Inhibition of parathyroid hormone-responsive adenylate cyclase in clonal osteoblast-like cells by transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor

Epidermal growth factor facilitates epinephrine inhibition of P2X7-receptor-mediated pore formation and apoptosis: a novel signaling network

Epidermal growth factor (EGF), epinephrine, and the P2X7 receptor system regulate growth of human uterine cervical epithelial cells, but little is known about how these systems intercommunicate in exerting their actions. The objective of this study was to understand the mechanisms of EGF and epinephrine regulation of growth of cervical cells. Treatment of cultured CaSki cells with 0.2 nM EGF increased cell number via a PD98059-sensitive pathway. Treatment with 2 nM epinephrine increased cell number, and the effect was facilitated by cotreatment with EGF. Whereas the effect of EGF alone involved up-regulation of [3H]-thymidine incorporation and an increase in cell proliferation, the effect of epinephrine was mediated by inhibition of apoptosis. Epinephrine inhibited apoptosis induced by the P2X7 receptor ligand 2',3'-0-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)-ATP, by attenuation of P2X7 receptor plasma membrane pore formation. Cotreatment with EGF facilitated epinephrine effect via a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent mechanism. CaSki cells express the beta2-adrenoceptor, and the epinephrine antiapoptotic effect could be mimicked by beta2-adrenoceptor agonists and by activators of adenylyl cyclase. Likewise, the effect could be blocked by beta2-adrenoceptor blockers and by the inhibitor of protein kinase-A H-89. Western immunoblot analysis revealed that epinephrine decreased the levels of the glycosylated 85-kDa form of the P2X7 receptor and increased receptor degradation, and that EGF potentiated these effects of epinephrine. EGF did not affect cellular levels of the beta2-adrenoceptor. In contrast, EGF, acting via the EGF receptor, augmented beta2-adrenoceptor recycling, and it inhibited beta2-adrenoceptor internalization via a phosphoinositide 3-kinase-dependent mechanism. We conclude that, in cervical epithelial cells, EGF has a dual role: as mitogen, acting via the MAPK/MAPK kinase pathway, and as an antiapoptotic factor by facilitating epinephrine effect and resulting in greater expression of beta2-adrenoceptors in the plasma membrane. These findings underscore a novel signaling network of communication between the receptor tyrosine kinases, the G protein-coupled receptors, and the purinergic P2X7 receptor.

Epidermal growth factor upregulates beta-adrenergic receptor signaling in a human salivary cell line

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the beta-adrenergic receptor-coupled adenylyl cyclase system were studied in a human salivary cell line (HSY). The beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol (10(-5) M) stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity by approximately 2-fold, and the isoproterenol response was increased 1.8-fold after prolonged (48 h) exposure to EGF (5 x 10(-10) M). In contrast, enzyme activation via stimulatory prostaglandin receptors and by agents acting on nonreceptor components of the adenylyl cyclase system was not enhanced by EGF. beta-Adrenergic receptor density, assessed by binding of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist (-)-[(125)I]iodopindolol, was increased threefold after EGF treatment. Competition binding studies with unlabeled antagonists selective for beta(1)- and beta(2)-adrenergic receptor subtypes indicated that the increase in (-)-[(125)I]iodopindolol binding sites induced by EGF reflected an increased number of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors. Likewise, Northern blot analysis of RNA from EGF-treated cells revealed selective induction of beta(2)-adrenergic receptor mRNA, which was blocked by the RNA synthesis inhibitor actinomycin D. The increase in beta-adrenergic receptor density produced by EGF was unaltered after phorbol ester-induced downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC). Enhancement of isoproterenol-responsive adenylyl cyclase activity and phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) by EGF were both blocked by the MAPK pathway inhibitor PD-98059. The results suggest that in HSY cells EGF enhances beta-adrenergic responsiveness by upregulating beta(2)-adrenergic receptor expression at the transcriptional level. Moreover, the stimulatory effect of EGF on beta(2)-adrenergic receptor signaling appears to be mediated by the MAPK pathway and independent of PKC activation.

Down-regulation of human osteoblast PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA in end-stage renal failure

BACKGROUND

Resistance to the action of parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been demonstrated in end-stage renal failure and is considered to be important in the pathogenesis of secondary hyperparathyroidism. The mechanism of resistance is unknown. However, altered regulation of cellular PTH/PTH-related protein (PTH/PTHrP) receptor (PTH1R) has been assumed to be important.

