Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) inhibits the growth of human osteosarcoma through the BMP-2/Smad signaling pathway.

Autocrine stimulation of tumor cells is an important mechanism for the growth of skeletal tumors. In tumors that are sensitive, growth factor inhibitors can dramatically reduce tumor growth. In this study, our aim was to investigate the effects of Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) on the growth of osteosarcoma (OS) cells in the presence and absence of exogenous BMP-2 both in vitro and in vivo. Our study demonstrated that Spp24 inhibited proliferation and promoted apoptosis of OS cells as confirmed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and immunohistochemical staining. We found that BMP-2 increased the mobility and invasiveness of tumor cells in vitro whereas Spp24 inhibited both of these processes alone and in the presence of exogenous BMP-2. Phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8 and Smad8 gene expression was enhanced by treatment with BMP-2 but inhibited by treatment with Spp24. Subcutaneous and intratibial tumor models in nude mice demonstrated that BMP-2 promoted OS growth in vivo, while Spp24 significantly inhibited tumor growth. We conclude that the BMP-2/Smad signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of OS growth and that Spp24 inhibits the growth of human OS induced by BMP-2 both in vitro and in vivo. Interruption of Smad signaling and increased apoptosis appear to be the primary mechanisms involved. These results confirm the potential of Spp24 as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of OS and other skeletal tumors.

An association between successful engraftment of osteosarcoma patient-derived xenografts and clinicopathological findings.

Although osteosarcoma is a rare disease, with a global incidence rate estimated at 5.0/million/year, it is the most frequent primary bone sarcoma in children and adolescents. In translational research, the patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model is considered an authentic in vivo model for several types of cancer, as tumorgrafts faithfully retain the biological characteristics of the primary tumors. Our goal was to investigate the association between PDX formation and clinical findings of osteosarcoma patients and the ability of the model to preserve in immunocompromized mice the characteristics of the parental tumor. A fresh sample of the patient tumor obtained from a representative biopsy or from surgical resection was implanted into nude mice. When tumor outgrowths reached ~1,500mm³, fresh PDX fragments were re-transplanted into new hosts. Engraftment in mice was obtained after a latency period of 19-225 days (median 92 days) in 40.54% of the implanted samples. We confirmed the histopathological fidelity between the patient tumor and their respective established PDXs, including the expression of biomarkers. PDX take rate was higher in surgical resection samples, in post-chemotherapy surgical samples and in samples from patients with metastatic disease at presentation. In conclusion, we have shown that the osteosarcoma PDX model reliably recapitulates the morphological aspects of the human disease after serial passage in mice. The observation that more aggressive forms of osteosarcoma, including those with metastatic disease at presentation, have a higher efficiency to generate PDXs provides a promising scenario to address several unanswered issues in clinical oncology.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 promotes osteosarcoma growth by promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

The correlation between BMP-2 and osteosarcoma growth has gained increased interest in the recent years, however, there is still no consensus. In this study, we tested the effects of BMP-2 on osteosarcoma cells through both in vitro and in vivo experiments. The effect of BMP-2 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells was tested in vitro. Subcutaneous and intratibial tumor models were used for the in vivo experiments in nude mice. The effects of BMP-2 on EMT of osteosarcoma cells and the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway were also tested using a variety of biochemical methods. In vitro tests did not show a significant effect of BMP-2 on tumor cell proliferation. However, BMP-2 increased the mobility of tumor cells and the invasion assay demonstrated that BMP-2 promoted invasion of osteosarcoma cells in vitro. In vivo animal study showed that BMP-2 dramatically enhanced tumor growth. We also found that BMP-2 induced EMT of osteosarcoma cells. The expression levels of Axin2 and Dkk-1 were both down regulated by BMP-2 treatment, while ß-catenin, c-myc and Cyclin-D1 were all upregulated. The expression of Wnt3α and p-GSK-3ß were also significantly upregulated indicating that the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway was activated during the EMT of osteosarcoma driven by BMP-2. From this study, we can conclude that BMP-2 significantly promotes growth of osteosarcoma cells (143B, MG63), and enhances mobility and invasiveness of tumor cells as demonstrated in vitro. The underlying mechanism might be that BMP-2 promotes EMT of osteosarcoma through the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:1638-1648, 2019.

