Prostaglandins and Bone.

Prostaglandins (PGs) are highly bioactive fatty acids. PGs, especially prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), are abundantly produced by cells of both the bone-forming (osteoblast) lineage and the bone-resorbing (osteoclast) lineage. The inducible cyclooxygenase, COX-2, is largely responsible for most PGE2 production in bone, and once released, PGE2 is rapidly degraded in vivo. COX-2 is induced by multiple agonists - hormones, growth factors, and proinflammatory factors - and the resulting PGE2 may mediate, amplify, or, as we have recently shown for parathyroid hormone (PTH), inhibit responses to these agonists. In vitro, PGE2 can directly stimulate osteoblast differentiation and, indirectly via stimulation of RANKL in osteoblastic cells, stimulate the differentiation of osteoclasts. The net balance of these two effects of PGE2 in vivo on bone formation and bone resorption has been hard to predict and, as expected for such a widespread local factor, hard to study. Some of the complexity of PGE2 actions on bone can be explained by the fact that there are four receptors for PGE2 (EP1-4). Some of the major actions of PGE2 in vitro occur via EP2 and EP4, both of which can stimulate cAMP signaling, but there are other distinct signaling pathways, important in other tissues, which have not yet been fully elucidated in bone cells. Giving PGE2 or agonists of EP2 and EP4 to accelerate bone repair has been examined with positive results. Further studies to clarify the pathways of PGE2 action in bone may allow us to identify new and more effective ways to deliver the therapeutic benefits of PGE2 in skeletal disorders.

Cytokines and Bone: Osteoimmunology.

Cytokines and hematopoietic growth factors have traditionally been thought of as regulators of the development and function of immune and blood cells. However, an ever-expanding number of these factors have been discovered to have major effects on bone cells and the development of the skeleton in health and disease (Table 1). In addition, several cytokines have been directly linked to the development of osteoporosis in both animal models and in patients. In order to understand the mechanisms regulating bone cells and how this may be dysregulated in disease states, it is necessary to appreciate the diverse effects that cytokines and inflammation have on osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bone mass. This chapter provides a broad overview of this topic with extensive references so that, if desired, readers can access specific references to delve into individual topics in greater detail.

Chemokines and Bone.

Chemokines are a family of small proteins, subdivided by their conserved cysteine residues and common structural features. Chemokines interact with their cognate G-protein-coupled receptors to elicit downstream signals that result in cell migration, proliferation, and survival. This review presents evidence for how the various CXC and CC subfamily chemokines influence bone hemostasis by acting on osteoclasts, osteoblasts, and progenitor cells. Also discussed are the ways in which chemokines contribute to bone loss as a result of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, HIV infection, and periodontal infection. Both positive and negative effects of chemokines on bone formation and bone loss are presented. In addition, the role of chemokines in altering the bone microenvironment through effects on angiogenesis and tumor invasion is discussed. Very few therapeutic agents that influence bone formation by targeting chemokines or chemokine receptors are available, although a few are currently being evaluated.

Molecular basis for the loss-of-function effects of the Alzheimer's disease-associated R47H variant of the immune receptor TREM2.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is an immune receptor expressed on the surface of microglia, macrophages, dendritic cells, and osteoclasts. The R47H TREM2 variant is a significant risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), and the molecular basis of R47H TREM2 loss of function is an emerging area of TREM2 biology. Here, we report three high-resolution structures of the extracellular ligand-binding domains (ECDs) of R47H TREM2, apo-WT, and phosphatidylserine (PS)-bound WT TREM2 at 1.8, 2.2, and 2.2 Å, respectively. The structures reveal that Arg47 plays a critical role in maintaining the structural features of the complementarity-determining region 2 (CDR2) loop and the putative positive ligand-interacting surface (PLIS), stabilizing conformations capable of ligand interaction. This is exemplified in the PS-bound structure, in which the CDR2 loop and PLIS drive critical interactions with PS via surfaces that are disrupted in the variant. Together with in vitro and in vivo characterization, our structural findings elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying loss of ligand binding, putative oligomerization, and functional activity of R47H TREM2. They also help unravel how decreased in vitro and in vivo stability of TREM2 contribute to loss of function in disease.

The contribution of cross-talk between the cell-surface proteins CD36 and CD47-TSP-1 in osteoclast formation and function.