METHODS

We have used in situ hybridization to examine PTH1R mRNA expression by osteoblasts in human bone and have compared the expression in high- and low-turnover renal bone disease, high-turnover nonrenal bone disease (healing fracture callus and Pagetic bone), and normal bone. Bone biopsies were formalin fixed, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid decalcified, and paraffin wax embedded. A 1.8 kb PTH1R cDNA probe, labeled with 35S, was used, and the hybridization signal was revealed by autoradiography. The density of signal over osteoblasts was quantitated using a semiautomated Leica image analysis software package.

RESULTS

The mean density of PTH1R mRNA signal over osteoblasts in renal high-turnover bone was only 36% of that found in nonrenal high-turnover bone (P < 0.05) and 51% of that found in normal bone (P < 0.05). Osteoblast PTH1R mRNA signal in adynamic bone from individuals with diabetes mellitus was 28% of normal bone (P < 0.05) and 54% of that found in renal high-turnover bone (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate a down-regulation of osteoblast PTH1R mRNA in end-stage renal failure in comparison to normal and high-turnover bone from otherwise healthy individuals, and provide an insight into the mechanisms of "skeletal resistance" to the actions of PTH.

EGF inhibits muscarinic receptor-mediated calcium signaling in a human salivary cell line

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) responses to the muscarinic agonist carbachol were studied in a human salivary cell line (HSY). Carbachol (10(-4) M)-stimulated [Ca(2+)](i) mobilization was inhibited by 40% after 48-h treatment with 5 x 10(-10) M EGF. EGF also reduced carbachol-induced [Ca(2+)](i) in Ca(2+)-free medium and Ca(2+) influx following repletion of extracellular Ca(2+). Under Ca(2+)-free conditions, thapsigargin, an inhibitor of Ca(2+) uptake to internal stores, induced similar [Ca(2+)](i) signals in control and EGF-treated cells, indicating that internal Ca(2+) stores were unaffected by EGF; however, in cells exposed to thapsigargin, Ca(2+) influx following Ca(2+) repletion was reduced by EGF. Muscarinic receptor density, assessed by binding of the muscarinic receptor antagonist L-[benzilic-4,4'-(3)HCN]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([(3)H]QNB), was decreased by 20% after EGF treatment. Inhibition of the carbachol response by EGF was not altered by phorbol ester-induced downregulation of protein kinase C (PKC) but was enhanced upon PKC activation by a diacylglycerol analog. Phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and inhibition of the carbachol response by EGF were both blocked by the MAP kinase pathway inhibitor PD-98059. The results suggest that EGF decreases carbachol-induced Ca(2+) release from internal stores and also exerts a direct inhibitory action on Ca(2+) influx. A decline in muscarinic receptor density may contribute to EGF inhibition of carbachol responsiveness. The inhibitory effect of EGF is mediated by the MAP kinase pathway and is potentiated by a distinct modulatory cascade involving activation of PKC. EGF may play a physiological role in regulating muscarinic receptor-stimulated salivary secretion.

Structure and transcription regulation of the human insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 gene (IGFBP4)

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 (IGFBP-4) is locally produced by normal human bone cells and acts as a potent inhibitor of IGF action in this tissue. PTH and a cAMP analog increase the expression of IGFBP4 mRNA in human osteoblast cells. We now show that the human IGFBP4 gene is contained within 15.3 kb with the transcription initiation site located 28 bp downstream of a TATA box sequence and 286 bp upstream of the translation initiation codon. The 3'-end of the mRNA was identified at position 14281, but no conserved poly(A) addition signal was found within 30 bp upstream of this site. Deletion mutagenesis located the core promoter activity downstream of position -289, and the transcription activity disappeared at -6. Stimulation with 0.5 mM dibutyryl-cAMP resulted in a twofold increase of promoter activity. Elements responsible for the cAMP response reside between positions -869 and -6.

