STAT3 controls osteoclast differentiation and bone homeostasis by regulating NFATc1 transcription.

The transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) plays a central role in cell survival and function. STAT3 has been demonstrated to participate in the maintenance of bone homeostasis in osteoblasts, but its role in osteoclasts in vivo remains poorly defined. Here, we generated a conditional knockout mouse model in which Stat3 was deleted in osteoclasts using a cathepsin K-Cre (Ctsk-Cre) driver. We observed that osteoclast-specific Stat3 deficiency caused increased bone mass in mice, which we attributed to impaired bone catabolism by osteoclasts. Stat3-deficient bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) showed decreased expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasm 1 (NFATc1), and reduced osteoclast differentiation determined by decreases in osteoclast number, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity, and expression of osteoclast marker genes. Enforced expression of NFATc1 in Stat3-deficient BMMs rescued the impaired osteoclast differentiation. Mechanistically, we revealed that STAT3 could drive the transcription of NFATc1 by binding to its promoter. Furthermore, preventing STAT3 activation by using an inhibitor of upstream phosphorylases, AG490, also impaired osteoclast differentiation and formation in a similar way as gene deletion of Stat3 In summary, our data provide the first evidence that STAT3 is significant in osteoclast differentiation and bone homeostasis in vivo, and it may be identified as a potential pharmacological target for the treatment of bone metabolic diseases through regulation of osteoclast activity.

The Specific Morphological Features of Alveolar Bone.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to study the specific morphological features of alveolar bone and compare it to femoral bone in rats. METHODS: Twelve 3-month-old nonpregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were used in the present study. The left maxillae and femurs of 6 rats were used for micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning. The trabecular bone of the distal femur and the interradicular alveolar bone of the maxillary first molar were reconstructed and analyzed. Another 6 rats were used for histological analysis of trabecular bone and alveolar bone. RESULTS: Micro-CT analysis suggested that the femoral trabecular bone was porous with rod-like trabeculae with a scattered distribution in bone marrow, whereas alveolar bone showed a compact structure with plate-like trabeculae and limited bone marrow. Tissue mineral density, bone mineral density, bone volume fraction, and trabecular thickness were dramatically higher in the alveolar bone compared with that in the trabecular bone. Alveolar bone displayed lower trabecular number and trabecular separation. Histomorphometric analysis showed that alveolar bone was formed of compact bone with wide trabeculae, whereas femurs were composed of loose bone with finer trabeculae. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison to the spongiosa of the distal femur, alveolar bone displays specific morphological features with compact, wide, and highly mineralized trabeculae.

Isolation and Cultivation of Mandibular Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rats.

Here we present an efficient method for isolating and culturing mandibular bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs) in vitro to rapidly obtain numerous high-quality cells for experimental requirements. mBMSCs could be widely used in therapeutic applications as tissue engineering cells in case of craniofacial diseases and cranio-maxillofacial regeneration in the future due to the excellent self-renewal ability and multi-lineage differentiation potential. Therefore, it is important to obtain mBMSCs in large numbers. In this study, bone marrow was flushed from the mandible and primary mBMSCs were isolated through whole bone marrow adherent cultivation. Furthermore, CD29+CD90+CD45- mBMSCs were purified through fluorescent cell sorting. The second generation of purified mBMSCs were used for further study and displayed potential in differentiating into osteoblasts, adipocytes, and chondrocytes. Utilizing this in vitro model, one can obtain a high number of proliferative mBMSCs, which may facilitate the study of the biological characteristics, the subsequent reaction to the microenvironment, and other applications of mBMSCs.

Skeletal Phenotype Analysis of a Conditional Stat3 Deletion Mouse Model.

Transgenic mouse models are powerful for understanding the critical genes controlling osteoclast differentiation and activity, and for studying mechanisms and pharmaceutical treatments of osteoporosis. Cathepsin K (Ctsk)-Cre mice have been widely used for functional studies of osteoclasts. The signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is relevant in bone homeostasis, but its role in osteoclasts in vivo remains poorly defined. To provide the in vivo evidence that STAT3 participates in osteoclast differentiation and bone metabolism, we generated an osteoclast-specific Stat3 deletion mouse model (Stat3 fl/fl; Ctsk-Cre) and analyzed its skeletal phenotype. Micro-CT scanning and 3D reconstruction implied increased bone mass in the conditional knockout mice. H&E staining, calcein and alizarin red double staining, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining were performed to detect bone metabolism. In short, this protocol describes some canonical methods and techniques to analyze skeletal phenotype and to study the critical genes controlling osteoclast activity in vivo.

