Xianghuai Lu

Transcriptional Regulation of the Osterix (Osx, Sp7) Promoter by Tumor Necrosis Factor Identifies Disparate Effects of Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase and NFκB Pathways

Osteoblast (OB) differentiation is suppressed by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), an inflammatory stimulus that is elevated in arthritis and menopause. Because OB differentiation requires the expression of the transcription factor osterix (Osx), we investigated TNF effects on Osx. TNF inhibited Osx mRNA in pre-osteoblastic cells without affecting Osx mRNA half-life. Inhibition was independent of new protein synthesis. Analysis of the Osx promoter revealed two transcription start sites that direct the expression of an abundant mRNA (Osx1) and an alternatively spliced mRNA (Osx2). Promoter fragments driving the expression of luciferase were constructed to identify TNF regulatory sequences. Two independent promoters were identified upstream of each transcription start site. TNF potently inhibited transcription of both promoters. Deletion and mutational analysis identified a TNF-responsive region proximal to the Osx2 start site that retained responsiveness when inserted upstream of a heterologous promoter. The TNF response region was a major binding site for nuclear proteins, although TNF did not change binding at the site. The roles of MAPK and NFκB were investigated as signal mediators of TNF. Inhibitors of MEK1 and ERK1, but not of JNK or p38 kinase, abrogated TNF inhibition of Osx mRNA and promoter activity. TNF action was not prevented by blockade of NFκB nuclear entry. The forced expression of high levels of NFκB uncovered a proximal promoter enhancer; however, this site was not activated by TNF. The inhibitory effect of TNF on Osx expression may decrease OB differentiation in arthritis and osteoporosis.

PPARγ regulates hypoxia-induced Nox4 expression in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells through NF-κB

NADPH oxidases are a major source of superoxide production in the vasculature. The constitutively active Nox4 subunit, which is selectively upregulated in the lungs of human subjects and experimental animals with pulmonary hypertension, is highly expressed in vascular wall cells. We demonstrated that rosiglitazone, a synthetic agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), attenuated hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension, vascular remodeling, Nox4 induction, and reactive oxygen species generation in the mouse lung. The current study examined the molecular mechanisms involved in PPARγ-regulated, hypoxia-induced Nox4 expression in human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (HPASMC). Exposing HPASMC to 1% oxygen for 72 h increased Nox4 gene expression and H(2)O(2) production, both of which were reduced by treatment with rosiglitazone during the last 24 h of hypoxia exposure or by treatment with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to Nox4. Hypoxia also increased HPASMC proliferation as well as the activity of a Nox4 promoter luciferase reporter, and these increases were attenuated by rosiglitazone. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that hypoxia increased binding of the NF-κB subunit, p65, to the Nox4 promoter and that binding was attenuated by rosiglitazone treatment. The role of NF-κB in Nox4 regulation was further supported by demonstrating that overexpression of p65 stimulated Nox4 promoter activity, whereas siRNA to p50 or p65 attenuated hypoxic stimulation of Nox4 promoter activity. These results provide novel evidence for NF-κB-mediated stimulation of Nox4 expression in HPASMC that can be negatively regulated by PPARγ. These data provide new insights into potential mechanisms by which PPARγ activation inhibits Nox4 upregulation and the proliferation of cells in the pulmonary vascular wall to ameliorate pulmonary hypertension and vascular remodeling in response to hypoxia.

Transcriptional regulation of the Osterix (Osx, Sp7) promoter by TNF identifies disparate effects of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NFκB pathways

Osteoblast (OB) differentiation is suppressed by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), an inflammatory stimulus that is elevated in arthritis and menopause. Because OB differentiation requires the expression of the transcription factor osterix (Osx), we investigated TNF effects on Osx. TNF inhibited Osx mRNA in pre-osteoblastic cells without affecting Osx mRNA half-life. Inhibition was independent of new protein synthesis. Analysis of the Osx promoter revealed two transcription start sites that direct the expression of an abundant mRNA (Osx1) and an alternatively spliced mRNA (Osx2). Promoter fragments driving the expression of luciferase were constructed to identify TNF regulatory sequences. Two independent promoters were identified upstream of each transcription start site. TNF potently inhibited transcription of both promoters. Deletion and mutational analysis identified a TNF-responsive region proximal to the Osx2 start site that retained responsiveness when inserted upstream of a heterologous promoter. The TNF response region was a major binding site for nuclear proteins, although TNF did not change binding at the site. The roles of MAPK and NFκB were investigated as signal mediators of TNF. Inhibitors of MEK1 and ERK1, but not of JNK or p38 kinase, abrogated TNF inhibition of Osx mRNA and promoter activity. TNF action was not prevented by blockade of NFκB nuclear entry. The forced expression of high levels of NFκB uncovered a proximal promoter enhancer; however, this site was not activated by TNF. The inhibitory effect of TNF on Osx expression may decrease OB differentiation in arthritis and osteoporosis.

