of osteoclasts (OCLs), which are multinucleated bone resorbing cells. However, the effects of CoPP on osteoclastogenesis remain to be elucidated. In this study, we report that CoPP inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL)-induced OCL formation in a dose dependent manner. Importantly, CoPP had little cytotoxicity, but rather enhanced cell proliferation of OCLs. CoPP suppressed the protein levels of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic-1 (NFATc1) as well as those of OCLs markers such as Src and cathepsin K, which are transcriptionally regulated by NFATc1 in mature OCLs. Western blot analyses also showed that CoPP abolished RANKL-stimulated phosphorylation of several major signaling pathways such as IκB, Akt, ERK, JNK and p38 MAPKs in OCL precursor cells. Thus, our results show that CoPP represses osteoclastogenesis through blocking multiple signaling pathways.

Cathepsin K modulates invasion, migration and adhesion of oral squamous cell carcinomas in vitro

OBJECTIVE Cathepsin K was initially discovered as an osteoclast-specific cysteine proteinase, but the enzyme is also expressed in various cancers including oral squamous cell carcinomas. This study aimed to clarify the function of cathepsin K in oral squamous cell carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS Expression levels of cathepsin K were examined in six types of cell carcinomas. Carcinomas overexpressing cathepsin K were constructed. Effects of cathepsin K overexpression and treatment with odanacatib, a specific cathepsin K inhibitor, on cell invasion, migration and adhesion were analysed. RESULTS Different levels of cathepsin K were expressed in carcinomas. Cathepsin K was predominantly localised in lysosomes. Cathepsin K overexpression impaired the proliferation of carcinomas. Invasion analysis showed that cathepsin K overexpression enhanced invasion and migration of carcinomas, whereas inhibition of cathepsin K by odanacatib caused the opposite effects in carcinomas. Cathepsin K overexpression also increased cell adhesion and slightly increased surface expression of the adhesion receptor CD29/integrin β1 . CONCLUSIONS The enhanced invasion of carcinomas resulting from cathepsin K overexpression is probably due to the increased cell migration and adhesion. Thus, cathepsin K is implicated not only in protein degradation but also in invasion, migration and adhesion of oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Development of a 68Ge/68Ga Generator System Using Polysaccharide Polymers and Its Application in PET Imaging of Tropical Infectious Diseases

Gallium-68 (68Ga) is a positron emitter for clinical positron emission tomography (PET) applications that can be produced by a 68Ge/68Ga generator without cyclotron. However, commercially available 68Ge/68Ga generator systems require multiple steps for the preparation of 68Ga radiopharmaceuticals and are sometimes plagued by metallic impurities in the 68Ga eluent. We developed a 68Ge/68Ga generator system using polysaccharide-based adsorbents and direct application of the generator-eluted 68Ga-citrate to PET imaging of tropical infectious diseases. N-Methylglucamine (MG) as a 68Ge-adsorbing unit (Sepha-MGs) was introduced to a series of Sephadex G-10, G-15, G-25, G-50, and G-75. In the batch method, over 97% of the 68Ge in the solution was adsorbed onto the Sepha-MG series within 15 min. In particular, 68Ge was effectively adsorbed on the Sepha(15)-MG packed columns and 70–80% of the 68Ga was eluted by 1 mL of 0.1 M trisodium citrate with low 68Ge contamination (<0.001%). The chemical form of the generator-eluted 68Ga solution was identified as 68Ga-citrate. In PET studies, affected regions in mice infected with Leishmania and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus were clearly visualized using the 68Ga-citrate. Sepha-MGs are useful adsorbents for 68Ge/68Ga generator systems with high 68Ga elution efficiency and minimal 68Ge breakthrough. These results indicated that eluted 68Ga-citrate can be directly used for PET imaging of infectious sites in mice. This novel generator system may be useful for straightforward PET imaging of infection in clinical practice.

Sanguiin H-6, a constituent of Rubus parvifolius L., inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in vitro and prevents tumor necrosis factor-α-induced osteoclast formation in vivo.

BACKGROUND Osteoclasts are multinucleated bone-resorbing cells that differentiate in response to receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) ligand (RANKL). Enhanced osteoclastogenesis contributes to bone diseases, such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Rubus parvifolius L. is traditionally used as an herbal medicine for rheumatism; however, its detailed chemical composition and the molecular mechanisms responsible for its biological action have not been elucidated. PURPOSE To investigate the mechanisms by which R. parvifolius L. extract and its major constituent sanguiin H-6, inhibit osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. METHODS Cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and bone resorption were detected in vitro. Inhibition of signaling pathways, marker protein expression, and protein nuclear translocation were evaluated by western blot analysis. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-mediated osteoclastogenesis was examined in vivo. RESULTS R. parvifolius L. extract inhibited the bone-resorption activity of osteoclasts. In addition, sanguiin H-6 markedly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, reduced reactive oxygen species production, and inhibited the phosphorylation of inhibitor of NF-κB alpha (IκBα) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase. Sanguiin H-6 also decreased the protein levels of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic-1 (NFATc1), cathepsin K, and c-Src. Moreover, sanguiin H-6 inhibited the nuclear translocation of NFATc1, c-Fos, and NF-κB in vitro, as well as TNF-α-mediated osteoclastogenesis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS Our data revealed that R. parvifolius L. has anti-bone resorption activity and suggest that its constituent, sanguiin H-6, can potentially be used for the prevention and treatment of bone diseases associated with excessive osteoclast formation and subsequent bone destruction.

Actin binding LIM 1 (abLIM1) negatively controls osteoclastogenesis by regulating cell migration and fusion

Actin binding LIM 1 (abLIM1) is a cytoskeletal actin‐binding protein that has been implicated in interactions between actin filaments and cytoplasmic targets. Previous biochemical and cytochemical studies have shown that abLIM1 interacts and co‐localizes with F‐actin in the retina and muscle. However, whether abLIM1 regulates osteoclast differentiation has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we examined the role of abLIM1 in osteoclast differentiation and function. We found that abLIM1 expression was upregulated during receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa‐B ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclast differentiation, and that a novel transcript of abLIM1 was exclusively expressed in osteoclasts. Overexpression of abLIM1 in the murine monocytic cell line, RAW‐D suppressed osteoclast differentiation and decreased expression of several osteoclast‐marker genes. By contrast, small interfering RNA‐induced knockdown of abLIM1 enhanced the formation of multinucleated osteoclasts and markedly increased the expression of the osteoclast‐marker genes. Mechanistically, abLIM1 regulated the localization of tubulin, migration, and fusion in osteoclasts. Thus, these results indicate that abLIM1 negatively controls osteoclast differentiation by regulating cell migration and fusion mediated via actin formation.