Cichoric acid targets RANKL to inhibit osteoclastogenesis and prevent ovariectomy-induced bone loss.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Osteoporosis, a systemic metabolic bone disease, is characterized by the decline of bone mass and quality due to excessive osteoclast activity. Currently, drug-targeting osteoclasts show promising therapy for osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the effect of cichoric acid (CA) on receptor activator of nuclear kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and the bone loss induced by ovariectomy in mice. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE: Molecular docking technologies were employed to examine the interaction between CA and RANKL. CCK8 assay was used to evaluate the cell viability under CA treatment. TRAcP staining, podosome belt staining, and bone resorption assays were used to test the effect of CA on osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast function. Further, an OVX-induced osteoporosis mice model was employed to identify the effect of CA on bone loss using micro-CT scanning and histological examination. To investigate underlying mechanisms, network pharmacology was applied to predict the downstream signaling pathways, which were verified by Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. KEY RESULTS: The molecular docking analysis revealed that CA exhibited a specific binding affinity to RANKL, engaging multiple binding sites. CA inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption without cytotoxic effects. Mechanistically, CA suppressed RANKL-induced intracellular reactive oxygen species, nuclear factor-kappa B, and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways, followed by abrogated nuclear factor activated T-cells 1 activity. Consistent with this finding, CA attenuated post-ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis by ameliorating osteoclastogenesis. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: CA inhibited osteoclast activity and bone loss by targeting RANKL. CA might represent a promising candidate for treating osteoclast-related diseases, such as osteoporosis.

Inflammatory Fibroblast-Like Synoviocyte-Derived Exosomes Aggravate Osteoarthritis via Enhancing Macrophage Glycolysis.

The severity of osteoarthritis (OA) and cartilage degeneration is highly associated with synovial inflammation. Although recent investigations have revealed a dysregulated crosstalk between fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) and macrophages in the pathogenesis of synovitis, limited knowledge is available regarding the involvement of exosomes. Here, increased exosome secretion is observed in FLSs from OA patients. Notably, internalization of inflammatory FLS-derived exosomes (inf-exo) can enhance the M1 polarization of macrophages, which further induces an OA-like phenotype in co-cultured chondrocytes. Intra-articular injection of inf-exo induces synovitis and exacerbates OA progression in murine models. In addition, it is demonstrated that inf-exo stimulation triggers the activation of glycolysis. Inhibition of glycolysis using 2-DG successfully attenuates excessive M1 polarization triggered by inf-exo. Mechanistically, HIF1A is identified as the determinant transcription factor, inhibition of which, both pharmacologically or genetically, relieves macrophage inflammation triggered by inf-exo-induced hyperglycolysis. Furthermore, in vivo administration of an HIF1A inhibitor alleviates experimental OA. The results provide novel insights into the involvement of FLS-derived exosomes in OA pathogenesis, suggesting that inf-exo-induced macrophage dysfunction represents an attractive target for OA therapy.

UPLC/Q-TOF-MS-based metabolomics evaluate the efficacy of oroxylin A against postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Post-menopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a common metabolic bone malady characterized by bone mass loss and bone microarchitectural deterioration; however, there is currently no effective drug for its management. According to our previous study, oroxylin A (OA) could effectively protect ovariectomized (OVX)-osteoporotic mice from bone loss; however, its therapeutic targets are still unclear. From a metabolomic perspective, we studied serum metabolic profiles to discover potential biomarkers and OVX-related metabolic networks, which could assist us to comprehend the impact of OA on OVX. Five metabolites were identified as biomarkers associated with 10 related metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and phenylalanine, tryptophan and glycerophospholipid metabolism. After OA treatment, the expression of multiple biomarkers changed, with lysophosphatidylcholine (18:2) being a major significantly regulated biomarker. Our study demonstrated that OA's effects on OVX are probably related to the regulation of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis. Our findings explain the role of OA against PMOP in terms of metabolism and pharmacology and provide a pharmacological foundation for OA treatment of PMOP.

AKT/GSK3ß/NFATc1 and ROS signal axes are involved in AZD1390-mediated inhibitory effects on osteoclast and OVX-induced osteoporosis.