Adequate Restoration of Disc Height and Segmental Lordosis by Lumbar Interbody Fusion Decreases Adjacent Segment Degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of lumbar interbody fusion-induced biomechanical changes on the adjacent segments, especially disc height and segmental lordosis restoration, and to provide more information for proper surgical strategy selection. METHODS: The medical records of 528 patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion were retrospectively reviewed, and a total of 89 patients were included. Surgical indications included degenerative spondylolisthesis (nonspondylolytic), marked disc herniation, or lumbar spinal stenosis requiring extensive decompression at L4/5. Postoperative adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) was assessed based on X-rays and functional status. Disc height, foraminal height, segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, and cage geometry were compared between the ASD and non-ASD patients. To identify the possible risk factors for radiographic ASD, univariate analysis was performed first, followed by multivariate logistic regression using variables with P < 0.20. RESULTS: Univariate analysis revealed that the postoperative disc height in the non-ASD group were significantly greater than in the ASD group. The postoperative segmental lordosis in the non-ASD group was significantly greater than that in the ASD group, and the lumbar lordosis in the non-ASD group was also significantly greater than that in the ASD group at the final follow-up visit. Four variables were identified as independent risk factors for ASD by subsequent multivariate logistic regression: postoperative relative disc height of L4/5 (P = 0.011), postoperative segmental lordosis (P = 0.046), lumbar lordosis at the final follow-up visit (P = 0.007), and cage height (P = 0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Improved lumbar lordosis is correlated with a lower incidence of ASD, and adequate disc height and segmental lordosis restoration are essential for ASD prevention.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24kD (Spp24) inhibits growth of hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.

Several studies have shown that secreted phosphoprotein 24kD (Spp24) inhibits tumor growth. However, the effects of spp24 on hepatocellular carcinoma are not quite clear. In this study, we observed the inhibitory effect of spp24 on hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo. A subcutaneous hepatocellular carcinoma mice model was established by using Hep G2 cells. After sacrifice at day 40, tumor growth was assessed and tumor cell apoptosis and tumor cells proliferation were assessed by TUNEL assay and immunochemical analysis, respectively. BMP2 slightly stimulated the subcutaneous tumor growth compared with the control. Spp24 significantly inhibited the tumor growth and also abolished the BMP2-induced tumor growth (p<0.05). TUNEL assay and immunochemical analysis further showed that spp24 could enhance tumor cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation (p<0.01). Our data show that spp24 can inhibit the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma. Spp24 may have great potential for cancer treatment.

Bone morphogenetic protein-2 and tumor growth: Diverse effects and possibilities for therapy.

Concern regarding safety with respect to the clinical use of human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) has become an increasingly controversial topic. The role of BMP-2 in carcinogenesis is of particular concern. Although there have been many studies of this topic, the results have been contradictory and confusing. We conducted a systematic review of articles that are relevant to the relationship or effect of BMP-2 on all types of tumors and a total of 97 articles were included. Studies reported in these articles were classified into three major types: "expression studies", "in vitro studies", and "in vivo studies". An obvious pattern was that those works that hypothesize an inhibitory effect for BMP-2 most often examined only the proliferative properties of the tumor cells. This subset of studies also contained an extraordinary number of contradictory findings which made drawing a reliable general conclusion impossible. In general, we support a pro-tumorigenesis role for BMP-2 based on the data from these in vitro cell studies and in vivo animal studies, however, more clinical studies should be carried out to help make a firm conclusion.

HK2 Proximal Tubule Epithelial Cells Synthesize and Secrete Plasma Proteins Predominantly Through the Apical Surface.

Renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (PTECs) are known to reabsorb salts and small plasma proteins filtered through Bowman's capsule. Following acute kidney injury, PTECs assume some characteristics of hepatocytes in producing various plasma proteins. We now demonstrate that even at a resting state, a PTEC cell line, HK2 expresses mRNAs for and synthesizes and secretes plasma proteins in a complex with complement C3, an α2 -macroglobulin family chaperone, including albumin, transferrin, α1 -antitrypsin, α1 -antichymotrypsin, α2 -HS-glycoprotein, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, C1-inhibitor, secreted phosphoprotein-24, and insulin-like growth factor-1. When grown on transwell inserts, HK2 cells predominantly secrete (∼90%) plasma proteins into the apical side and a smaller fraction into the basolateral side as determined by ELISA assays. When cultured in the presence of exogenous cytokines such as IL1ß, IL6, TNFα, BMP2, or TGFß1, HK2 cell mRNA expressions for plasma proteins were variably affected whereas basolateral secretions were elevated to or in excess of those of the apical level. In addition, HK2 cells produce proTGFß1 with its intact N-terminal latency associated peptide and latent-TGF-ß-binding proteins. The complex cannot be dissociated under conditions of SDS, heating, and electrophoresis. Moreover, HK2 cells maintain their ability to quickly uptake exogenously added serum proteins from the culture medium, as if they are recognized differently by the endocytic receptors. These results provide new insight into the hepatization of PTECs. In addition to their unique uptake of plasma proteins and salts from the filtrate, they are a source of urinary proteins under normal conditions as wells as in chronic and acute kidney diseases. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 924-933, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Secreted Phosphoprotein 24 kD Inhibits Growth of Human Prostate Cancer Cells Stimulated by BMP-2.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (spp24) has been shown to inhibit bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2)-induced cancer growth in several tumor models. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects spp24 on the growth of prostate cancer caused by BMP2 in vitro and in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The effects of BMP2 and spp24 on PC-3 cell viability were analyzed using MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay. A subcutaneous tumor model and intratibial tumor model was established using PC-3 cells. Tumor growth was assessed through gross examination and radiography during the experiment. Then, after sacrifice, tumor cell apoptosis and tumor cell proliferation were assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay and immunochemical analysis. RESULTS: BMP2 stimulated the PC-3 cell proliferation in vitro and spp24 could abolish the effect of BMP2. In a xeneograft tumor model, BMP2 promoted the subcutaneous and intratibial tumor growth, while spp24 dramatically inhibited the tumor growth induced by BMP2. Histological examination showed that spp24 also abolished the BMP2-induced proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression and promoted tumor cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: Spp24 can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer and its bone metastasis induced by BMP2; spp24 may have great potential to be a therapeutic agent in clinical situations.

Growth-Factor Nanocapsules That Enable Tunable Controlled Release for Bone Regeneration.

Growth factors are of great potential in regenerative medicine. However, their clinical applications are largely limited by the short in vivo half-lives and the narrow therapeutic window. Thus, a robust controlled release system remains an unmet medical need for growth-factor-based therapies. In this research, a nanoscale controlled release system (degradable protein nanocapsule) is established via in situ polymerization on growth factor. The release rate can be finely tuned by engineering the surface polymer composition. Improved therapeutic outcomes can be achieved with growth factor nanocapsules, as illustrated in spinal cord fusion mediated by bone morphogenetic protein-2 nanocapsules.

The history and histology of bone morphogenetic protein.

Bone morphogenetic proteins are a group of structurally related proteins within the TGF-ß superfamily of proteins with a diverse repertoire of functions in embryonic and adult organisms. As is apparent from the name, the members first characterized participate in bone growth, development, and remodeling. The "morphogenic" activity per se is defined as the induction of a recapitulation of endochondral bone formation by appropriate stem cells. The regenerative capacity of bone has been recognized since ancient times. The mechanism, applications, and conceptual basis of bone transplantation, bone implantation, ectopic bone formation, and exogenously induced bone formation have been studied by many investigators for more than a century. This review examines the efforts to characterize this activity in the European and American literature over approximately the last century. Because of the inherently complex nature of the process induced by these molecules (inflammation, stem cell proliferation, cartilage differentiation, replacement of cartilage with bone) it is important to evaluate previous investigations through a histological perspective. The cellular basis of the contemporary bioassay for BMP activity is illustrated and discussed from the histological point of view.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) inhibits growth of human pancreatic cancer cells caused by BMP-2.

The emerging role of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) in the initiation and progression of multiple cancers has drawn great attention in cancer research. In this study, we report that BMP-2 can promote the proliferation of the pancreatic tumor cell line, PANC-1. Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24), a BMP binding protein, did not affect the proliferation of the cells but promoted the apoptosis of the cells in vitro. In a xeneograft tumor model using PANC-1 cells, BMP-2 dramatically promoted tumor growth, while Spp24 not only abolished the effect of BMP-2, but also dramatically induced tumor shrinking when used alone. Activation of Smad1/5/8 participated in this process as demonstrated by immunohistochemical staining of phosphorylated Smad 1/5/8. We conclude that Spp24 can be developed into a therapeutic agent that could be employed in clinical situations where the inhibition of BMPs and related proteins is advantageous.

