Transcriptional activity of nuclei in multinucleated osteoclasts and its modulation by calcitonin

Organization of transcriptional regulatory machinery in osteoclast nuclei: compartmentalization of Runx1

The osteoclast is a highly polarized multinucleated cell that resorbs bone. Using high resolution immunofluorescence microscopy, we demonstrated that all nuclei of an osteoclast are transcriptionally active. Each nucleus within the osteoclast contains punctately organized microenvironments where regulatory complexes that support transcriptional and post-transcriptional control reside. Functional equivalency of osteoclast nuclei is reflected by similar representation of regulatory proteins that support ribosomal RNA synthesis (nucleolin), mRNA transcription (RNA polymerase II, bromouridine triphosphate), processing of gene transcripts (SC35), signal transduction (NF-kappaB), and phenotypic gene expression (Runx1). Our results establish that gene regulatory machinery is architecturally associated and compartmentalized within intranuclear microenvironments of the multiple nuclei of osteoclasts to support physiologically responsive modifications in cellular structural and functional properties.

Lipopolysaccharide stimulates expression of osteoprotegerin and receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand in periodontal ligament fibroblasts through the induction of interleukin-1 beta and tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Our recent work showed that human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (HPLF) secrete bioactive osteoprotegerin (OPG), which inhibits osteoclastic differentiation and activity. However, it is unknown how HPLF regulate bone metabolism in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which is a cell component of gram-negative bacteria and a pathogen in inflammatory bone diseases such as periodontitis. The present study examined the effects of Escherichia coli LPS on the gene expression of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), OPG, and receptor activator of NF-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in HPLF using semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. In HPLF cultured with LPS for 48 h, expression of both OPG and RANKL mRNA was up-regulated, whereas for up to 24 h of stimulation, such up-regulation was not observed. However, LPS increased expression of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha mRNA within 6 h of treatment. Moreover, in HPLF cultured with IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha, OPG and RANKL expression was induced within 12 h of culture. The administration of neutralizing antibodies against human IL-1 beta or TNF-alpha to LPS-treated cultures of HPLF inhibited the induction of OPG and RANKL expression. These suggest that LPS stimulates both OPG and RANKL expression in HPLF by up-regulating IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. In addition, administration of conditioned medium (CM) from HPLF (HPLF-CM) stimulated with LPS for 48 h to mouse bone marrow culture failed to induce osteoclast-like cell (OCL) formation. When mouse spleen cells were cocultured with HPLF in the presence of LPS, OCL formation was completely blocked. Taken together, our results indicate that human periodontal ligament cells stimulated with LPS inhibit osteoclastogenesis by producing more effective OPG than RANKL via the induction of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha.

The signaling adapter protein DAP12 regulates multinucleation during osteoclast development

Deficiency of the signaling adapter protein DAP12 is associated with bony abnormalities in both mice and humans. We identify specific DAP12-associated receptors expressed by osteoclasts and examine function of DAP12 in murine osteoclasts in vivo and in vitro. These data show a new role for DAP12 signaling in regulating formation of multinucleated osteoclasts.

INTRODUCTION

Osteoclasts are bone-resorbing cells derived from hematopoietic precursors in the myeloid lineage. In other myeloid cell types, the signaling adapter protein DAP12 transmits activating signals on ligation of a DAP12-associated receptor (DAR). The aim of this study was to clarify the role of DAP12 signaling during osteoclast development.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Osteoclasts from DAP12 -/- or control mice were analyzed in vitro for morphology, function, and for osteoclast markers. DARs were identified in osteoclast cultures through reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Bone density of DAP12 -/- and control mice were analyzed by microcomputed tomography. DAP12 -/- osteoclasts were retrovirally reconstituted with DAP12. RAW264.7 cells were transfected with FLAG-tagged DAP12 or TREM2 and stimulated by anti-FLAG antibody during in vitro osteoclastogenesis.

RESULTS

C57BL/6 DAP12-deficient mice have higher bone mass than C57BL/6 wildtype controls. We verified the presence of DAP12 in pre-osteoclasts and osteoclasts derived from C57BL/6 or the pre-osteoclast line RAW 264.7 and identified the DARs expressed. DAP12 -/- osteoclasts developed in vitro with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL formed only intensely TRACP+ mononuclear cells and failed to generate multinuclear osteoclasts. These mononuclear cells are functional osteoclast-like cells because, by RT-PCR, they express other osteoclast markers and generate resorption pits on dentine slices, although quantitative assessment of bone resorption shows decreased resorption by DAP12 -/- osteoclasts compared with C57BL/6 osteoclasts. Restoration of DAP12 expression by retroviral transduction of DAP12 -/- osteoclast precursors rescued in vitro osteoclast multinucleation. Direct stimulation of DAP12 expressed in RAW264.7 during in vitro osteoclastogenesis led to a marked increase in the number of TRACP+ multinucleated osteoclast-like cells formed.

CONCLUSION

Our studies indicate that stimulation of the DAP12 adapter protein plays a significant role in formation of multinuclear osteoclasts and that DAP12 and DARs likely participate in the regulation of bony remodeling.