As a common disease in modern society, osteoporosis is caused by osteoclast hyperactivation, leading to enhanced bone resorption. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) metobolism and nuclear factor-activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) activities are two crucial processes during osteoclastogenesis. AZD1390 (AZD), an inhibitor of ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM), has been reported for antitumor effects, but little is known about how it plays a function in metabolic bone disease. Here, we found that AZD inhibitsthe generation, function and ROS-scavenging enzyme activity of mature osteoclast induced by RANKL stimulation, in a dose-dependent manner.Mechanistic analysis shows thatAZD affects osteoclast function and differentiation by inhibiting RANKL-induced NFATc1 signaling pathway and by increasing ROS-scavenging enzymes production in oxidative stress pathways. Preclinical studies have shown that AZD protects against bone loss in an ovariectomy (OVX) mouse model. Finally, our data confirm that AZD may prevent OVX-induced bone loss by abrogating RANKL-induced AKT/GSK3ß/NFATc1 signaling pathways, and by promoting the expression of ROS scavenging enzymes in oxidative stress pathways.Collectively, our research shows that AZD has the potential as a new therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Onc201 reduces osteoclastogenesis and prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss via inhibiting RANKL-induced NFATc1 activation and the integrin signaling pathway.

Osteoporosis is an osteolytic disease with a disrupted balance between the resorption and formation of bone as well as bone microstructure degeneration, leading to bone loss and increased fracture risk, which greatly affects patients' quality of life. Currently, inhibition of osteoclast bone resorption remains the mainstream treatment for osteoporosis. Onc201, a new compound, induces the gene expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and has an efficient anticancer effect in clinical trials. However, its effects on osteolytic disease and the mechanism of action are unclear. We examined the effect of Onc201 on nuclear factor κB ligand-receptor activator (RANKL)-induced osteoclasts via Cell Counting Kit-8, bone resorption assay, luciferase reporter assay, immunofluorescence staining, calcium ion intensity assay and employed an ovariectomy model to investigate the effect of Onc201 on osteoporosis in the mice. Results showed that Onc201 inhibited the function and formation of osteoclasts induced by RANKL in a manner that was dependent on time and concentration, and did not cause cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, Onc201 inhibited osteoclast-relevant genes and NFATc1 expression, the main transcriptional regulatory factor of the formation of osteoclasts induced by RANKL; meanwhile, downregulating the expressions of the osteoclast cytoskeleton key signal molecules integrin αvß3, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), c-Src, and spleen-associated tyrosine kinase (SYK). In addition, Onc201 had a protective effect on the mouse model of bone loss caused by ovariectomy-induced estrogen deficiency, which is consistent with the in vitro results. Our findings suggest that the new small-molecular compound Onc201 has the potential to prevent osteoclast-related osteolytic diseases.

Epoxymicheliolide inhibits osteoclastogenesis and resists OVX-induced osteoporosis by suppressing ERK1/2 and NFATc1 signaling.

The hyperactivity of osteoclasts caused by postmenopausal estrogen deficiency plays an imperative role in the progression of osteoporosis. Although osteoporosis-related drugs have been widely used to alleviate this disorder, there is an urgent need for drugs with fewer side effects. In this study, we found that epoxymicheliolide (EMCL), a derivative of parthenolide, has a high affinity to ERK1/2, but the treatment and mechanism of osteoporosis using EMCL have not been explored. Therefore, we intended to figure out the effects and potential mechanisms of EMCL on RANKL-stimulated osteoclast formation and function in vitro, construct an OVX murine model to simulate the therapeutic effects of EMCL on estrogen-deficient bone loss subsequently. EMCL restrained the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in the RANKL-stimulated MAPK pathway, which in sequence inhibited the transcription and expression of the main osteoclast transcription factor NFATc1, resulting in the suppression of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. However, the same concentration of EMCL did not affect the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts. In vivo experiments showed that EMCL can significantly resist osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency, alleviate bone loss, and reduce the number of osteoclasts. These results suggest that EMCL can reduce osteoclast production and bone resorption by inhibiting ERK1/2 phosphorylation and NFATc1 entering the nucleus, and could be used in the treatment of osteoporosis caused by estrogen deficiency and hyperactivity of osteoclasts.

Corilagin attenuates osteoclastic osteolysis by enhancing HO-1 and inhibiting ROS.