Antibody-mediated blockade of cluster of differentiation 47 (CD47)-thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) interactions blocks osteoclast formation in vitro and attenuates parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced hypercalcemia in vivo in mice. Hypercalcemia in this model reflects increased bone resorption. TSP-1 has two cell-associated binding partners, CD47 and CD36. The roles of these two molecules in mediating the effects of TSP1 in osteoclasts are unclear. Osteoclast formation was attenuated but not absent when preosteoclasts isolated from CD47-/- mice were cocultured with WT osteoblasts. Suppressing CD36 in osteoclast progenitors also attenuated osteoclast formation. The hypercalcemic response to a PTH infusion was blunted in CD47-/-/CD36-/- (double knockout (DKO)) female mice but not CD47-/- mice or CD36-/- animals, supporting a role for both CD47 and CD36 in mediating this effect. Consistent with this, DKO osteoclasts had impaired resorptive activity when analyzed in vitro Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) signaling is known to promote osteoclastogenesis, and TSP-1 suppresses NO production and signaling. An anti-TSP-1 antibody increased NO production in osteoclasts, and the inhibitory effect of anti-TSP-1 on osteoclastogenesis was completely rescued by l-nitroarginine methyl ester (l-NAME), a competitive NO synthase inhibitor. Supportive of an important role for CD36 in mediating the pro-osteoclastogenic effects of TSP-1, engaging CD36 with a synthetic agonist, p907, suppressed NO production in anti-TSP-1-treated cultures, allowing osteoclast maturation to occur. These results establish that CD36 and CD47 both participate in mediating the actions of TSP-1 in osteoclasts and establish a physiologically relevant cross-talk in bone tissue between these two molecules.

Proton pumping V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 affects Rab7 lysosomal localization and abolishes anterograde trafficking of osteoclast secretory lysosomes.

Osteoclast lysosomes secrete lytic enzymes into bone resorption lacunae, and sort the lysosomal proton pumping vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase) to the plasma membrane to form the acidic environment required for bone digestion. The a3 isoform of V-ATPase is essential for outward trafficking of the secretory lysosomes and interacts physically with Rab7, a small GTPase that regulates trafficking of late endosomes and lysosomes, to recruit it to lysosomes. However, it is unclear whether organelle acidification by V-ATPase is required for the lysosome trafficking. Here, we showed that incubation of osteoclasts with the V-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 abolished the osteoclast-characteristic peripheral localization of secretory lysosomes, Rab7, and α-tubulin. Although bafilomycin A1 had little or no effect on Rab7 activation and its interaction with a3, treatment with the inhibitor significantly reduced the lysosomal localization of Rab7. Even constitutively active Rab7 did not localize to lysosomes in the presence of the inhibitor. These results suggest that organelle acidification by V-ATPase is required for localization of activated Rab7 to lysosomes.

[Development of fluorescent probes for bone imaging in vivo ~Fluorescent probes for intravital imaging of osteoclast activity~.]

Fluorescent molecules are widely used as a tool to directly visualize target biomolecules in vivo. Fluorescent probes have the advantage that desired function can be rendered based on rational design. For bone-imaging fluorescent probes in vivo, they should be delivered to bone tissue upon administration. Recently, a fluorescent probe for detecting osteoclast activity was developed. The fluorescent probe has acid-sensitive fluorescence property, specific delivery to bone tissue, and durability against laser irradiation, which enabled real-time intravital imaging of bone-resorbing osteoclasts for a long period of time.

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans as key regulators of the mesenchymal niche of hematopoietic stem cells.

The complex microenvironment that surrounds hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) in the bone marrow niche involves different coordinated signaling pathways. The stem cells establish permanent interactions with distinct cell types such as mesenchymal stromal cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts or endothelial cells and with secreted regulators such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and their receptors. These interactions are mediated through adhesion to extracellular matrix compounds also. All these signaling pathways are important for stem cell fates such as self-renewal, proliferation or differentiation, homing and mobilization, as well as for remodeling of the niche. Among these complex molecular cues, this review focuses on heparan sulfate (HS) structures and functions and on the role of enzymes involved in their biosynthesis and turnover. HS associated to core protein, constitute the superfamily of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) present on the cell surface and in the extracellular matrix of all tissues. The key regulatory effects of major medullar HSPGs are described, focusing on their roles in the interactions between hematopoietic stem cells and their endosteal niche, and on their ability to interact with Heparin Binding Proteins (HBPs). Finally, according to the relevance of HS moieties effects on this complex medullar niche, we describe recent data that identify HS mimetics or sulfated HS signatures as new glycanic tools and targets, respectively, for hematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cell based therapeutic applications.

