β₂ adrenergic receptor activation suppresses bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-induced alkaline phosphatase expression in osteoblast-like MC3T3E1 cells

Kwon R, Bain SD, Gross TS, M. Gardiner E. Beta 2 Adrenergic Receptor Selective Antagonist Enhances Mechanically Stimulated Bone Anabolism in Aged Mice

The anabolic response of aged bone to skeletal loading is typically poor. Efforts to improve mechanotransduction in aged bone have met with limited success. This study investigated whether the bone response to direct skeletal loading is improved by reducing sympathetic suppression of osteoblastic bone formation via β2AR. To test this possibility, we treated aged wild-type C57BL/6 mice with a selective β2AR antagonist, butaxamine (Butax), before each of nine bouts of cantilever bending of the right tibia. Midshaft periosteal bone formation was assessed by dynamic histomorphometry of loaded and contralateral tibias. Butax treatment did not alter osteoblast activity of contralateral tibias. Loading alone induced a modest but significant osteogenic response. However, when loading was combined with Butax pretreatment, the anabolic response was significantly elevated compared with loading preceded by saline injection. Subsequent studies in osteoblastic cultures revealed complex negative interactions between adrenergic and mechanically induced intracellular signaling. Activation of β2AR by treatment with the β1, β2-agonist isoproterenol (ISO) before fluid flow exposure diminished mechanically stimulated ERK1/2 phosphorylation in primary bone cell outgrowth cultures and AKT phosphorylation in MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cultures. Expression of mechanosensitive Fos and Ptgs2 genes was enhanced with ISO treatment and reduced with flow in both MC3T3-E1 and primary cultures. Finally, co-treatment of MC3T3-E1 cells with Butax reversed these ISO effects, confirming a critical role for β2AR in these responses. In combination, these results demonstrate that selective inhibition of β2AR is sufficient to enhance the anabolic response of the aged skeleton to loading, potentially via direct effects upon osteoblasts. © 2022 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

The Role of Sympathetic Nerves in Osteoporosis: A Narrative Review

Osteoporosis, a systemic bone disease, is characterized by decreased bone density due to various reasons, destructed bone microstructure, and increased bone fragility. The incidence of osteoporosis is very high among the elderly, and patients with osteoporosis are prone to suffer from spine fractures and hip fractures, which cause great harm to patients. Meanwhile, osteoporosis is mainly treated with anti-osteoporosis drugs that have side effects. Therefore, the development of new treatment modalities has a significant clinical impact. Sympathetic nerves play an important role in various physiological activities and the regulation of osteoporosis as well. Therefore, the role of sympathetic nerves in osteoporosis was reviewed, aiming to provide information for future targeting of sympathetic nerves in osteoporosis.

Mechanical loading alleviated the inhibition of β2-adrenergic receptor agonist terbutaline on bone regeneration

The long-term use of adrenergic medication in treating various conditions, such as asthma, increases the chances of bone fracture. Dynamic mechanical loading at a specific time is a method for improving bone quality and promoting healing. Therefore, we hypothesized that precisely controlling the mechanical environment can contribute to the alleviation of the negative effects of chronic treatment with the common asthma drug terbutaline, which is a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist that facilitates bone homeostasis and defect repair through its anabolic effect on osteogenic cells. Our in vitro results showed that terbutaline can directly inhibit osteogenesis by impairing osteogenic differentiation and mineralization. Chronic treatment in vivo was simulated by administering terbutaline to C57BL/6J mice for 4 weeks before bone defect surgery and mechanical loading. We utilized a stabilized tibial defect model, which allowed the application of anabolic mechanical loading. During homeostasis, chronic terbutaline treatment reduced the bone formation rate, the fracture toughness of long bones, and the concentrations of bone formation markers in the sera. During defect repair, terbutaline decreased the bone volume, type H vessel, and total blood vessel volume. Terbutaline treatment reduced the number of osteogenic cells. Periostin, which was secreted mainly by Prrx1+ osteoprogenitors and F4/80+ macrophages, was inhibited by treating the bone defect with terbutaline. Interestingly, controlled mechanical loading facilitated the recovery of bone volume and periostin expression and the number of osteogenic cells within the defect. In conclusion, mechanical loading can rescue negative effects on new bone accrual and repair induced by chronic terbutaline treatment.

