The existence of distinct classes of prostaglandin E2 receptors mediating adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C pathways in osteoblastic clone MC3T3-E1

Early changes in prostaglandins precede bone formation in a rabbit model of heterotopic ossification

We have tested the hypothesis that the formation of heterotopic ossification (HO) in a rabbit model is correlated with a local increase in specific prostaglandins that may modulate mechanisms of ossification. Rabbits were sacrificed at 1 to 21 days following the daily forcible flexion of immobilized knees. The extraction and analysis of prostaglandins (PG) E2, F2alpha, D2, 6-keto-F1alpha, and thromboxane B2 in vastus intermedius muscles of manipulated legs revealed increases compared to control hindlimbs for all five prostaglandins, albeit of differing magnitude. The earliest increase was observed for PGF2alpha after 24 h (to 2.6-fold of control) with peak levels observed at day ten (185-fold of control). PGE2 was increased above control from 2 to 21 days following manipulation, with a peak level of 33-fold of control after 10 days. In a separate arm of the study, the role of PGE2 was investigated through the use of pharmacological antagonist of the PGE2 receptors and one of its second messengers, cAMP. Rabbits were preadministered the PGE2/PGD receptor antagonist AH 6809 or the cAMP antagonist Rp-cAMP prior to undergoing the regimen of limb immobilization and passive exercise. Both AH 6809 and Rp-cAMP were found to prevent the later development of radiographically documented heterotopic ossification in 15 out of 16 animals, thus identifying prostaglandins as being required for the development of ectopic bone. In this latter group, all but one pharmacologically treated animal showed an absence of HO at 3, 4, 5, or 6 weeks. These findings suggest an obligate cascade of prostaglandins for HO that offers the potential for novel prophylactic therapies, including those that target receptors for specific prostaglandins.

Bone biomechanical properties in prostaglandin EP1 and EP2 knockout mice

Prostaglandins play an important role in regulating the bone adaptation response to mechanical stimuli. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an effective modulator of bone metabolism. Administration of PGE2 to rodents results in increased cancellous and cortical bone mass translating into enhanced mechanical strength. The PGE2 influence on bone is mediated through four well-characterized receptors (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4). Although the PGE2 pathways and mechanisms of action on cells involved in bone adaptation are still under investigation, it is now known that each receptor plays a unique role in regulating PGE2-related bone cell function. The EP1 subtype is coupled with Ca2+ mobilization. The EP2 subtype stimulates cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) formation. cAMP in turn is responsible for the early cellular signal that stimulates bone formation. This study compared physical and biomechanical properties of bone in EP1 and EP2 knockout mice to their corresponding wild-type controls. Ash weight was measured in the ulnae, and femurs and vertebral bodies were tested in three-point bending and compression, respectively. The results suggest: (a) EP1 receptors have a minimal influence on skeletal strength or size in mice; and (b) EP2 receptors have a major influence on the biomechanical properties of bone in mice. The absence of EP2 receptors resulted in weak bone biomechanical strength properties in the EP2 knockout model as compared with the corresponding wild-type control mice.

Expression of the prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) receptor subtype EP(4) and its regulation by PGE(2) in osteoblastic cell lines and adult rat bone tissue

Prostaglandins E (especially PGE(2)) stimulate bone formation and increase bone mass in several species including man. The mechanism for this effect, the target cells, and the receptors involved are not known. Specific cell-surface receptors for PGE(2) (EP(1-4)) have been cloned and characterized. EP(4) was reported to be the major receptor in embryonic and neonatal bone tissue in mice, especially in preosteoblasts; however, no data are available regarding its expression in adult bone. This study examines the expression of EP(4) in bone tissue of young adult rats, in which PGE(2) is markedly anabolic, and in various osteoblastic cell lines. Using northern blot analysis, we found that osteoblastic cell lines RCT-1, RCT-3, TRAB-11, and RP-1, primary osteoblastic cells harvested from fetal rat calvaria, as well as tibiae and calvariae of 5-week-old rats express 3.8 kb EP(4) messenger RNA (mRNA). Treatment of periosteal cells (RP-1) in vitro with 10(-6) mol/L PGE(2) increased the levels of both EP(4) mRNA and EP(4) protein, peaking at 1-2 h. Similarly, systemic administration of an anabolic dose of PGE(2) (3-6 mg/kg) to young adult rats upregulated the expression of EP(4) in the tibia and calvaria, also peaking at 1-2 h. Using in situ hybridization, we found increased expression of EP(4) in bone marrow cells of the tibial metaphysis in response to systemic PGE(2) treatment. The preosteoblastic nature of these EP(4)-expressing cells was suggested by the fact that dexamethasone-treated bone marrow stromal cells in culture express EP(4) mRNA, which is upregulated by PGE(2). Northern blot analysis failed to detect both basal and PGE(2)-induced EP(2) mRNA in the bone samples or cell lines tested. Taken together, these data implicate EP(4) as the major cyclic AMP-related PGE(2) receptor subtype expressed in bone tissue and osteoblastic cells and indicate that this receptor is upregulated by its ligand, PGE(2).

