Inactivation of estrogen receptor α in bone-forming cells induces bone loss in female mice.

The role of the estrogen receptor α (ERα) in bone-forming cells is incompletely understood at present. To examine the in vivo effects of ERα in these cells, we generated a mouse strain in which the ERα gene is inactivated in osteoblasts via osteocalcin promoter-regulated cyclic recombinase (Cre) activity (ERα(ΔOB/ΔOB)). This enabled micro-computed tomography- and histomorphometry-based analysis of ERα-mediated effects in bone-forming cells in mice, in which the systemic ERα-mediated effects are intact. In female ERα(ΔOB/ΔOB) mice, trabecular and cortical bone volumes were significantly reduced (31.5 and 11.4%, respectively) at 3.5 mo of age compared with control ERα(fl/fl) animals, and their response to ovariectomy was small compared with that of controls. In contrast with females, no differences could be detected in the bone phenotype of young males, whereas in 6-mo-old ERα(ΔOB/ΔOB) males, trabecular bone volume (Tb.BV) was decreased (27.5%). The ERα inactivation-related effects were compared with those of controls having a similar genetic background. Parental osteocalcin-Cre mice did not show Cre-related changes. Our results suggest that in female mice, Tb.BV and cortical bone volume are critically dependent on the ERα regulation of osteoblasts, whereas in male mice, osteoblastic ERα is not required for the regulation of bone formation during rapid skeletal growth, but it is involved in the maintenance of Tb.BV.

Phenotypic characterization of transgenic mice harboring Nf1+/- or Nf1-/- osteoclasts in otherwise Nf1+/+ background.

Skeletal abnormalities in neurofibromatosis type 1 syndrome (NF1) are observed in ∼50% of patients. Here, we describe the phenotype of Nf1(Ocl) mouse model with Nf1-deficient osteoclasts. Nf1Ocl mice with Nf1+/- or Nf1-/- osteoclasts in otherwise Nf1+/+ background were successfully generated by mating parental Nf1flox/flox and TRAP-Cre mice. Contrary to our original hypothesis, osteoporotic or fragile bone phenotype was not observed. The µCT analysis revealed that tibial bone marrow cavity, trabecular tissue volume, and the perimeter of cortical bone were smaller in Nf1 Ocl-/- mice compared to Nf1 Ocl+/+ control mice. Nf1 Ocl-/- mice also a displayed narrowed growth plate in the proximal tibia. In vitro analysis showed increased bone resorption capacity and cytoskeletal changes including irregular cell shape and abnormal actin ring formation in Nf1-/- osteoclasts. Surprisingly, the size of spleen in Nf1 Ocl-/- mice was two times larger than in controls and histomorphometric analysis showed splenic megakaryocytosis. In summary, Nf1Ocl mouse model presented with a mild but specific bone phenotype. This study shows that NF1-deficiency in osteoclasts may have a role in the development of NF1-related skeletal abnormalities, but Nf1-deficiency in osteoclasts in Nf1+/+ background is not sufficient to induce skeletal abnormalities analogous to those observed in patients with NF1.

Tight junction proteins in human Schwann cell autotypic junctions.

Tight junctions (TJs) form physical barriers in various tissues and regulate paracellular transport of ions, water, and molecules. Myelinating Schwann cells form highly organized structures, including compact myelin, nodes of Ranvier, paranodal regions, Schmidt-Lanterman incisures, periaxonal cytoplasmic collars, and mesaxons. Autotypic TJs are formed in non-compacted myelin compartments between adjacent membrane lamellae of the same Schwann cell. Using indirect immunofluorescence and RT-PCR, we analyzed the expression of adherens junction (E-cadherin) and TJ [claudins, zonula occludens (ZO)-1, occludin] components in human peripheral nerve endoneurium, showing clear differences with published rodent profiles. Adult nerve paranodal regions contained E-cadherin, claudin-1, claudin-2, and ZO-1. Schmidt-Lanterman incisures contained E-cadherin, claudin-1, claudin-2, claudin-3, claudin-5, ZO-1, and occludin. Mesaxons contained E-cadherin, claudin-1, claudin-2, claudin-3, ZO-1, and occludin. None of the proteins studied were associated with nodal inter-Schwann cell junctions. Fetal nerve expression of claudin-1, claudin-3, ZO-1, and occludin was predominantly punctate, with a mesaxonal labeling pattern, but paranodal (ZO-1, claudin-3) and Schmidt-Lanterman incisure (claudins-1 and -3) expression profiles typical of compact myelin were visible by gestational week 37. The clear differences observed between human and published rodent nerve profiles emphasize the importance of human studies when translating the results of animal models to human diseases.

