In situ intracellular calcium oscillations in osteocytes in intact mouse long bones under dynamic mechanical loading

Static Preload Inhibits Loading-Induced Bone Formation

Nearly all exogenous loading models of bone adaptation apply dynamic loading superimposed upon a time invariant static preload (SPL) in order to ensure stable, reproducible loading of bone. Given that SPL may alter aspects of bone mechanotransduction (eg, interstitial fluid flow), we hypothesized that SPL inhibits bone formation induced by dynamic loading. As a first test of this hypothesis, we utilized a newly developed device that enables stable dynamic loading of the murine tibia with SPLs ≥ -0.01 N. We subjected the right tibias of BALB/c mice (4-month-old females) to dynamic loading (-3.8 N, 1 Hz, 50 cycles/day, 10 s rest) superimposed upon one of three SPLs: -1.5 N, -0.5 N, or -0.03 N. Mice underwent exogenous loading 3 days/week for 3 weeks. Metaphyseal trabecular bone adaptation (μCT) and midshaft cortical bone formation (dynamic histomorphometry) were assessed following euthanasia (day 22). Ipsilateral tibias of mice loaded with a -1.5-N SPL demonstrated significantly less trabecular bone volume/total volume (BV/TV) than contralateral tibias (-12.9%). In contrast, the same dynamic loading superimposed on a -0.03-N SPL significantly elevated BV/TV versus contralateral tibias (12.3%) and versus the ipsilateral tibias of the other SPL groups (-0.5 N: 46.3%, -1.5 N: 37.2%). At the midshaft, the periosteal bone formation rate (p.BFR) induced when dynamic loading was superimposed on -1.5-N and -0.5-N SPLs was significantly amplified in the -0.03-N SPL group (>200%). These data demonstrate that bone anabolism induced by dynamic loading is markedly inhibited by SPL magnitudes commonly implemented in the literature (ie, -0.5 N, -1.5 N). The inhibitory impact of SPL has not been recognized in bone adaptation models and, as such, SPLs have been neither universally reported nor standardized. Our study therefore identifies a previously unrecognized, potent inhibitor of mechanoresponsiveness that has potentially confounded studies of bone adaptation and translation of insights from our field. © 2018 The Authors. JBMR Plus Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Analysis of Ca2+ response of osteocyte network by three-dimensional time-lapse imaging in living bone

Osteocytes form a three-dimensional (3D) cellular network within the mineralized bone matrix. The cellular network has important roles in mechanosensation and mechanotransduction related to bone homeostasis. We visualized the embedded osteocyte network in chick calvariae and observed the flow-induced Ca²⁺ signaling in osteocytes using 3D time-lapse imaging. In response to the flow, intracellular Ca²⁺ ([Ca²⁺]_i) significantly increased in developmentally mature osteocytes in comparison with young osteocytes in the bone matrix. To investigate the differences in response between young and developmentally mature osteocytes in detail, we evaluated the expression of osteocyte-related genes using the osteocyte-like cell line MLO-Y4, which was 3D-cultured within type I collagen gels. We found that the c-Fos, Cx43, Panx3, Col1a1, and OCN mRNA levels significantly increased on day 15 in comparison with day 7. These findings indicate that developmentally mature osteocytes are more responsive to mechanical stress than young osteocytes and have important functions in bone formation and remodeling.

Mechanical Stimuli in the Local In Vivo Environment in Bone: Computational Approaches Linking Organ-Scale Loads to Cellular Signals

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Connecting organ-scale loads to cellular signals in their local in vivo environment is a current challenge in the field of bone (re)modelling. Understanding this critical missing link would greatly improve our ability to anticipate mechanotransduction during different modes of stimuli and the resultant cellular responses. This review characterises computational approaches that could enable coupling links across the multiple scales of bone.

RECENT FINDINGS

Current approaches using strain and fluid shear stress concepts have begun to link organ-scale loads to cellular signals; however, these approaches fail to capture localised micro-structural heterogeneities. Furthermore, models that incorporate downstream communication from osteocytes to osteoclasts, bone-lining cells and osteoblasts, will help improve the understanding of (re)modelling activities. Incorporating this potentially key information in the local in vivo environment will aid in developing multiscale models of mechanotransduction that can predict or help describe resultant biological events related to bone (re)modelling. Progress towards multiscale determination of the cell mechanical environment from organ-scale loads remains elusive. Construction of organ-, tissue- and cell-scale computational models that include localised environmental variation, strain amplification and intercellular communication mechanisms will ultimately help couple the hierarchal levels of bone.

Mechanically induced Ca2+ oscillations in osteocytes release extracellular vesicles and enhance bone formation

The vast osteocytic network is believed to orchestrate bone metabolic activity in response to mechanical stimuli through production of sclerostin, RANKL, and osteoprotegerin (OPG). However, the mechanisms of osteocyte mechanotransduction remain poorly understood. We've previously shown that osteocyte mechanosensitivity is encoded through unique intracellular calcium (Ca2+) dynamics. Here, by simultaneously monitoring Ca2+ and actin dynamics in single cells exposed to fluid shear flow, we detected actin network contractions immediately upon onset of flow-induced Ca2+ transients, which were facilitated by smooth muscle myosin and further confirmed in native osteocytes ex vivo. Actomyosin contractions have been linked to the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs), and our studies demonstrate that mechanical stimulation upregulates EV production in osteocytes through immunostaining for the secretory vesicle marker Lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1) and quantifying EV release in conditioned medium, both of which are blunted when Ca2+ signaling was inhibited by neomycin. Axial tibia compression was used to induce anabolic bone formation responses in mice, revealing upregulated LAMP1 and expected downregulation of sclerostin in vivo. This load-related increase in LAMP1 expression was inhibited in neomycin-injected mice compared to vehicle. Micro-computed tomography revealed significant load-related increases in both trabecular bone volume fraction and cortical thickness after two weeks of loading, which were blunted by neomycin treatment. In summary, we found mechanical stimulation of osteocytes activates Ca2+-dependent contractions and enhances the production and release of EVs containing bone regulatory proteins. Further, blocking Ca2+ signaling significantly attenuates adaptation to mechanical loading in vivo, suggesting a critical role for Ca2+-mediated signaling in bone adaptation.

