The loss of STAT3 in mature osteoclasts has detrimental effects on bone structure.

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) has recently been shown to be involved in bone development and has been implicated in bone diseases, such as Job's Syndrome. Bone growth and changes have been known for many years to differ between sexes with male bones tending to have higher bone mass than female bones and older females tending to lose bone mass at faster rates than older males. Previous studies using conditional knock mice with Stat3 specifically deleted from the osteoblasts showed both sexes exhibited decreased bone mineral density (BMD) and strength. Using the Cre-Lox system with Cathepsin K promotor driving Cre to target the deletion of the Stat3 gene in mature osteoclasts (STAT3-cKO mice), we observed that 8-week old STAT3-cKO female femurs exhibited significantly lower BMD and bone mineral content (BMC) compared to littermate control (CN) females. There were no differences in BMD and BMC observed between male knock-out and male CN femurs. However, micro-computed tomography (µCT) analysis showed that both male and female STAT3-cKO mice had significant decreases in bone volume/tissue volume (BV/TV). Bone histomorphometry analysis of the distal femur, further revealed a decrease in bone formation rate and mineralizing surface/bone surface (MS/BS) with a significant decrease in osteoclast surface in female, but not male, STAT3-cKO mice. Profiling gene expression in an osteoclastic cell line with a knockdown of STAT3 showed an upregulation of a number of genes that are directly regulated by estrogen receptors. These data collectively suggest that regulation of STAT3 differs in male and female osteoclasts and that inactivation of STAT3 in osteoclasts affects bone turnover more in females than males, demonstrating the complicated nature of STAT3 signaling pathways in osteoclastogenesis. Drugs targeting the STAT3 pathway may be used for treatment of diseases such as Job's Syndrome and osteoporosis.

Salubrinal improves mechanical properties of the femur in osteogenesis imperfecta mice.

Salubrinal is an agent that reduces the stress to the endoplasmic reticulum by inhibiting de-phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α). We and others have previously shown that the elevated phosphorylation of eIF2α stimulates bone formation and attenuates bone resorption. In this study, we applied salubrinal to a mouse model of osteogenesis imperfecta (Oim), and examined whether it would improve Oim's mechanical property. We conducted in vitro experiments using RAW264.7 pre-osteoclasts and bone marrow derived cells (BMDCs), and performed in vivo administration of salubrinal to Oim (+/-) mice. The animal study included two control groups (wildtype and Oim placebo). The result revealed that salubrinal decreased expression of nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and suppressed osteoclast maturation, and it stimulated mineralization of mesenchymal stem cells from BMDCs. Furthermore, daily injection of salubrinal at 2 mg/kg for 2 months made stiffness (N/mm) and elastic module (GPa) of the femur undistinguishable to those of the wildtype control. Collectively, this study supported salubrinal's beneficial role to Oim's femora. Unlike bisphosphonates, salubrinal stimulates bone formation. For juvenile OI patients who may favor strengthening bone without inactivating bone remodeling, salubrinal may present a novel therapeutic option.

Guanabenz Downregulates Inflammatory Responses via eIF2α Dependent and Independent Signaling.

Integrated stress responses (ISR) may lead to cell death and tissue degeneration via eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 α (eIF2α)-mediated signaling. Alleviating ISR by modulating eIF2α phosphorylation can reduce the symptoms associated with various diseases. Guanabenz is known to elevate the phosphorylation level of eIF2α and reduce pro-inflammatory responses. However, the mechanism of its action is not well understood. In this study, we investigated the signaling pathway through which guanabenz induces anti-inflammatory effects in immune cells, in particular macrophages. Genome-wide mRNA profiling followed by principal component analysis predicted that colony stimulating factor 2 (Csf2, or GM-CSF as granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor) is involved in the responses to guanabenz. A partial silencing of Csf2 or eIF2α by RNA interference revealed that Interleukin-6 (IL6), Csf2, and Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox2) are downregulated by guanabenz-driven phosphorylation of eIF2α. Although expression of IL1ß and Tumor Necrosis Factor-α (TNFα) was suppressed by guanabenz, their downregulation was not directly mediated by eIF2α signaling. Collectively, the result herein indicates that anti-inflammatory effects by guanabenz are mediated by not only eIF2α-dependent but also eIF2α-independent signaling.

