Calcitonin-like effects of forskolin and choleratoxin on surface area and motility of isolated rabbit osteoclasts

We have previously found that the adenylate cyclase stimulators forskolin and choleratoxin increase cyclic AMP and transiently inhibit bone resorption in cultured mouse calvaria, suggesting that the compounds, directly or indirectly, may inhibit osteoclast activity. In the present study, forskolin and choleratoxin were investigated for their direct effects on surface area and motility of isolated rabbit osteoclasts, and the effects were compared to those of calcitonin (CT). Osteoclasts were cultured on coverslips for different times in the absence or presence of the compounds. The effect on osteoclast mean area was quantified on fixed and stained osteoclasts, and in addition effects were recorded with time-lapse cinemicrography. The effects of CT (100 mU/ml) on mean area and motility were seen within minutes and were maximal after 10-60 minutes. Forskolin (10-30 mumol/liter) produced a rapid (15-60 minutes) inhibition of motility and decrease in area (contraction) of osteoclasts. Choleratoxin (1 microgram/ml) treatment also resulted in cell contraction and inhibition of motility; however, the response was not seen before 45-60 minutes. The difference in the kinetics of the osteoclast response between forskolin, CT, and choleratoxin is similar to differences in time course for the effect on cyclic AMP in calvarial bones, which we reported earlier. Although cells were incubated continuously with forskolin, choleratoxin, or CT, the effects were transient. Thus, after 7-8 h incubation with CT, 3-4 h treatment with forskolin, or 4-6 h with choleratoxin, the osteoclasts started to recover from contraction and immotility. The effect of forskolin and choleratoxin on the mean surface area of osteoclasts was dose dependent. The present study shows that forskolin and choleratoxin have a direct inhibitory action on osteoclast activity and thus provide further evidence that cyclic AMP is a mediator of the action of CT on bone resorption.

Lifetime of the osteoblast in mouse periodontium

The kinetics of osteoblasts and osteocytes on appositional and resorptive surfaces of mouse alveolar bone were examined using 3H-thymidine and 3H-proline radioautography. Our results show that the osteoblasts at the appositional surface of the mouse periodontium are recruited from a progenitor population in the G1 phase of the cell cycle that goes through a single S-phase before differentiating into osteoblasts and that the active lifetime of the osteoblast on the periodontal surface is approximately 20 days. The lifetime of the osteoblasts on periosteal and endosteal surfaces is 10 days. The active lifetime of an osteoblast appears to be independent of the amount of matrix produced.

Adhesion patterns and cytoskeleton of rabbit osteoclasts on bone slices and glass

The ability of osteoclasts (OC) to migrate and resorb bone is thought to be dependent on cytoskeletal function and adhesion. Therefore, we investigated the cytoskeleton and the adhesion patterns of rabbit OC on glass and on devitalized bone slices, using specific antibodies to cytoskeletal elements and fluorescence and interference reflection microscopy. Microtubules (MT) were similar in OC on both substrata, and appeared in a pattern typical of that described for many cells. Multiple centriolar complexes were observed in most OC, either as one large aggregate in the center of the cell or dispersed singly or in small aggregates close to individual nuclei. Staining of microfilaments (MF) was similar on both substrata and appeared primarily as an F-actin network. MF distribution was different in OC associated with resorption lacunae with intense staining over those regions. In the OC on glass, high F-actin staining was detectable at the periphery in dots and rosette-like structures, which also stained for vinculin. The adhesion patterns indicated that OC on glass do not make large focal contacts, but appear to make a few tiny focal contacts that are not associated with the rosette-like structures. Most of the undersurface of the OC appeared either to be involved in close contacts or to be separated by distances of greater than 100 nm from the substratum. These studies indicate that the MF distribution and the adhesion patterns of rabbit OC are typical of motile cells, that the distribution of the cytoskeleton of rabbit OC on glass and on bone slices is similar, and that MF may be involved in the morphological changes associated with resorption.

Membrane potential changes, cAMP stimulation and contraction in osteoblast-like UMR 106 cells in response to calcitonin and parathyroid hormone

A multiphasic alteration in membrane potential occurs in response to calcitonin (CT), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and dibutyryl cAMP in the osteoblast-like UMR 106.01 and UMR 106.06 cell lines. This response consists of a small transient hyperpolarization, followed by a transient depolarization, followed by a long-term hyperpolarization. Experiments with channel blockers indicate that the depolarizing phase results from deactivation of K+ channels that are blocked by quinine but not by tetraethylammonium (TEA), and that the long-term hyperpolarization results from activation of K+ channels that are not blocked by quinine or by TEA. Correlating with the stimulation of intracellular cAMP by CT, a small percentage of the UMR 106.06 cells, but not UMR 106.01 cells, contract in response to CT. Both cell lines show a larger percentage of cells contracting in response to PTH than to CT.

Consistent patterns of changing hormone responsiveness during continuous culture of cloned rat calvaria cells

The loss of responsiveness to hormones in cell populations is a fundamental problem in cell biology and aging. We have studied this process in cloned rat calvaria (RC) bone cell populations maintained in exponential growth in long-term culture in alpha-minimal essential medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum. At various times after cloning, the populations were tested for their ability to respond to parathyroid hormone (PTH), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and L-isoproterenol (IPT) with an increase in intracellular cAMP. Clone RCB 2.2, which was originally responsive to PTH but not PGE2, maintained this characteristic throughout 14 mo of culture, after which PTH responsiveness was gradually lost and a concomitant increase in responsiveness to PGE2 was observed. Subsequently, PGE2 responsiveness was also lost; however, continued response to IPT indicated the presence of a hormone-sensitive adenylate cyclase. A similar pattern of hormone responsiveness was observed when a number of frozen stocks of RCB 2.2 cells were thawed and the cells were again maintained in continuous culture. That this pattern of phenotypic change was not unique to clone RCB 2.2 was verified by assessing the hormone responses in other independently selected clones. Although the precise time sequence for hormone response changes was not constant, in all cases the pattern of hormone response changes was similar: i.e., PTH response was always lost and PGE2 response often first increased and then also was lost, despite the maintenance of response to IPT. These data indicate that clonal hormone-responsive populations can reproducibly give rise to unresponsive populations in an ordered series of phenotypic changes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of sodium butyrate on the retinoic acid-induced changes in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors in tumorigenic and nontumorigenic bone derived cell lines

