Metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis increases bone PGE(2) levels and calcium release.

A decrease in blood pH may be due to either a reduction in bicarbonate concentration ([HCO(3)(-)]; metabolic acidosis) or to an increase in PCO(2) (respiratory acidosis). In mammals, metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis increases urine calcium excretion without altering intestinal calcium absorption, indicating that the additional urinary calcium is derived from bone. In cultured bone, chronic metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis increases net calcium efflux (J(Ca)), decreases osteoblastic collagen synthesis, and increases osteoclastic bone resorption. Metabolic acidosis increases bone PGE(2) production, which is correlated with J(Ca), and inhibition of PGE(2) production inhibits this acid-induced J(Ca). Given the marked differences in the osseous response to metabolic and respiratory acidosis, we hypothesized that incubation of neonatal mouse calvariae in medium simulating respiratory acidosis would not increase medium PGE(2) levels, as observed during metabolic acidosis. To test this hypothesis, we determined medium PGE(2) levels and J(Ca) from calvariae incubated at pH approximately 7.1 to model either metabolic (Met; [HCO(3)(-)] approximately 11 mM) or respiratory (Resp; PCO(2) approximately 83 Torr) acidosis, or at pH approximately 7.5 as a control (Ntl). We found that after 24-48 and 48-51 h in culture, periods when cell-mediated J(Ca) predominates, medium PGE(2) levels and J(Ca) were increased with Met, but not Resp, compared with Ntl, and there was a direct correlation between medium PGE(2) levels and J(Ca). Thus metabolic, but not respiratory, acidosis induces the release of bone PGE(2), which mediates J(Ca) from bone.

Prostaglandins regulate acid-induced cell-mediated bone resorption.

Metabolic acidosis induces bone calcium efflux initially by physicochemical dissolution and subsequently by cell-mediated mechanisms involving inhibition of osteoblasts and stimulation of osteoclasts. In rat kidney, acidosis increases endogenous prostaglandin synthesis, and in bone, prostaglandins are important mediators of resorption. To test the hypothesis that acid-induced bone resorption is mediated by prostaglandins, we cultured neonatal mouse calvariae in neutral or physiologically acidic medium with or without 0.56 microM indomethacin to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis. We measured net calcium efflux and medium PGE(2) levels. Compared with neutral pH medium, acid medium led to an increase in net calcium flux and PGE(2) levels after both 48 h and 51 h, a time at which acid-induced net calcium flux is predominantly cell mediated. Indomethacin inhibited the acid-induced increase in both net calcium flux and PGE(2). Net calcium flux was correlated directly with medium PGE(2) (r = 0.879, n = 29, P < 0.001). Exogenous PGE(2), at a level similar to that found after acid incubation, induced net calcium flux in bones cultured in neutral medium. Acid medium also stimulated an increase in PGE(2) levels in isolated bone cells (principally osteoblasts), which was again inhibited by indomethacin. Thus acid-induced stimulation of cell-mediated bone resorption appears to be mediated by endogenous osteoblastic PGE(2) synthesis.

Alendronate decreases urine calcium and supersaturation in genetic hypercalciuric rats.