Microfluidics approach to investigate the role of dynamic similitude in osteocyte mechanobiology

Fluid flow is an important regulator of cell function and metabolism in many tissues. Fluid shear stresses have been used to level the mechanical stimuli applied in vitro with what occurs in vivo. However, these experiments often lack dynamic similarity, which is necessary to ensure the validity of the model. For interstitial fluid flow, the major requirement for dynamic similarity is the Reynolds number (Re), the ratio of inertial to viscous forces, is the same between the system and model. To study the necessity of dynamic similarity for cell mechanotransduction studies, we investigated the response of osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells to different Re flows at the same level of fluid shear stress. Osteocytes were chosen for this study as flows applied in vitro and in vivo have Re that are orders of magnitude different. We hypothesize that osteocytes' response to fluid flow is Re dependent. We observed that cells exposed to lower and higher Re flows developed rounded and triangular morphologies, respectively. Lower Re flows also reduced apoptosis rates compared to higher Re flows. Furthermore, MLO-Y4 cells exposed to higher Re flows had stronger calcium responses compared to lower Re flows. However, by also controlling for flow rate, the lower Re flows induced a stronger calcium response; while degradation of components of the osteocyte glycocalyx reversed this effect. This work suggests that osteocytes are highly sensitive to differences in Re, independent of just shear stresses, supporting the need for improved in vitro flow platforms that better recapitulate the physiological environment. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:663-671, 2018.

Evaluation of loading parameters for murine axial tibial loading: Stimulating cortical bone formation while reducing loading duration

Classic studies in bone mechanobiology have established the importance of loading parameters on the anabolic response. Most of these early studies were done using loading methods not currently in favor, and using non-murine species. Our objective was to re-examine the effects of several loading parameters on the response of cortical bone using the contemporary murine axial tibial compression model. We subjected tibias of 5-month old, female C57Bl/6 mice to cyclic (4 Hz) mechanical loading and examined bone formation responses using dynamic and static histomorphometry. First, using a reference protocol of 1,200 cycles/day, 5 days/week for 2 weeks, we confirmed the significant influence of peak strain magnitude on periosteal mineralizing surface (Ps.MS/BS) and bone formation rate (Ps.BFR/BS) (p < 0.05, ANOVA). There was a significant induction of periosteal lamellar bone at a lower threshold of approx. -1,000 μϵ and a transition from lamellar-woven bone near -2,000 μϵ. In contrast, on the endocortical surface, bone formation indices did not exhibit a load magnitude-dependent response and no incidence of woven bone. Next, we found that reducing daily cycle number from 1,200 to 300 to 60 did not diminish the bone formation response (p > 0.05). On the other hand, reducing the daily frequency of loading from 5 consecutive days/week to 3 alternate days/week significantly diminished the periosteal response, from a loading-induced increase in Ps.MS/BS of 38% (loaded vs. control) for 5 days/week to only 15% for 3 days/week (p < 0.05). Finally, we determined that reducing the study duration from 2 to 1 weeks of loading did not affect bone formation outcomes. In conclusion, cyclic loading to -1,800 μϵ peak strain, at 4 Hz and 60 cycles/day for 5 consecutive days (1 week) induces an increase in periosteal lamellar bone formation with minimal incidence of woven bone in 5-month-old C57Bl/6 female mice. Our results provide a basis for reduction of loading duration (daily cycles and study length) without loss of anabolic effect as measured by dynamic histomorphometry. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:682-691, 2018.

Ex vivo replication of phenotypic functions of osteocytes through biomimetic 3D bone tissue construction

Osteocytes, residing as 3-dimensionally (3D) networked cells in bone, are well known to regulate bone and mineral homeostasis and have been recently implicated to interact with cancer cells to influence the progression of bone metastases. In this study, a bone tissue consisting of 3D-networked primary human osteocytes and MLO-A5 cells was constructed using: (1) the biomimetic close-packed assembly of 20-25μm microbeads with primary cells isolated from human bone samples and MLO-A5 cells and (2) subsequent perfusion culture in a microfluidic device. With this 3D tissue construction approach, we replicated ex vivo, for the first time, the mechanotransduction function of human primary osteocytes and MLO-A5 cells by correlating the effects of cyclic compression on down-regulated SOST and DKK1 expressions. Also, as an example of using our ex vivo model to evaluate therapeutic agents, we confirmed previously reported findings that parathyroid hormone (PTH) decreases SOST and increases the ratio of RANKL and OPG. In comparison to other in vitro models, our ex vivo model: (1) replicates the cell density, phenotype, and functions of primary human osteocytes and MLO-A5 cells and (2) thus provides a clinically relevant means of studying bone diseases and metastases.

Map and correlate intracellular calcium response and matrix deposition in cartilage under physiological oxygen tensions

Face to the limited repair capability of cartilage, we intended to find out signaling responsible for its matrix synthesis. Since spontaneous calcium response likes a label of cell status, here it was mapped in fresh and 24 hr cultured in situ chondrocytes under oxygen tensions of 20%, 5%, and 1% as well as mimic hypoxia conditions. The calcium source was traced using ethylene glycol-bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) and thapsigargin (TG) to treat cartilage. Their relative matrix of type II collagen (COLL-II) and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) were quantified after cultured for 3 and 7 days. We disclosed the specific fingerprint of calcium response and matrix deposition along the histological zones under various oxygen tensions, from which the effects of hyperoxia, normoxia, and hypoxia conditions on as well as the optimal oxygen tensions for maintenance of various zones of cartilage or chondrocytes were derived and obtained. Our results revealed that cytoplasm calcium was conducive to synthesize COLL-II but detrimental to synthesize GAG. These results provide correlation in addition to details of intracellular calcium response and matrix deposition in in situ cartilage along its histological zones under physiological oxygen tensions.

