Variability of the paracrine-induced osteoclastogenesis by human breast cancer cell lines

Alendronic Acid as Ionic Liquid: New Perspective on Osteosarcoma

Herein the quantitative synthesis of eight new mono- and dianionic Organic Salts and Ionic Liquids (OSILs) from alendronic acid (ALN) is reported by following two distinct sustainable and straightforward methodologies, according to the type of cation. The prepared ALN-OSILs were characterized by spectroscopic techniques and their solubility in water and biological fluids was determined. An evaluation of the toxicity towards human healthy cells and also human breast, lung and bone (osteosarcoma) cell lines was performed. Globally, it was observed that the monoanionic OSILs showed lower toxicity than the corresponding dianionic structures to all cell types. The highest cytotoxic effect was observed in OSILs containing a [C₂OHMIM] cation, in particular [C₂OHMIM][ALN]. The latter showed an improvement in IC₅₀ values of ca. three orders of magnitude for the lung and bone cancer cell lines as well as fibroblasts in comparison with ALN. The development of OSILs with high cytotoxicity effect towards the tested cancer cell types, and containing an anti-resorbing molecule such as ALN may represent a promising strategy for the development of new pharmacological tools to be used in those pathological conditions.

Bisphosphonates and Cancer: A Relationship Beyond the Antiresorptive Effects

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are stable analogues of the Inorganic Pyrophosphate (PPi), an endogenous regulator of bone mineralization, which can resist the hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract. Their conformation allows targeting the bone as a result of their three-dimensional structure, which makes them primary agents against osteoclast-mediated bone loss. They are used in many bone pathological conditions, like bone metastasis, because of its ability to modulate bone metabolism into a less favorable place to cancer cell growth, through the inhibition of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. This review is focused on the mechanisms of action through which BPs affect the cellular activity and survival, mainly on their antitumoral effects. In conclusion, BPs are considered the primary therapy for skeletal disorders due to its high affinity for bone, but now they are also considered as potential antitumor agents due to its ability to induce tumor cell apoptosis, inhibition of cell adhesion, invasion and proliferation, modulation of the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells as well as affect the angiogenic mechanisms. Like any other drug, they also have some adverse effects, but the most common, the acute phase reaction, can be minimized with the intake of calcium and vitamin D.

Modulation of human osteoclastogenesis and osteoblastogenesis by lycopene

Lycopene is a lipid-soluble pigment that is mainly found in tomato. It is the carotenoid that presents the highest antioxidant potential, and due to that, it has been implicated in a decrease of the risk of several oxidative-stress-related disorders, such as cancer, inflammatory diseases and osteoporosis. Nevertheless, at the present, there is no detailed information about how lycopene affects bone metabolism. The aim of the present work was to characterize the cellular and molecular effects of lycopene on human osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation and function. It was observed that lycopene, at levels found in plasma after the ingestion of lycopene-containing products, decreased osteoclast differentiation but did not affect cell density/survival; calcium-phosphate resorbing ability was also decreased. On the other hand, osteoblast proliferation (via a decrease on apoptosis) and differentiation were increased in the presence of lycopene. The observed effects in both cell types appeared to be related to significant changes in MEK signaling pathway, but also in protein kinase C pathway in osteoclasts and NFkB signaling in osteoblasts. In conclusion, lycopene appears to promote an anabolic state of bone metabolism, stimulating osteoblastogenesis and inhibiting osteoclastogenesis, which may contribute to the promotion of a proper health status of bone tissue. This information might be relevant for the prevention and delay in the progression of osteolytic bone conditions.

Hypericin targets osteoclast and prevents breast cancer-induced bone metastasis via NFATc1 signaling pathway

Bone is the most common target organ of metastasis of breast cancers. This produces considerable morbidity due to skeletal-related events, and severely reduces the quality of life. Increased osteoclast activity is implicated in breast cancer outgrowth in the bone microenvironment. Our previous observation of an anti-osteoclastic activity of hypericin, a natural plant compound, led us to investigate whether hypericin could inhibit bone metastasis and osteolysis caused by breast cancer. We find that hypericin inhibited the upregulation of osteoclasts stimulated by breast cancer cells. The activity of hypericin on osteoclasts and breast cancer-mediated osteoclastogenesis was associated with the inhibition of NFATc1 signaling pathway and attenuation of Ca2+ oscillation. Furthermore, hypericin suppresses invasion and migration in breast cancer cells, but has little effect on breast cancer-cell induced RANKL/OPG ratio in osteoblast or the expression of osteoclast-activating factors. Administration of hypericin could reduce tumor burden, osteolysis induced by direct inoculation of MDA-MB-231 cells into the bone marrow cavity of the tibia as well as metastasis of bone and improve survival in an experimental metastasis model by intracardiac injection of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Taken together, these results suggest that hypericin may be a potential natural agent for preventing and treating bone destruction in patients with bone metastasis due to breast cancer.