Retinoic acid has previously been shown to alter 1-25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] receptors in tumorigenic (ROS 17/2A, UMR 106M) and nontumorigenic (RCJ 1.20) bone-derived cells. The mechanism of this regulation is unclear. In the present series of experiments, we have investigated the mechanism of the retinoic acid-induced increase in 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors by studying the effects of sodium butyrate on this process. In ROS 17/2A rat osteosarcoma cells, retinoic acid induced a 2-4-fold increase in 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors in proliferating cells but only a 1.5- to 2-fold increase in nonproliferating cells. The retinoic acid-induced increase in 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors in proliferating ROS 17/2A cells was inhibited by sodium butyrate, but sodium butyrate had no effect on the retinoic acid-induced increase in 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors in nonproliferating cells. Pretreatment with hydroxyurea of low density cells decreased the effect of retinoic acid, and abolished the sodium butyrate inhibition, indicating that the differing effects of retinoic acid in high and low density cells are related to cell proliferation and not to cell density or time of exposure to retinoic acid. In low density UMR 106M cells, the effects of retinoic acid and sodium butyrate on the number of 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors were similar to those in ROS 17/2A cells. However, in RCJ 1.20 cells, a nontumorigenic cell line with some of the characteristics normally attributed to osteoblasts, the effects of retinoic acid and sodium butyrate were opposite: retinoic acid caused a decrease in the number of 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors, which was inhibited by sodium butyrate. The possibility that the different responses observed between the two osteosarcoma cell lines and the RCJ 1.20 cells constitute differences in response pattern between tumorigenic and nontumorigenic cell lines is of interest, but requires further experimentation to verify.

Differentiation of muscle, fat, cartilage, and bone from progenitor cells present in a bone-derived clonal cell population: effect of dexamethasone

RCJ 3.1, a clonally derived cell population isolated from 21-d fetal rat calvaria, expresses the osteoblast-associated characteristics of polygonal morphology, a cAMP response to parathyroid hormone, synthesis of predominantly type I collagen, and the presence of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-regulated alkaline phosphatase activity. When cultured in the presence of ascorbic acid, sodium beta-glycerophosphate, and the synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone, this clone differentiated in a time-dependent manner into four morphologically distinct phenotypes of known mesenchymal origin. Multinucleated muscle cells were observed as early as 9-10 d in culture, lipid-containing adipocytes formed after 12 d, chondrocyte nodules were observed after 16 d, and mineralized bone nodules formed after 21 d in culture. The differentiated cell types were characterized morphologically, histochemically, and immunohistochemically. The formation of adipocytes and chondrocytes was dependent upon the addition of dexamethasone; the muscle and bone phenotypes were also expressed at low frequency in the absence of dexamethasone. The sex steroid hormones progesterone and 17 beta-estradiol had no effect on differentiation in this system, suggesting that the effects of dexamethasone represent effects specific for glucocorticosteroids. Increasing concentrations of dexamethasone (10(-9)-10(-6) M) increased the numbers of myotubes, adipocytes, and chondrocytes; however, when present continuously for 35 d, the lower concentrations appeared to better maintain the muscle and adipocyte phenotypes. Bone nodules were not quantitated because the frequency of bone nodule formation was too low. Single cells obtained by plating RCJ 3.1 cells at limiting dilutions in the presence of dexamethasone, were shown to give rise to subclones that could differentiate into either single or multiple phenotypes. Thus, the data suggest that this clonal cell line contains subpopulations of mesenchymal progenitor cells which can, under the influence of glucocorticoid hormones, differentiate in vitro into four distinct cell types. It is, therefore, a unique cell line which will be of great use in the study of the regulation of mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.

Osteoclastic bone resorption: in vitro analysis of the rate of resorption and migration of individual osteoclasts

Osteoclasts isolated from the long bones of newborn rabbits were cultured on translucent devitalized bone slices and observed by phase-contrast time-lapse cinemicrography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This has allowed us to measure the rate of resorption and the rate of migration of individual osteoclasts. Our films show that osteoclasts do not resorb while migrating. When the osteoclastic resorption areas, which are easily recognizable with phase-contrast microscopy as areas delineated by refractile lines, were observed by SEM, such areas appeared as excavated areas lined with a network of collagen fibrils. The rate of migration was calculated using time lapse recordings, and varied from 30 micron/hr to 248 micron/hr, with a mean +/- SEM of 105 +/- 10 micron/hr. The rate of resorption by individual osteoclasts was calculated using both time lapse and SEM data, and varied from 43 micron 3/hr to 1225 micron 3/hr with a mean +/- SEM of 390 +/- 109 micron 3/hr. Additional observations indicated not only that the same osteoclast can resorb at a different rate at different times without any definable alteration of the culture conditions, but also that the same osteoclast can simultaneously resorb two lacunae at different rates. These observations provide, for the first time, data on the rate of resorption and the rate of migration of individual osteoclasts on a bone substratum.

Physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids stimulate formation of bone nodules from isolated rat calvaria cells in vitro

Isolated rat calvaria cells plated at low density in medium supplemented with ascorbic acid and organic phosphate form discrete three-dimensional mineralized nodules having the characteristics of bone. We have studied the effects of glucocorticoids on the formation of bone nodules by these cell populations. Cells isolated from 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria were maintained in vitro for up to 27 days. Dexamethasone (Dex) induced a dose-related increase in the number of nodules formed, with a peak at 10 nM and a half-maximal response at about 1 nM. Dex (10 nM) also significantly increased the size of bone nodules formed (P less than 0.002). High concentrations of Dex (1 microM) did not increase nodule number. In cells in primary culture maintained in medium containing 10 nM Dex, the increase in nodule number was 50-100% over the control value. The effect of Dex was much greater in first subculture cells, where the number of nodules was 600-800% higher than the control value. Dishes collected and quantitated from 12-27 days showed that nodule formation ceased between 15 and 18 days in cultures without Dex, whereas in the presence of Dex the number of nodules increased up to 27 days. Addition of 10 nM Dex only during specific periods resulted in significantly more nodules than in control cultures, but significantly fewer nodules than in cultures constantly exposed to Dex. Cell population doubling times during log phase growth were unaltered, but a significant increase in saturation density (P less than 0.001) was observed with 10 nM Dex. Hydrocortisone also caused an increase in the number of nodules formed, with a maximal effect of 50 nM and a half-maximal response at 8 nM. The results indicate that physiological levels of glucocorticoids stimulate bone nodule formation in long term cell culture by increasing the number of cells forming bone nodules and that maximization of the stimulatory effect of glucocorticoids on bone formation may require constant exposure to low levels of the hormone.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 increases epidermal growth factor receptors and transforming growth factor beta-like activity in a bone-derived cell line

To investigate possible mechanisms through which 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) affects cell proliferation and differentiation, we have studied the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on the binding and mitogenic activity of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in RCJ 1.20 cells, an established, non-tumorigenic cell line derived from 21-day-old fetal rat calvaria. 1,25-(OH)2D3 caused a dose- and time-dependent 2- to 3-fold increase in the number of receptors for EGF. The 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 metabolites of vitamin D3 were ineffective in eliciting changes in EGF binding. Saturation and Scatchard analyses indicated that an increase in available unoccupied high affinity EGF binding sites was responsible for the 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced EGF binding. In addition, 1,25-(OH)2D3 enhanced EGF-dependent growth of RCJ 1.20 cells in soft agar. The potentiation of EGF effects on RCJ 1.20 cell growth by 1,25-(OH)2D3 may be related to the 1,25-(OH)2D3 regulation of EGF binding. However, the induction of anchorage-independent growth by 1,25-(OH)2D3 appears to be due to the stimulation of transforming growth factor beta-like activity. These results provide a possible explanation for the mechanism whereby the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 on cell proliferation and bone metabolism may be mediated.