BACKGROUND: The mechanism of excess urine calcium excretion in human idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) has not been determined but may be secondary to enhanced intestinal calcium absorption, decreased renal calcium reabsorption, and/or enhanced bone demineralization. We have developed a strain of genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) rats as an animal model of human IH. When these GHS rats are placed on a low-calcium diet (LCD), urinary calcium (UCa) excretion exceeds dietary calcium intake, suggesting that bone may contribute to the excess UCa excretion. We used the GHS rats to test the hypothesis that bone contributes to the persistent IH when they are fed an LCD by determining if alendronate (Aln), which inhibits bone resorption, would decrease UCa excretion. METHODS: GHS rats (N = 16) and the parent strain (Ctl, N = 16) were fed 13 g/day of a normal (1.2%) calcium diet (NCD) for seven days and were then switched to a LCD (0. 02%) for seven days. Ctl and GHS rats in each group were then continued on LCD for an additional seven days, with or without injection of Aln (50 micrograms/kg/24 hrs). UCa excretion was measured daily during the last five days of each seven-day period. To determine the effects of Aln on urine supersaturation, the experiment was repeated. All relevant ions were measured, and supersaturation with respect to calcium oxalate and calcium hydrogen phosphate was determined at the end of each period. RESULTS: UCa was greater in GHS than in Ctl on NCD (7.4 +/- 0.5 mg/24 hrs vs. 1.2 +/- 0.1, GHS vs. Ctl, P < 0.01) and on LCD (3.9 +/- 0.2 mg/24 hrs vs. 0. 7 +/- 0.1, GHS vs. Ctl, P < 0.01). LCD provides 2.6 mg of calcium/24 hrs, indicating that GHS rats are excreting more calcium than they are consuming. On LCD, Aln caused a significant decrease in UCa in GHS rats and brought GHS UCa well below calcium intake. Aln caused a marked decrease in calcium oxalate and calcium hydrogen phosphate supersaturation. CONCLUSION: Thus, on a LCD, there is a significant contribution of bone calcium to the increased UCa in this model of IH. Aln is effective in decreasing both UCa and supersaturation. The Aln-induced decrease in urine supersaturation should be beneficial in preventing stone formation in humans, if these results, observed in a short-term study using the hypercalciuric stone-forming rat can be confirmed in longer term human studies.

Decreased potassium stimulates bone resorption.

Metabolic acidosis induces net calcium efflux (JCa+) from cultured bone, in part, through an increase in osteoclastic resorption and a decrease in osteoblastic formation. In humans provision of base as potassium (K+) citrate, but not sodium (Na+) citrate, reduces urine Ca (UCa), and oral KHCO3 decreases bone resorption and UCa in postmenopausal women. Potassium deprivation alone leads to an increase in UCa. To determine whether decreased extracellular K+ concentration ([K+]) at a constant pH, PCO2, and [HCO-3] alters JCa+ and bone cell activity, we measured JCa+, osteoblastic collagen synthesis, and osteoclastic beta-glucuronidase release from neonatal mouse calvariae cultured for 48 h in medium of varying [K+]. Calvariae were cultured in control medium (approximately 4 mM [K+]) or medium with mildly low K+ (MLK, approximately 3 mM [K+]), very low K+ (VLK, approximately 2 mM [K+]), or extremely low K+ (ELK, approximately 1 mM [K+]) (n > or = 9 in each group). Compared with control, ELK, but not MLK or VLK, resulted in a marked increase in JCa+ and an increase in beta-glucuronidase release and a decrease in collagen synthesis. JCa+ was correlated directly with medium beta-glucuronidase activity and inversely with collagen synthesis. To determine whether the reduction in medium [K+] was associated with a decrease in intracellular pH (pHi), we measured pHi in MC3T3-E1 cells, a mouse osteoblastic cell line. Incubation in 1 mM [K+] led to a significant decrease in pHi compared with 3 mM [K+]. Thus incubation in a reduced [K+] medium stimulates JCa+ and osteoclastic enzyme release and inhibits osteoblastic collagen synthesis, which may be mediated by a reduction in bone cell pH.

Parathyroid hormone, prostaglandin E2, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 decrease the level of Na+-Ca2+ exchange protein in osteoblastic cells.

