Differential stimulation by PGE(2) and calcemic hormones of IL-6 in stromal/osteoblastic cells.

Formation of osteoclast-like cells in mouse bone marrow cultures induced by either 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25-(OH)(2)D(3)), parathyroid hormone (PTH) or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)), respectively, shows partial dependence on interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) activation. This suggests that locally produced IL-6 could be relevant for osteoclast formation. Therefore, we evaluated the effects of 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3), PTH, and PGE(2) on IL-6 production in stromal/osteoblastic cell lines. It appeared that these bone resorptive factors differed widely in their ability to modulate IL-6 mRNA expression and, consequently, protein synthesis in each of the cell lines studied. While 1,25-(OH)(2)D(3) was marginally effective only in ST2 cells, and PTH caused a 2- to 20-fold increase in IL-6 levels MC3T3-E1 and UMR-106 cells, PGE(2) enhanced IL-6 production in the ST2 and MC3T3-E1 cell line by two to three orders of magnitude, respectively, and also induced IL-6 in fibroblastic L929 cells. PGE(2)-stimulated IL-6 release from mesenchymal cells seems to be important for autocrine/paracrine control of osteoclast formation in health and disease.

Biological effects of 1alpha-hydroxy- and 1beta-(hydroxymethyl)-vitamin D compounds relevant for potential colorectal cancer therapy.

1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) and two synthetic analogs, 1alpha, 25-dihydroxy-16-ene-23-yne-vitamin D(3) (Ro 23-7553) and 1alpha, 25-dihydroxy-16-ene-24-oxo-vitamin D(3) (JK-1624-3), were tested for their ability to specifically inhibit growth and promote differentiation of human colon cancer cells in comparison with a series of 1beta-(hydroxymethyl) congeners of the natural hormone, such as 1beta-(hydroxymethyl)-3alpha,25(OH)(2)-16-ene,24-oxo-vitamin D(3) (JK-1624-2), 1beta-(hydroxymethyl)-3alpha, 25-dihydroxy-16-ene-26,27-dihomo vitamin D(3) (JK-1626-2), and 1beta-(hydroxymethyl)-3alpha,25-dihydroxy-22,24-diene-26,27- dihomo vitamin D(3) (MCW-EE). Western blot analysis revealed that reduction of cyclin D1 levels is a key mechanism by which the vitamin D compounds under investigation inhibit Caco-2 tumor cell growth. Both the 1alpha-hydroxy- as well as the 1beta-hydroxymethyl-type vitamin D compounds, which exhibit only low affinity for the vitamin D receptor, significantly reduced [(3)H]thymidine DNA labeling in confluent Caco-2 cell cultures. This suggests that high-affinity binding to the vitamin D receptor is not an absolute prerequisite for genomic action on tumor cell growth. Hybrid analogs JK-1624-2 and MCW-EE, although antimitotically active, were rather ineffective in promoting phenotypic differentiation of human colon cancer cells. However, because both compounds also do not promote osteoclast differentiation from hematopoetic bone marrow cells, they still could be used as antimitotic agents in cancer therapy, even at dose levels that, with other analogs, could cause hypercalcemia.

Expression of the vitamin D receptor, of estrogen and thyroid hormone receptor alpha- and beta-isoforms, and of the androgen receptor in cultures of native mouse bone marrow and of stromal/osteoblastic cells.

Marrow stromal cells mediate the effect of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on formation of osteoclast-like cells from undifferentiated hematopoetic precursors in bone marrow. Induction by the vitamin D hormone of multinucleated, calcitonin receptor- and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells in primary mouse bone marrow culture can be modulated by other members of the steroid/thyroid hormone family, such as triiodothyronine, which has a positive effect, as well as 17beta-estradiol and 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone, which both act as inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis. In an attempt to relate these effects of the steroid/thyroid hormones to the presence of their respective nuclear receptors, we studied expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and -beta, thyroid hormone receptor (TR)-alpha and -beta, and androgen receptor (AR) in total bone marrow as well as primary marrow stromal cell cultures. By using reverse-transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, in both cases amplification products were obtained, which were identified by multiple restriction fragment length analysis as transcripts from mRNA specific for the ligand-binding domains of the VDR, ER-alpha, ER-beta, TR-alpha, TR-beta, and AR. Specific immunostaining by indirect peroxidase labeling revealed that among the various cell types present in bone marrow, the steroid/ thyroid hormone receptors are abundant particularly in marrow stromal cells. In another series of experiments, we extended our survey on receptor expression also to stromal/osteoblastic cell lines. At the mRNA level, the complete repertoire of steroid/thyroid hormone receptors was present in preadipocytic ST2 cells as well as in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. By immunocytochemical staining of the latter, it became apparent that single cells exhibit wide variations in intensity of specific signals for all the receptors investigated, so that, notably in contrast to primary stromal cells and ST2 cells, MC3T3-E1 display a mosaic pattern of receptor protein expression.