Chinese herbal medicine has well-established therapeutic effects in various diseases. Corilagin (Cor), a gallic acid tannin in Phyllanthus niruri L., has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in many diseases. However, its role in osteoclast-related bone diseases has not been determined. In vitro, bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were extracted and isolated to differentiate into osteoclasts. The effects of Cor on osteoclast formation, bone resorption, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were performed. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were used to evaluate the effect of Cor on oxidative stress-related pathways, which are nuclear factors-κB ligand-receptor activator (RANKL) stimulates important downstream pathways. Furthermore, microcomputed tomography and bone histomorphometry were performed to analyze the therapeutic effect of Cor in mouse models of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated bone defects in vivo. Cor influenced the nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) signaling pathway and reduced ROS in RANKL-treated osteoclasts, thereby inhibiting osteoclast formation and bone resorption. Moreover, Cor protected against LPS-mediated skull defects in vivo. In sum, our results confirm that Cor can inhibit osteoclastogenesis and intracellular oxidative stress. In addition, the inflammatory bone defect induced by LPS was also attenuated by Cor. Accordingly, Cor is a new candidate therapeutic agent for osteoclast-mediated osteolytic diseases.

D(-)-salicin inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro.

Osteoporosis is a disease, which causes huge economic and social burden. Using natural compound to treat such disease is beneficial for the fewer side effects and effectiveness. D-(-)-salicin (DSA) is a component extracted from the bark of Populus and Salix species. In our research, we discovered that DSA suppressed RANKL-induced differentiation of osteoclast in vitro in a dose-dependent manner. It was also found that the mineral resorbing activity by osteoclasts was depressed via DSA. For the mechanism, we confirmed the inhibitory effect, by which DSA suppressed osteoclast formation and function, was through the inhibition of ROS signaling, MAPK and NF-κB cascades. DSA also suppressed the expression and activity of NFATc1. Therefore, by inhibiting the ROS production, MAPK and NF-κB signal cascade, DSA inhibited the osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro.

Oroxylin A reduces osteoclast formation and bone resorption via suppressing RANKL-induced ROS and NFATc1 activation.

Excessive bone erosion by osteoclasts is associated with osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periprosthetic osteolysis. Targeting osteoclasts may serve as an effective treatment for osteolytic diseases. Although drugs are currently available for the treatment of these diseases, exploring potential anti-osteoclast natural compounds with safe and effective treatment remains needed. Oroxylin A (OA), a natural flavonoid isolated from the root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, has numerous beneficial pharmacological characteristics, including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity. However, its effects and mechanisms on osteoclast formation and bone resorption have not yet been clarified. Our research showed that OA attenuated the formation and function of osteoclast induced by RANKL in a time- and concentration-dependent manner without any cytotoxicity. Mechanistically, OA suppressed intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels through the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant response. Moreover, OA inhibited the activity of NFATc1, the master transcriptional regulator of RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. OA exhibited protective effects in mouse models of post-ovariectomy (OVX)- and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced bone loss, in accordance with its in vitro anti-osteoclastogenic effect. Collectively, our findings highlight the potential of OA as a pharmacological agent for the prevention of osteoclast-mediated osteolytic diseases.

Elevated Circulating CD4+CD25+CD127-/low Regulatory T Cells in Patients with Non-asthmatic Eosinophilic Bronchitis.

PURPOSE: Non-asthmatic eosinophilic bronchitis (NAEB) is a common cause of chronic cough. It is characterized by sputum eosinophilia like asthma but lacks airway hyperresponsiveness. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are recognized as immune suppressors and are involved in the pathogenesis of asthma. However, the relationship between Tregs and NAEB remains unknown. This study aimed to preliminarily explore the role of Tregs in NAEB by comparing circulating Tregs levels to asthma and healthy controls. METHODS: Fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), spirometry with bronchial provocation test, sputum induction and blood routine test were performed in all subjects. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to detect the Tregs (CD4+CD25+CD127-/low) by flow cytometry. Relationship between the levels of circulating Tregs and clinical indexes was also observed. RESULTS: A total of 15 patients with NAEB, 20 patients with asthma and 11 healthy controls were included. The absolute numbers of circulating Tregs in the NAEB group (49.8 ± 18.9 × 103 cells/ml) and asthma group (53.3 ± 18.7 × 103 cells/ml) were higher than that in healthy control group (32.7 ± 11.6 × 103 cells/ml) (both P < 0.01). In total, the level of circulating Tregs showed positive correlation with FeNO (r = 0.30, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Tregs may play a key role not only in asthmatic patients, but also in patients with NAEB, as reflected by the elevated Tregs in peripheral blood.