Effect of vitamin E and indomethacin treatment on adenylate cyclase activity, PGE2 and cAMP levels in murine melanoma cells

Malignant murine melanoma (BL6) cells cultured in vitro were supplemented with indomethacin (0.15 microM) and varying levels (1-10 micrograms/ml) of vitamin E succinate. The effect of combined indomethacin and vitamin E succinate treatment on the growth as well as the levels of adenylate cyclase activity, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were determined in these cells. BL6 cells supplemented with 0.15 microM indomethacin and 1-10 micrograms/ml vitamin E succinate showed a significant (P < or = 0.05) decrease in growth at 1 microgram/ml vitamin E succinate, while at 3-10 micrograms/ml, no significant increase or decrease in growth was observed when compared to control cultures (OE). Results from studies of adenylate cyclase activity in BL6 cells showed no significant increase or decrease in enzyme activity, nor were the levels of PGE2 and cAMP affected when the cells were supplemented with 0.15 microM indomethacin and 1-10 micrograms/ml vitamin E succinate.

Evaluation of signal transduction mechanisms for the mitogenic effects of prostaglandin E2 in normal human bone cells in vitro

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is one of the most potent stimulators of bone formation in vivo. In these studies, we investigated the mechanism(s) underlying PGE2 effects on human bone formation by evaluating the effects of PGE2 on normal human bone cell (HBC) proliferation in vitro. Cell proliferation of normal HBCs was increased by PGE2 as measured by increased [3H]thymidine incorporation after 18 h and increased cell number after 48 h of treatment. The effect of PGE2 to stimulate cell proliferation was biphasic, with a maximum stimulation between 0.01 and 1.0 nM PGE2 in different experiments. At higher concentrations of PGE2 (0.1 microM), HBC proliferation was inhibited. Signal transduction for PGE2 has been reported to include both protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) pathways. In these studies, concentrations of PGE2 which stimulated cell proliferation did not increase cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) production. However, higher concentrations of PGE2 increased cAMP production (7- to 12-fold at 1-10 microM) and inhibited cell proliferation. Because stimulators of PKC, such as phorbol esters, have been reported to stimulate cell proliferation, the action of PKC inhibitors were tested. Both staurosporine and sangivamysin (PKC inhibitors) totally abrogated the effect of PGE2 to stimulate cell proliferation. Additional studies revealed that PGE2 increased 45Ca uptake in a dose-dependent manner with a peak response occurring between 1 and 10 nM PGE2 concentrations in different experiments. Furthermore, when the calcium channel blocker, verapamil, was added to HBC cultures treated with PGE2, the stimulation of 45Ca uptake and cell proliferation by PGE2 was completely blocked. These data suggest that PGE2 increases cell proliferation through activation of a verapamil-sensitive calcium channel. In conclusion, these data are consistent with a model in which stimulation of HBC proliferation by low doses of PGE2 is mediated by an enhancement of phospholipase C, which results in both an increase in PKC activity and an increase in intracellular calcium influx.