We previously described Na+-Ca2+ exchange in osteoblastic rat osteosarcoma cells (UMR-106) and demonstrated that Na+-dependent Ca2+ transport was inhibited by 24-hour treatment of cells with parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), or 1,25(OH)2D3. To determine whether this inhibition of Na+-Ca2+ exchange is at the level of exchanger protein synthesis we have examined exchanger protein levels using immunoblot analysis. UMR-106 cells were treated for 24 hours with or without PTH, PGE2, or 1,25(OH)2D3. Plasma membrane fractions (7500 g) were obtained and proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE, transferred to nylon membranes, and immunoblotted with a polyclonal antibody to the canine cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. In rat cardiac membranes, we detected 125 and 75 kD bands, similar to findings for the canine exchanger. In the osteoblastic UMR cell membranes, a specific band was detected at 90 kD that decreased 65% after treatment of cells with PTH. Inhibition by PTH was dose dependent, was maximal with 10(-7) M PTH, and required 16-24 hour treatment time. Similar inhibition was observed after a 24 hour treatment with 10(-6) M PGE2 or 10(-8) M 1,25(OH)2D3. These results demonstrate the presence of a specific protein in UMR cells that cross-reacts with antibody directed against the cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger. Thus, the previously reported inhibition of Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity by calcemic agents in osteoblasts appears to be due to regulation of exchanger protein levels in these osteoblastic cells.

Effects of osteoclastic resorption on bone surface ion composition.

Osteoclasts are responsible for resorption of bone mineral. To determine how osteoclasts alter bone surface ion composition, neonatal mouse bone cells were isolated and cultured in the presence of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on bovine cortical bone. Surface ion composition of the resulting osteoclastic resorption pits was compared with that of unresorbed bone, utilizing a high-resolution scanning ion microprobe. Cortical bone cultured with cells in the presence of PTH had numerous resorption pits. The unresorbed area adjacent to the pits had a ratio of surface 23Na/40Ca of 18.7 + 1.6 (mean counts per second of detected secondary ions +95% confidence interval) and 39K/40Ca of 2.3 + 2.2. At the base of the pits, the ratio of 23Na/40Ca was 1.0 + 2.0 and 39K/40Ca was 0.1 + 1.0 (each different from area adjacent to the pit, P < 0.001). The ratio of 23Na/39K in the unresorbed area was not different from that at the base of the pit. Thus osteoclasts induce a decrease in the ratio of surface ion composition of both 23Na/40Ca and 39K/40Ca but not 23Na/39K in bovine cortical bone. The elevated ratios of 23Na/40Ca and 39K/40Ca on the surface, but not at the base of the pits, indicate adsorption of medium ions onto the mineral. Because osteoclasts foster the release of bone Ca, these results indicate that osteoclastic resorption causes a greater, and approximately equal, release of both 23Na and 39K compared with 40Ca from bone mineral. Osteoclasts appear to remove nonselectively the surface mineral that had been exposed to the medium, uncovering underlying mineral.

Increased sensitivity to 1,25(OH)2D3 in bone from genetic hypercalciuric rats.

As a model of human hypercalciuria, we have selectively inbred genetic hypercalciuric stone-forming (GHS) Sprague-Dawley rats whose mean urine calcium excretion is eight to nine times greater than that of controls. A large component of this excess urine calcium excretion is secondary to increased intestinal calcium absorption, which is not due to an elevation in serum 1,25(OH)2D3, but appears to result from an increased number of intestinal 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors (VDR). When GHS rats are fed a low-calcium diet, the hypercalciuria is only partially decreased and urine calcium excretion exceeds intake, suggesting that an additional mechanism contributing to the hypercalciuria is enhanced bone demineralization. To determine if GHS rat bones are more sensitive to exogenous 1,25(OH)2D3, we cultured calvariae from neonatal (2- to 3-day-old) GHS and control rats with or without 1,25(OH)2D3 or parathyroid hormone (PTH) for 48 h at 37 degrees C. There was significant stimulation of calcium efflux from GHS calvariae at 1 and 10 nM 1,25(OH)2D3, whereas control calvariae showed no significant response to 1,25(OH)2D3 at any concentration tested. In contrast, PTH induced similar bone resorption in control and GHS calvariae. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated a fourfold increase in the level of VDR in GHS calvariae compared with control calvariae, similar to the increased intestinal receptors described previously. There was no comparable change in VDR RNA levels as measured by slot blot analysis, suggesting the altered regulation of the VDR occurs posttranscriptionally. That both bone and intestine display an increased amount of VDR suggests that this may be a systemic disorder in the GHS rat and that enhanced bone resorption may be responsible, in part, for the hypercalciuria in the GHS rat.