Fibroblastic synoviocytes secrete plasma proteins via α2 -macroglobulins serving as intracellular and extracellular chaperones.

Changes in plasma protein levels in synovial fluid (SF) have been implicated in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. It was previously thought that the presence of plasma proteins in SF reflected ultrafiltration or extravasation from the vasculature, possibly due to retraction of inflamed endothelial cells. Recent proteomic analyses have confirmed the abundant presence of plasma proteins in SF from control and arthritic patients. Systematic depletion of high-abundance plasma proteins from SF and conditioned media from synoviocytes cultured in serum, and protein analysis under denaturing/reducing conditions have limited our understanding of sources and the native structures of "plasma protein" complexes in SF. Using Western blotting, qPCR, and mass spectrometry, we found that Hig-82 lapine fibroblastic synovicytes cultured under serum-free conditions expressed and secreted plasma proteins, including the cytokine-binding protein secreted phosphoprotein 24 kDa (Spp24) and many of the proteases and protease inhibitors found in SF. Treating synoviocytes with TGF-ß1 or BMP-2 for 24 h upregulated the expression of plasma proteins, including Spp24, α2 -HS-glycoprotein, α1 -antitrypsin, IGF-1, and C-reactive protein. Furthermore, many of the plasma proteins of mass <151 kDa were secreted as disulfide-bound complexes with members of the α2 -macroglobulin (A2M) family, which serve as intracellular and extracellular chaperones, not protease inhibitors. Using brefeldin A to block vesicular traffic and protease inhibitors to inhibit endogenous activation of naïve A2M, we demonstrated that the complexes were formed in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen and that Ca(2+) cysteine protease-dependent processes are involved.

A carboxy terminal BMP/TGF-ß binding site in secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD independently affects BMP-2 activity.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (spp24) is a bone matrix protein isolated during attempts to identify osteogenic proteins. It is not osteogenic but performs other important roles in the regulation of bone metabolism, at least in part, by binding to and affecting the activity of members of the BMP/TGF-ß family of cytokines. Spp24 exists in a number of forms that preserve the N-terminus and are truncated at the C-terminus. The hypothesized cytokine binding domain is present within the cystatin domain which is preserved in all of the N-terminal products. In this report, we describe a C-terminal fragment that is distinct from the cystatin domain and which independently binds to BMP-2 and TGF-ß. This fragment inhibited BMP-2 activity in an ectopic bone forming assay. A shorter C-terminal product did not inhibit BMP-2 activity but improved bone quality induced by BMP-2 and produced increased calcium deposition outside of bone. Spp24 has been used to develop several potential therapeutic proteins. These results provide more information on the function of spp24 and provide other materials that can be exploited for clinical interventions.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD inhibits nerve root inflammation induced by bone morphogenetic protein-2.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) has been used to successfully promote spine fusion, but side-effects including nerve inflammation have been observed. PURPOSE: To investigate the direct neurotoxic effects of BMP-2 and test the hypotheses that the use of BMP binding proteins, such as secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24), can reduce or eliminate these effects. STUDY DESIGN: In vitro experiments and in vivo analysis in a rodent model. METHODS: In vitro, dorsal root ganglion cells were cultured in the presence of BMP-2 with and without Spp24 and calcitonin gene-related peptide and Substance P, markers of neuroinflammation, were measured by immunohistochemistry. In vivo, rats underwent a left-sided laminotomy at L5 to expose the S1 nerve root and were randomized into four different groups according to the intervention at the laminotomy site: collagen sponge only (no BMP-2 or Spp24), BMP-2 in a collagen sponge only, BMP-2 in a collagen sponge+an empty collagen sponge to act as a barrier, and BMP-2 in a collagen sponge+Spp24 in a collagen sponge to act as a barrier. Functional evaluation was done using the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale and immunohistochemical analyses were performed using calcitonin gene-related peptide and Substance P staining. RESULTS: The neuroinflammatory effects of BMP-2 in vitro were ameliorated by the addition of Spp24. Similarly, in vivo, Spp24 reduced the expression of markers on neuroinflammation in animals treated with BMP-2 and also improved the function after BMP-2 administration. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that BMP binding proteins have great potential as adjuvant therapies to limit BMP-2 related side-effects in spine surgery.