Microtubules tune mechanotransduction through NOX2 and TRPV4 to decrease sclerostin abundance in osteocytes

The adaptation of the skeleton to its mechanical environment is orchestrated by mechanosensitive osteocytes, largely by regulating the abundance of sclerostin, a secreted inhibitor of bone formation. We defined a microtubule-dependent mechanotransduction pathway that linked fluid shear stress to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium (Ca²⁺) signals that led to a reduction in sclerostin abundance in cultured osteocytes. We demonstrated that microtubules stabilized by detyrosination, a reversible posttranslational modification of polymerized α-tubulin, determined the stiffness of the cytoskeleton, which set the mechanoresponsive range of cultured osteocytes to fluid shear stress. We showed that fluid shear stress through the microtubule network activated NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2)-generated ROS that target the Ca²⁺ channel TRPV4 to elicit Ca²⁺ influx. Furthermore, tuning the abundance of detyrosinated tubulin affected cytoskeletal stiffness to define the mechanoresponsive range of cultured osteocytes to fluid shear stress. Finally, we demonstrated that NOX2-ROS elicited Ca²⁺ signals that activated the kinase CaMKII to decrease the abundance of sclerostin protein. Together, these discoveries may identify potentially druggable targets for regulating osteocyte mechanotransduction to affect bone quality.

Degeneration of the osteocyte network in the C57BL/6 mouse model of aging

Age-related bone loss and associated fracture risk are major problems in musculoskeletal health. Osteocytes have emerged as key regulators of bone mass and as a therapeutic target for preventing bone loss. As aging is associated with changes in the osteocyte lacunocanalicular system, we focused on the responsible cellular mechanisms in osteocytes. Bone phenotypic analysis was performed in young-(5mo) and aged-(22mo) C57BL/6 mice and changes in bone structure/geometry correlated with alterations in osteocyte parameters determined using novel multiplexed-3D-confocal imaging techniques. Age-related bone changes analogous to those in humans were observed, including increased cortical diameter, decreased cortical thickness, reduced trabecular BV/TV and cortical porosities. This was associated with a dramatic reduction in osteocyte dendrite number and cell density, particularly in females, where osteocyte dendricity decreased linearly from 5, 12, 18 to 22mo and correlated significantly with cortical bone parameters. Reduced dendricity preceded decreased osteocyte number, suggesting dendrite loss may trigger loss of viability. Age-related degeneration of osteocyte networks may impair bone anabolic responses to loading and gender differences in osteocyte cell body and lacunar fluid volumes we observed in aged mice may lead to gender-related differences in mechanosensitivity. Therapies to preserve osteocyte dendricity and viability may be beneficial for bone health in aging.

Osteocyte calcium signals encode strain magnitude and loading frequency in vivo

Osteocytes are considered to be the major mechanosensory cells of bone, but how osteocytes in vivo process, perceive, and respond to mechanical loading remains poorly understood. Intracellular calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling resulting from mechanical stimulation has been widely studied in osteocytes in vitro and in bone explants, but has yet to be examined in vivo. This is achieved herein by using a three-point bending device which is capable of delivering well-defined mechanical loads to metatarsal bones of living mice while simultaneously monitoring the intracellular Ca²⁺ responses of individual osteocytes by using a genetically encoded fluorescent Ca²⁺ indicator. Osteocyte responses are imaged by using multiphoton fluorescence microscopy. We investigated the in vivo responses of osteocytes to strains ranging from 250 to 3,000 [Formula: see text] and frequencies from 0.5 to 2 Hz, which are characteristic of physiological conditions reported for bone. At all loading frequencies examined, the number of responding osteocytes increased strongly with applied strain magnitude. However, Ca²⁺ intensity within responding osteocytes did not change significantly with physiological loading magnitudes. Our studies offer a glimpse into how these critical bone cells respond to mechanical load in vivo, as well as provide a technique to determine how the cells encode magnitude and frequency of loading.

Fluid shear stress induces osteoblast differentiation and arrests the cell cycle at the G0 phase via the ERK1/2 pathway

Numerous studies have demonstrated that fluid shear stress (FSS) may promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast cells. However, proliferation and differentiation are mutually exclusive processes and are unlikely to be promoted by FSS simultaneously. Cell proliferation and differentiation induced by FSS has rarely been reported. In order to provide an insight into this process, the present study investigated the effects of FSS on osteoblast‑like MC3T3 cells in the G0/G1 phase, the period during which the fate of a cell is determined. The results of the present study demonstrated that FSS promoted alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, and the mRNA expression and protein expression of osteocalcin, collagen type I and runt‑related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), while inhibiting DNA synthesis and arresting the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. The increase in Runx2 and ALP activity was accompanied by the activation of calcium/calmodulin‑dependent protein kinase type II (CaMK II) and extracellular signal‑regulated kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), which was completely abolished by treatment with KN93 and U0126, respectively. In addition, the inhibition of ERK1/2, although not CaMK II, decreased p21Cip/Kip activity, resulting in an increase in cell number and S phase re‑entry. The results of the present study indicated that in the G0/G1 phase, FSS promoted osteoblast differentiation via the CaMK II and ERK1/2 signaling pathways, and blocked the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase via the ERK1/2 pathway only. The present findings provided an increased understanding of osteoblastic mechanobiology.

Bone mechanobiology in mice: toward single-cell in vivo mechanomics

Mechanically driven bone (re)modeling is a multiscale process mediated through complex interactions between multiple cell types and their microenvironments. However, the underlying mechanisms of how cells respond to mechanical signals are still unclear and are at the focus of the field of bone mechanobiology. Traditionally, this complex process has been addressed by reducing the system to single scales and cell types. It is only recently that more integrative approaches have been established to study bone mechanobiology across multiple scales in which mechanical load at the organ level is related to molecular responses at the cellular level. The availability of mouse loading models and imaging techniques with improved spatial and temporal resolution has made it possible to track dynamic bone (re)modeling at the tissue and cellular level in vivo. Coupled with advanced computational models, the (re)modeling activities at the tissue scale can be associated with the mechanical microenvironment. However, methods are lacking to link the molecular responses of different cell types to their local mechanical microenvironment and bone (re)modeling activities occurring at the tissue scale. With recent improvements in "omics" technologies and single-cell molecular biology, it is now possible to sequence the complete genome and transcriptome of single cells. These technologies offer unique opportunities to comprehensively investigate the cellular transcriptional profiles within their specific microenvironment. By combining single-cell "omics" technologies with well-established tissue-scale models of bone mechanobiology, we propose a mechanomics approach to locally analyze the transcriptome of single cells with respect to their local 3D mechanical in vivo environment.