Interaction of triiodothyronine with 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on interleukin-6-dependent osteoclast-like cell formation in mouse bone marrow cell cultures.

In mouse bone marrow cultures, the formation of osteoclast-like, that is, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive (TRAP+) and calcitonin (CT) receptor-positive multinucleated cells (MNCs), induced by 10(-10) to 10(-8) mol/L 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1alpha,25(OH)2D3], could be augmented by triiodothyronine (T3), which alone had no effect on osteoclast-like cell formation. The permissive effect of T3 increased the response to 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 by approximately one order of magnitude. Linear concentration dependence was observed between 10(-11) and 10(-8) mol/L T3. Importantly, inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis by indomethacin significantly impeded osteoclast-like cell formation by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and abrogated the effect of T3 thereon. Basal interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by cultured marrow cells was significantly stimulated by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. However, even at an exceedingly high concentration of 20 ng/mL, IL-6 was ineffective in inducing osteoclast-like cell formation. Therefore, any hormonally induced rise in IL-6 release from bone marrow cells could not account for the observed changes in TRAP+ MNC numbers. Nevertheless, the stimulatory effect of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 on osteoclastogenesis was partially dependent on IL-6 because it could be significantly blocked by a neutralizing monoclonal anti-IL-6 antibody, and to the same extent by a monoclonal anti-IL-6 receptor antibody. Unimpaired signaling through the IL-6/IL-6R system is also a prerequisite for the auxiliary effect of T3 on induction of osteoclast-like cells by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3. Our data provide evidence that 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 induces osteoclast-like cell formation, at least in part, in an IL-6-dependent mode of action, which is also subject to modulation by T3. The mechanism of interaction of the two hormones apparently involves joint stimulation of prostaglandin synthesis.

17Beta-estradiol antagonizes effects of 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on interleukin-6 production and osteoclast-like cell formation in mouse bone marrow primary cultures.

In mouse bone marrow primary cultures, the formation of osteoclast-like, i.e. tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)- and calcitonin receptor-positive multinucleated cells (MNC), when induced by 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1alpha,25(OH)2D3), can be suppressed by 17beta-estradiol (17beta-E2), whereas 17alpha-E2 is without any effect. 17beta-E2, above 10(-11) M, significantly reduced 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-mediated TRAP+ MNC formation in cultured bone marrow cells from both female and male mice. The estrogen at 10(-8) M suppressed the peak response to the vitamin D sterol by 50%. 17beta-E2 significantly suppressed basal and 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-stimulated cellular production of interleukin (IL)-6. IL-6 alone, although bone marrow cells in hormone-free culture produced appreciable amounts of the cytokine, did not induce any TRAP+ MNC. Therefore, the changes in IL-6 production induced by the hormones could not be the sole determinant for the extent of TRAP+ MNC formation. However, the stimulatory effect of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 on osteoclastogenesis nevertheless can be significantly reduced by a neutralizing monoclonal anti-IL-6 antibody. In the presence of 10(-8) M 17beta-E2, the anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody does not achieve any further suppression of 1alpha,25(OH)2D3-related osteoclast-like cell formation. Our data suggest that induction of osteoclastogenesis by 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 is partially dependent on IL-6 signaling and can be modulated by 17beta-E2 through interference with IL-6 receptor activation, in addition to inhibition of IL-6 production by marrow stromal cells.

[Observation on the intake of Brugia malayi microfilariae by Anopheles sinensis and host efficiency].

The experiments were carried out under the controlled conditions with temperature at 26 +/- 1 degree C and relative humidity 75-85%. The Brugian microfilariae from the peritoneal cavity of Mongolian jirds, mixed with rabbit blood, were ingested by Anopheles mosquitoes through the artificial membrane. The experimental data show that the number of microfilariae ingested is fewer than would be expected from the microfilarial densities in the blood meal. The linear regression shows their quantitative relation, Y = 0.61X-1.37. At the same time the host efficiency of Anopheles sinensis decreases with the increase of microfilarial number ingested. In case of the relationship between Brugia malayi and Anopheles sinensis, the survival rate of vector host is the chief factor influencing the decrease of host efficiency.