Osteoblastic intracellular pH and calcium in metabolic and respiratory acidosis.

In vitro metabolic acidosis (Met) induces greater bone mineral resorption than respiratory acidosis (Resp). Met, but not Resp, inhibits osteoblasts which control many aspects of osteoclastic function. To determine whether at a similar decrement in extracellular pH, Met and Resp would induce different changes in intracellular pH (pHi) and/or intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) of osteoblasts, we measured pHi and [Ca2+]i in an osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cell line (UMR-106). Cells were grown to confluence on glass slides and loaded with either 1.5 microM BCECF, for pHi, or 1.5 microM Fura-2, for [Ca2+]i, in control (Ctl; pH approximately 7.40, PCo2 approximately 40, [HCO3-] approximately 24) medium. The fluorescence ratio at excitation wavelengths of 502 and 440 nm was measured for pHi and at 340 and 380 nm for [Ca2+]i. Following a baseline scan in Ctl medium, cells were transferred to either Met (pH approximately 7.10, PCo2 approximately 40, [HCO3-] approximately 12), Resp (pH approximately 7.10, PCo2 approximately 80, [HCO3-] approximately 24) or Ctl conditions. Medium pH, PCo2 and [HCO3-] were held constant over the course of the experiment. Compared to Ctl, pHi was lower in Met (P < 0.001) and even lower in Resp (P < 0.001 vs. Met and vs. Ctl). These changes were maintained over the period of observation. Compared to Ctl, [Ca2+]i was higher in Met (P < 0.001) and even higher in Resp (P < 0.001 vs. Met and vs. Ctl) within 20 to 100 seconds. However, after 100 seconds [Ca2+]i was not different in the three groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Greater inhibition of in vitro bone mineralization with metabolic than respiratory acidosis.

At a similar decrement in pH, acidosis produced by lowering the concentration of medium bicarbonate (metabolic acidosis) induces greater net calcium efflux from cultured neonatal mouse calvariae than acidosis produced by increasing the partial pressure of carbon dioxide (respiratory acidosis). This differential effect is due, at least in part, to enhanced cell-mediated bone mineral resorption during metabolic acidosis. To determine the effect of acidosis on osteoblastic bone formation we utilized primary cultures of neonatal mouse calvarial cells which produce calcified nodules in culture. Cells were plated at 4.5 x 10(4) cells/35 mm dish and incubated until confluent (day 9). Nodule formation was then induced by addition of beta-glycerophosphate and ascorbic acid and the cultures were randomly divided and then cultured in control (Ctl, N = 18) medium or in medium simulating metabolic (Met, N = 17) or respiratory (Resp, N = 19) acidosis. Medium was changed and calcium (Ca) measured every 48 hours until day 23. The mean initial medium pH of all Resp cultures (7.186 +/- 0.002) was lower than Met (7.243 +/- 0.006, P < 0.01), which was lower than Ctl (7.502 +/- 0.002, p < 0.01), yet the number of discrete nodules formed in Met (22 +/- 4 nodules/cm2) was lower than Resp (43 +2- 7, P < 0.01), and both were lower than Ctl (88 +/- 6, P < 0.01 vs. both Met and Resp).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Hormonal regulation of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in osteoblast-like cells.

We proposed a role for Na-Ca exchange in hormonally mediated bone resorption and recently characterized Na-dependent Ca transport in an osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cell line (UMR-106). To test whether calcemic agents alter Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange in osteoblasts, UMR cells were treated acutely or cultured in the absence or presence of calcemic agent for 24 h. Cells were then loaded with the Ca-sensitive dye fura-2 in the presence of 140 mM NaCl, no Ca, and the absence or presence of 0.3 mM ouabain. Cells were resuspended at 22 degrees C, and the fluorescence ratio at excitation wavelength of 340 and 380 nm was measured. An outward Na gradient was generated by removing extracellular Na and maintaining isotonicity with choline chloride. Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange was demonstrated by enhanced Ca uptake in ouabain-treated (Na-loaded) cells after the addition of 1.5 mM Ca. Acute addition of 10(-7) M PTH or 10(-6) M PGE2 had no effect on Na-dependent Ca uptake. However, 24 h treatment of cells with PTH, PGE2, or 1,25(OH)2D3 caused a dose-dependent inhibition of Na(+)-Ca2+ exchange. Using the Na-sensitive dye, SBFI, we also demonstrated that the effect was bidirectional; PTH inhibited Ca-dependent Na uptake comparably to its inhibition of Na-dependent Ca uptake. The effects of the calcemic agents were mimicked by 24 h treatment of the cells with 1 microM forskolin or 2 microM PMA.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Aluminum inhibits bone nodule formation and calcification in vitro.

