Osteoclasts adapt to physioxia perturbation through DNA demethylation.

Oxygen plays an important role in diverse biological processes. However, since quantitation of the partial pressure of cellular oxygen in vivo is challenging, the extent of oxygen perturbation in situ and its cellular response remains underexplored. Using two-photon phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, we determine the physiological range of oxygen tension in osteoclasts of live mice. We find that oxygen tension ranges from 17.4 to 36.4 mmHg, under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, respectively. Physiological normoxia thus corresponds to 5% and hypoxia to 2% oxygen in osteoclasts. Hypoxia in this range severely limits osteoclastogenesis, independent of energy metabolism and hypoxia-inducible factor activity. We observe that hypoxia decreases ten-eleven translocation (TET) activity. Tet2/3 cooperatively induces Prdm1 expression via oxygen-dependent DNA demethylation, which in turn activates NFATc1 required for osteoclastogenesis. Taken together, our results reveal that TET enzymes, acting as functional oxygen sensors, regulate osteoclastogenesis within the physiological range of oxygen tension, thus opening new avenues for research on in vivo response to oxygen perturbation.

Novel method for gain-of-function analyses in primary osteoclasts using a non-viral gene delivery system.

INTRODUCTION: Overexpression studies have been commonly used to yield significant advances in cell biology. In vitro osteoclast culturing involves the differentiation of bone marrow-derived monocyte macrophage precursors (BMMs) in medium supplemented with macrophage colony-stimulating factor and receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL) into mature osteoclasts. Retroviral vectors are the gold standards for efficient gene delivery into BMMs. While this strategy is effective in BMMs that are in the early stages of differentiation, it is ineffective in RANKL-treated BMMs such as mono- and multinucleated osteoclasts. This study attempted to enhance gene delivery into differentiated BMMs using liposome-mediated RNA transfection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: BMMs were transfected with an EYFP overexpression plasmid or EYFP RNA by lipofection, or transduced with a retroviral vector expressing EYFP. EYFP expression was assessed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: We performed overexpression analyses using enhanced yellow fluorescent protein (EYFP). Although EYFP expression was observed 24 h after infection of BMMs with a recombinant retrovirus containing EYFP, expression of EYFP was observed within 3 h of transfection with EYFP RNA. Moreover, the efficiency of EYFP RNA for gene delivery into BMMs was comparable to that of retroviral transduction of EYFP. In contrast, while very few BMMs stimulated by RANKL for two days expressed EYFP after retroviral infection, more than half of the cells expressed EYFP after transfection with EYFP RNA. CONCLUSION: RNA-mediated gene delivery is quick and easy method for performing gain-of-function analyses in primary osteoclast precursors and mature osteoclasts.

[Generation of Mice Carrying Reporter for live bone imaging.]

Fluorescence imaging technology using two-photon excitation microscopy has been developed and utilized to observe cell dynamics in various developmental processes and pathological conditions in vivo. This technology is absolutely dependent on the fluorescent labelling technique of specific cells in a living state in vivo using various methods such as genetic engineering, chemiluminescent probes or fluorescent-conjugated antibodies. In this article, we demonstrate the methods of genetic engineering, particularly how to generate a genetically modified mouse(reporter mouse)that expresses fluorescent protein endogenously in the specific cells. In consideration of mouse genetic engineering technologies and the current state of bioresources, we describe the transgenic method, the knock-in method, the Cre/loxP-mediated recombination method and the genomic editing method by CRISPR/Cas9 system that have been used widely for generation of reporter mice. Among these methods, it is important to carefully select the suitable method according to the research purpose. We would like to compare the methods comprehensively.

RFPL4A increases the G1 population and decreases sensitivity to chemotherapy in human colorectal cancer cells.

Cell cycle-arrested cancer cells are resistant to conventional chemotherapy that acts on the mitotic phases of the cell cycle, although the molecular mechanisms involved in halting cell cycle progression remain unclear. Here, we demonstrated that RFPL4A, an uncharacterized ubiquitin ligase, induced G1 retention and thus conferred decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy in the human colorectal cancer cell line, HCT116. Long term time lapse observations in HCT116 cells bearing a "fluorescence ubiquitin-based cell cycle indicator" identified a characteristic population that is viable but remains in the G1 phase for an extended period of time (up to 56 h). Microarray analyses showed that expression of RFPL4A was significantly up-regulated in these G1-arrested cells, not only in HCT116 cells but also in other cancer cell lines, and overexpression of RFPL4A increased the G1 population and decreased sensitivity to chemotherapy. However, knockdown of RFPL4A expression caused the cells to resume mitosis and induced their susceptibility to anti-cancer drugs in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that RFPL4A is a novel factor that increases the G1 population and decreases sensitivity to chemotherapy and thus may be a promising therapeutic target for refractory tumor conditions.