A novel peptide from TCTA protein inhibits proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthritis patients

Background

We have demonstrated that a peptide, which we named ‘Peptide A’, derived from the extracellular domain of T-cell leukemia translocation-associated gene (TCTA) protein, inhibited human osteoclastogenesis.

Objective

In the current study, we examined whether this peptide inhibits the proliferation of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) or not.

Material and methods

Fibroblast-like synoviocytes obtained from five RA patients were cultured in the absence or presence of 1, 5, 10 µg/ml of peptide. We used 29-mer scrambled peptide as a control.

Results

The peptide inhibited the proliferation of RA FLS dose-dependently. On the other hand, the scrambled peptide showed no inhibition.

Conclusions

The peptide inhibits both human osteoclastogenesis and the proliferation of RA FLS. Thus, the peptide may be used for the therapy of both osteoporosis and synovitis of RA patients.

This is the first report of the new peptide we discovered, which inhibits both osteoclastogenesis and synovitis. Thus, this new peptide could be a new drug for patients with both osteoporosis and RA.

Inhibition of human in vitro osteoclastogenesis by Equisetum arvense

OBJECTIVES

Equisetum arvense has long been used in traditional medicines to treat different disorders, including bone pathologies. In this study a hydromethanolic extract of E. arvense was assessed for its effects on human osteoclastogenesis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Osteoclast precursors were maintained in non-stimulated and stimulated (presence of M-CSF and RANKL) conditions, or in co-cultures with osteoblasts. Cell cultures were treated with 0.00016-0.5 mg/ml of a hydromethanolic E. arvense extract.

RESULTS

The extract did not affect spontaneous osteoclastogenesis. In osteoclast precursors committed to osteoclastogenesis (stimulated or co-cultured with osteoblasts), E. arvense caused dose-dependent inhibitory effect that became statistically significant at concentrations ≥0.004 mg/ml. This was observed using different osteoclast differentiation and activation markers. Cell response was associated with changes in relative contribution of MEK and NFkB signalling pathways, as well as PGE2 production. As there were differences in the response of osteoclast precursors maintained in the presence of inductive factors, or co-cultured with osteoblastic cells, it seems that E. arvense extract had the ability to modulate osteoclastogenesis, either by acting directly on osteoclast precursor cells, and/or via osteoblasts.

CONCLUSIONS

Equisetum appeared to have a negative effect on human osteoclastogenesis, which is in line with its putative beneficial role in pathophysiological conditions associated with increased osteoclastic activity, and might suggest potential utility for treatment with bone regeneration strategies.

Induced osteoclastogenesis by fluoroquinolones in unstimulated and stimulated human osteoclast precursor cells

Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are a class of antibiotics with a broad spectrum of activity, known to disturb bone metabolism. The aim of this work was to characterize the cellular and molecular effects of five FQs (ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin) in unstimulated and stimulated human osteoclast precursors. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) were cultured in the absence (unstimulated) or in the presence of osteoclastogenic factors (M-CSF and RANKL, stimulated), and were treated with FQs (0.3×10(-9)-10(-3) M), for 21 days. In unstimulated PBMC cultures, FQs (excepting moxifloxacin) exhibited a high osteoclastogenic potential, as shown by a significant increase in the expression of osteoclastic genes, TRAP activity and, specially, number of TRAP-positive multinucleated cells and calcium phosphate resorbing ability, suggesting the presence of mature and functional osteoclasts. Norfloxacin and levofloxacin induced the higher effect, followed by ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin. A decrease on apoptosis and an increase on M-CSF expression might have a possible contribution in the observed cellular behavior. In stimulated PBMC cultures, FQs further increase the osteoclastogenic response induced by M-CSF and RANKL (except ofloxacin). However, the osteoclastogenic response was much lower than that observed in unstimulated PBMC cultures. Both in unstimulated and stimulated PBMC cultures, for most of the FQs, the osteoclastogenic effects were observed in a wide range of concentrations, representative of plasmatic and tissue levels attained in several clinical settings. The various FQs differed on the stimulatory concentration range, the extent of the induced osteoclastogenic response and, also, on the dose- and time-dependent profile. Nevertheless, at high concentrations all the FQs seemed to elicit an increase on apoptosis. Additionally, some differences were noted in the intracellular signaling pathways tested, namely NFkB, MEK and PGE2 production. Results suggest that, considering the inter-individual variability of the FQs pharmacokinetics, the detailed biological profile of each FQ on bone cells is of utmost importance to clarify the effects of these compounds on bone metabolism.