Electrical control of calcium oscillations in mesenchymal stem cells using microsecond pulsed electric fields

BACKGROUND

Human mesenchymal stem cells are promising tools for regenerative medicine due to their ability to differentiate into many cellular types such as osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes amongst many other cell types. These cells present spontaneous calcium oscillations implicating calcium channels and pumps of the plasma membrane and the endoplasmic reticulum. These oscillations regulate many basic functions in the cell such as proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, the possibility to mimic or regulate these oscillations might be useful to regulate mesenchymal stem cells biological functions.

METHODS

One or several electric pulses of 100 μs were used to induce Ca2+ spikes caused by the penetration of Ca2+ from the extracellular medium, through the transiently electropermeabilized plasma membrane, in human adipose mesenchymal stem cells from several donors. Attached cells were preloaded with Fluo-4 AM and exposed to the electric pulse(s) under the fluorescence microscope. Viability was also checked.

RESULTS

According to the pulse(s) electric field amplitude, it is possible to generate a supplementary calcium spike with properties close to those of calcium spontaneous oscillations, or, on the contrary, to inhibit the spontaneous calcium oscillations for a very long time compared to the pulse duration. Through that inhibition of the oscillations, Ca2+ oscillations of desired amplitude and frequency could then be imposed on the cells using subsequent electric pulses. None of the pulses used here, even those with the highest amplitude, caused a loss of cell viability.

CONCLUSIONS

An easy way to control Ca2+ oscillations in mesenchymal stem cells, through their cancellation or the addition of supplementary Ca2+ spikes, is reported here. Indeed, the direct link between the microsecond electric pulse(s) delivery and the occurrence/cancellation of cytosolic Ca2+ spikes allowed us to mimic and regulate the Ca2+ oscillations in these cells. Since microsecond electric pulse delivery constitutes a simple technology available in many laboratories, this new tool might be useful to further investigate the role of Ca2+ in human mesenchymal stem cells biological processes such as proliferation and differentiation.

Fabrication and in vitro biological properties of piezoelectric bioceramics for bone regeneration

The piezoelectric effect of biological piezoelectric materials promotes bone growth. However, the material should be subjected to stress before it can produce an electric charge that promotes bone repair and reconstruction conducive to fracture healing. A novel method for in vitro experimentation of biological piezoelectric materials with physiological load is presented. A dynamic loading device that can simulate the force of human motion and provide periodic load to piezoelectric materials when co-cultured with cells was designed to obtain a realistic expression of piezoelectric effect on bone repair. Hydroxyapatite (HA)/barium titanate (BaTiO₃) composite materials were fabricated by slip casting, and their piezoelectric properties were obtained by polarization. The d₃₃ of HA/BaTiO₃ piezoelectric ceramics after polarization was 1.3 pC/N to 6.8 pC/N with BaTiO₃ content ranging from 80% to 100%. The in vitro biological properties of piezoelectric bioceramics with and without cycle loading were investigated. When HA/BaTiO₃ piezoelectric bioceramics were affected by cycle loading, the piezoelectric effect of BaTiO₃ promoted the growth of osteoblasts and interaction with HA, which was better than the effect of HA alone. The best biocompatibility and bone-inducing activity were demonstrated by the 10%HA/90%BaTiO₃ piezoelectric ceramics.

A multiscale 3D finite element analysis of fluid/solute transport in mechanically loaded bone

The transport of fluid, nutrients, and signaling molecules in the bone lacunar–canalicular system (LCS) is critical for osteocyte survival and function. We have applied the fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) approach to quantify load-induced fluid and solute transport in the LCS in situ, but the measurements were limited to cortical regions 30–50 μm underneath the periosteum due to the constrains of laser penetration. With this work, we aimed to expand our understanding of load-induced fluid and solute transport in both trabecular and cortical bone using a multiscaled image-based finite element analysis (FEA) approach. An intact murine tibia was first re-constructed from microCT images into a three-dimensional (3D) linear elastic FEA model, and the matrix deformations at various locations were calculated under axial loading. A segment of the above 3D model was then imported to the biphasic poroelasticity analysis platform (FEBio) to predict load-induced fluid pressure fields, and interstitial solute/fluid flows through LCS in both cortical and trabecular regions. Further, secondary flow effects such as the shear stress and/or drag force acting on osteocytes, the presumed mechano-sensors in bone, were derived using the previously developed ultrastructural model of Brinkman flow in the canaliculi. The material properties assumed in the FEA models were validated against previously obtained strain and FRAP transport data measured on the cortical cortex. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of this computational approach in estimating the fluid flux in the LCS and the cellular stimulation forces (shear and drag forces) for osteocytes in any cortical and trabecular bone locations, allowing further studies of how the activation of osteocytes correlates with in vivo functional bone formation. The study provides a promising platform to reveal potential cellular mechanisms underlying the anabolic power of exercises and physical activities in treating patients with skeletal deficiencies.