[Elucidation of the role of metabolic reprogramming in osteoclast differentiation].

Osteoclasts dramatically alter their metabolic activity during cell differentiation. This change in the metabolic status is termed'metabolic reprogramming',but its role in osteoclast is not fully understood. Using metabolomics approach, we found that metabolic reprogramming during osteoclast differentiation increased intracellular S-adenosyle methionine (SAM), a metabolite of the methionine cycle. SAM is the universal methyl donor for methylation reactions, including histone and DNA methylation. Furthermore, SAM-mediated DNA methylation is required for osteoclast differentiation. These findings reveal the novel role of SAM metabolism in regulating osteoclast differentiation.

Development of an in vitro culture method for stepwise differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells into mature osteoclasts.

The development of methods for differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs) into functional cells have helped to analyze the mechanism regulating cellular processes and to explore cell-based assays for drug discovery. Although several reports have demonstrated methods for differentiation of mouse ESCs into osteoclast-like cells, it remains unclear whether these methods are applicable for differentiation of iPSCs to osteoclasts. In this study, we developed a simple method for stepwise differentiation of mouse ESCs and iPSCs into bone-resorbing osteoclasts based upon a monoculture approach consisting of three steps. First, based on conventional hanging-drop methods, embryoid bodies (EBs) were produced from mouse ESCs or iPSCs. Second, EBs were cultured in medium supplemented with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), and differentiated to osteoclast precursors, which expressed CD11b. Finally, ESC- or iPSC-derived osteoclast precursors stimulated with receptor activator of nuclear factor-B ligand (RANKL) and M-CSF formed large multinucleated osteoclast-like cells that expressed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and were capable of bone resorption. Molecular analysis showed that the expression of osteoclast marker genes such as Nfatc1, Ctsk, and Acp5 are increased in a RANKL-dependent manner. Thus, our procedure is simple and easy and would be helpful for stem cell-based bone research.

Blimp1-mediated repression of negative regulators is required for osteoclast differentiation.

Regulation of irreversible cell lineage commitment depends on a delicate balance between positive and negative regulators, which comprise a sophisticated network of transcription factors. Receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) stimulates the differentiation of bone-resorbing osteoclasts through the induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1), the essential transcription factor for osteoclastogenesis. Osteoclast-specific robust induction of NFATc1 is achieved through an autoamplification mechanism, in which NFATc1 is constantly activated by calcium signaling while the negative regulators of NFATc1 are suppressed. However, it has been unclear how such negative regulators are repressed during osteoclastogenesis. Here we show that B lymphocyte-induced maturation protein-1 (Blimp1; encoded by Prdm1), which is induced by RANKL through NFATc1 during osteoclastogenesis, functions as a transcriptional repressor of anti-osteoclastogenic genes such as Irf8 and Mafb. Overexpression of Blimp1 leads to an increase in osteoclast formation, and Prdm1-deficient osteoclast precursor cells do not undergo osteoclast differentiation efficiently. The importance of Blimp1 in bone homeostasis is underscored by the observation that mice with an osteoclast-specific deficiency in the Prdm1 gene exhibit a high bone mass phenotype caused by a decreased number of osteoclasts. Thus, NFATc1 choreographs the determination of cell fate in the osteoclast lineage by inducing the repression of negative regulators as well as through its effect on positive regulators.

The novel Nrf2-interacting factor KAP1 regulates susceptibility to oxidative stress by promoting the Nrf2-mediated cytoprotective response.

The transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2) co-ordinately regulates ARE (antioxidant-response element)-mediated induction of cytoprotective genes in response to electrophiles and oxidative stress; however, the molecular mechanism controlling Nrf2-dependent gene expression is not fully understood. To identify factors that regulate Nrf2-dependent transcription, we searched for proteins that interact with the Nrf2-NT (N-terminal Nrf2 transactivation domain) by affinity purification from HeLa nuclear extracts. In the present study, we identified KAP1 [KRAB (Krüppel-associated box)-associated protein 1] as a novel Nrf2-NT-interacting protein. Pull-down analysis confirmed the interaction between KAP1 and Nrf2 in cultured cells and demonstrated that the N-terminal region of KAP1 binds to Nrf2-NT in vitro. Reporter assays showed that KAP1 facilitates Nrf2 transactivation activity in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, the induction of the Nrf2-dependent expression of HO-1 (haem oxygenase-1) and NQO1 [NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1] by DEM (diethyl maleate) was attenuated by KAP1 knockdown in NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. This finding established that KAP1 acts as a positive regulator of Nrf2. Although Nrf2 nuclear accumulation was unaffected by KAP1 knockdown, the ability of Nrf2 to bind to the regulatory region of HO-1 and NQO1 was reduced. Moreover, KAP1 knockdown enhanced the sensitivity of NIH 3T3 cells to tert-butylhydroquinone, H2O2 and diamide. These results support our contention that KAP1 participates in the oxidative stress response by maximizing Nrf2-dependent transcription.