Black phosphorus-based 2D materials for bone therapy

Since their discovery, Black Phosphorus (BP)-based nanomaterials have received extensive attentions in the fields of electromechanics, optics and biomedicine, due to their remarkable properties and excellent biocompatibility. The most essential feature of BP is that it is composed of a single phosphorus element, which has a high degree of homology with the inorganic components of natural bone, therefore it has a full advantage in the treatment of bone defects. This review will first introduce the source, physicochemical properties, and degradation products of BP, then introduce the remodeling process of bone, and comprehensively summarize the progress of BP-based materials for bone therapy in the form of hydrogels, polymer membranes, microspheres, and three-dimensional (3D) printed scaffolds. Finally, we discuss the challenges and prospects of BP-based implant materials in bone immune regulation and outlook the future clinical application.

β2AR-HIF-1α-CXCL12 signaling of osteoblasts activated by isoproterenol promotes migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells

Background

Chronic stress is well known to promote tumor progression, however, little is known whether chronic stress-mediated regulation of osteoblasts contributes to the migration and invasion of metastatic cancer cells.

Methods

The proliferation, migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells were assessed by CCK-8 and transwell assay. HIF-1α expression of osteoblasts and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers of prostate cancer cells were examined by Western blot. The mRNA level of cytokines associated with bone metastasis in osteoblasts and EMT markers in PC-3 and DU145 cells were performed by qRT-PCR. Functional rescue experiment of cells were performed by using siRNA, plasmid transfection and inhibitor treatment.

Results

Isoproterenol (ISO), a pharmacological surrogate of sympathetic nerve activation induced by chronic stress, exhibited no direct effect on migration and invasion of PC-3 and DU145 prostate cancer cells. Whereas, osteoblasts pretreated with ISO promoted EMT, migration and invasion of PC-3 and DU145 cells, which could be inhibited by β2AR inhibitor. Mechanistically, ISO increased the secretion of CXCL12 via the β2AR-HIF-1α signaling in osteoblasts. Moreover, overexpression of HIF-1α osteoblasts promoted migration and invasion of PC-3 and DU145 cells, which was inhibited by addition of recombinant knockdown of CXCR4 in PC-3 and DU145 cells, and inhibiting CXCL12-CXCR4 signaling with LY2510924 blunted the effects of osteoblasts in response to ISO on EMT and migration as well as invasion of PC-3 and DU145 cells.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrated that β2AR-HIF-1α-CXCL12 signaling in osteoblasts facilitates migration and invasion as well as EMT of prostate cancer cells, and may play a potential role in affecting bone metastasis of prostate cancer.

Impact of the Autonomic Nervous System on the Skeleton

It is from the discovery of leptin and the central nervous system as a regulator of bone remodeling that the presence of autonomic nerves within the skeleton transitioned from a mere histological observation to the mechanism whereby neurons of the central nervous system communicate with cells of the bone microenvironment and regulate bone homeostasis. This shift in paradigm sparked new preclinical and clinical investigations aimed at defining the contribution of sympathetic, parasympathetic, and sensory nerves to the process of bone development, bone mass accrual, bone remodeling, and cancer metastasis. The aim of this article is to review the data that led to the current understanding of the interactions between the autonomic and skeletal systems and to present a critical appraisal of the literature, bringing forth a schema that can put into physiological and clinical context the main genetic and pharmacological observations pointing to the existence of an autonomic control of skeletal homeostasis. The different types of nerves found in the skeleton, their functional interactions with bone cells, their impact on bone development, bone mass accrual and remodeling, and the possible clinical or pathophysiological relevance of these findings are discussed.

Combined Treatment with Low-Level Laser and rhBMP-2 Promotes Differentiation and Mineralization of Osteoblastic Cells under Hypoxic Stress

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of low-level laser treatment (LLLT) and recombinant human bone morphological protein-2 (rhBMP-2) applied to hypoxic-cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and to determine possible signaling pathways underlying differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts under hypoxia.

Methods

MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured under 1% oxygen tension for 72 h. Cell cultures were divided into four groups: normoxia control, low-level laser (LLL) alone, rhBMP-2 combined with LLLT, and rhBMP-2 under hypoxia. Laser irradiation was applied at 0, 24, and 48 h. Cells were treated with rhBMP-2 at 50 ng/mL. Alkaline phosphatase activity was measured at 3, 7, and 14 days to evaluate osteoblastic differentiation. Cell mineralization was determined with Alizarin red S staining at 7 and 14 days. Western blot assays were performed to evaluate whether p38/protein kinase D (PKD) signaling was involved.