The bone matrix protein secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24): bone metabolism regulator and starting material for biotherapeutic materials.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) is a bone matrix protein that appears to be derived primarily from the liver and delivered to other tissues in a protective complex. A significant role in bone growth and turnover is suggested by genetic studies that associate the gene locus (SPP2) with bone mineral density and bone quality. The function of this protein in the normal bone environment is unknown but clues are given by the fact that Spp24, or proteolytic products of Spp24, bind cytokines of the TGF-ß superfamily and also activate intracellular signaling pathways. Several potential biotherapeutics have been engineered from this protein including materials that enhance BMP-induced bone healing and, on the other hand, materials that inhibit BMPs in clinical situations where this is called for such as reducing BMP-induced inflammation and inhibiting tumors dependent on BMP autocrine systems. As understanding of the structure and function of this protein increases, more opportunities for rationally developed therapeutics will become apparent.

Spp24 derivatives stimulate a Gi-protein coupled receptor-Erk1/2 signaling pathway and modulate gene expressions in W-20-17 cells.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kDa (Spp24) is an apatite- and BMP/TGF-ß cytokine-binding phosphoprotein found in serum and many tissues, including bone. N-terminally intact degradation products ranging in size from 14 kDa to 23 kDa have been found in bone. The cleavage sites in Spp24 that produce these short forms have not been definitively identified, and the biological activities and mechanisms of action of Spp24 and its degradation products have not been fully elucidated. We found that the C-terminus of Spp24 is labile to proteolysis by furin, kallikrein, lactoferrin, and trypsin, indicating that both extracellular and intracellular proteolytic events could account for the generation of biologically-active Spp18, Spp16, and Spp14. We determined the effects of these truncation products on kinase-mediated signal transduction, gene expression, and osteoblastic differentiation in W-20-17 bone marrow stromal cells cultured in basal or pro-osteogenic media. After culturing for five days, all forms inhibited BMP-2-stimulated osteoblastic differentiation, assessed as induction of alkaline phosphatase activity, in basal, but not pro-osteogenic media. After 10 days, they also inhibited BMP-2-stimulated mineral deposition in pro-osteogenic media. Spp24 had no effect on Erk1/2 phosphorylation, but Spp18 stimulated short-term Erk1/2, MEK 1/2, and p38 phosphorylation. Pertussis toxin and a MEK1/2 inhibitor ablated Spp18-stimulated Erk 1/2 phosphorylation, indicating a role for Gi proteins and MEK1/2 in the Spp18-stimulated Erk1/2 phosphorylation cascade. Truncation products, but not full-length Spp24, stimulated RUNX2, ATF4, and CSF1 transcription. This suggests that Spp24 truncation products have effects on osteoblastic differentiation mediated by kinase pathways that are independent of exogenous BMP/TGF-ß cytokines.

Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) and Spp14 affect TGF-ß induced bone formation differently.

Transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have opposing but complementary functions in directing bone growth, repair, and turnover. Both are found in the bone matrix. Proteins that bind to and affect the activity of these growth factors will determine the relative abundance of the growth factors and, therefore, regulate bone formation. Secreted phosphoprotein 24 kD (Spp24) is a bone matrix protein that has been demonstrated to bind to and affect the activity of BMPs. The arginine-rich carboxy terminus of Spp24 is proteolytically processed to produce three other predictable truncation products (Spp18.1, Spp16.0, and Spp14.5). In this work, we report that kinetic data obtained by surface plasmon resonance demonstrate that Spp24 and the three C-terminal truncation products all bind to TGF-ß1 and TGF-ß2 with a similar but somewhat less affinity than they bind BMP-2; that, as in the case of BMP-2, the full-length (FL) form of Spp24 binds TGF-ß with greater affinity than do the truncation products; that FL-Spp24 inhibits TGF-ß2 induced bone formation in vivo, but Spp14.5 does not; and that co-administration of FL-Spp24 or Spp14.5 with TGF-ß2 in vivo is associated with a reduction in the amount of cartilage, relative to new bone, present at the site of injection. This finding is consistent with the observation that low-dose TGF-ß administration in vivo is associated with greater bone formation than high-dose TGF-ß administration, and suggests that one function of Spp24 and its truncation products is to down-regulate local TGF-ß activity or availability during bone growth and development. The similarities and differences of the interactions between Spp24 proteins and TGF-ß compared to the interaction of the Spp24 proteins and BMPs have significant implications with respect to the regulation of bone metabolism and with respect to engineering therapeutic proteins for skeletal disorders.