Mechanical Vibration Mitigates the Decrease of Bone Quantity and Bone Quality of Leptin Receptor-Deficient Db/Db Mice by Promoting Bone Formation and Inhibiting Bone Resorption

Leptin, a major hormonal product of adipocytes, is involved in regulating appetite and energy metabolism. Substantial studies have revealed the anabolic actions of leptin on skeletons and bone cells both in vivo and in vitro. Growing evidence has substantiated that leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice exhibit decreased bone mass and impaired bone microstructure despite several conflicting results previously reported. We herein systematically investigated bone microarchitecture, mechanical strength, bone turnover and its potential molecular mechanisms in db/db mice. More importantly, we also explored an effective approach for increasing bone mass in leptin receptor-deficient animals in an easy and noninvasive manner. Our results show that deterioration of trabecular and cortical bone microarchitecture and decreases of skeletal mechanical strength-including maximum load, yield load, stiffness, energy, tissue-level modulus and hardness-in db/db mice were significantly ameliorated by 12-week, whole-body vibration (WBV) with 0.5 g, 45 Hz via micro-computed tomography (μCT), three-point bending, and nanoindentation examinations. Serum biochemical analysis shows that WBV significantly decreased serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP5b) and CTx-1 levels and also mitigated the reduction of serum osteocalcin (OCN) in db/db mice. Bone histomorphometric analysis confirmed that decreased bone formation-lower mineral apposition rate, bone formation rate, and osteoblast numbers in cancellous bone-in db/db mice were suppressed by WBV. Real-time PCR assays show that WBV mitigated the reductions of tibial alkaline phosphatase (ALP), OCN, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), type I collagen (COL1), BMP2, Wnt3a, Lrp6, and β-catenin mRNA expression, and prevented the increases of tibial sclerostin (SOST), RANK, RANKL, RANL/osteoprotegerin (OPG) gene levels in db/db mice. Our results show that WBV promoted bone quantity and quality in db/db mice with obvious anabolic and anticatabolic effects. This study not only enriches our basic knowledge about bone quality and bone turnover mechanisms in leptin receptor-deficient animals, but also advances our understanding of the skeletal sensitivity of leptin-resistant db/db mice in response to external mechanical stimulation. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

T-Type voltage-sensitive calcium channels mediate mechanically-induced intracellular calcium oscillations in osteocytes by regulating endoplasmic reticulum calcium dynamics

One of the earliest responses of bone cells to mechanical stimuli is a rise in intracellular calcium (Ca(2+)), and osteocytes in particular exhibit robust oscillations in Ca(2+) when subjected to loading. Previous studies implicate roles for both the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and T-Type voltage-sensitive calcium channels (VSCC) in these responses, but their interactions or relative contributions have not been studied. By observing Ca(2+) dynamics in the cytosol (Ca(2+)cyt) and the ER (Ca(2+)ER), the focus of this study was to explore the role of the ER and T-Type channels in Ca(2+) signaling in bone cells. We demonstrate that inhibition of T-Type VSCC in osteocytes significantly reduces the number of Ca(2+)cyt responses and affects Ca(2+)ER depletion dynamics. Simultaneous observation of Ca(2+) exchange among these spaces revealed high synchrony between rises in Ca(2+)cyt and depressions in Ca(2+)ER, and this synchrony was significantly reduced by challenging T-Type VSCC. We further confirmed that this effect was mediated directly through the ER and not through store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) pathways. Taken together, our data suggests that T-Type VSCC facilitate the recovery of Ca(2+)ER in osteocytes to sustain mechanically-induced Ca(2+) oscillations, uncovering a new mechanism underlying the behavior of osteocytes as mechanosensors.

Bone Homeostasis and Repair: Forced Into Shape

Mechanical loading is a potent anabolic regulator of bone mass, and the first line of defense for bone loss is weight-bearing exercise. Likewise, protected weight bearing is the first prescribed physical therapy following orthopedic reconstructive surgery. In both cases, enhancement of new bone formation is the goal. Our understanding of the physical cues, mechanisms of force sensation, and the subsequent cellular response will help identify novel physical and therapeutic treatments for age- and disuse-related bone loss, delayed- and nonunion fractures, and significant bony defects. This review highlights important new insights into the principles and mechanisms governing mechanical adaptation of the skeleton during homeostasis and repair and ends with a summary of clinical implications stemming from our current understanding of how bone adapts to biophysical force.

Seeing through Musculoskeletal Tissues: Improving In Situ Imaging of Bone and the Lacunar Canalicular System through Optical Clearing

In situ, cells of the musculoskeletal system reside within complex and often interconnected 3-D environments. Key to better understanding how 3-D tissue and cellular environments regulate musculoskeletal physiology, homeostasis, and health is the use of robust methodologies for directly visualizing cell-cell and cell-matrix architecture in situ. However, the use of standard optical imaging techniques is often of limited utility in deep imaging of intact musculoskeletal tissues due to the highly scattering nature of biological tissues. Drawing inspiration from recent developments in the deep-tissue imaging field, we describe the application of immersion based optical clearing techniques, which utilize the principle of refractive index (RI) matching between the clearing/mounting media and tissue under observation, to improve the deep, in situ imaging of musculoskeletal tissues. To date, few optical clearing techniques have been applied specifically to musculoskeletal tissues, and a systematic comparison of the clearing ability of optical clearing agents in musculoskeletal tissues has yet to be fully demonstrated. In this study we tested the ability of eight different aqueous and non-aqueous clearing agents, with RIs ranging from 1.45 to 1.56, to optically clear murine knee joints and cortical bone. We demonstrated and quantified the ability of these optical clearing agents to clear musculoskeletal tissues and improve both macro- and micro-scale imaging of musculoskeletal tissue across several imaging modalities (stereomicroscopy, spectroscopy, and one-, and two-photon confocal microscopy) and investigational techniques (dynamic bone labeling and en bloc tissue staining). Based upon these findings we believe that optical clearing, in combination with advanced imaging techniques, has the potential to complement classical musculoskeletal analysis techniques; opening the door for improved in situ investigation and quantification of musculoskeletal tissues.