Effects of secretory products of breast cancer cells on osteoblast-like cells

The pathogenesis of breast cancer-induced osteolysis remains largely unknown. To evaluate the potential role of osteoblasts as target cells during this process, we incubated SaOS-2 human osteoblast-like cells (OBL) with culture media conditioned by proliferative (PM, 'Proliferation Media') or confluent (CfM, 'Confluence Media') MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. CfM decreased the growth of OBL by 26% (P < 0.01) while PM was without significant effect on this parameter. In contrast, both PM and CfM obtained from MCF-7 cultures increased the cyclic AMP (cAMP) response of OBL to the osteolytic agents PTH (10(-8) M) and PTH-related peptide (PTHrP, 10(-8) M) by a factor of about 3 (P < 0.001), and to prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2),10(-6) M) by a factor of about 2 (P < 0.01). No significant modulation of OBL growth or sensitivity to PTH, PTHrP, or PGE2 was induced by media obtained from HBL-100 non-malignant immortalized breast epithelial cell cultures. 17betaestradiol (E(2), 10(-8) M) and the antiestrogen tamoxifen (Tam, 10(-7) M) added for 48 h to MCF-7 cultures before collecting conditioned media attenuated and potentiated, respectively, the PM- but not the CfM-induced increase in the response of OBL to PTH or PTHrP Along the same line, the addition to MCF-7 conditioned media of a polyclonal anti-transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) antibody attenuated by about 25% (P < 0.01) the PM-induced increase in OBL response to PTH and PTHrP while abrogating the modulatory effects of E(2) and Tam on that response. Together, our results indicate that MCF-7 breast cancer cells secrete factors which inhibit the growth of OBL and increase their sensitivity to various osteolytic agents. TGF-beta was only partly responsible for these effects, and accounts for their modulation by E(2) and Tam. The identification of other osteoblast-modulatory factor(s) should contribute to a better understanding and treatment of breast cancer-induced osteolysis.

Epidermal growth factor induces Egr-1 messenger RNA and protein in mouse osteoblastic cells

The nuclear signaling events activated when epidermal growth factor (EGF) interacts with osteoblasts to produce effects on growth and differentiation are not clearly understood, and may include induction of immediate early genes such as Egr-1, a zinc finger transcription factor. In the present study, Northern analyses were performed to define the effects of EGF on the expression of Egr-1 mRNA in MC3T3-E1 mouse osteoblastic cells. Following treatment of quiescent, subconfluent MC3T3-E1 cells with 0.1-100 ng/ml EGF for various periods, maximal induction of Egr-1 mRNA occurred when cells were treated for 30-60 minutes with 1-10 ng/ml EGF. Inhibition of protein kinase C activity by pretreatment with 1 microM chelerythrine chloride or by prolonged stimulation with 50 ng/ml tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate (TPA) partially diminished the induction of Egr-1 by EGF. Using an immunohistochemical approach, 10 ng/ml EGF was observed to induce Egr-1 protein within 30-60 minutes and this induction was localized to the nucleus. These observations indicate that EGF induces Egr-1 mRNA and protein via protein kinase C and other signaling pathways, and that Egr-1 may be part of the regulatory network mediating the actions of EGF on growth and differentiation of osteoblasts.

Regulation of parathyroid hormone/parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor expression by osteoblast-deposited extracellular matrix in a human osteoblast-like cell line

Parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptors and the biological response to PTH in osteoblasts have been shown to be influenced by glucocorticoids, growth factors, cytokines or PTH itself. Furthermore, components of extracellular matrix (ECM) appear to regulate the response to PTH as well. We investigated the effects of osteoblast-deposited ECM on PTH-related protein (PTHrP)-stimulated cAMP production, PTHrP binding and PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA in the human osteoblast-like cell line SaOS-2. ECM was laid down by the human osteoblastic cell line MG-63. At confluence, maximal cAMP stimulation induced by 100 nmol/l PTHrP (1-34) was decreased in SaOS-2 cells grown on ECM as compared with cultures on plastic dishes, without any change in PTHrP concentration producing half-maximal stimulation. In contrast, cAMP production stimulated by PGE2 was increased in cells on ECM. Saturable 125I-PTHrP binding (as evaluated by Scatchard plot analysis) was markedly diminished in cells grown on ECM (5,600 +/- 2,010 vs. 20,700 +/- 1,710 binding sites/cell, x +/- S.E.M., P < 0.01, n = 4 experiments), without any significant change in affinity (1.3 +/- 0.4 vs. 2.5 +/- 0.5 nmol/l (NS), in cells on ECM and plastic, respectively). This apparent decrease in membrane receptor density was associated with markedly lower steady state PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA levels as assessed by Northern blot analysis (ECM/control: 0.4 +/- 0.1). A difference in PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA levels between cells on ECM or on plastic dishes was detectable by 8 hours but not by 4 hours, after seeding the cells at high density. By 24 hours after plating, PTH/PTHrP receptor mRNA levels were maximally decreased in cells on ECM. These results in the human osteoblast-like cell line SaOS-2 indicate that PTH/PTHrP receptors are down-regulated by growth on ECM. Thus, attachment of bone cells to bone surface could influence differentiation and function of osteoblasts.