Ceylonins A-F, Spongian Diterpene Derivatives That Inhibit RANKL-Induced Formation of Multinuclear Osteoclasts, from the Marine Sponge Spongia ceylonensis.

Six new spongian diterpene derivatives, ceylonins A-F (1-6), were isolated from the Indonesian marine sponge Spongia ceylonensis along with spongia-13(16),14-dien-19-oic acid (7). They contained three additional carbons in ring D to supply an ether-bridged bicyclic ring system. Their structures were elucidated by analyzing NMR spectroscopic data and calculated ECD spectra in comparison to experimental ECD spectra. The bicyclic ring system may be derived from the major metabolite 7 and a C3 unit (an acrylic acid equivalent) through an intermolecular Diels-Alder reaction, which was experimentally supported by the formation of 1-6 from 7 and acrylic acid. The inhibitory effects of the isolated compounds on the RANKL-induced formation of multinuclear osteoclasts in RAW264 macrophages were examined.

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

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.

HIV-1 replicates in human osteoclasts and enhances their differentiation in vitro.

BACKGROUND: HIV-1 infected patients frequently have osteolytic bone disease, which is caused by the dysregulation of the bone remodeling system that involves the interaction between osteoblasts and osteoclasts, but the relationship between osteolytic disease and HIV-1 infection remains unclear. In this study we tested whether HIV-1 infection of osteoclasts affects their differentiation. RESULTS: We prepared human osteoclasts from CD14+ monocytes and examined them for their susceptibility to HIV-1. Furthermore, we investigated the effect of HIV-1 infection on osteoclast differentiation. CD14-derived osteoclasts were shown to express CD4, CCR5, and CXCR4 each at the similar level to that shown with macrophages. R5-tropic HIV-1 and X4-tropic HIV-1 were found to infect CD14-derived osteoclasts and replicate in them. Furthermore, HIV-1 infection induced formation of larger osteoclastst, enhanced the expression of mRNAs for three osteoclast specific marker molecules (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, cathepsin K, and the calcitonin receptor), and up-regulated osteoclast bone resorption activity. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that osteoclasts serve as a novel target for HIV-1 infection, which may enhance the osteoclast differentiation contributing to the development of osteolytic disease in HIV-1-infected patients.

Expression, purification, and characterization of human osteoclastic protein-tyrosine phosphatase catalytic domain in Escherichia coli.

Osteoclastic protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP-oc) is a structurally unique transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) that contains only a relatively small intracellular PTP catalytic domain, does not have an extracellular domain, and lacks a signal peptide proximal to the NH2 terminus. The present study reports the expression, purification, and characterization of the intracellular catalytic domain of PTP-oc (ΔPTP-oc). ΔPTP-oc was expressed in Escherichia coli cells as a fusion with a six-histidine tag and was purified via nickel affinity chromatography. When with para-nitrophenylphosphate (p-NPP) as a substrate, ΔPTP-oc exhibited classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Its responses to temperature and ionic strength were similar to those of other PTPs. The optimal pH value of ΔPTP-oc is approximately 7.0, unlike other PTPs, whose optimal pH values are approximately 5.0.

The association of bone and osteoclasts with vascular calcification.

The presence of bone tissue in calcified arteries may provide insights into the pathophysiology and potential reversibility of calcification, but the prevalence, distribution, and determinants of bone and osteoclasts in calcified arteries are unknown. Specimens of 386 arteries from lower limb amputations in 108 patients were examined retrospectively. Calcification was present in 282 arteries from 89 patients, which was medial in 64%, intimal in 9%, and both in 27%. Bone was present in 6% of arteries, essentially all of which were heavily calcified. Multiple sampling revealed that the true prevalence of bone in heavily calcified arteries was 25%. Bone was more common in medial rather than intimal calcifications (10% vs 3%, p=0.03) but did not vary with artery location (above vs below the knee). Heavily calcified arteries with bone were more likely to come from patients who were older (p=0.04), had diabetes (p=0.06), or were receiving warfarin (p=0.06), but there was no association with gender or renal failure. Bone was almost always adjacent to calcifications, along the periphery, but never within. Staining for the bone-specific proteins osteocalcin and osterix was noted in 20% and 45% of heavily calcified arteries without visible bone. Osteoclasts were present in 4.9% of arteries, all of which were heavily calcified and most of which contained bone. The frequent absence of bone in heavily calcified vessels and the histologic pattern strongly suggests a secondary rather than primary event. Recruitment of osteoclasts to vascular calcifications can occur but is rare, suggesting a limited capacity to reverse calcifications.