Retinoic acid-induced changes in 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor levels in tumor and nontumor cells derived from rat bone

The inducibility of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] binding by all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) was examined in tumor-derived clonal bone cell lines, in established clonal cell lines derived from normal embryonic bone, and in cultured bone cell populations freshly isolated from 18- and 21-day fetal and 5-day-old neonatal rat calvaria. Levels of 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding were determined using a single saturating dose (84 pM) of 3H-labeled 1,25-(OH)2D3. Bone-derived tumor cell lines (ROS 17/2.8, ROS 17/2, RCJ 3.2T.1, RCJ 3.2.4.1CAM, RCJ 3.2CE2.1) possessed high basal levels of binding and showed increases in 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding after culture for 24 hours in the presence of 10(-5) M RA. The non-tumor-derived established bone cell lines (RCB 2.2A, RCB 2.2B, RCB 2.2C, RCB 2.2D) showed low basal 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding levels and no change in response to RA, while first subcultures of bone cell populations derived from fetal and neonatal rat calvaria showed decreased 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding, following similar treatment with RA. In representative cell populations, the dose dependency of the RA effect was established. The observed differences in response to RA in the cell lines tested seem to be dependent on whether the cells originated from normal or tumor tissue.

Modulation by retinoic acid of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 effects on alkaline phosphatase activity and parathyroid hormone responsiveness in an osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line

Based on the finding that retinoic acid (RA) increases 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3] receptor number in ROS 17/2 cells, we investigated the effects of RA on the ability of 1,25-(OH)2D3 to regulate alkaline phosphatase activity and PTH-responsive adenylate cyclase in these cells. A maximally effective dose of 1,25-(OH)2D3 (10(-8) M) caused a 75-80% increase in alkaline phosphatase activity and an approximately 70-75% attenuation of the cAMP response to PTH, while RA (10(-6) M) decreased alkaline phosphatase activity by 30-45% and decreased PTH-stimulated cAMP levels by approximately 20%. Preincubation with RA did not enhance the 1,25-(OH)2D3-induced increases in alkaline phosphatase activity. The ED50 values for control and RA-treated cultures were approximately 8 X 10(-10) M and 6 X 10(-10) M, respectively. With regard to PTH responsiveness, the effects of RA preincubation on the 1,25-(OH)2D3 attenuation of cAMP response varied with the concentration of 1,25-(OH)2D3. At low doses (less than 10(-9) M), the effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3 and RA were additive. At higher doses of 1,25-(OH)2D3, the effects of RA and 1,25-(OH)2D3 were not additive, and there were no differences between control- and RA-treated cultures. The ED50 values for control- and RA-treated cultures were 10(-10) M and 3 X 10(-11) M, respectively. None of the above effects were observed using equimolar doses of the vitamin D3 metabolites 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. The data show that pretreating ROS 17/2A cells with RA to increase 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors does not correspond with a concomitant increase in the cellular responsiveness to 1,25-(OH)2D3, as measured by increases in alkaline phosphatase activity and decreases in PTH-responsive adenylate cyclase.

Electrophysiological responses of osteoclasts to hormones

Electrophysiological measurements were carried out on osteoclasts in vitro. Such isolated osteoclasts are able to resorb bone in vitro and contract in response to calcitonin (CT). Our measurements show that individual osteoclasts respond to CT with a significant transient hyperpolarization of membrane potential. Application of parathyroid hormone (PTH) and dibutyryl cAMP produced a transient hyperpolarization in some osteoclasts. Measurements on an osteoblastlike line (ROS 17/2.8) showed a sustained hyperpolarizing response to CT, which is similar to but smaller than the hyperpolarizing response to PTH and dibutyryl cAMP in this and some other osteoblastlike lines. In contrast to osteoblastlike cells, the osteoclasts have no long term membrane potential response to CT, to PTH, or to dibutyryl cAMP. These results show that there are distinct differences between osteoclasts and osteoblasts in their ion transport responses to hormones.

Dexamethasone inhibits formation of osteoclast-like cells in bone-marrow cultures

Our observations confirm the previously reported observation that multinucleated cells develop within a two-week period in cat bone-marrow cultures. Calcitonin induces cytoplasmic contraction in these multinucleated cells, which indicates that they resemble osteoclasts. After seven days of culture, cat bone-marrow cultures contain both non-attached mononuclear cells and attached mononuclear and polynuclear cells. We have cultured the attached and non-attached cell populations separately from day 7 onward and have observed the appearance of multinucleated cells in both culture systems. In both types of cultures, dexamethasone (10(-9)-10(-7) mol/L) reduced the number of multinucleated cells. This effect of dexamethasone was more rapid in the cultures derived from non-attached cells (seven days) than in cultures derived from attached cells (14 days), suggesting that two different mechanisms are involved. Dexamethasone had no effect on the survival of multinucleated cells already formed.

The effect of vitamin D on bone in vivo

The linear rate of bone mineral apposition (BMAR) was measured in vitamin D-deficient and vitamin D-sufficient adult rats before and during treatment with either 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3), 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25-(OH)2D3], or 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [24,25-(OH)2D3]. Dietary vitamin D restriction caused a fall in BMAR which began after 1 week and fell progressively to a value of 35-50% of control values by 4 weeks. The fall in BMAR was related to a fall in the serum concentrations of 25(OH)D3 and 24,25-(OH)2D3, without a fall in the 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentration. Dietary supplementation of the D-deficient animals with either 25OHD3 or 24,25-(OH)2D3 at doses of 200 ng/day restored BMAR. If vitamin D-deficient animals were thyroparathyroid-ectomized before supplementation with vitamin D metabolites, 24,25-(OH)2D3 administration was without effect on BMAR. The combined administration of PTH and 24,25-(OH)2D3 to such animals led to a restoration of the BMAR to normal. In vitamin D-sufficient animals, parathyroidectomy led to a 50% reduction in BMAR, which could be restored by treatment with PTH alone but not with 24,25-(OH)2D3. Simultaneous treatment of these animals with PTH and 24,25-(OH)2D3 led to a greater than normal increase in BMAR (130% of control) in these animals. These data support the concept that 24,25-(OH)2D3 has a role in the regulation of bone formation and/or mineralization, and demonstrate the interrelation between the effects of PTH and 24,25-(OH)2D3 on bone.