Opa1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics is important for osteoclast differentiation.

Opatic atrophy 1 (Opa1) is a mitochondrial GTPase that regulates mitochondrial fusion and maintenance of cristae architecture. Osteoclasts are mitochondrial rich-cells. However, the role of Opa1 in osteoclasts remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Opa1- deficient osteoclast precursor cells do not undergo efficient osteoclast differentiation and exhibit abnormal cristae morphology. Thus, Opa1 is a key factor in osteoclast differentiation through regulation of mitochondrial dynamics.

Determination of the physiological range of oxygen tension in bone marrow monocytes using two-photon phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy.

Oxygen is a key regulator of both development and homeostasis. To study the role of oxygen, a variety of in vitro and ex vivo cell and tissue models have been used in biomedical research. However, because of ambiguity surrounding the level of oxygen that cells experience in vivo, the cellular pathway related to oxygenation state and hypoxia have been inadequately studied in many of these models. Here, we devised a method to determine the oxygen tension in bone marrow monocytes using two-photon phosphorescence lifetime imaging microscopy with the cell-penetrating phosphorescent probe, BTPDM1. Phosphorescence lifetime imaging revealed the physiological level of oxygen tension in monocytes to be 5.3% in live mice exposed to normal air. When the mice inhaled hypoxic air, the level of oxygen tension in bone marrow monocytes decreased to 2.4%. By performing in vitro cell culture experiment within the physiological range of oxygen tension, hypoxia changed the molecular phenotype of monocytes, leading to enhanced the expression of CD169 and CD206, which are markers of a unique subset of macrophages in bone marrow, osteal macrophages. This current study enables the determination of the physiological range of oxygen tension in bone marrow with spatial resolution at a cellular level and application of this information on oxygen tension in vivo to in vitro assays. Quantifying oxygen tension in tissues can provide invaluable information on metabolism under physiological and pathophyisological conditions. This method will open new avenues for research on oxygen biology.

Degradation of the NOTCH intracellular domain by elevated autophagy in osteoblasts promotes osteoblast differentiation and alleviates osteoporosis.

Maintenance of bone integrity is mediated by the balanced actions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Because macroautophagy/autophagy regulates osteoblast mineralization, osteoclast differentiation, and their secretion from osteoclast cells, autophagy deficiency in osteoblasts or osteoclasts can disrupt this balance. However, it remains unclear whether upregulation of autophagy becomes beneficial for suppression of bone-associated diseases. In this study, we found that genetic upregulation of autophagy in osteoblasts facilitated bone formation. We generated mice in which autophagy was specifically upregulated in osteoblasts by deleting the gene encoding RUBCN/Rubicon, a negative regulator of autophagy. The rubcnflox/flox;Sp7/Osterix-Cre mice showed progressive skeletal abnormalities in femur bones. Consistent with this, RUBCN deficiency in osteoblasts resulted in elevated differentiation and mineralization, as well as an increase in the elevated expression of key transcription factors involved in osteoblast function such as Runx2 and Bglap/Osteocalcin. Furthermore, RUBCN deficiency in osteoblasts accelerated autophagic degradation of NOTCH intracellular domain (NICD) and downregulated the NOTCH signaling pathway, which negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation. Notably, osteoblast-specific deletion of RUBCN alleviated the phenotype in a mouse model of osteoporosis. We conclude that RUBCN is a key regulator of bone homeostasis. On the basis of these findings, we propose that medications targeting RUBCN or autophagic degradation of NICD could be used to treat age-related osteoporosis and bone fracture.Abbreviations: ALPL: alkaline phosphatase, liver/bone/kidney; BCIP/NBT: 5-bromo-4-chloro-3'-indolyl phosphate/nitro blue tetrazolium; BMD: bone mineral density; BV/TV: bone volume/total bone volume; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NICD: NOTCH intracellular domain; RB1CC1/FIP200: RB1-inducible coiled-coil 1; RUBCN/Rubicon: RUN domain and cysteine-rich domain containing, Beclin 1-interacting protein; SERM: selective estrogen receptor modulator; TNFRSF11B/OCIF: tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 11b (osteoprotegerin).