An unusual infiltrative basal cell carcinoma with osteoclastic stromal changes mimicking carcinosarcoma: a case report.

A 91-year-old man presented with an ulcerated nodule on his left lower eyelid. The tumor showed an epithelial component composed of basaloid and clear cells and a stroma that contained many osteoclastic giant cells. Strong, diffuse expression for cytokeratin 17 and p63 was noted in the epithelial component, whereas no staining was present in the sarcomatoid stroma, suggesting that the osteoclast-rich stromal component represented an unusual benign stromal reaction to the carcinoma rather than a manifestation of carcinosarcoma. Further supporting this interpretation was the absence of mitotic figures and low Ki-67 proliferation index (of approximately 1%) in the stromal cells. We herein reported a case of unusual infiltrative basal cell carcinoma, accompanied by a clear cell carcinomatous features and concurrent benign osteoclastic stromal changes.

An unusual case of desmoplastic melanoma containing an osteoclast-like giant cell-rich nodule.

The authors describe a case of a 5 cm mixed desmoplastic melanoma occurring on the cheek of an 88-year-old white woman. The epidermis showed the features of lentigo maligna. Within the dermis, there was a mixed desmoplastic melanoma with 2 components. The first component consisted of infiltrative malignant spindled cells with prominent stromal fibrosis and had the typical appearance of desmoplastic melanoma. The second component was within the deep half of the tumor and consisted of a densely cellular nodule composed of spindled melanocytes admixed with many osteoclast-like giant cells. There was a peripheral neurotropism and tumor invaded bone. The Breslow thickness was 14 mm. On followup, a sacral metastasis was discovered, which had a similar morphology to the deep cellular nodule. Immunohistochemistry of spindled cells both inside and outside the nodule showed S100 positivity with the absence of other melanocytic markers (HMB-45, Melan-A). Smooth muscle actin and p63 were focally positive. The osteoclast-like giant cells expressed CD68 and MiTF. Array comparative genomic hybridization of the typical desmoplastic melanoma region had a flat profile, whereas the cellular osteoclast-like giant cell­rich region displayed important cytogenetic anomalies, some of which have been previously described in melanomas. The main array comparative genomic hybridization findings were confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization using specific probes. The differences in morphology and molecular cytogenetics between the 2 areas suggest that these might represent the progression or emergence of a more aggressive clone within the tumor. Subsequent metastatic spread to the bone may be a result of accumulated cytogenetic abnormalities.

Characterization of multinucleated giant cells in synovium and subchondral bone in knee osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND: Multinucleated giant cells have been noticed in diverse arthritic conditions since their first description in rheumatoid synovium. However, their role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) still remains broadly unknown. We aimed to study the presence and characteristics of multinucleated giant cells (MGC) both in synovium and in subchondral bone tissues of patients with OA or RA. METHODS: Knee synovial and subchondral bone samples were from age-matched patients undergoing total joint replacement for OA or RA, or non-arthritic post mortem (PM) controls. OA synovium was stratified by histological inflammation grade using index tissue sections. Synovitis was assessed by Krenn score. Histological studies employed specific antibodies against macrophage markers or cathepsin K, or TRAP enzymatic assay. RESULTS: Inflamed OA and RA synovia displayed more multinucleated giant cells than did non-inflamed OA and PM synovia. There was a significant association between MGC numbers and synovitis severity. A TRAP negative/cathepsin K negative Langhans-like subtype was predominant in OA, whereas both Langhans-like and TRAP-positive/cathepsin K-negative foreign-body-like subtypes were most commonly detected in RA. Plasma-like and foam-like subtypes also were observed in OA and RA synovia, and the latter was found surrounding adipocytes. TRAP positive/cathepsin K positive osteoclasts were only identified adjacent to subchondral bone surfaces. TRAP positive osteoclasts were significantly increased in subchondral bone in OA and RA compared to PM controls. CONCLUSIONS: Multinucleated giant cells are associated with synovitis severity, and subchondral osteoclast numbers are increased in OA, as well as in RA. Further research targeting multinucleated giant cells is warranted to elucidate their contributions to the symptoms and joint damage associated with arthritis.