Cells isolated from neonatal mouse calvariae can be induced to form mineralized nodules after exposure to ascorbic acid and beta-glycerophosphate. To determine whether aluminum inhibits nodule formation and subsequent mineralization, cells isolated from neonatal mouse calvariae were induced to form nodules and incubated with increasing concentrations of aluminum (10(-7) to 10(-5) M). Compared with control and 10(-7) M aluminum-supplemented cultures, the number of nodules formed and the number of nodules calcified were reduced in cells incubated with 10(-6) and 10(-5) M aluminum. The cumulative net calcium uptake into the nodules and their final calcium content were also decreased with 10(-6) and 10(-5) M aluminum. After 10 and 18 days of incubation, aluminum did not affect DNA synthesis or release of alkaline phosphatase but significantly inhibited collagen production. Thus aluminum induced a dose-dependent inhibition of nodule formation and calcification that may be related to its inhibition of collagen production.

Demonstration of sodium/calcium exchange in rodent osteoblasts.

Based on the inhibition of stimulated Ca release from cultured bone by several different agents that alter Na transport, we proposed that hormonally stimulated bone resorption requires Na/Ca exchange. Calcemic hormones appear to interact primarily directly with the osteoblast, which then mediates the activation of osteoclast activity. In organ culture it is not possible to determine whether Na/Ca exchange is involved in this initiating step in the osteoblast or directly in osteoclast-mediated Ca release, and there have been no prior direct measurements of Na/Ca exchange in bone or bone cells. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the presence of Na/Ca exchange transport in the osteoblast. Thus, we characterized Na-dependent Ca transport in osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cells (UMR-106) and primary bone cells isolated from neonatal mouse calvaria. Cells were loaded with the Ca-sensitive dye fura-2 in the presence of physiologic NaCl and the absence of Ca with or without 0.3 mM ouabain. Changes in free cytosolic Ca after the extracellular addition of 1.5 mM Ca were measured spectrofluorimetrically. An outward Na gradient was generated by decreasing extracellular Na while maintaining isotonicity. UMR-106 cells that were Na loaded by ouabain inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity exhibited 30% greater Ca uptake than control cells. Similar results were obtained with primary bone cells. This uptake required extracellular Ca, was not inhibited by 200 microM verapamil, and was reversible upon reversal of the Na gradient. These data demonstrate the presence of a Na/Ca exchange transport system in osteoblasts.

Greater unidirectional calcium efflux from bone during metabolic, compared with respiratory, acidosis.

