Isopsoralen promotes osteogenic differentiation of human jawbone marrow mesenchymal cells through Notch signaling pathway

Natural Compounds for Bone Remodeling: Targeting osteoblasts and relevant signaling pathways

In the process of bone metabolism and bone remodeling, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) differentiate into osteoblasts (OBs) under certain conditions to enable the formation of new bone, and normal bone reconstruction and pathological bone alteration are closely related to the differentiation and proliferation functions of OBs. Osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs involves multiple signaling pathways, which function individually but interconnect intricately to form a complex signaling regulatory network. Natural compounds have fewer adverse effects than chemically synthesized drugs, optimize bone health, and are more suitable for long-term use. In this paper, we focus on OBs, summarize the current research progress of signaling pathways related to OBs differentiation, and review the molecular mechanisms by which chemically synthesized drugs with potential anti-osteoporosis properties regulate OBs-mediated bone formation.

Recent advances of NFATc1 in rheumatoid arthritis-related bone destruction: mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease characterized by inflammation of the synovial tissue and joint bone destruction, often leading to significant disability. The main pathological manifestation of joint deformity in RA patients is bone destruction, which occurs due to the differentiation and proliferation of osteoclasts. The transcription factor nuclear factor-activated T cell 1 (NFATc1) plays a crucial role in this process. The regulation of NFATc1 in osteoclast differentiation is influenced by three main factors. Firstly, NFATc1 is activated through the upstream nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)/RANK signaling pathway. Secondly, the Ca2+-related co-stimulatory signaling pathway amplifies NFATc1 activity. Finally, negative regulation of NFATc1 occurs through the action of cytokines such as B-cell Lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6), interferon regulatory factor 8 (IRF8), MAF basic leucine zipper transcription factor B (MafB), and LIM homeobox 2 (Lhx2). These three phases collectively govern NFATc1 transcription and subsequently affect the expression of downstream target genes including TRAF6 and NF-κB. Ultimately, this intricate regulatory network mediates osteoclast differentiation, fusion, and the degradation of both organic and inorganic components of the bone matrix. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advances in understanding the mechanism of NFATc1 in the context of RA-related bone destruction and discusses potential therapeutic agents that target NFATc1, with the aim of offering valuable insights for future research in the field of RA. To assess their potential as therapeutic agents for RA, we conducted a drug-like analysis of potential drugs with precise structures.