Differentiation of osteoid-producing cells in vitro: possible evidence for the requirement of a microenvironment

Periostea were dissected from 17-day-old chicken embryo calvariae, placed on millipore filters, and cultured on fluid media containing serum or on serum and plasma containing "plasma clots," in three ways: 1) with the osteogenic layer facing the filter, 2) with the osteogenic layer away from the filter, 3) folded such that the osteogenic layer was in apposition with itself within the fold. The cultures were studied histologically as well as biochemically. Periostea that were cultured folded showed differentiation of osteoblastlike cells after 2 days, and production of osteoid at day 4. Tissues cultured with the osteogenic layer away from the filter demonstrated similar osteoblastic differentiation and osteoid production. Both types of cultures exhibited an increase in histochemically detectable alkaline phosphatase activity over the 4 day culture period that was associated with osteoblasts and the osteogenic area. Periostea cultured with the osteogenic layer facing the filter produced no osteoid. In these cultures, histochemically detectable alkaline phosphatase activity decreased and virtually disappeared over the 4 day culture period. The possibility that the creation of a suitable micro-environment is required for osteodifferentiation in this culture system is discussed.

Mineralized bone nodules formed in vitro from enzymatically released rat calvaria cell populations

Single-cell suspensions obtained from sequential enzymatic digestions of fetal rat calvaria were grown in long-term culture in the presence of ascorbic acid, Na beta-glycerophosphate, and dexamethasone to determine the capacity of these populations to form mineralized bone. In cultures of osteoblastlike cells grown in the presence of ascorbic acid and beta-glycerophosphate or ascorbic acid alone, three-dimensional nodules (approximately 75 micron thick) covered by polygonal cells resembling osteoblasts could be detected 3 days after confluency. The nodules became macroscopic (up to 3 mm in diameter) after a further 3-4 days. Only in the presence of organic phosphate did they mineralize. Nodules did not develop without ascorbic acid in the medium. Dexamethasone caused a significant increase in the number of nodules. Histologically, nodules resembled woven bone and the cells covering the nodules stained strongly for alkaline phosphatase. Immunolabeling with specific antibodies demonstrated intense staining for type I collagen that was mineral-associated, a weaker staining for type III collagen and osteonectin, and undetectable staining for type II collagen. Nodules did not develop from population I and the number of nodules formed by populations II-V bore a linear relationship to the number of cells plated (r = .99). The results indicate that enzymatically released calvaria cells can form mineralized bone nodules in vitro in the presence of ascorbic acid and organic phosphate.

Dexamethasone stimulates osteogenesis in chick periosteum in vitro

Folded periosteal explants derived from 16-day-old chick embryo calvariae differentiate and form bone when cultured for 6 days in chemically defined, hormone-supplemented medium or on plasma clots. We studied the effect of dexamethasone on generation of cells with osteoblastic phenotype in such cultures. Bone cell phenotype was evaluated by determination of alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity. Cellular proliferation was assessed by measuring ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, [3H]thymidine uptake, and radioautography of cultures that had incorporated [3H]thymidine. Cultures were exposed to various medium concentrations of dexamethasone (10(-6) M, 10(-7) M, 10(-8) M) from the outset or from the second or fourth day of culture onwards. In cultures continuously exposed to dexamethasone and maintained in chemically defined media or on plasma clots, dexamethasone increased AP activity measured at day 6. This effect was maximal at 10(-7) M dexamethasone. Cultures exposed to dexamethasone after day 2 in culture also showed increased AP activity, but only in the cultures maintained on plasma clots. There was no stimulation of AP activity when dexamethasone was added at day 4 of culture with either medium, thus suggesting that the effect of glucocorticoids depends on the stage of differentiation of the cultures. In addition to AP stimulation, dexamethasone also stimulated ODC activity. Since ODC activity has been associated with mesenchymal cell proliferation, this suggested that dexamethasone stimulated the proliferation of similar cells in the cultured periostea. Measuring [3H]thymidine uptake in and performing autoradiography of control cultures and cultures treated with dexamethasone confirmed that stimulation of proliferation did occur and located this proliferation within the cell layer adjacent to the bone surface. These results demonstrate that dexamethasone stimulates in vitro osteogenesis, and that this effect appears to be mediated through stimulation of progenitor cell proliferation. In addition, our data indicate that factors in the clot medium modulate the responsiveness of the precursor cell population.

1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 causes an increase in the number of osteoclastlike cells in cat bone marrow cultures

The direct effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 upon osteoclast formation from precursor cells is still unknown. In the present experiments we have tested the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on the generation of osteoclastlike cells in cat bone marrow cultures. These cultures contain proliferating nonattached mononuclear cells and precursor cells that subsequently attach to the culture flask surface and then fuse to form multinucleated osteoclastlike cells. After 7 days of culture we separated the nonattached precursor cells from the attached cells and studied the effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-10) M - 10(-8) M) on multinucleated cell formation in these two cell populations. In cultures derived from the nonattached precursor cells, 7 days of treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-8) M) resulted in a 180% increase in the number of attached mononuclear cells and a 90% increase in the number of nuclei contained within multinucleated cells. These effects were dose-dependent. 1,25(OH)2D3 did not have a consistent effect on the number of nonattached precursor cells. In cultures derived from attached cells, 7 days of treatment with 1,25(OH)2D3 (10(-8) M) induced a 50% increase in the number of mononuclear attached cells and a 40% increase in the number of nuclei within polykaryons. The most likely explanation for these results is that 1,25(OH)2D3 promotes the differentiation and subsequent adhesion of nonattached precursor cells, stimulates proliferation of attached mononuclear precursor cells, and possibly stimulates fusion of these attached precursor cells.

Cytoskeleton rearrangements during calcitonin-induced changes in osteoclast motility in vitro

Although relatively little is known about osteoclastic degradation of bone, observations both in vivo and in tissue culture in vitro suggest that osteoclast motility is required. Osteoclasts with abundant motile activity and responsiveness to a bone-regulating hormone, calcitonin, have recently been isolated from rat femur and maintained in culture for short periods of time. Using indirect immunofluorescence with antibodies to tubulin and myosin and NBD-phallacidin staining for F-actin, we have studied cytoskeleton distributions in such osteoclasts, either untreated or treated with calcitonin. Untreated and unresponsive cells were well spread on the substratum and displayed striking motility in time-lapse cinematography. In these cells a fine network of microfilaments but no stress fibers could be seen. Ruffles, both at the cell periphery and on the dorsal cell surface, stained intensely for F-actin. In contrast, myosin staining appeared in a relatively diffuse dotty pattern that diminished toward the cell periphery and was absent from the ruffled borders. Microtubules labeled in a pattern similar to that typically seen in a variety of mononuclear cells with microtubules radiating from the perinuclear region toward the cell periphery. In cells that responded to calcitonin by ceasing motile activity and retracting cytoplasm, microtubules were not detectably altered. Both myosin and actin labeling, however, changed dramatically, with retraction fibers labeled brightly for actin but not for myosin. Early in cytoplasmic retraction, myosin stained most intensely as a ring at the cell periphery at the base of retraction fibers.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Subclone heterogeneity in a clonally-derived osteoblast-like cell line