Bidirectional modulation of parathyroid hormone-responsive adenylyl cyclase by protein kinase C

The temporal pattern with which phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of protein kinase C (PKC), modulates parathyroid hormone (PTH)-responsive adenylyl cyclase (AC) was evaluated in a clonal osteoblast-like cell line (UMR-106). Brief (< or = 1 h) exposure of UMR-106 cells to PMA enhanced PTH stimulation of AC, whereas more prolonged PMA treatment decreased the PTH response, with maximum inhibition occurring at < or = 6 h. PMA treatment also resulted in initial activation followed by downregulation of PKC. Exposure of cells to 1,2-dioctanoyl-sn-glycerol, which activated but did not downregulate PKC, resulted in bidirectional modulation of PTH-responsive AC identical to that produced by PMA. Prolonged PMA exposure decreased PTH receptor number, as determined by radioligand binding studies, and reduced PTH receptor mRNA levels, assessed by Northern blot analysis. Forskolin activation of the catalytic subunit of AC was also decreased after prolonged PMA treatment. The results suggest that activation of PKC sequentially stimulates and then inhibits PTH responsiveness. Inhibition of the PTH response occurs by PKC actions exerted on the PTH receptor and the AC catalytic subunit.

Tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 1 inhibit parathyroid hormone-responsive adenylate cyclase in clonal osteoblast-like cells by down-regulating parathyroid hormone receptors

The effects of the monokines tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF) and interleukin 1 (IL 1) on parathyroid hormone (PTH)-responsive adenylate cyclase were examined in clonal rat osteosarcoma cells (UMR-106) with the osteoblast phenotype. Recombinant TNF and IL 1 incubated with UMR-106 cells for 48 hr each produced concentration-dependent inhibition of PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase, with maximal inhibition of PTH response (40% for TNF, 24% for IL 1) occurring at 10(-8) M of either monokine. Both monokines also decreased adenylate cyclase stimulation by the tumor-derived PTH-related protein (PTHrP). In contrast, TNF and IL 1 had little or no inhibitory effect on receptor-mediated stimulation of adenylate cyclase by isoproterenol and nonreceptor-mediated enzyme activation by cholera toxin and forskolin; both monokines increased prostaglandin E2 stimulation of adenylate cyclase. Binding of the radioiodinated agonist mono-[125I]-[Nle8,18, Tyr34]bPTH-(1-34)NH2 to UMR-106 cells in the presence of increasing concentrations of unlabeled [Nle8,18, Tyr34]bPTH-(1-34)NH2 revealed a decline in PTH receptor density (Bmax) without change in receptor binding affinity (dissociation constant, Kd) after treatment with TNF or IL 1. Pertussis toxin increased PTH-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity but did not attenuate monokine-induced inhibition of PTH response. In time course studies, brief (1 hr) exposure of cells to TNF or IL 1 during early culture was sufficient to decrease PTH response but only after exposed cells were subsequently allowed to grow for prolonged periods. Inhibition of PTH response by monokines was blocked by cycloheximide. The results indicate that TNF and IL 1 impair responsiveness to PTH (and PTHrP) by a time- and protein synthesis-dependent down-regulation of PTH receptors linked to adenylate cyclase.

Regulation of parathyroid hormonelike protein production in cultured normal and malignant keratinocytes

We have recently demonstrated that parathyroid hormone-like protein (PLP) production by cultured human squamous carcinoma cells (SCC) can be modulated by co-culture with fibroblasts. The interaction of SCC with fibroblasts, possibly occurring during the invasive phase of SCC, may be the stimulus for enhanced PLP production, thus contributing to the genesis of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy in this type of cancer (Cancer Res 50:3589-3594, 1990). In the present study we show that the fibroblast-induced increase in PLP level in the medium of SCC-4 cells is paralleled by an increase in PLP messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression in these cells. We also found that the inhibition of secretion of PLP by monensin for 2 h resulted in a marked increase in immunodetectable PLP intracellularly, suggesting that secretion of PLP was a fast process. The modulation of the production of PLP by calcium and hydrocortisone was further examined in SCC-4 cells and was compared to that in normal keratinocytes and in SCC-9 cells. PLP levels in conditioned media were highest in poorly differentiating SCC-4 cells, intermediate in moderately differentiating SCC-9 cells, and lowest in normal keratinocytes showing high differentiating capacity. Furthermore, in each of the cell types used, PLP production was highest in cultures grown under low calcium conditions; at both calcium concentrations used, the presence of hydrocortisone reduced the PLP release into the medium. This reduction was probably due to a direct effect of hydrocortisone on PLP synthesis because the expression of PLP mRNA was also reduced in the presence of hydrocortisone when tested in SCC-4 cells. In conclusion, our findings indicate that the induction of differentiation in both normal and malignant keratinocytes is associated with the inhibition of PLP production.

Tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibits the stimulatory effect of the parathyroid hormone-related protein on cyclic AMP formation in osteoblast-like cells via protein kinase C+

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) are both factors that have been implicated in the mechanism of hypercalcemia of malignancy. In this study we investigated the effect of TNF alpha on the PTHrP-stimulated accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP in osteoblast-like cells. In the clonal cell line Saos-2 and in primary cell cultures from fetal rat calvaria, PTHrP-stimulated accumulation of cAMP was time- and dose-dependently inhibited by exposure to TNF alpha. Significant inhibition occurred at concentrations as low as 2 x 10(-12) M and was maximal at 1 x 10(-9) M. Inhibition was observed after 6 h and was maximal after 18 h. Inhibition by TNF alpha was probably mediated by protein kinase C, since the phorbol ester PMA mimicked the effect of TNF alpha, and the protein kinase C inhibitor H-7 completely abolished the effect of TNF alpha. In conclusion, these observations suggest a possible mechanism by which TNF alpha may modulate the effect of PTHrP on osteoblast function in the syndrome of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Stimulation by parathyroid hormone-related protein and transforming growth factor-alpha of phosphate transport in osteoblast-like cells

Parathyroid hormone (1-34) [PTH-(1-34)] has been shown to stimulate sodium-dependent phosphate transport (NaPiT) in UMR-106 osteoblast-like cells through a cAMP-dependent mechanism. Whether a synthetic amino-terminal fragment of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) or the full-length molecule, which are recognized to interact with the same receptor as PTH, affect NaPiT in the same way is not known. We investigated and compared the effects of bPTH-(1-34), PTHrP-(1-34), and PTHrP-(1-141) on NaPiT and cAMP production in the osteoblastic cell line UMR-106. Each of the three peptides increased cAMP production and exerted a concentration-dependent stimulation of NaPiT after incubation for 4-6 h. We also studied the effect of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha), which is another tumoral product secreted by certain hypercalcemia-associated tumors, on NaPiT and the TGF-alpha-induced modulation of the response to PTHrP or PTH. TGF-alpha caused a 30% stimulation of NaPiT, which remained stable from 6 to 24 h, by a cAMP-independent mechanism. In contrast, TGF-alpha attenuated cAMP production stimulated by PTH, PTHrP-(1-34), or PTHrP-(1-141). PTHrP or PTH did not further increase NaPiT in TGF-alpha-treated cells. These results indicate that NaPiT, a possibly important function of osteoblastic cells, was similarly affected by PTH and PTHrP. TGF-alpha increased NaPiT and modulated in a similar way the effects of both PTH and PTHrP.

Effects of transforming growth factor-alpha on parathyroid hormone- and parathyroid hormone-related protein-mediated bone resorption and adenylate cyclase stimulation in vitro

The effects of transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF alpha) were determined on the ability of parathyroid hormone (PTH) or parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) to stimulate bone resorption and adenylate cyclase in vitro. Bovine PTH-(1-34) and human PTHrP-(1-34) were equipotent in their ability to stimulate bone resorption in neonatal mouse calvaria with maximal stimulation (2.9 and 2.8-fold increases in 45Ca release, respectively) at a concentration of 10 nM. Combinations of TGF alpha with bPTH-(1-34) or hPTHrP-(1-34) had additive effects on their ability to stimulate bone resorption when submaximal concentrations of the agonists were used. There was no evidence of synergism between TGF alpha bPTH-(1-34) or hPTHrP-(1-34) in their ability to stimulate bone resorption in vitro, nor was TGF alpha able to increase bone resorption induced by maximal concentrations of bPTH-(1-34) or hPTHrP-(1-34). TGF alpha potentiated the effects of either bPTH-(1-34) or hPTHrP-(1-34) on the stimulation of adenylate cyclase in osteoblast-like ROS 17/2.8 cells. These data indicate that TGF alpha has additive effects with submaximal concentrations of PTH or PTHrP on their ability to stimulate bone resorption which may be important in the pathogenesis of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy.