Experimental studies of bone mechanoadaptation: bridging in vitro and in vivo studies with multiscale systems

Despite advancements in technology and science over the last century, the mechanisms underlying Wolff's law-bone structure adaptation in response to physical stimuli-remain poorly understood, limiting the ability to effectively treat and prevent skeletal diseases. A challenge to overcome in the study of the underlying mechanisms of this principle is the multiscale nature of mechanoadaptation. While there exist in silico systems that are capable of studying across these scales, experimental studies are typically limited to interpretation at a single dimension or time point. For instance, studies of single-cell responses to defined physical stimuli offer only a limited prediction of the whole bone response, while overlapping pathways or compensatory mechanisms complicate the ability to isolate critical targets in a whole animal model. Thus, there exists a need to develop experimental systems capable of bridging traditional experimental approaches and informing existing multiscale theoretical models. The purpose of this article is to review the process of mechanoadaptation and inherent challenges in studying its underlying mechanisms, discuss the limitations of traditional experimental systems in capturing the many facets of this process and highlight three multiscale experimental systems which bridge traditional approaches and cover relatively understudied time and length scales in bone adaptation.

Effect of low-level mechanical vibration on osteogenesis and osseointegration of porous titanium implants in the repair of long bone defects

Emerging evidence substantiates the potential of porous titanium alloy (pTi) as an ideal bone-graft substitute because of its excellent biocompatibility and structural properties. However, it remains a major clinical concern for promoting high-efficiency and high-quality osseointegration of pTi, which is beneficial for securing long-term implant stability. Accumulating evidence demonstrates the capacity of low-amplitude whole-body vibration (WBV) in preventing osteopenia, whereas the effects and mechanisms of WBV on osteogenesis and osseointegration of pTi remain unclear. Our present study shows that WBV enhanced cellular attachment and proliferation, and induced well-organized cytoskeleton of primary osteoblasts in pTi. WBV upregulated osteogenesis-associated gene and protein expression in primary osteoblasts, including OCN, Runx2, Wnt3a, Lrp6 and β-catenin. In vivo findings demonstrate that 6-week and 12-week WBV stimulated osseointegration, bone ingrowth and bone formation rate of pTi in rabbit femoral bone defects via μCT, histological and histomorphometric analyses. WBV induced higher ALP, OCN, Runx2, BMP2, Wnt3a, Lrp6 and β-catenin, and lower Sost and RANKL/OPG gene expression in rabbit femora. Our findings demonstrate that WBV promotes osteogenesis and osseointegration of pTi via its anabolic effect and potential anti-catabolic activity, and imply the promising potential of WBV for enhancing the repair efficiency and quality of pTi in osseous defects.

Cyclic mechanical stretch promotes energy metabolism in osteoblast-like cells through an mTOR signaling-associated mechanism

Energy metabolism is essential for maintaining function and substance metabolism in osteoblasts. However, the role of cyclic stretch in regulating osteoblastic energy metabolism and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we found that cyclic stretch (10% elongation at 0.1 Hz) significantly enhanced glucose consumption, lactate levels (determined using a glucose/lactate assay kit), intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels (quantified using rLuciferase/Luciferin reagent) and the mRNA expression of energy metabolism-related enzymes [mitochondrial ATP synthase, L-lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and enolase 1; measured by RT-qPCR], and increased the phosphorylation levels of Akt, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and p70s6k (measured by western blot analysis) in human osteoblast‑like MG‑63 cells. Furthermore, the inhibition of Akt or mTOR with an antagonist (wortmannin or rapamycin) suppressed the stretch-induced increase in glucose consumption, lactate levels, intracellular ATP levels and the expression of mitochondrial ATP synthase and LDHA, indicating the significance of the Akt/mTOR/p70s6k pathway in regulating osteoblastic energy metabolism in response to mechanical stretch. Thus, we concluded that cyclic stretch regulates energy metabolism in MG‑63 cells partially through the Akt/mTOR/p70s6k signaling pathway. The present findings provide novel insight into osteoblastic mechanobiology from the perspective of energy metabolism.

Effects of Osmolarity on the Spontaneous Calcium Signaling of In Situ Juvenile and Adult Articular Chondrocytes

Calcium is a universal second messenger that mediates the metabolic activity of chondrocytes in articular cartilage. Spontaneous intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) oscillations, similar to those in neurons and myocytes, have recently been observed in chondrocytes. This study analyzed and compared the effects of different osmotic environments (hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonic) on the spontaneous [Ca(2+)]i signaling of in situ chondrocytes residing in juvenile and adult cartilage explants. In spite of a lower cell density, a significantly higher percentage of chondrocytes in adult cartilage under all osmotic environments demonstrated spontaneous [Ca(2+)]i oscillations than chondrocytes in juvenile cartilage. For both juvenile and adult chondrocytes, hypotonic stress increased while hypertonic stress decreased the response rates. Furthermore, the spatiotemporal characteristics of the [Ca(2+)]i peaks vary in an age-dependent manner. In the hypotonic environment, the [Ca(2+)]i oscillation frequency of responsive adult cells is almost tripled whereas the juvenile cells respond with an increased duration and magnitude of each [Ca(2+)]i peak. Both juvenile and adult chondrocytes demonstrated significantly slower [Ca(2+)]i oscillations with longer rising and recovery time under the hypertonic condition. Taken together, these results shed new insights into the interplay between age and osmotic environment that may regulate the fundamental metabolism of chondrocytes.

In vivo mechanical loading rapidly activates β-catenin signaling in osteocytes through a prostaglandin mediated mechanism

The response of the skeleton to loading appears to be mediated through the activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and osteocytes have long been postulated to be the primary mechanosensory cells in bone. To examine the kinetics of the mechanoresponse of bone and cell types involved in vivo, we performed forearm loading of 17-week-old female TOPGAL mice. β-catenin signaling was observed only in embedded osteocytes, not osteoblasts, at 1h post-loading, spreading to additional osteocytes and finally to cells on the bone surface by 24h. This early activation at 1h appeared to be independent of receptor (Lrp5/6) mediated activation as it occurred in the presence of the inhibitors sclerostin and/or Dkk1. The COX-2 inhibitor, Carprofen, blocked the activation of β-catenin signaling and decline in sclerostin positive osteocytes post-loading implying an important role for prostaglandin. In vitro, PI3K/Akt activation was shown to be required for β-catenin nuclear translocation downstream from prostaglandin in MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cells supporting this mechanism. Downstream targets of β-catenin signaling, sclerostin and Dkk1, were also examined and found to be significantly downregulated in osteocytes in vivo at 24h post-loading. The pattern of initially activated osteocytes appeared random and in order to understand this heterogeneous expression, a novel finite element model of the strain field in the ulna was developed, which predicts highly variable local magnitudes of strain experienced by osteocytes. In summary, both in vivo and in vitro models show the rapid activation of β-catenin in response to load through the early release of prostaglandin and that strain fields in the bone are extremely heterogeneous resulting in heterogeneous activation of the β-catenin pathway in osteocytes in vivo.