To analyze the phenotypic diversity of a clonal rat osteosarcoma cell line (ROS 17/2) we have subcloned the cell line and characterized four subclones, ROS 17/2-A.II, A.III, A.V, and A.XIV. The subclones retained many of the characteristics of the parent clone that are considered typical of normal osteoblast-like cells; they responded to parathyroid hormone and isoproterenol, and had a negligible response to prostaglandin E2 as measured by their respective changes in cyclic AMP concentration. In addition up to a 75% decrease in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3) binding was observed over a four-fold increase in cell density. The morphologies of the subclones varied from spindle-shaped, fibroblast-like to cuboidal. Doubling times varied from 24 to 48 hours, and basal alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels differed by as much as 10 times over the initial 3 months in culture. After 6 months (approximately 100 PDL), the population doubling time of subclone A.XIV decreased from approximately 48 to approximately 20 hrs and there was a 2.5 to 3-fold increase in saturation density. This cell line was designated A.XIV.1 and was compared to a thawed sample from frozen stock of the original A.XIV isolate, designated A.XIV.2. These two populations, the parent cell line (ROS 17/2) and subclone A.V had similar growth properties, but differed with respect to changes in their alkaline phosphatase activity (AP) with time in culture: that is, all clones increased AP with time but there was a three to five-fold difference in their respective AP levels at various times in culture. All clones except A.V exhibited decreased AP activity upon reaching their saturation densities.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Retinoic acid stimulates 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 binding in rat osteosarcoma cells

Since several aspects of the effects of vitamin A and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) on bone metabolism are quite similar, we examined the possibility that vitamin A effects on bone were mediated through the regulation of cytosolic 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors. A clonal osteoblast-like cell line derived from rat osteosarcoma (ROS 17/2) was used as a model system. Vitamin A acid (retinoic acid) in concentrations ranging from 10(-8) to 10(-5) M was found to elicit a dose-dependent increase in 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding in these cells. This effect was maximal after 24 h, was independent of cell density, and was inhibited by actinomycin D (0.05-0.5 microgram/ml). The 1,25-(OH)2D3 binding macromolecule in cytosol preparations from both vehicle- and retinoic acid-treated cells had a sedimentation coefficient of 3.2 S and binding specificities for vitamin D3 metabolites in the order: 1,25-(OH)2D3 greater than 25-(OH)-D3 greater than 24,25-(OH)2D3. Sucrose density gradient analysis, vitamin D3 metabolite displacement studies, and saturation and Scatchard analyses all indicated that the specific increase in 1,25-(OH)2[3H]D3 binding in these cells was the result of a selective increase in the number of specific 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptors.

Proteoglycan synthesis and deposition in fetal rat bone

A pulse-labeling approach has been used to study proteoglycan metabolism in fetal rat bone. Pregnant rats were injected with [35S]sulfate and sacrificed 6, 24, or 48 h later. Fetal calvaria were dissected and extracted sequentially with 4 M guanidine hydrochloride and 4 M guanidine hydrochloride/0.5 M ( ethylenedinitrilo )tetraacetic acid (EDTA). With time after injection, the proportion of total incorporated radioactivity decreased in the guanidine pool (corresponding to nonmineralized bone and associated soft tissues) and increased in the guanidine/EDTA pool (mineralized bone). Chromatographic analysis of the proteoglycan species present in these pools after different labeling times indicated that three species of proteoglycan are synthesized in fetal rat calvaria. A large chondroitin sulfate (CS) proteoglycan and a smaller dermatan sulfate (DS) proteoglycan are located in the nonmineralized compartment. A CS proteoglycan similar in size to the DS proteoglycan is initially present in the nonmineralized bone but subsequently is located in the mineralized matrix. A fraction of the small CS proteoglycan is strongly associated with collagen.

Skeletal response in rats following the implantation of hypercalcemia-producing Leydig cell tumors

The effect of Rice H-500 Leydig cell tumor tissue on bone in rats was assessed by morphometric analysis and tetracycline labeling of the lower femoral metaphyses. The rats in which tumor was implanted showed hypercalcemia, increased osteoclastic bone resorption, inhibition of bone formation with reduction in the bone apposition rate, and a loss in trabecular volume compared with the control rats. There was no evidence of tumor metastasis to bone. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that the Leydig cell tumor secretes a humoral factor capable of causing systemic bone resorption.

Elimination of cross-reactivity to some component of erythrocytes in an antiserum to parathyroid hormone by absorption with fixed erythrocytes

Cross-reactivity to some component of rat erythrocytes with an antiserum to parathyroid hormone (anti-PTH) was detected in fixed demineralized sections of bone using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. The cross-reactivity was eliminated by the preabsorption of anti-PTH with fixed, washed rat erythrocytes. This technique provides an easy and rapid method with which to eliminate cross-reactivity to erythrocytes whenever such a situation is encountered in immunohistochemical procedures.

Immunohistochemical demonstration of parathyroid hormone binding to specific cell types in fixed rat bone tissue

Deparaffinized sections of fixed decalcified neonatal rat radii were incubated in bovine PTH (bPTH; 1-10 MRC units/ml) or in PTH-solvent. They were then stained for PTH by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method using guinea pig antiserum to bPTH and the substrate 3,3'-diaminobenzidine-H2O2. Staining caused by nonspecific binding of PTH to the bone matrix and the glass slides supporting the sections was eliminated completely by preincubation of the sections in 100% normal goat serum. Cross-reactivity of the antiserum to erythrocytes was eliminated by preabsorption of the antiserum with fixed rat erythrocytes. After the cross-reactivity of the anti-PTH antiserum to erythrocyte components and the nonspecific binding of PTH to bone matrix were eliminated, we were able to demonstrate intense staining over the cytoplasm of the osteoclasts in rat radii sections incubated with PTH. Less intense staining was observed over the osteocytes, periosteal osteoblasts, and, possibly, the endosteal osteoblasts. An explanation for this differential staining could be that osteoclasts have a greater receptor number and/or a greater receptor affinity for the bPTH than do osteocytes and osteoblasts. This study demonstrates that binding of PTH to bone tissue can be localized in all identifiable osteoclasts, osteocytes, and osteoblasts, and thus suggests that all three cell types can interact directly with PTH.