There is a smaller net calcium efflux from bone in vitro during respiratory (increased PCO2) than metabolic (decreased [HCO3-] acidosis. This could be due to the elevated PCO2, which would lessen the driving force for mineral dissolution and increase the driving force for mineralization with respect to carbonated apatite in the bone mineral. To test this hypothesis, we injected neonatal mice with 45Ca and dissected the radiolabeled calvariae 24 h later. The live calvariae were then cultured for 24 h under conditions simulating respiratory acidosis (Resp, pH = 7.225 +/- 0.003, PCO2 = 87.5 +/- 0.1 mmHg), severe respiratory acidosis (SResp, pH = 7.072 +/- 0.004, PCO2 = 103.0 +/- 0.5 mmHg), metabolic acidosis (Met, pH = 7.212 +/- 0.003, HCO3- = 15.5 +/- 0.1 meq/l), or normal acid-base status (Ctl, pH = 7.452 +/- 0.003, PCO2 = 40.0 +/- 0.2 mmHg, HCO3- = 27.8 +/- 0.2 meq/l) and bidirectional net calcium flux (JCa) and unidirectional 45Ca release were determined. There was greater JCa from bone during Met than Resp, and JCa was not different from Met during SResp despite the latter having a significantly lower pH. There was greater unidirectional 45Ca release from bone during Met than Resp, SResp, or Ctl. There was a similar direct correlation between JCa and 45Ca efflux in the respiratory and metabolic groups. However, when calvarial osteoclast activity was inhibited with calcitonin,although there was again greater JCa and 45Ca release with a metabolic compared with respiratory acidosis, there was a greater proportion of 45Ca release than JCa from bone.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Acidosis inhibits osteoblastic and stimulates osteoclastic activity in vitro.

Metabolic acidosis induces net calcium flux (JCa) from cultured neonatal mouse calvariae through physicochemical and cell-mediated mechanisms. To determine the role of osteoblasts in acid-induced JCa, collagen synthesis and alkaline phosphatase activity were assessed in calvariae incubated in reduced pH and bicarbonate medium, a model of metabolic acidosis (Met), and compared with controls (Ctl). Collagen synthesis fell from 30.5 +/- 1.1 in Ctl to 25.1 +/- 0.4% with Met, and alkaline phosphatase decreased from 403 +/- 25 in Ctl to 298 +/- 21 nmol Pi.min-1.mg protein-1 with Met. During acidosis JCa was correlated inversely with percent collagen synthesis (r = -0.743, n = 11, P = 0.009) and with alkaline phosphatase activity (r = -0.453, n = 22, P = 0.034). To determine the role of osteoclasts in acid-induced JCa, osteoclastic beta-glucuronidase activity was determined in Ctl and Met in the absence or presence of the osteoclastic inhibitor calcitonin (CT, 3 x 10(-9) M). Met increased beta-glucuronidase (5.9 +/- 0.2) compared with Ctl (4.6 +/- 0.3 micrograms phenolphthalein released.bone-1.h-1), whereas CT inhibited beta-glucuronidase in both Ctl and Met (3.1 +/- 0.2 and 3.5 +/- 0.3, respectively). During acidosis JCa was correlated directly with beta-glucuronidase activity (r = 0.683, n = 42, P less than 0.001). Thus the cell-mediated component of JCa during acidosis in vitro appears to result from a combination of inhibited osteoblastic and stimulated osteoclastic activity.

Mechanism of amphotericin B stimulation of net calcium efflux from neonatal mouse calvariae.

Amphotericin B is a polyene antifungal agent that binds to membrane sterols, creating aqueous pores that permit ion fluxes sufficient to cause cell lysis. It has also been shown to alter ion transport in mammalian cells, including proton secretion from renal tubular cells. The latter effect can lead to distal renal tubular acidosis in patients treated for systemic fungal infections. Based on the understanding that osteoclast-mediated bone resorption is dependent on proton secretion, we examined the effect of amphotericin B on calcium efflux from neonatal mouse calvariae in organ culture. Amphotericin B (5 micrograms/ml) stimulated net calcium efflux from calvariae within 24 h to a level almost as great as that produced by a maximally effective concentration of parathyroid hormone. The stimulated calcium efflux was completely inhibited by both 10 ng/ml salmon calcitonin, a physiologic inhibitor of osteoclast activity, and 4 x 10(-4) M acetazolamide, a specific inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase, the enzyme necessary for substantial proton generation by osteoclasts. These results indicate a direct effect of amphotericin B on bone in vitro to stimulate osteoclast-mediated calcium efflux.

Conditioned medium from ras oncogene-transformed NIH 3T3 cells induces bone resorption in vitro.