Prostaglandin E2 stimulates a Ca2+-dependent K+ channel in human erythrocytes and alters cell volume and filterability

To understand the mechanism by which human red blood cells (RBCs) contribute to hemostasis and thrombosis, we have examined the effects of metabolites released by activated platelets on intact RBCs. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), a signal molecule produced by activated platelets, was observed to lower the filterability of human erythrocytes by approximately 30% at 10(-10) M. PGE2 also caused a reduction in mean cell volume of approximately 10%. The shrinkage of red cells after PGE2 treatment was confirmed by documenting a decrease in osmotic fragility and an increase in cell density following exposure to the hormone. Careful analysis, however, revealed that only approximately 15% of the erythrocytes responded to stimulation with PGE2. Examination of the cause of cell shrinkage showed that induction of a PGE2-stimulated K+ efflux pathway leading to rapid loss of cellular K+ was responsible. The PGE2-stimulated K+ loss was also observed to be Ca2+-dependent, suggesting the possible involvement of the Gardos channel. Gardos channel participation was supported by the observation that two Gardos channel inhibitors, charybdotoxin and clotrimazole, independently blocked the PGE2-stimulated K+ efflux. Further evidence for Gardos channel activation came from experiments aimed at characterizing the efflux pathway followed by the obligatory counterion. Thus, K+ efflux was readily stimulated even when NO3- was substituted for Cl-, suggesting that neither KCl cotransport nor Na/K/2Cl cotransport plays a prominent role in the PGE2-induced cell shrinkage. Further, the anion transporter band 3 was implicated as the counterion efflux route, since DIDS inhibited the PGE2-stimulated cell volume change without blocking the change in membrane potential. Taken together, we propose that release of PGE2 by activated platelets constitutes part of a mechanism by which activated platelets may recruit adjacent erythrocytes to assist in clot formation.

The role of adenylate cyclase, cAMP and PGE2 in the in vitro growth regulation of murine melanoma cells by vitamin E

Previous studies have shown that vitamin E supplementation inhibits murine melanoma cell growth in vitro. In this study, malignant murine melanoma (BL6) and non-malignant monkey kidney (LLCMK) cells were supplemented with 1-10 micrograms/ml D-alpha-tocopherol acid succinate (vitamin E succinate). The effect of vitamin E succinate supplementation on growth as well as the levels of adenylate cyclase activity, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) were determined in these cells. Results from these studies indicated a significant inhibition of BL6 cell growth at 5 (P < 0.025), 7 and 10 micrograms/ml (P < 0.001) vitamin E succinate supplementation, while LLCMK cells showed no significant increase or decrease in growth following vitamin E succinate supplementation. BL6 cells supplemented with 7 and 10 micrograms/ml vitamin E succinate showed a marked increase in PGE2 levels, with a significant increase (P < 0.025) occurring at 10 micrograms/ml. Adenylate cyclase activity in BL6 cells was also significantly increased at vitamin E succinate concentrations of 7 (P < 0.05) and 10 micrograms/ml (P < 0.05), respectively, and supplementation of these cells with 5 (P < 0.05), 7 and 10 micrograms/ml (P < 0.001) vitamin E succinate resulted in a significant increase in the levels of cAMP, while LLCMK cells showed no significant increase or decrease in PGE2, adenylate cyclase activity or cAMP levels over the vitamin concentrations tested.

Pasteurella multocida toxin is a mitogen for bone cells in primary culture

The effect of recombinant Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) on primary cultures of embryonic chick bone-derived osteoblastic cells was investigated. It was found that PMT was a potent mitogen for primary derived chicken osteoblasts. The toxin stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation in quiescent osteoblasts at the first passage and accelerated cell growth in subconfluent cultures. Cell viability was not affected by PMT, even at relatively high concentrations. Osteoblast numbers increased in a dose-dependent manner in response to PMT. Intracellular inositol phosphates were elevated in response to PMT, but no elevation in cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels was evident. Indeed, PMT inhibited cAMP elevation in osteoblasts in response to cholera toxin at a stage before other PMT-mediated events take place. In addition to increased cell turnover, PMT down-regulated the expression of several markers of osteoblast differentiation. Both alkaline phosphatase and type I collagen were reduced, but osteonectin was not affected. The in vitro deposition of mineral in cultures of primary osteoblasts and osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cells was also inhibited by the presence of PMT. This suggests that PMT interferes with differentiation at a preosteoblastic stage.