Late adherent human bone marrow stromal cells form bone and restore the hematopoietic microenvironment in vivo.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are a valuable resource for skeletal regenerative medicine because of their osteogenic potential. In spite of the very general term "stem cell," this population of cells is far from homogeneous, and different BMSCs clones have greatly different phenotypic properties and, therefore, potentially different therapeutic potential. Adherence to a culture flask surface is a primary defining characteristic of BMSCs. We hypothesized that based on the adherence time we could obtain an enriched population of cells with a greater therapeutic potential. We characterized two populations of bone marrow-derived cells, those that adhered by three days (R-cells) and those that did not adhere by three days but did by six days (L-cells). Clones derived from L-cells could be induced into adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation in vitro. L-cells appeared to have greater proliferative capacity, as manifested by larger colony diameter and clones with higher CD146 expression. Only clones from L-cells developed bone marrow stroma in vivo. We conclude that the use of late adherence of BMSCs is one parameter that can be used to enrich for cells that will constitute a superior final product for cell therapy in orthopedics.

Secreted phosphoprotein-24 kDa (Spp24) attenuates BMP-2-stimulated Smad 1/5 phosphorylation and alkaline phosphatase induction and was purified in a protective complex with alpha2 -Macroglobulins From Serum.

Secreted phosphoprotein-24 kDa (Spp24) binds cytokines of the bone morphogenetic protein/transforming growth factor-ß (BMP/TGFß) superfamily and is one of the most abundant serum phosphoproteins synthesized by the liver. Little is known about how Spp24 binding affects BMP signal transduction and osteoblastic differentiation or how this labile protein is transported from the liver to remote tissues, such as bone. When Spp24 was administered to W-20-17 mesenchymal stem cells with rhBMP-2, short-term Smad1/5 phosphorylation was inhibited, intermediate-term alkaline phosphatase (ALP) induction was blunted, and long-term mineralization was unaffected. This supports the hypothesis that Spp24 proteolysis restricts the duration of its regulatory effects, but offers no insight into how Spp24 is transported intact from the liver to bone. When Spp24 was immunopurified from serum and subjected to native PAGE and Western blotting, a high molecular weight band of >500 kDa was found. Under reducing SDS-PAGE, a 24 kDa band corresponding to monomeric Spp24 was liberated, suggesting that Spp24 is bound to a complex linked by disulfide bonds. However, such a complex cannot be disrupted by 60 mM EDTA under non-reducing condition or in purification buffers containing 600 mM NaCl and 0.1% Tween-20 at pH 2.7-8.5. LC-MS/MS analysis of affinity-purified, non-reducing SDS-PAGE separated, and trypsin digested bands showed that the Spp24 was present in a complex with three α(2) -macroglobulins (α(2) -macroglobulin [α(2) M], pregnancy zone protein [PZP] and complement C3 [C3]), as well as ceruloplasmin and the protease inhibitor anti-thrombin III (Serpin C1), which may protect Spp24 from proteolysis.

In vivo inhibition of bone morphogenetic protein-2 on breast cancer cell growth.

STUDY DESIGN: In vitro and in vivo study. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP2) on breast cancer cell (MDA-MB-231 cells) growth. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are expressed in a variety of human carcinoma cell lines and are known to promote tumor invasion and metastasis. However, their roles in tumor progression have not been fully clarified. In addition, there is no in vivo study regarding the inhibitory effect of BMP2 on breast cancer cell proliferation. METHOD: Cell proliferation was determined by BrdU incorporation assay and flow cytometry. BMP2 signal transduction pathways were estimated on Western blot. Fifteen animals were divided into 2 groups; 1 (control = 5) was breast cancer cells alone, while the other (experiment = 5) was rhBMP2 + breast cancer cells. Cancer cells were injected into 2 sites (subcutaneous and femur) of nude mice with or without BMP2. Tumor size was determined by direct measurements for subcutaneous tumor formation and by femur radiographs. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. RESULTS: RhBMP2 inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. Inhibition was associated with changes in both the Smad and Wnt signaling pathways and was ultimately mediated through effects on various cell cycle proteins. Furthermore, rhBMP2 inhibited the growth of MDA-MB-231 cells injected both subcutaneously and intrafemorally. CONCLUSION: In this model using human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, rhBMP2 has no stimulatory effect of tumor growth. Therefore, we can provide the basic science data to support the utilization in the management of patients with spine tumor in the future.