Tumor-associated hypercalcemia is due, in part, to enhanced osteoclastic bone resorption induced by soluble factors elaborated from malignant cells. ras transformation of NIH 3T3 cells results in a 50-fold induction of cathepsin L mRNA and secretion of the corresponding protein. Since cathepsin L is an acid proteinase we asked whether conditioned medium from these cells would directly increase calcium release from bone in vitro. We tested conditioned medium obtained after 72 h culture of NIH 3T3 ras-transformed cells (DT) or nontransformed NIH 3T3 cells (3T3) and identical medium not exposed to cells (Ctl). Incubation of either live or dead neonatal mouse calvaria for 48 h in DT-conditioned medium increased calcium release compared to bones incubated with 3T3 medium. In both states the increased calcium release with DT medium was blocked by 0.25 mM E-64, a general cysteine proteinase inhibitor, and 1 microM Z-Phe-Ala-CH2F, a specific inhibitor of cathepsin L activity. Thus, conditioned medium from ras-transformed cells enhances calcium release in both live and dead bone. Since cathepsin L is the major protein secreted by these cells and the effect of DT-conditioned medium is blocked by a specific inhibitor of cathepsin L, these studies suggest that this acid proteinase acts directly on bone mineral to enhance net calcium release.

Inhibition of bone resorption by alpha-difluoromethylornithine may not be mediated by polyamine depletion.

We have examined the effect of alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) on bone polyamine content and parathyroid hormone (PTH)- and calcitriol-stimulated bone resorption in cultures of neonatal mouse calvaria. Polyamine content in bone homogenates was determined by reverse-phase paired-ion HPLC. Treatment with 5 mM DFMO for 48 h reduced putrescine from 0.4 nmol/bone to nondetectable levels, slightly decreased spermidine, and did not affect spermine. Bone resorption elicited by 48 h of treatment with PTH or calcitriol was inhibited by concentrations of DFMO greater than or equal to 5 mM added 48 h prior to hormone. This observation supported the concept that polyamines may play a role in bone resorption. However, other observations cast uncertainty on this conclusion. Measurement of calvarial polyamine content at 2 h intervals revealed no increase in endogenous polyamines for up to 10.5 h after calcitriol addition. Although addition of putrescine restored bone polyamine content, exogenous polyamines failed to reverse the inhibitory effects of DFMO on calcitriol-stimulated resorption. These results suggest that a mechanism other than depletion of polyamines could be contributing to the inhibitory effect of DFMO on resorption.

Differential effects of parathyroid hormone on protein phosphorylation in two osteoblastlike cell populations isolated from neonatal mouse calvaria.

To further understand the mechanism of PTH effects on bone and bone cells, we have analyzed the effect of PTH on specific protein phosphorylation in cells isolated from neonatal mouse calvaria. Four populations of cells (I-IV), isolated by sequential digestion with chromatographically purified bacterial collagenase isozymes and neutral proteinase, were cultured overnight. Alkaline phosphatase activity was greater than acid phosphatase activity in all four populations. PTH stimulated cyclic AMP production in all four populations, although the effect was greatest in populations II and III. Cultured cells were treated with PTH for up to 15 minutes. Cytosolic and membrane fractions were obtained and assayed for in vitro protein phosphorylation. No hormonal effects were found in membrane fractions. In cytosol fractions, treatment of the population II cells for 10-15 minutes with 0.1 microM PTH decreased the subsequent protein phosphorylation of an 85,000 Mr protein. In contrast, PTH treatment increased in vitro phosphorylation of both the 85,000 and 35,000 Mr proteins in population III cells. Phosphorylation of the 35,000 Mr protein was cyclic AMP-dependent. All of the phosphoproteins appeared to be phosphorylated solely on serine or threonine residues except the 85,000 Mr protein which may also contain significant amounts of phosphotyrosine. Therefore, some of the effects of PTH are cyclic AMP-mediated and other effects may be mediated through tyrosine phosphorylation. These data indicate that PTH has differential effects on in vitro protein phosphorylation in two separable populations of isolated neonatal mouse calvarial cells and support a hypothesis that multiple osteoblastlike cells exist in vivo.