Integration of the NfκB p65 subunit into the vitamin D receptor transcriptional complex: Identification of p65 domains that inhibit 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-stimulated transcription

Resistance to the action of vitamin D (D) occurs in response to tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), an effect mediated by nuclear factor kappa B (NfκB). To determine the mechanism of NfκB inhibition of D‐stimulated transcription, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays (CHIP) were done in osteoblastic ROS 17/2.8 cells that had been treated with TNF‐α or transfected with the p65 subunit of NfκB. These treatments caused stable incorporation of p65 into the transcription complex bound to the vitamin D response element (VDRE) of the osteocalcin promoter. Deletion analysis of p65 functional domains revealed that the p65 N‐terminus and a midmolecular region were both required for the inhibitory action of p65. Pull‐down assays were done using an immobilized glutathione S‐transferase (GST)‐VDR fusion protein to study the effect of p65 on VDR binding to steroid coactivator‐1 (SRC‐1), a major D‐dependent coactivator. p65 inhibited VDR‐SRC‐1 binding in a dose‐dependent manner. Mutations of p65 that abrogated the inhibitory effect on D‐stimulated transcription also failed to inhibit VDR‐SRC‐1 binding. The inhibitory effect of p65 on VDR transactivation was not due to recruitment of a histone deacetylase (HDAC), since inhibition was not relieved by the HDAC inhibitors sodium butyrate or trichostatin A. Overexpression of SRC‐1 or the general coactivators, Creb binding protein or SRC‐3, also failed to relieve p65 inhibition of transcription. In addition, Chip assays revealed that TNF‐α treatment prevented D recruitment of SRC‐1 to the transcription complex. These results show that TNF‐α inhibition of vitamin D‐action includes stable integration of p65 in the VDR transcription complex. Once anchored to proteins within the complex, p65 disrupts VDR binding to SRC‐1, thus decreasing the efficiency of D‐stimulated gene transcription.

Rosiglitazone attenuates NF-κB-mediated Nox4 upregulation in hyperglycemia-activated endothelial cells

Vascular complications, a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients, are related to hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress. Previously, we reported that rosiglitazone (RSG) attenuated vascular expression and activity of NADPH oxidases in diabetic mice. The mechanisms underlying these effects remain to be elucidated. We hypothesized that RSG acts directly on endothelial cells to modulate vascular responses in diabetes. To test this hypothesis, human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) were exposed to normal glucose (NG; 5.6 mmol/l) or high glucose (HG; 30 mmol/l) concentrations. Select HAEC monolayers were treated with RSG, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), diphenyleneiodonium (DPI), small interfering (si)RNA (to NF-κB/p65 or Nox4), or Tempol. HG increased the expression and activity of the NADPH oxidase catalytic subunit Nox4 but not Nox1 or Nox2. RSG attenuated HG-induced NF-κB/p65 phosphorylation, nuclear translocation, and binding to the Nox4 promoter. Inhibiting NF-κB with CAPE or siNF-κB/p65 also reduced HG-induced Nox4 expression and activity. HG-induced H(2)O(2) production was attenuated by siRNA-mediated knockdown of Nox4, and HG-induced HAEC monocyte adhesion was attenuated by treatment with RSG, DPI, CAPE, or Tempol. These results indicate that HG exposure stimulates HAEC NF-κB activation, Nox4 expression, and H(2)O(2) production and that RSG attenuates HG-induced oxidative stress and subsequent monocyte-endothelial interactions by attenuating NF-κB/p65 activation and Nox4 expression. This study provides novel insights into mechanisms by which the thiazolidinedione peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ ligand RSG favorably modulates endothelial responses in the diabetic vasculature.