The recovery of hormone responsiveness in desensitized neonatal rat calvariae

Two issues were studied: the loss of hormone responsiveness during culture of neonatal rat calvariae under standard culture conditions and the recovery of hormone responsiveness in calvariae previously desensitized with PTH (2.5 U/ml), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2; 1 or 2.5 micrograms/ml), or salmon calcitonin (sCT; 100 mU/ml). Both of these issues were studied in the presence and absence of cortisol (10(-6) M). Culture of neonatal rat calvariae in medium without cortisol resulted in a significant decrease in cAMP responsiveness to PTH, PGE2, and sCT. The addition of cortisol to the culture medium: 1) maintained cAMP responsiveness to PTH at levels approximately 50% of the response of freshly dissected, uncultured calvariae, 2) increased cAMP responsiveness to PGE2 to 120% of the fresh response, and 3) enhanced the loss of cAMP responsiveness to sCT. With regard to the recovery of hormone responsiveness in calvariae previously desensitized with PTH, PGE2, or sCT and then cultured in medium with or without cortisol, the following observations were made. 1) PTH-desensitized calvariae required a 24-h culture period in cortisol to fully recover cAMP responsiveness to PTH. Without cortisol, the recovery was only partial. 2) PGE2-desensitized calvariae were fully recovered after a 24-h culture period in the presence or absence of cortisol. Further experiments indicated that recovery of PGE2-desensitized calvariae was complete after only 2 h of culture in cortisol. 3) sCT-desensitized calvariae did not regain responsiveness to sCT in the presence of cortisol, but partially recovered responsiveness in the absence of cortisol. These results indicate that the recovery of hormone responsiveness of bone in vitro after homologous desensitization with sCT, PTH, or PGE2 follows a distinct pattern for each hormone and suggest that different cellular mechanisms may be involved.

Isolation of three species of proteoglycan synthesized by cloned bone cells

Three proteoglycan fractions have been isolated from clonal populations of osteoblast-like cells derived from fetal rat calvaria. One of these is secreted into the culture medium, is of apparent Mr 350 000, and has a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) composition of 77% chondroitin sulfate (CS) and 20% dermatan sulfate (DS). The remaining two proteoglycan fractions are associated with the cell layer. One of these has an apparent molecular weight of approximately 250 000 and a GAG composition of 54% CS and 40% DS. Both this species and the secreted proteoglycan have GAG chains of Mr 25 000. The other cell-associated proteoglycan contains heparan sulfate (HS), is solubilized by detergents, and appears to be contaminated with a CS proteoglycan. This HS-containing species may be similar to plasma membrane proteoglycans that have been isolated from several other cell types. Rat calvarial clones also synthesize hyaluronic acid and a number of glycoproteins.

Preparation and properties of biologically active radioiodinated parathyroid hormone

A constant-current microelectrolytic radioiodination method was used to label bovine parathyroid hormone (BPTH) with 125I to an overall iodination ratio of 1:1 iodide atoms per PTH molecule. Such iodinated preparations were shown to be fully active in several bioassay systems: in vitro adenylate cyclase activation in rat renal and skeletal membranes, in vitro calcium release from rat calvaria, and the in vivo hypercalcemic response in chickens. Analysis by Sephadex G-15 chromatography after enzymatic digestion showed the radioiodine to be incorporated predominantly as monoiodotyrosine. Bioassay of iodinated preparations from which uniodinated hormone had been removed by isoelectric focusing showed essentially full hormonal activity. Such methods can be used to consistently produce radioiodinated biologically active preparations of BPTH 1-84 with high specific activity (2000 Ci/mmol).

A primary role for microfilaments, but not microtubules, in hormone-induced cytoplasmic retraction

The distributions of microfilaments and microtubules were studied during transient hormone-induced changes in cell shape (retraction-respreading). Two cell types (fibroblasts and bone cells), differentially responsive to parathyroid hormone (PTH) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), were analysed. The cytoplasm of fibroblasts retracted in response to PGE2 but not PTH, whereas bone cells could respond to both PGE2 and PTH. Time-lapse photomicrography indicated that the retraction began within minutes of hormone addition, while respreading occurred over longer times, up to 8 h. Affinity-purified actin and tubulin antibodies were used to follow the appearance of microtubules and microfilaments during both the retraction and the respreading phases. Microtubules appeared not to reorganize noticeably, although they were squeezed closer together in cellular pseudopods; no extensive loss or growth was detectable. Microfilaments did alter drastically their appearance and distributions. Soon after hormone addition when earliest detectable cytoplasmic retraction was evident, microfilament bundles appeared to break down. Remaining microfilament bundles consisted of relatively short, non-aligned fragments or aggregates. During respreading, microfilament bundles regrew and realigned throughout the cytoplasm. These data suggest a primary role for microfilaments, but probably not microtubules, in these cell shape changes.

Free and polymerized tubulin in cultured bone cells and Chinese hamster ovary cells: the influence of cold and hormones

Free and polymerized tubulin were measured in bone cells and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells cultured on plastic substrata. Polymerized tubulin was stabilized in a microtubule- stabilizing medium (MSM) containing 50 percent glycerol and separated from free tubulin by centrifugation. Tubulin content was assayed in both fractions by the colchicines- binding assay. The measured degree of polymerization in both bone cells and CHO cells varied with stabilixation conditions. The degree of polymerization in both bone cells and CHO cells varied with stabilization conditions. The degree of polymerization in both bone cells and CHO cells varied with stabilization conditions. The degree of polymerization in attached cells was found to increase up to 73 percent during the first 20 min after addition of the MSM at 24 degrees C, and remained constant thereafter. Stabilization of 0 degrees C resulted in a decrease down to 62 percent in the degree of constant thereafter. Stabilization at 0 degrees C resulted in a decrease down to 62 percent in the degree of polymerization during the first 20 min after addition of the MSM at 24 degrees C, and remained constant thereafter. Confluent bone cells maintained at 0 degrees C for 1 h before stabilization contained significantly less polymerized tubulin than control cells kept at 37 degrees C using stabilization both at 0 degrees C and at 24 degrees C. Changes in bone cell morphology induced by incubation of cells with prostaglandin E(1) or E(2), parthyroid hormone, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP were not associated with a change in the degree of tubulin polymerization. This was confirmed morphologically by immunofluorescence using affinity-purified tubulin antibodies: microtubules in hormone- treated cells were not noticeably reorganized when compared to microtubule organization in control cells. They were, however, squeezed closer together in cellular pseudopods due to the altered cell shape. This altered cell shape appears to be correlated with disorganization of the microfilament system, since microfilaments, detected using affinity-purified actin antibodies, did alter drastically their appearance and distribution after hormone addition.