In vitro model of bone to facilitate measurement of adhesion forces and super-resolution imaging of osteoclasts.

To elucidate processes in the osteoclastic bone resorption, visualise resorption and related actin reorganisation, a combination of imaging technologies and an applicable in vitro model is needed. Nanosized bone powder from matching species is deposited on any biocompatible surface in order to form a thin, translucent, smooth and elastic representation of injured bone. Osteoclasts cultured on the layer expressed matching morphology to ones cultured on sawed cortical bone slices. Resorption pits were easily identified by reflectance microscopy. The coating allowed actin structures on the bone interface to be visualised with super-resolution microscopy along with a detailed interlinked actin networks and actin branching in conjunction with V-ATPase, dynamin and Arp2/3 at actin patches. Furthermore, we measured the timescale of an adaptive osteoclast adhesion to bone by force spectroscopy experiments on live osteoclasts with bone-coated AFM cantilevers. Utilising the in vitro model and the advanced imaging technologies we localised immunofluorescence signals in respect to bone with high precision and detected resorption at its early stages. Put together, our data supports a cyclic model for resorption in human osteoclasts.

Osteoclasts in neurofibromatosis type 1 display enhanced resorption capacity, aberrant morphology, and resistance to serum deprivation.

Neurofibromatosis 1 syndrome (NF1) presents with skeletal involvement suggesting that altered bone dynamics is associated with NF1. Histological analysis of three cases of NF1-related pseudarthrosis revealed numerous osteoclasts in contact with adjacent bone, and within the pseudarthrosis tissue itself. These findings prompted us to evaluate the differentiation and resorption capacity of NF1-osteoclast like cells (OLCs) in vitro. Osteoclast progenitors were isolated from peripheral blood of 17 patients with NF1 and allowed to differentiate into OLCs on bone slices. The following differences were found between NF1 and control samples: samples from NF1 patients resulted in a higher number of resorbing OLCs; NF1 OLCs were larger in size; their nuclei were more numerous; actin rings were more frequent; and the resorption pits in NF1 samples were more numerous and larger. Bone resorption markers revealed that the resorption activity in NF1 OLC cultures was approximately two times higher than in controls. Following deprivation from serum, the number of NF1 OLCs remained essentially the same during 24h, whereas the number of control OLCs was dramatically reduced during the same time. Three patients had NF1-related lytic bone lesions, and their in vitro results differed from those of other patients. Our results demonstrate that OLCs derived from blood of patients with NF1 display elevated resorption activity under conditions isolated from microenvironment operative in vivo. Thus, increased osteoclast activity may be a phenotypic property of the NF1 syndrome, and at least in part explain selected skeletal findings in NF1, such as osteoporosis/osteopenia.

Isolation, purification and expansion of myelination-competent, neonatal mouse Schwann cells.

Most studies of peripheral nerve myelination using culture models are performed with dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells pre-purified from the rat. The potential of this model is severely compromised by the lack of rat myelin mutants and the published protocols work poorly with mouse cells, for which numerous myelin mutants are available. This is partly due to difficulties in obtaining sufficient quantities of myelination-competent mouse Schwann cells. Here, we describe the isolation, purification and expansion of wild-type, myelination-competent Schwann cells from the sciatic nerves of 4-day-old mouse pups. The method consistently yields 1.9-3.3 x 10(6) of approximately 95% pure Schwann cells from the sciatic nerves of 12-15 4-day-old mouse pups, within 14-20 days. The Schwann cell proliferation rate ranges from 2.7- to 4.30-fold growth/week. Proliferation ceases within 4 weeks, when the cells become quiescent. Growth is reinduced by the presence of neurons; neuregulin is not sufficient for this effect. The Schwann cells isolated by this protocol are able to form compact myelin in culture, as judged by the segregated expression patterns of early (myelin-associated glycoprotein) and late (myelin basic protein) myelination markers in a three-dimensional neuron/Schwann cell coculture model. The Schwann cell batch yields are sufficient to perform 100-150 individual myelinating coculture assays. Employing mixed phenotype/genotype mouse neuron/Schwann cell cocultures, it will be possible to analyse the cell specificity of a mutation, and the cumulative effects of different mutations, without having to cross-breed the animals.