Control of bone development by P2X and P2Y receptors expressed in mesenchymal and hematopoietic cells

Bone development and homeostasis require the interplay between several cell types, including mesenchymal osteoblasts and osteocytes, as well as hematopoietic osteoclasts. Recent evidence suggests that cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of both mesenchymal and hematopoietic stem cells, which are fundamental for tissue regeneration and treatment of degenerative diseases, are controlled by P2 receptors (i.e., P2X and P2Y receptors). Both types of P2 receptors are versatile transducers of diverse signals activated by extracellular nucleotides like ATP that are released in response to tissue injury, infection or shear stress. The P2X family of receptors has been shown to mediate multiple signaling events including the influx of calcium, activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and induction of AP-1 family members known to regulate bone development. Support for the significance of P2X7 in regulating bone development and homeostasis has been provided by several studies focusing on animal models and single nucleotide polymorphisms. P2 receptors are functionally expressed in both bone forming osteoblasts and bone resorbing osteoclasts, while recent findings also suggest that these receptors translate mechanical stimuli in osteocytes. Their ability to respond to external nucleotide analogs renders these cell surface proteins excellent targets for skeletal regenerative therapies. This overview summarizes mechanisms by which nucleotide receptors control skeletal cells and contribute to bone tissue development remodeling and repair.

Dynamic fluid flow induced mechanobiological modulation of in situ osteocyte calcium oscillations

Distribution of intramedullary pressure (ImP) induced bone fluid flow has been suggested to influence the magnitude of mechanotransductory signals within bone. As osteocytes have been suggested as major mechanosensors in bone network, it is still unclear how osteocytes embedded within a mineralized bone matrix respond to the external mechanical stimuli derived from direct coupling of dynamic fluid flow stimulation (DFFS). While in vitro osteocytes show unique Ca(2+) oscillations to fluid shear, the objective of this study was to use a confocal imaging technique to visualize and quantify Ca(2+) responses in osteocytes in situ under DFFS into the marrow cavity of an intact ex vivo mouse femur. This study provided significant technical development for evaluating mechanotransduction mechanism in bone cell response by separation of mechanical strain and fluid flow factors using ImP stimulation, giving the ability for true real-time imaging and monitoring of bone cell activities during the stimulation. Loading frequency dependent Ca(2+) oscillations in osteocytes indicated the optimized loading at 10Hz, where such induced response was significantly diminished via blockage of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. The results provided a pilot finding of the potential crosstalk or interaction between Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Ca(2+) influx signaling of in situ osteocytes in response to mechanical signals. Findings from the present study make a valuable tool to investigate how in situ osteocytes respond and transduce mechanical signals, e.g. DFFS, as a central mechanosensor.

The primary cilium functions as a mechanical and calcium signaling nexus

BACKGROUND

The primary cilium is an antenna-like, nonmotile structure that extends from the surface of most mammalian cell types and is critical for chemosensing and mechanosensing in a variety of tissues including cartilage, bone, and kidney. Flow-induced intracellular calcium ion (Ca(2+)) increases in kidney epithelia depend on primary cilia and primary cilium-localized Ca(2+)-permeable channels polycystin-2 (PC2) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). While primary cilia have been implicated in osteocyte mechanotransduction, the molecular mechanism that mediates this process is not fully understood. We directed a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based Ca(2+) biosensor to the cilium by fusing the biosensor sequence to the sequence of the primary cilium-specific protein Arl13b. Using this tool, we investigated the role of several Ca(2+)-permeable channels that may mediate flow-induced Ca(2+) entry: PC2, TRPV4, and PIEZO1.

RESULTS

Here, we report the first measurements of Ca(2+) signaling within osteocyte primary cilia using a FRET-based biosensor fused to ARL13B. We show that fluid flow induces Ca(2+) increases in osteocyte primary cilia which depend on both intracellular Ca(2+) release and extracellular Ca(2+) entry. Using siRNA-mediated knockdowns, we demonstrate that TRPV4, but not PC2 or PIEZO1, mediates flow-induced ciliary Ca(2+) increases and loading-induced Cox-2 mRNA increases, an osteogenic response.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, we show that the primary cilium forms a Ca(2+) microdomain dependent on Ca(2+) entry through TRPV4. These results demonstrate that the mechanism of mechanotransduction mediated by primary cilia varies in different tissue contexts. Additionally, we anticipate that this work is a starting point for more studies investigating the role of TRPV4 in mechanotransduction.

TRPV4 as a therapeutic target for joint diseases

Biomechanical factors play a critical role in regulating the physiology as well as the pathology of multiple joint tissues and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Therefore, the mechanisms by which cells sense and respond to mechanical signals may provide novel targets for the development of disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs). Transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) is a Ca(2+)-permeable cation channel that serves as a sensor of mechanical or osmotic signals in several musculoskeletal tissues, including cartilage, bone, and synovium. The importance of TRPV4 in joint homeostasis is apparent in patients harboring TRPV4 mutations, which result in the development of a spectrum of skeletal dysplasias and arthropathies. In addition, the genetic knockout of Trpv4 results in the development of osteoarthritis and decreased osteoclast function. In engineered cartilage replacements, chemical activation of TRPV4 can reproduce many of the anabolic effects of mechanical loading to accelerate tissue growth and regeneration. Overall, TRPV4 plays a key role in transducing mechanical, pain, and inflammatory signals within joint tissues and thus is an attractive therapeutic target to modulate the effects of joint diseases. In pathological conditions in the joint, when the delicate balance of TRPV4 activity is altered, a variety of different tools could be utilized to directly or indirectly target TRPV4 activity.