Plasma vitamin D metabolite levels in phosphorus deficient rats during the development of vitamin D deficient rickets

Plasma levels of the vitamin D metabolites were related to changes in bone morphology during the development of rickets in rats deprived of phosphorus and vitamin D. Weanling rats were studied at 1, 3, and 5 wk after onset of diets deficient in phosphorus or in both phosphorus and vitamin D. Bone histology and morphometry were carried out and measurements were made of 45Ca and 32P absorption, serum Ca and P, and plasma 25(OH)D3, 24,25(OH)2D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3. After 1 wk of vitamin D restriction, the plasma levels of 25(OH)D3 and 24,25(OH)2D3 were non-detectable (less than 0.5 and less than 0.8 ng/ml). The plasma 1,25(OH)2D3 level was elevated at 1 wk (105.5 pg/ml) and fell to 19 pg/ml by 5 wk. At 1 wk mild rachitic lesions in epiphyseal cartilage were observed despite the elevated 1,25(Oh)D3 level. Serum Ca and P levels and values for 45CA and 32P absorption decreased and the severity of the rickets increased with the fall in plasma levels of 1,25(OH)2D3. In Vitamin D replete, phosphate deficient rats the epiphyseal cartilage was normal throughout the 5 wk study period. Our results provide further evidence that physiological levels of 1,25 (OH)2 D3 will not prevent rickets without adequate plasma concentrations of either 25(OH)D3 or 24,25(OH)2D3.

Isolation of bone cell clones with differences in growth, hormone responses, and extracellular matrix production

Clones of nontransformed hormone-responsive bone cells have been isolated in vitro from mixed cell populations of fetal rat calvaria. In several independent isolations, microscopically visible colonies appeared at plating efficiencies of 5-10% of the starting cell numbers. Of these clones, approximately 10% grew to mass populations which could be assayed for a number of growth and biochemical properties. Although some similarities existed among the clones, they could be distinguished from each other and from the mixed cell populations. Population-doubling times (tDs) and saturation densities varied over a wide range: e.g., tDs of 24-72 h and saturation densities of 0.4-5 x 10(5) cells/cm2. Morphologies varied from roughly polygonal multilayering cells to typically spindle-shaped monolayering cells. Hormone responsiveness, as measured by stimulation of cAMP by hormones, indicated that some clones were responsive to both parathyroid hormone (PTH) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), while others responded to PTH only. Analysis of extracellular matrix components revealed that all clones produced type I and type III collagens, though in different proportions. Similarly, although all clones synthesized four glycosaminoglycans (hyaluronic acid, heparan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and dermatan sulfate), the quantities of each were distinctive from clone to clone. Further investigation of such clones is continuing to define more precisely the heterogeneity of clonal bone cell populations in vitro. They represent an important step in the study of the endocrinology and differentiation of bone.

Parathyroid hormone stimulates the bone apposition rate independently of its resorptive action: differential effects of intermittent and continuous administration

The deposition of mineralized bone matrix by differentiated osteoblasts was studied in rats in vivo by labeling the bone with three doses of tetracycline given at 48-h intervals. Only bone formation loci bearing all three tetracycline doses were measured, thus eliminating sites where bone formation was not continuous during the labeling period. Using this technique, the effects of intact bovine parathyroid hormone [bPTH-(1-84)] and of a synthetic amino-terminal fragment of human PTH [hPTH-(1-34)] were measured in thyroparathyroidectomized animals. bPTH-(1-84), administered sc, and hPTH-(1-34), administered iv, caused a dose-dependent increase in the bone apposition. Subcutaneous administration of hPTH-(1-34) in doses varying from 2.7-173.0 pmol/rat.day had no effect, probably due to the degradation of the hormone when administered this way. We also compared the effects of bPTH-(1-84) when administered by either daily sc injections or continuous infusion. Continuous infusion of bPTH-(1-84) resulted in an increased apposition rate. Using a morphometric technique, we also found an increase in both formation and resorption surfaces and a net decrease in the trabecular bone volume in this group. Daily injection of the hormone caused an increase in the bone apposition rate, accompanied by an increase in the formation surface without an increase in the resorption surface. This resulted in a net increase in trabecular bone volume. The results thus suggest that the resorptive effects of bPTH-(1-84) can be separated from the effects of the hormone on the apposition rate.

The effect of vitamin D restriction and repletion on bone apposition in the rat and its dependence on parathyroid hormone

The regulatory role of vitamin D in bone formation and its interaction with parathyroid hormone (PTH) were analyzed in rats in vivo. The bone apposition rate was determined by measuring the distances between tetracycline lines deposited at 48-h intervals. Vitamin D restriction was associated with a decrease in the bone apposition rate and was paralleled by the expected decrease in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels but not by changes in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels. Vitamin D3 repletion restored the apposition rate to normal in parathyroid-intact animals but had no effect in parathyroidectomized animals. Vitamin D repletion of PTH-repleted parathyroidectomized animals restored the bone apposition rate. These results indicate that vitamin D or vitamin D metabolites are required for the expression of the effect of PTH on bone apposition. Conversely, vitamin D repletion only affects the bone formation rate in the presence of PTH, thus suggesting the requirement for PTH-dependent vitamin D metabolism.

Hypercalcemia with ovarian carcinoma: evidence of a pathogenetic role for prostaglandins

A 70-year-old white woman had a lower abdominal mass and hypercalcemia. Physical and radiologic evidence was found for the presence of nonmetastatic pelvic tumor. Biochemical tests confirmed the presence of hypercalcemia with evidence of active bone resorption. Plasma parathyroid hormone (PTH) and the nephrogenic urinary cyclic AMP excretion were low; levels of plasma prostaglandins were elevated. Bone biopsy revealed histologic evidence of extensive osteoclastic bone resorption. At operation, a papillary serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary was removed. Postoperatively, the serum calcium fell to normal, and plasma prostaglandins became undetectable. Short-term incubation of ovarian tumor fragments demonstrated the production by tumor tissue of a substance causing bone resorption in an in vitro bioassay. The production of this substance was blocked by indomethacin. Radioimmunoassay of the incubation medium revealed significant amounts of prostaglandins of the E + F series. Parathyroid hormone was not detected in the medium. These data implicate tumor-produced prostaglandins as mediators of the hypercalcemia in this patient.

Observations on the mechanism of bone resorption induced by multiple myeloma marrow culture fluids and partially purified osteoclast-activating factor