Expression of prostaglandin E receptor subtypes in bone: expression of EP2 in bone development

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 displays physiological and pharmacological action in various tissues including bone. It increases intracellular Ca, and stimulates or inhibits cAMP production through the PGE receptor subtypes EP1, EP2, and EP3, respectively. These receptor subtypes have been recently cloned. In the present study, we investigate the expression of these receptor subtypes in bone tissue. RT-PCR revealed that EP1, EP2, and EP3 were expressed in rat calvariae and that osteoblastic cells (MC3T3-E1) expressed EP1 and EP2. In situ hybridization analysis using cryosection of neonatal calvariae revealed that EP2 was expressed by osteoblasts and cells not in contact with bone, probably including preosteoblasts. EP2 expression was observed at an early stage in calvarial development, at 14 days prenatal. EP2 expression was also observed at day 3 in rat bone marrow cell culture in which bone-like mineralized nodules are formed at day 8. It has been established that PGE2 response accompanying cAMP production is one of the characteristics of osteoblasts. The present results indicate that this phenotype appears at an early stage of osteoblastic differentiation and bone development.

Autoregulation of inducible prostaglandin G/H synthase in osteoblastic cells by prostaglandins

Prostaglandins (PGs) have been postulated to amplify their own production by stimulating cyclic adenosine monophosphate activity, which in turn stimulates PG production. We examined regulation of messenger RNA levels for the inducible and constitutive prostaglandin G/H synthases, PGHS-2 and PGHS-1, in murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells, which express both PGHS-1 and PGHS-2, and in rat osteoblastic Py1a cells, which express only PGHS-2. Prostaglandins E2, F2 alpha, and D2 induced PGHS-2 mRNA in both cell lines under serum-free conditions and stimulated small increases in PGHS-1 mRNA levels in MC3T3-E1 cells. PGE2 (1 microM) increased the transcription rate of PGHS-2 mRNA 9-fold at 2 h in serum-free cells and also induced PGHS-2 protein. In the presence of arachidonic acid or serum, PGs also increased medium PGE2. Both forskolin, a protein kinase A activator, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a protein kinase C (PKC) activator, have previously been shown to induce PGHS-2 mRNA in MC3T3-E1 cells, but in the present study only PMA induced PGHS-2 expression in Py1a cells. The induction of PGHS-2 mRNA in Py1a cells by PGs was inhibited by chelerythrine, a PKC inhibitor, and blocked by 24 h of pretreatment with PMA. The 2 h serum stimulation of PGHS-2 mRNA in MC3T3-E1 cells was inhibited 40-50% by three structurally unrelated nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), suggesting that endogenous PGs also amplify PG production through induction of PGHS-2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Inhibition of collagen synthesis by prostaglandins in the immortalized rat osteoblastic cell line Py1a: structure-activity relations and signal transduction mechanisms

We previously showed that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) can selectively inhibit collagen synthesis and gene transcription in the immortalized rat osteoblastic clonal cell line Py1a, particularly in the presence of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). In the present study, we examined the structure-activity relations for this effect. PGF2 alpha was approximately 100 times more potent than PGE2. The prostaglandin F receptor (FP) selective agonist, fluprostenol, was the most potent agonist tested, significantly inhibiting incorporation of [3H]proline into both collagen and noncollagen protein at 10(-11) M, with more than 90% inhibition of collagen synthesis at 10(-8) M. The PGE2 analog, sulprostone, and PGD2 showed activity similar to that of PGE2. PGI2 and its stable analog, carbacyclin, were the least effective. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), forskolin, and isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) were ineffective. Phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) inhibited collagen synthesis in a manner similar to that of the prostanoids. The inhibitory effects of PGF2 alpha, fluprostenol, and PMA show a similar time course on alpha 1(I) procollagen mRNA levels. The inhibition appeared to be caused by a decrease in collagen gene transcription as measured by nuclear run-on analysis. Further evidence for a transcriptional effect was obtained with COL1A1 promoter-CAT reporter constructs, although these showed somewhat smaller effects of prostanoids on CAT activity than on mRNA levels or labeling.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies on the induction of cyclooxygenase isozymes by various prostaglandins in mouse osteoblastic cell line with reference to signal transduction pathways