The effect of chemically defined medium on spontaneous calcium signaling of in situ chondrocytes during long-term culture

Chemically defined serum-free medium has been shown to better maintain the mechanical integrity of articular cartilage explants than serum-supplemented medium during long-term in vitro culture, but little is known about its effect on cellular mechanisms. We hypothesized that the chemically defined culture medium could regulate the spontaneous calcium signaling of in situ chondrocytes, which may modulate the cellular metabolic activities. Bovine cartilage explants were cultured in chemically defined serum-free or serum-supplemented medium for four weeks. The spontaneous intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) signaling of in situ chondrocytes was longitudinally measured together along with the biomechanical properties of the explants. The spontaneous [Ca(2+)]i oscillations in chondrocytes were enhanced at the initial exposure of serum-supplemented medium, but were significantly dampened afterwards. In contrast, cartilage explants in chemically defined medium preserved the level of calcium signaling, and showed more responsive cells with higher and more frequent [Ca(2+)]i peaks throughout the four week culture in comparison to those in serum medium. Regardless of the culture medium that the explants were exposed, a positive correlation was detected between the [Ca(2+)]i responsive rate and the stiffness of cartilage (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient=0.762). A stable pattern of [Ca(2+)]i peaks was revealed for each chondrocyte, i.e., the spatiotemporal features of [Ca(2+)]i peaks from a cell were highly consistent during the observation period (15 min). This study showed that the beneficial effect of chemically defined culture of cartilage explants is associated with the spontaneous [Ca(2+)]i signaling of chondrocytes in cartilage.

Swept confocally-aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) microscopy for high speed volumetric imaging of behaving organisms

We report a new 3D microscopy technique that allows volumetric imaging of living samples at ultra-high speeds: Swept, confocally-aligned planar excitation (SCAPE) microscopy. While confocal and two-photon microscopy have revolutionized biomedical research, current implementations are costly, complex and limited in their ability to image 3D volumes at high speeds. Light-sheet microscopy techniques using two-objective, orthogonal illumination and detection require a highly constrained sample geometry, and either physical sample translation or complex synchronization of illumination and detection planes. In contrast, SCAPE microscopy acquires images using an angled, swept light-sheet in a single-objective, en-face geometry. Unique confocal descanning and image rotation optics map this moving plane onto a stationary high-speed camera, permitting completely translationless 3D imaging of intact samples at rates exceeding 20 volumes per second. We demonstrate SCAPE microscopy by imaging spontaneous neuronal firing in the intact brain of awake behaving mice, as well as freely moving transgenic Drosophila larvae.

Acute-phase protein serum amyloid A3 is a novel paracrine coupling factor that controls bone homeostasis

Serum amyloid A (A-SAA/Saa3) was shown before to affect osteoblastic metabolism. Here, using RT-quantitative PCR and/or immunoblotting, we show that expression of mouse Saa3 and human SAA1 and SAA2 positively correlates with increased cellular maturation toward the osteocyte phenotype. Expression is not detected in C3H10T1/2 embryonic fibroblasts but is successively higher in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, late osteoblastic MLO-A5 cells, and MLO-Y4 osteocytes, consistent with findings using primary bone cells from newborn mouse calvaria. Recombinant Saa3 protein functionally inhibits osteoblast differentiation as reflected by reductions in the expression of osteoblast markers and decreased mineralization in newborn mouse calvaria. Yet, Saa3 protein enhances osteoclastogenesis in mouse macrophages/monocytes based on the number of multinucleated and tartrate-resistant alkaline phosphatase-positive cells and Calcr mRNA expression. Depletion of Saa3 in MLO osteocytes results in the loss of the mature osteocyte phenotype. Recombinant osteocalcin, which is reciprocally regulated with Saa3 at the osteoblast/osteocyte transition, attenuates Saa3 expression in MLO-Y4 osteocytes. Mechanistically, Saa3 produced by MLO-Y4 osteocytes is integrated into the extracellular matrix of MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts, where it associates with the P2 purinergic receptor P2rx7 to stimulate Mmp13 expression via the P2rx7/MAPK/ERK/activator protein 1 axis. Our data suggest that Saa3 may function as an important coupling factor in bone development and homeostasis.

Integrative transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of osteocytic cells exposed to fluid flow reveals novel mechano-sensitive signaling pathways

Osteocytes, positioned within bone׳s porous structure, are subject to interstitial fluid flow upon whole bone loading. Such fluid flow is widely theorized to be a mechanical signal transduced by osteocytes, initiating a poorly understood cascade of signaling events mediating bone adaptation to mechanical load. The objective of this study was to examine the time course of flow-induced changes in osteocyte gene transcript and protein levels using high-throughput approaches. Osteocyte-like MLO-Y4 cells were subjected to 2h of oscillating fluid flow (1Pa peak shear stress) and analyzed following 0, 2, 8, and 24h post-flow incubation. Transcriptomic microarray analysis, followed by gene ontology pathway analysis, demonstrated fluid flow regulation of genes consistent with both known and unknown metabolic and inflammatory responses in bone. Additionally, two of the more highly up-regulated gene products - chemokines Cxcl1 and Cxcl2, supported by qPCR - have not previously been reported as responsive to fluid flow. Proteomic analysis demonstrated greatest up-regulation of the ATP-producing enzyme NDK, calcium-binding Calcyclin, and G protein-coupled receptor kinase 6. Finally, an integrative pathway analysis merging fold changes in transcript and protein levels predicted signaling nodes not directly detected at the sampled time points, including transcription factors c-Myc, c-Jun, and RelA/NF-κB. These results extend our knowledge of the osteocytic response to fluid flow, most notably up-regulation of Cxcl1 and Cxcl2 as possible paracrine agents for osteoblastic and osteoclastic recruitment. Moreover, these results demonstrate the utility of integrative, high-throughput approaches in place of a traditional candidate approach for identifying novel mechano-sensitive signaling molecules.