[Biomarker of bone and cartilage destruction in rheumatoid arthritis].

Recent progress in treatment and imaging enables us to aim the clinical remission in rheumatoid arthritis. In terms of achieving deep remission (structural remission) and predicting prognosis, useful serological biomarkers are now expected. Recently, some of the serological biomarkers, such as RANKL (receptor activator of NF-κB ligand) and TRACP (tartrate-resistant acid phopshatate)-5b, are used to assess the activity of rheumatoid arthritis. The levels of these biomarkers well reflect bone erosion but are less affected by age or physiological variation.

Synergistic toxicity of gentamicin- and nanosilver-doped polymethylmethacrylate bone cement on primary human osteoclasts.

Bacterial colonization of implant surfaces is a feared complication in surgery and orthopedics. Due to the increasing number of periprosthetic infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms, new antibacterial coatings for biomaterials must be developed. The excellent antibacterial properties of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against multidrug-resistant bacteria, for example, have been repeatedly described. For this reason, we tested a nanosilver-doped polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement and a nanosilver-coated titanium alloy regarding their influence on osteoclastogenesis of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Both implant variants did not inhibit osteoclast differentiation. Excellent cell attachment and unaltered podosomal structures were confirmed. Additionally, no induction of oxidative or endoplasmic reticulum stress could be observed. However, PMMA loaded with gentamicin and nanosilver inhibited preosteoclast fusion and further osteoclastogenesis. The material also led to decreased clathrin-dependent endocytosis as well as decreased levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress. Therefore, biomaterial functionalization with AgNPs did not disturb osteoclastogenesis, while addition of gentamicin reduced the cytocompatibility of nanosilver-doped materials towards human osteoclasts.

Scalable solution-phase synthesis of the biologically active cyclodepsipeptide destruxin E, a potent negative regulator of osteoclast morphology.

The scalable solution-phase synthesis of the cyclodepsipeptide destruxin E (1) has been achieved. Diastereoselective dihydroxylation of the terminal alkene in a 2-alkoxy-4-pentenoic amide, 7, was successfully accomplished utilizing (DHQD)2PHAL as the chiral ligand, and it was found that the use of the l-proline moiety in the substrate as a chiral auxiliary was essential for the induction of high diastereoselectivity to afford the key compound 4 on a gram scale. MNBA-mediated macrolactonization of 3 was also performed without formation of the dimerized product even under higher-dilution conditions, and it is noteworthy that the internal hydrogen bonds and s-cis configuration of the amide bond between N-methylalanine and N-methylvaline in the cyclization precursor 3 would assist in the macrolactonization to provide the macrolactone 2 without forming a dimerized product. Finally, epoxide formation in the side chain afforded destruxin E (1) on a gram scale in high purity (>98%).

Increases in intracellular pH facilitate endocytosis and decrease availability of voltage-gated proton channels in osteoclasts and microglia.

Voltage-gated proton channels (H(+) channels) are highly proton-selective transmembrane pathways. Although the primary determinants for activation are the pH and voltage gradients across the membrane, the current amplitudes fluctuate often when these gradients are constant. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the intracellular pH (pHi) in regulating the availability of H(+) channels in osteoclasts and microglia. In whole-cell clamp recordings, the pHi was elevated after exposure to NH4Cl and returned to the control level after washout. However, the H(+) channel conductance did not recover fully when the exposure was prolonged (>5 min). Similar results were observed in osteoclasts and microglia, but not in COS7 cells expressing a murine H(+) channel gene (mVSOP). As other electrophysiological properties, like the gating kinetics and voltage dependence for activation, were unchanged, the decreases in the H(+) channel conductance were probably due to the decreases in H(+) channels available at the plasma membrane. The decreases in the H(+) channel conductances were accompanied by reductions in the cell capacitance. Exposure to NH4Cl increased the uptake of the endocytosis marker FM1-43, substantiating the idea that pHi increases facilitated endocytosis. In osteoclasts, whose plasma membrane expresses V-ATPases and H(+) channels, pHi increases by these H(+)-transferring molecules in part facilitated endocytosis. The endocytosis and decreases in the H(+) channel conductance were reduced by dynasore, a dynamin blocker. These results suggest that pHi increases in osteoclasts and microglia decrease the numbers of H(+) channels available at the plasma membrane through facilitation of dynamin-dependent endocytosis.