Osteoblast-derived vesicles induce a switch from bone-formation to bone-resorption in vivo.

Bone metabolism is regulated by the cooperative activity between bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. However, the mechanisms mediating the switch between the osteoblastic and osteoclastic phases have not been fully elucidated. Here, we identify a specific subset of mature osteoblast-derived extracellular vesicles that inhibit bone formation and enhance osteoclastogenesis. Intravital imaging reveals that mature osteoblasts secrete and capture extracellular vesicles, referred to as small osteoblast vesicles (SOVs). Co-culture experiments demonstrate that SOVs suppress osteoblast differentiation and enhance the expression of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand, thereby inducing osteoclast differentiation. We also elucidate that the SOV-enriched microRNA miR-143 inhibits Runt-related transcription factor 2, a master regulator of osteoblastogenesis, by targeting the mRNA expression of its dimerization partner, core-binding factor ß. In summary, we identify SOVs as a mode of cell-to-cell communication, controlling the dynamic transition from bone-forming to bone-resorbing phases in vivo.

SLPI is a critical mediator that controls PTH-induced bone formation.

Osteoclastic bone resorption and osteoblastic bone formation/replenishment are closely coupled in bone metabolism. Anabolic parathyroid hormone (PTH), which is commonly used for treating osteoporosis, shifts the balance from osteoclastic to osteoblastic, although it is unclear how these cells are coordinately regulated by PTH. Here, we identify a serine protease inhibitor, secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI), as a critical mediator that is involved in the PTH-mediated shift to the osteoblastic phase. Slpi is highly upregulated in osteoblasts by PTH, while genetic ablation of Slpi severely impairs PTH-induced bone formation. Slpi induction in osteoblasts enhances its differentiation, and increases osteoblast-osteoclast contact, thereby suppressing osteoclastic function. Intravital bone imaging reveals that the PTH-mediated association between osteoblasts and osteoclasts is disrupted in the absence of SLPI. Collectively, these results demonstrate that SLPI regulates the communication between osteoblasts and osteoclasts to promote PTH-induced bone anabolism.

Efficient transient rescue of hematopoietic mutant phenotypes in zebrafish using Tol2-mediated transgenesis.

Phenotypic rescue experiments have been commonly used in zebrafish since it is convenient to study the causality of mutant phenotypes just by injecting mRNA into embryos. However, this strategy is only effective for phenotypes at early embryonic stages due to mRNA instability. For later developmental stages, DNA constructs are used to express exogenous genes, while it is usually ineffective owing to the problem of mosaicism. This study attempted to solve the problem by using Tol2-mediated transgenesis. As a model case, we used vlad tepes (vlt), a zebrafish gata1 mutant, whose phenotypes have never been able to be rescued at later stages by transient rescue experiments. Blood cell-specific transgenic expression of gata1 was driven by its own promoter/enhancer elements. The co-injection of a Tol2-donor plasmid containing gata1 cDNA and transposase mRNA efficiently rescued the bloodless phenotypes of vlt even in day 12 larvae when definitive erythropoiesis took place with primitive erythropoiesis. This Tol2-mediated rescue is therefore considered to be a quick and easy method for analyzing the mutant phenotypes in zebrafish.

Nrf2 contributes to the weight gain of mice during space travel.

Space flight produces an extreme environment with unique stressors, but little is known about how our body responds to these stresses. While there are many intractable limitations for in-flight space research, some can be overcome by utilizing gene knockout-disease model mice. Here, we report how deletion of Nrf2, a master regulator of stress defense pathways, affects the health of mice transported for a stay in the International Space Station (ISS). After 31 days in the ISS, all flight mice returned safely to Earth. Transcriptome and metabolome analyses revealed that the stresses of space travel evoked ageing-like changes of plasma metabolites and activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway. Especially, Nrf2 was found to be important for maintaining homeostasis of white adipose tissues. This study opens approaches for future space research utilizing murine gene knockout-disease models, and provides insights into mitigating space-induced stresses that limit the further exploration of space by humans.

Author Correction: Nrf2 contributes to the weight gain of mice during space travel.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

BRG1 interacts with Nrf2 to selectively mediate HO-1 induction in response to oxidative stress.

NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) regulates antioxidant-responsive element-mediated induction of cytoprotective genes in response to oxidative stress. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of BRG1, a catalytic subunit of SWI2/SNF2-like chromatin-remodeling complexes, in Nrf2-mediated gene expression. Small interfering RNA knockdown of BRG1 in SW480 cells selectively decreased inducible expression of the heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) gene after diethylmaleate treatment but did not affect other Nrf2 target genes, such as the gene encoding NADPH:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1). Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that Nrf2 recruits BRG1 to both HO-1 and NQO1 regulatory regions. However, BRG1 knockdown selectively decreased the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the HO-1 promoter but not to the NQO1 promoter. HO-1, but not other Nrf2-regulated genes, harbors a sequence of TG repeats capable of forming Z-DNA with BRG1 assistance. Similarly, replacement of the TG repeats with an alternative Z-DNA-forming sequence led to BRG1-mediated activation of HO-1. These results thus demonstrate that BRG1, through the facilitation of Z-DNA formation and subsequent recruitment of RNA polymerase II, is critical in Nrf2-mediated inducible expression of HO-1.

Nrf2 regulates the alternative first exons of CD36 in macrophages through specific antioxidant response elements.

We previously demonstrated that Nrf2 regulates oxidized LDL-mediated CD36 expression in macrophages. The current study aimed to determine the mechanism of Nrf2-mediated macrophage CD36 induction. Treatment with the Nrf2 activator diethylmaleate, but not PPARgamma specific ligands, caused marked upregulation of CD36 in mouse macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Similarly, Nrf2 activators induced CD36 expression in bone marrow-derived macrophages in a Nrf2-dependent manner. Induced expression of the three alternative first exons of mouse CD36, deemed 1A, 1B, and 1C, occurred upon Nrf2 activation with exon1A mainly contributing to the CD36 expression. Four antioxidant response elements (AREs) lie within close proximity to these three exons, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that two AREs upstream of exon1A, the distal 1A-ARE1, and the proximal 1A-ARE2, were Nrf2-responsive. Luciferase reporter assays conclusively demonstrated that 1A-ARE2 is the critical regulatory element for the Nrf2-mediated gene expression. Thus Nrf2 directly regulates CD36 gene expression by binding to 1A-ARE2.

Nrf2 Neh5 domain is differentially utilized in the transactivation of cytoprotective genes.

The transcription factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) contains two transcription activation domains, Neh4 (Nrf2 ECH homology 4) and Neh5, which co-ordinately regulate transactivation of cytoprotective genes. In the present study we aimed to clarify the role of the Neh5 domain in Nrf2-mediated gene regulation. Deletion of the complete Neh5 domain reduces expression of endogenous Nrf2 target genes, such as HO-1 (haem oxygenase 1), NQO1 [NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1] and GCLM (glutamate cysteine ligase modulatory subunit), in human kidney epithelial cells. Furthermore, the deletion of Neh5 markedly repressed CBP [CREB (cAMP-response-element-binding protein)-binding protein] and BRG1 (Brahma-related gene 1) from associating with Nrf2, diminishing their co-operative enhancement of HO-1 promoter activity. Mutational analysis of the Neh5 domain revealed a motif that shares significant homology with beta-actin and ARP1 (actin-related protein 1). Mutagenesis of this motif selectively decreased HO-1, but not NQO1 and GCLM, expression. Taken together, these results indicate that the Neh5 domain has the ability to regulate Nrf2 target gene transcription, yet the role of the Neh5 domain in transcription varies from gene to gene.

Roles of Enhancer RNAs in RANKL-induced Osteoclast Differentiation Identified by Genome-wide Cap-analysis of Gene Expression using CRISPR/Cas9.

Bidirectional transcription has been proposed to play a role associated with enhancer activity. Transcripts called enhancer RNAs (eRNAs) play important roles in gene regulation; however, their roles in osteoclasts are unknown. To analyse eRNAs in osteoclasts comprehensively, we used cap-analysis of gene expression (CAGE) to detect adjacent transcription start sites (TSSs) that were distant from promoters for protein-coding gene expression. When comparing bidirectional TSSs between osteoclast precursors and osteoclasts, we found that bidirectional TSSs were located in the 5'-flanking regions of the Nrp2 and Dcstamp genes. We also detected bidirectional TSSs in the intron region of the Nfatc1 gene. To investigate the role of bidirectional transcription in osteoclasts, we performed loss of function analyses using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Targeted deletion of the DNA regions between the bidirectional TSSs led to decreased expression of the bidirectional transcripts, as well as the protein-coding RNAs of Nrp2, Dcstamp, and Nfatc1, suggesting that these transcripts act as eRNAs. Furthermore, osteoclast differentiation was impaired by targeted deletion of bidirectional eRNA regions. The combined results show that eRNAs play important roles in osteoclastogenic gene regulation, and may therefore provide novel insights to elucidate the transcriptional mechanisms that control osteoclast differentiation.