Supernatant fluids from the cultures of bone marrow cells from 10 of 12 patients with multiple myeloma (MM) caused bone resorption in organ cultures of fetal rat calvaria. In four patients, the marrow cells were cultured with and without indomethacin (1 muM). The supernatant fluids from indomethacintreated marrow cultures caused significantly less bone resorption than supernatant fluids of cell cultures without indomethacin. This inhibition of release of bone resorbing factor(s) by myeloma cultures is similar to the previously observed indomethacin-induced inhibition of osteoclast-activating factor (OAF) production by activated human leukocytes. None of the MM supernatants had any effect on cyclic (c)AMP accumulation in resorbing bone in vitro. Four separate preparations of partially purified OAF obtained from phytohemagglutinin-stimulated peripheral human leukocytes were tested for their ability (a) to cause bone resorption in organ cultures of fetal rat and neonatal mouse calvaria and (b) to cause accumulation of cAMP in rat and mouse skeletal tissue in vitro. Those dilutions of OAF that caused bone resorption had no effect on accumulation of cAMP in rat or mouse calvaria incubated in vitro. In addition, no stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in membranes prepared from fetal rat calvaria could be found. Bone cell populations isolated by sequential collagenase digestion of fetal rat calvaria also showed no cAMP response to these dilutions of OAF. Parathyroid hormone caused a clear response in all three systems. Furthermore, no cAMP response to OAF was observed in calvaria in the presence of cholera toxin (1 mug/ml) and isobutyl-methylxanthine (0.3 mM). These observations demonstrate that (a) supernatant fluids from MM marrow cultures stimulate bone resorption but do not increase cAMP accumulation in vitro; (b) indomethacin interferes with the release of bone resorbing factors by MM bone marrow cultures suggesting that this process requires prostaglandins; and (c) Sephadex G100 or G75 purified OAF does not stimulate adenylate cyclase or increase cAMP accumulation at equivalent bone resorbing concentrations in rat and mouse skeletal tissue. The resorptive action of MM culture fluids is similar to that of partially purified OAF from activated cultured leukocytes, but different from those of other bone resorbing factors, parathyroid hormone and prostaglandin E(2), which stimulate cAMP production in skeletal tissue.

The effect of imidazole-analogues on bone resorption in vitro: a suggested role for thromboxane A2

The effects of imidazole, 1-methyl-imidazole and benzimidazole on bone metabolism in vitro were investigated. The relative potencies of these compounds with respect to the inhibition of bone resorption was found to be comparable to their relative effectiveness as inhibitors of platelet microsome thromboxane synthetase activity. Since studies by others have shown that thromboxanes are produced by resorbing bone in vitro, these results suggest that the inhibition of bone resorption by imidazole is related to the inhibition of thromboxane A2 formation. This could imply that thromboxane A2 is an additional arachidonic acid oxidation product that is of importance in the regulation of bone metabolism.

Specific immunohistochemical localization of type III collagen in porcine periodontal tissues using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method

Specific antibodies to porcine gingival type III collagen were raised in sheep. After purification on collagen affinity columns the antibodies were used for immunohistochemical localization of type III collagen in porcine periodontal and dental tissues employing the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) procedure. The extent of staining of the periodontal tissues was found to approximate the amount of type III collagen measured biochemically. A fairly uniform distribution of type III collagen was observed in the periodontal ligament and gingiva with more intense staining often being associated with blood vessels. A regular pattern of weakly staining fibers could be demonstrated throughout the cementum and in parts of the alveolar bone tissue. In addition, occasional sites in the cementum having a different morphological appearance from the rest of the cementum exhibited bundles of positively stained fibers. Although the bone tissue was essentially unstained, fibers in the endosteal spaces stained strongly. Sharpey's fibers passing from the soft connective tissues into alveolar bone and cementum also stained strongly. Three distinct arrangements of collagen fibers stained by the type III collagen antibodies could be identified: first, a reticular pattern, which was seen at the junction of the gingival epithelium and connective tissue, and in the endosteal spaces and dental pulp; second, a more diffuse pattern of fibers intermingled with type I collagen in the soft connective tissues; and third, a coating of some Sharpey's fibers, having a core believed to be type I collagen, and of fibers in the cementum inclusions.

The effect of 17 beta-estradiol on collagen and noncollagenous protein synthesis in the uterus and some periodontal tissues

The effect of a single dose of 17 beta-estradiol on collagen metabolism in the uterus and various oral tissues was determined in ovariectomized nulliparous rats. Eight days after ovariectomy, 200-g rats were given 100 micrograms estradiol ip. Forty hours later, 2 mCi [3H]proline were administered by ip injection, and the animals were killed 2 h later. The specific radioactivities of hydroxyproline and proline in both salt-soluble and salt-insoluble proteins were used as a measure of collagen and noncollagenous protein metabolism. Estradiol was found to induce a 2-fold increase in the specific radioactivity of newly synthesized collagen and an 8-fold increase in the specific radioactivity of the insoluble collagen in the uterus. The discrepancy between these results could be largely accounted for by a 2- to 3-fold increase in the size of the newly synthesized collagen pool. Stimulation of noncollagenous protein synthesis was also observed. The total collagen content of the uterus was not significantly altered in estradiol-treated animals, suggesting that estradiol stimulates both the synthesis and degradation of collagen. Using [14C]glycine as a precursor, the nature of the collagens synthesized in the uterus was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography. Estradiol was found to stimulate the synthesis of both type I and type III collagens, but no change in the pattern of procollagen conversion could be discerned. In contrast to the uterine tissues, the only significant effect of estradiol on protein metabolism in the oral tissues was a decrease in the newly synthesized collagen specific radioactivity in the molar periodontal ligament.

The effect of cortisol on the adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate response to parathyroid hormone of bone in vitro

Newborn rat calvariae, cultured for 24 h in the presence of cortisol (10(-6) M) have a cAMP response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) about twice as high as calvariae cultured in a control medium. This effect of cortisol is dose related; a maximal effect is evident at 10(-6) M, while none is detectable at 10(-9) M or less. With 10(-6) M estradiol, progesterone, or cholesterol, no effect on cAMP responsiveness is observed. This indicates that the effect observed with cortisol is specific. The effect of cortisol is more pronounced when isobutyl-methylxanthine (10(-4) M) is present during the subsequent incubation with PTH. Preincubation of the tissue with cortisol for 30 min before the addition of PTH has no effect. Similarly, when cortisol is added in conjunction with PTH, no effect is found. In no case did cortisol (10(-6) M) alter the time course of the PTH-induced cAMP effect when compared to the response of fresh calvariae. The results indicate that corticosteroids have an important function in maintaining cAMP responsiveness of bone to PTH in vitro.

Specific immunohistochemical localization of type I collagen in porcine periodontal tissues using the peroxidase-labelled antibody technique

Antibody against Type I collagen was raised in rabbits and purified by immunoadsorption on Sepharose-conjugated Types I and III collagen. The cross-reactivity of purified antibody to Type III collagen was found to be less than 0.5% by passive haemagglutination and less than 1.5% by radioimmunoassay. When paraffin sections of fixed and decalcified pig molars were incubated with purified antibody to Type I collagen, varying degrees of staining were observed in the ligament, gingiva, bone and cementum. The periodontal ligament adjacent to bone was more widely stained than that adjacent to cementum in some regions, whereas in others, no difference in staining could be discerned between the two halves of the ligament. The lamina propria of gingiva was stained, and this appeared to be most intense in the vicinity of the overlying epithelium. The fibrous component in the endosteal spaces, the dentine and the extracellular coronal elements in the pulp were generally stained. The impression obtained from the staining pattern is that Type I collagen is not restricted to particular regions of the periodontal ligament or the lamina propria of the gingiva.