Identification of the Homeobox Protein Prx1 (MHox, Prrx-1) as a Regulator of Osterix Expression and Mediator of Tumor Necrosis Factor α Action in Osteoblast Differentiation

Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‐α) promotes bone loss and inhibits bone formation. Osterix (Osx, SP7) is a transcription factor required for osteoblast (OB) differentiation because deletion results in a cartilaginous skeleton. We previously described a TNF suppressor element in the Osx promoter that was used to isolate nuclear proteins mediating TNF inhibition of OB differentiation. Nuclear extracts from TNF‐treated pre‐OBs were incubated with the TNF suppressor element for protein pull‐down, and tryptic fragments were analyzed by mass spectrometry. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay confirmed eight bound transcription factors. One protein, the paired related homeobox protein (Prx1), had been shown previously to have a critical role in limb bud formation and skeletal patterning. PCR revealed Prx1 expression in primary stromal cells (MSCs), C3H10T1/2 cells, and MC3T3 preosteoblasts. TNF stimulated a 14‐fold increase in mRNA for Prx1, rapid cell accumulation in MC3T3 cells, and expression in periosteal and trabecular lining cells in vivo. Transient expression of Prx inhibited transcription of Osx and RUNX2. Expression of the Prx1b isoform or Prx2 decreased Osx and RUNX2 mRNA and OB differentiation in preosteoblasts. Silencing of Prx1 with siRNA abrogated TNF suppression of Osx mRNA and increased basal Osx expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift revealed Prx1b as the preferred isoform binding the Osx promoter. These results identify the homeobox protein Prx1 as an obligate mediator of TNF inhibition of Osx and differentiation of OB progenitors. Activation of Prx1 by TNF may contribute to reduced bone formation in inflammatory arthritis, menopause, and aging.

Regulation of osterix (Osx, Sp7) and the Osx promoter by parathyroid hormone in osteoblasts

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) binds to its receptor on osteoblasts to regulate gene transcription primarily through the elevation of the second messenger cAMP. A number of genes regulated by PTH in osteoblasts contain GC-rich and Sp-binding sites. Osterix (Osx, Sp7) is a transcription factor required for the differentiation of osteoblasts that can bind to Sp-binding sites on gene promoters and regulate their expression. Here, we report the effect of PTH (1-34) on Osx expression in osteoblastic UMR-106-01 cells and murine calvaria. PTH (1-34) and PTH (1-31) inhibited Osx mRNA and protein expression, and this effect could be mimicked by forskolin, 8-bromo-cAMP, or expression of constitutively active Gsalpha (caGsalpha). Treatment of the cells with PTH (3-34) or the EPAC-selective agonist 8CPT-2Me-cAMP had no effect on Osx mRNA, whereas PTH (7-34) or expression of caGqalpha-stimulated Osx mRNA levels. PTH (1-34) treatment did not require new protein synthesis and did not involve changes in Osx mRNA stability. Osx promoter fragments coupled to a luciferase reporter were inhibited by PTH (1-34) treatment in a similar manner to the inhibition of Osx mRNA and protein. Deletion analysis localized PTH inhibition to two regions flanking the Osx1 start site; -304/-119 and -71/+91. These results demonstrate that prolonged exposure to PTH inhibits Osx expression in osteoblasts through sites on its proximal promoter and this suppression occurs through PTH stimulation of cellular cAMP.

A New Regulator of Osteoclastogenesis: Estrogen Response Element–Binding Protein in Bone

The heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)–like estrogen response element–binding protein (ERE‐BP) competes with estrogen receptor α (ERα) for occupancy of estrogen response elements (EREs). Here we report that ERE‐BP potently stimulates osteoclastogenesis. ERE‐BP mRNA and protein were found to be expressed ubiquitously in bone. Overexpression of ERE‐BP in cultured osteoblasts stimulated expression of the receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL) and decreased osteoprotegerin (OPG). The effect of ERE‐BP on RANKL was shown to be transcriptional in transient transfection assay and competed with via the ER. Constitutive expression of ERE‐BP increased the sensitivity of cells toward 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulation of RANKL expression. In contrast, knockdown of ERE‐BP in stromal ST‐2 cells decreased basal RANKL promoter activity. Cocultures of ERE‐BP lentivirus–transduced ST‐2 cells with spleen monocytes induced formation of multinucleated osteoclasts (OCs) characterized by tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, calcitonin receptors, and functional calcium resorption from bone slices. Although ERα competed with ERE‐BP for an ERE in a dose‐dependent manner, ERE‐BP was an independent and potent regulator of RANKL and osteoclastogenesis. In preosteoclastic RAW cells, overexpression of ERE‐BP increased RANK, upregulated NF‐κB signaling, and enhanced differentiation toward a mature OC phenotype independent of RANKL. These results identify ERE‐BP as a potent modulator of osteoclastogenesis. We hypothesize that ERE‐BP may play a critical role in the regulation of bone homeostasis as a modulator of estrogen sensitivity as well as by direct action on the transcription of critical osteoclastogenic genes.