Results

The results indicate that LLLT and rhBMP-2 synergistically increased alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and mineralization. Western blot analyses showed that expression of type I collagen, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), and Osterix (Osx), increased and expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), decreased more in the LLLT and rhBMP-2 combined group than in the rhBMP-2 or LLL alone groups. Moreover, LLLT and rhBMP-2 stimulated p38 phosphorylation and rhBMP-2 and LLLT increased Prkd1 phosphorylation.

Conclusion

Combined treatment with rhBMP-2 and LLL induced differentiation and mineralization of hypoxic-cultured MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts by activating p38/PKD signaling in vitro.

Effect of Zuoguiwan on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats through RANKL/OPG pathway mediated by β2AR

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

The deficiency of kidney Yin is the main pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) according to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Zuoguiwan (ZGW) is among the classical prescriptions in TCM and has been applied to various diseases that are due to deficiency of kidney Yin, including osteoporosis, fractures, menopausal syndromes. However, the underlying mechanism of ZGW in treating PMOP remains poorly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

ZGW, a traditional Chinese prescription, has been used to nourish Yin and reinforce the kidney since ancient times. The investigation aimed to explore the mechanism of ZGW via the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/osteoprotegerin (OPG) signaling pathway as mediated by the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR) in an osteoporosis rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An osteoporosis model induced by ovariectomy was established in rats. A total of 40 female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into bilateral ovariectomy group (OVX), sham operated group (Sham), 17β-estradiol-treated positive group (E2, 25 μg/kg/d), ZGW low-dose group (ZGW-L, 2.3 g/kg/d lyophilized powder) and ZGW high-dose group (ZGW-H, 4.6 g/kg/d lyophilized powder). The serum markers of bone turnover were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The morphological structure changes in bones were detected through H&E staining. Local bone mineral density (BMD) and trabecular bone microarchitecture of the right distal femur were measured and evaluated by using micro-CT. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions levels of β2AR, OPG and RANKL were measured by qPCR and Western blot analysis.

RESULTS

Compared with the OVX group, ZGW groups showed significantly reduced levels of serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b) and β-cross-linked c-telopeptide of type I collagen (β-CTX) (P ＜ 0.01), increased levels of serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) (P ＜ 0.01) and OPG (P ＜ 0.05), prevention of OVX-induced bone loss, and improved microarchitecture of the trabecular bone of distal femur. Moreover, ZGW mediated the osteoporosis syndrome by reducing the empty bone lacunae, promoting the ordered arrangement of trabeculae structure, and increasing the trabeculae structure thickness. Furthermore, in ZGW groups, the protein expression of OPG in the tibia was notably up-regulated (P ＜ 0.01), whereas the mRNA and protein expression of β2AR in the hippocampus (P ＜ 0.01), and the protein expressions levels of β2AR (P ＜ 0.01) and RANKL (P ＜ 0.05) in the tibia were down-regulated compared with OVX group.

CONCLUSIONS

ZGW through its protective effects, stimulates bone formation and suppresses bone resorption. The underlying mechanism of ZGW in improving perimenopausal syndrome and increasing bone mass might be attributed to the regulation of RANKL/OPG, as mediated by β2AR. Therefore, ZGW may be used as an alternative treatment for PMOP.

Peripheral Nerve Fibers and Their Neurotransmitters in Osteoarthritis Pathology

The importance of the nociceptive nervous system for maintaining tissue homeostasis has been known for some time, and it has also been suggested that organogenesis and tissue repair are under neuronal control. Changes in peripheral joint innervation are supposed to be partly responsible for degenerative alterations in joint tissues which contribute to development of osteoarthritis. Various resident cell types of the musculoskeletal system express receptors for sensory and sympathetic neurotransmitters, allowing response to peripheral neuronal stimuli. Among them are mesenchymal stem cells, synovial fibroblasts, bone cells and chondrocytes of different origin, which express distinct subtypes of adrenoceptors (AR), receptors for vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Some of these cell types synthesize and secrete neuropeptides such as SP, and they are positive for tyrosine-hydroxylase (TH), the rate limiting enzyme for biosynthesis of catecholamines. Sensory and sympathetic neurotransmitters are involved in the pathology of inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) which manifests mainly in the joints. In addition, they seem to play a role in pathogenesis of priori degenerative joint disorders such as osteoarthritis (OA). Altogether it is evident that sensory and sympathetic neurotransmitters have crucial trophic effects which are critical for joint tissue and bone homeostasis. They modulate articular cartilage, subchondral bone and synovial tissue properties in physiological and pathophysiological conditions, in addition to their classical neurological features.