A mouse osteoblastic cell line MC3T3-E1 has a cyclooxygenase enzyme, and produces prostaglandin E2. When the cells were cultured in the presence of iloprost (a stable analogue of prostacyclin) or prostaglandin E1 or F2 alpha, the activity of cyclooxygenase increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The increase of the enzyme activity was attributed mostly to the cyclooxygenase isoform-2 because immunoprecipitation using an anti-cyclooxygenase-2 antibody removed the majority of the cyclooxygenase activity from the solubilized enzyme fraction, and the corresponding activity was detected in the immunoprecipitant. In addition, there was a marked increase in the cyclooxygenase-2 protein which was demonstrated by Western blotting. As analyzed by Northern blotting, the cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA increased and reached a maximum 1 and 3 h after the addition of iloprost and prostaglandin F2 alpha (about 15- and 60-fold increase), respectively, whereas the cyclooxygenase-1 mRNA increased slowly and only by about 3-fold. Iloprost and prostaglandin E1 stimulated the production of cAMP by 60-fold over the basal level, whereas the cAMP level was almost unchanged by prostaglandin F2 alpha. In contrast, prostaglandin F2 alpha stimulated IP3 production more efficiently than iloprost and prostaglandin E1. These results suggest that the stimulated syntheses prominently of cyclooxygenase-2 and to a lesser extent of cyclooxygenase-1 are mediated by at least two distinct signal transduction pathways involving the cAMP-synthesis stimulated by iloprost and prostaglandin E1 and the phosphoinositide turnover stimulated by prostaglandin F2 alpha.

Effects of retinoic acid on signalling by prostaglandin E2 in osteoblast-like cells

We investigated the effects of retinoic acid (RA) on the signalling pathways by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. The pretreatment with RA significantly inhibited the formation of inositol phosphates induced by 10 microM PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 0.1 nM and 0.1 microM, without affecting protein contents in the cultured cells. This effect of RA was dependent on the time of pretreatment up to 8 h. However, RA had little effect on the formation of inositol phosphates induced by NaF, a GTP-binding protein activator. On the other hand, RA significantly inhibited PGE2-induced cAMP accumulation in a dose-dependent manner between 0.1 nM and 0.1 microM. This effect of RA was dependent on the time of pretreatment up to 8 h. RA also inhibited the cAMP accumulation induced by NaF or forskolin which directly activates adenylate cyclase. These results strongly suggest that RA modulates the signalling by PGE2 in osteoblast-like cells as follows: the inhibitory effect on the phosphoinositide hydrolysis is exerted at the point between PGE2 receptor and GTP-binding protein, and the inhibitory effect on the cAMP production is exerted at a point downstream from adenylate cyclase.

Effects of vitamin D3 on signaling by prostaglandin E2 in osteoblast-like cells

We investigated the effects of vitamin D3 on the signaling pathways by prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells. The pretreatment with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3), an active form of vitamin D3, significantly inhibited cAMP accumulation induced by 10 microM PGE2 in a dose-dependent manner in the range between 1 pM and 1 nM. This effect of 1,25-(OH)2D3 was dependent on the time of pretreatment up to 8h. 1,25-(OH)2D3 also inhibited the cAMP accumulation induced by NaF, a GTP-binding protein activator, or forskolin which directly activates adenylate cyclase. On the other hand, 1,25-(OH)2D3 significantly inhibited PGE2-induced IP3 formation in a dose-dependent manner between 10 pM and 1 nM. However, 1,25-(OH)2D3 had little effect on NaF-induced IP3 formation. The pretreatment with 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, an inactive form of vitamin D3, affected neither cAMP accumulation nor IP3 formation induced by PGE2. These results strongly suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 modulates the signaling by PGE2 in osteoblast-like cells as follows: the inhibitory effect on the cAMP production is exerted at a point downstream from adenylate cyclase and the inhibitory effect on the phosphoinositide hydrolysis is exerted at the point between the PGE2 receptor and GTP-binding protein, probably Gi2.

Immunohistochemical detection of prostaglandin I2 synthase in various calcified tissue-forming cells in rat

Localization of prostaglandin (PG) I2 synthase immunoreactivity was examined in demineralized sections of rat pulpal, periodontal and skeletal tissues using isn-1, a monoclonal antibody raised against the enzyme. Various calcified tissue-forming cells, i.e. odontoblasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes, cementoblasts, cementocytes and chondrocytes, were similarly immunoreactive for PGI2 synthase, suggesting that they are capable of producing PGI2. In odontoblasts and chondrocytes, the reactivity increased gradually with maturation. Weak immunoreactivity was also observed in endothelial cells and fibroblast-like cells in pulpal and periodontal tissues. However, no reactivity was seen in ameloblasts. These results suggest the possible involvement of PGI2 in the regulation of the metabolism of various calcified tissues. Monoclonal antibodies such as isn-1 may become useful markers of the maturation of calcified tissue-forming cells of mesenchymal origin.