Icariin prevents oestrogen deficiency-induced alveolar bone loss through promoting osteogenesis via STAT3.

OBJECTIVES: Alveolar bone osteoporosis has attracted more and more attention because of its profound impact on stomatognathic function and treatment, but current treatments have not been targeted to alveolar bone and might even cause severe side effects. Thus, identifying the effects of anti-osteoporosis agents on alveolar bone is essential. Icariin ameliorates metabolic dysfunction of long bones, but its effects on alveolar bone remain unclarified. MATERIALS AND METHODS: BMSCs were isolated from rat mandibles (mBMSCs). The osteogenic potential of mBMSCs and the signalling pathway involved under icariin treatment were measured by ALP and alizarin red staining, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Dual-luciferase assay, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and co-immunoprecipitation were used to investigate the molecular mechanism. Ovariectomized and sham-operated rats treated with or without icariin were analysed by micro-CT, TRAP staining and calcein double labelling. RESULTS: We found that icariin promoted osteoblast differentiation of mBMSCs. Furthermore, STAT3 was critical for icariin-promoted osteoblast differentiation, as indicated by increased phosphorylation levels in icariin-treated mBMSCs, while preventing STAT3 activation blocked icariin-induced osteoblast differentiation. Mechanistically, icariin-promoted transcription of the downstream osteogenic gene osteocalcin (Ocn) through STAT3 and STAT3 bound to the promoter of Ocn. Notably, icariin prevented the alveolar bone osteoporosis induced by oestrogen deficiency through promoting bone formation. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, our work provides evidence supporting the potential application of icariin in promoting osteogenesis and treating alveolar bone osteoporosis.

Evaluation of post-surgical stability in skeletal class II patients with idiopathic condylar resorption treated with functional splint therapy.

PURPOSE: To assess postsurgical stability of mandibular advancement combined with orthodontic treatment, following functional splint therapy, in patients with idiopathic condylar resorption (ICR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients who were treated with functional splint therapy followed by orthognathic surgery combined with orthodontic treatment between 2010 and 2017 were included in this retrospective study. The primary outcome variable was skeletal stability, measured on the y-axis to point B (y-axis-B). Cephalometric analysis, including measurement of temporomandibular joint spaces, was carried out on serial magnetic resonance images (MRI) prior to orthognathic surgery (T0), immediately after surgery (T1), and after at least 1 year of follow-up (T2). The differences in the data between time points were compared using statistical analyses. RESULTS: All patients obtained an esthetic facial profile after orthognathic surgery, with normal occlusion as well as normal protrusive and laterotrusive excursion after treatment. Mean advancement of the mandible immediately following surgery (y-axis-B, T1 - T0) was 7.28 ± 5.79 mm. This was the only skeletal measurement that showed a sagittal positional change of the mandible. Mean backward movement (T2 - T1) was -1.04 ± 2.35 mm (p2 = 0.116). Thirteen out of 16 patients experienced no postsurgical relapse or less than 2 mm of mandibular backward movement (81.25%), while two out of 16 patients showed more than 2 mm of mandibular backward movement (12.5%). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent mandibular advancement combined with orthodontic treatment, following functional splint therapy, exhibited a stable mandibular position at the 1-year follow-up. This study indicated that functional splint therapy prior to orthognathic surgery for mandibular advancement may be a good adjuvant treatment for ICR patients.

Sequential traction of a labio-palatal horizontally impacted maxillary canine with a custom three-directional force device in the space of a missing ipsilateral first premolar.

Orthodontic treatment is more complicated when both soft and hard tissues must be considered because an impacted maxillary canine has important effects on function and esthetics. Compared with extraction of impacted maxillary canines, exposure followed by orthodontic traction can improve esthetics and better protect the patient's teeth and alveolar bone. Therefore, in order to achieve desirable tooth movement with minimal unexpected complications, a precise diagnosis is indispensable to establish an effective and efficient force system. In this report, we describe the case of a 31-year-old patient who had a labio-palatal horizontally impacted maxillary left canine with a severe occlusal alveolar bone defect and a missing maxillary left first premolar. Herein, with the aid of three-dimensional imaging, sequential traction was performed with a three-directional force device that finally achieved acceptable occlusion by bringing the horizontally impacted maxillary left canine into alignment. The maxillary left canine had normal gingival contours and was surrounded by a substantial amount of regenerated alveolar bone. The 1-year follow-up stability assessment demonstrated that the esthetic and functional outcomes were successful.