Role of miR-222-3p in c-Src-Mediated Regulation of Osteoclastogenesis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that play a mostly post-transcriptional regulatory role in gene expression. Using RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast cells and genome-wide expression analysis, we identified a set of miRNAs that are involved in osteoclastogenesis. Based on in silico analysis, we specifically focused on miR-222-3p and evaluated its role in osteoclastogenesis. The results show that the inhibitor of miR-222-3p upregulated the mRNA levels of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), while its mimicking agent downregulated their mRNA levels. Western blot analysis showed that its inhibitor increased the protein levels of TRAP and cathepsin K, while its mimicking agent decreased their levels. Genome-wide mRNA expression analysis in the presence and absence of receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-B ligand (RANKL) predicted c-Src as a potential regulatory target of miR-222-3p. Live cell imaging using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique revealed that miR-222-3p acted as an inhibitor of c-Src activity, and a partial silencing of c-Src suppressed RANKL-induced expression of TRAP and cathepsin K, as well as the number of multi-nucleated osteoclasts and their pit formation. Collectively, the study herein demonstrates that miR-222-3p serves as an inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis and c-Src mediates its inhibition of cathepsin K and TRAP.

Salubrinal acts as a Dusp2 inhibitor and suppresses inflammation in anti-collagen antibody-induced arthritis.

Dual-specificity phosphatase 2 (Dusp2; also called phosphatase of activated cells 1, PAC1) is highly expressed in activated immune cells. We examined whether a potential inhibitor of Dusp2, salubrinal, prevents inflammatory cytokine expression in immune cells and arthritic responses in a mouse model of anti-collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA). Salubrinal is a synthetic chemical that inhibits de-phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α). In this study, we examined the effects of salubrinal on expression of inflammation linked genes as well as a family of DUSP genes using genome-wide microarrays, qPCR, and RNA interference. We also evaluated the effects of salubrinal on arthritic responses in CAIA mice using clinical and histological scores. The results revealed that salubrinal decreased inflammatory gene expression in macrophages, T lymphocytes, and mast cells. Dusp2 was suppressed by salubrinal in LPS-activated macrophages as well as PMA/ionomycin-activated T lymphocytes and mast cells. Furthermore, a partial silencing of Dusp2 downregulated IL1ß and Cox2, and the inflammatory signs of CAIA mice were significantly suppressed by salubrinal. Collectively, this study presents a novel therapeutic possibility of salubrinal for inflammatory arthritis such as RA through inhibition of Dusp2.

In vitro and in silico analysis of an inhibitory mechanism of osteoclastogenesis by salubrinal and guanabenz.

Inactivating bone-resorbing osteoclasts is a prime therapeutic strategy for the prevention of bone loss in patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis. Synthetic agents such as salubrinal and guanabenz, which attenuate stress to the endoplasmic reticulum, are reported to inhibit development of osteoclasts. However, the mechanism of their inhibitory action on osteoclasts is largely unknown. Using genome-wide expression profiles, we predicted key transcription factors that downregulated nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), a master transcription factor for osteoclastogenesis. Principal component analysis (PCA) predicted a list of transcription factors that were potentially responsible for reversing receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-driven stimulation of osteoclastogenesis. A partial silencing of NFATc1 allowed a selection of transcription factors that were likely to be located upstream of NFATc1. We validated the predicted transcription factors by focusing on two AP-1 transcription factors (c-Fos and JunB) using RAW264.7 pre-osteoclasts as well as primary bone marrow cells. As predicted, their mRNA and protein levels were elevated by RANKL, and the elevation was suppressed by salubrinal and guanabenz. A partial silencing of c-Fos or JunB by RNA interference decreased NFATc1 as well as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) mRNA. Collectively, a systems-biology approach allows the prediction of a RANKL-salubrinal/guanabenz-NFATc1 regulatory axis, and in vitro assays validate an involvement of AP-1 transcription factors in suppression of osteoclastogenesis.

Enzymatic resolution and odor description of both enantiomers of lavandulol, a fragrance of lavender oil.

Both enantiomers of lavandulol (1), an important constituent of lavender oil, were prepared by enzymatic optical resolution, and the odor quality of the single antipodes were evaluated. The fragrance of the nature-identical (R)-enantiomer ('weak floral, herbal odor with slightly lemon-like, fresh citrus fruity nuance') was superior to those of both the unnatural (S)-enantiomer ('very weak odor') and the racemate ('weak floral, herbal odor').