Modulation by epidermal growth factor of the basal 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor level and the heterologous up-regulation of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor in clonal osteoblast-like cells

The effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on basal 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2D3) receptor level and on parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor up-regulation were studied in the phenotypically osteoblastic cell line UMR 106. EGF in concentrations exceeding 0.1 ng/ml reduced the number of 1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites without changing the binding affinity. Maximal reduction was 30% at about 1 ng/ml. This reduction was independent of a change in cAMP content. EGF dose-dependently attenuated both PTH-induced 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor up-regulation and PTH-stimulated cAMP production, without an effect on the ED50 of the PTH effects. For both PTH responses the IC50 and the maximal effective dose were similar, 0.1 ng/ml and 1 ng/ml EGF, respectively. Reduction was first seen at 0.01 ng/ml EGF. At this concentration, EGF reduced PTH-stimulated 1,25-(OH)2D3 receptor binding without an inhibition of the cAMP response. Time-course studies with 1 ng/ml EGF revealed that at 2 h preincubation EGF reduced the heterologous up-regulation by PTH, and maximal inhibition was seen after 4 h. In contrast, PTH-stimulated cAMP production was just significantly inhibited only after 6 h, with 60% inhibition after 24 h preincubation. The effects of prostaglandin E2 and forskolin on both 1,25(OH)2D3 binding and cAMP production were inhibited in a similar fashion. On the other hand, dibutyryl cAMP- and 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine-stimulated 1,25(OH)2D3 binding were not affected by EGF. Taken together, our results demonstrate that EGF reduces both the basal number of 1,25(OH)2D3 binding sites and the heterologous up-regulation of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor. The current data suggest that EGF reduces heterologous up-regulation of the 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor independent of as well as dependent on the cAMP messenger system. The EGF effect is nor primarily located at the PTH receptor, at cAMP phosphodiesterase, or at protein kinase A level.

Epidermal growth factor receptor gene expression in avian epiphyseal growth-plate cartilage cells: effect of serum, parathyroid hormone and atrial natriuretic peptide

Avian chondrocytes and fibroblasts, derived from epiphyseal growth-plate and skin, respectively, were cultured in vitro. In chondrocytes, epidermal growth factor (EGF) caused a dose-dependent stimulation of proliferation. EGF receptor mRNA was not detected with the v-erb B probe in chondrocytes cultured in the presence of 5% fetal calf serum (FCS). In the absence of FCS in the medium, a time-dependent increase in the level of EGF receptor mRNA was observed. Parallel changes were also observed in the level of EGF receptor, as demonstrated by immunofluorescence using antibodies directed against avian EGF receptor. In avian fibroblasts, EGF receptor mRNA and EGF receptor levels were not affected by FCS. Furthermore, FCS did not affect the level of thyroid hormone receptor mRNA (using v-erb A as a probe) in either chondrocytes or fibroblasts. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), which acts as a mitogen in avian chondrocytes attenuated--whereas atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a suppressor of chondrocyte proliferation, enhanced--EGF receptor mRNA. The present results show that avian growth-plate chondrocytes respond to EGF and bear EGF receptors. The levels of EGF mRNA and EGF receptor are inversely related to cell proliferation. The results also support previous suggestions that PTH and ANP play important roles in chondrocyte proliferation, possibly through their effect on the synthesis of the EGF receptor.

Physiological and pharmacological regulation of biological calcification

Biological calcification is a highly regulated process which occurs in diverse species of microorganisms, plants, and animals. Calcification provides tissues with structural rigidity to function in support and protection, supplies the organism with a reservoir for physiologically important ions, and also serves in a variety of specialized functions. In the vertebrate skeleton, hydroxyapatite crystals are laid down on a backbone of type I collagen, with the process being controlled by a wide range of noncollagenous proteins present in the local surroundings. In bone, cells of the osteoblast lineage are responsible for the synthesis of the bone matrix and many of these regulatory proteins. Osteoclasts, on the other hand, are continually resorbing bone to both produce changes in bone shape and maintain skeletal integrity, and to establish the ionic environment needed by the organism. The proliferation, differentiation, and activity of these cells is regulated by a number of growth factors and hormones. While much has already been discovered over the past few years about the involvement of various regulators in the process of mineralization, the identification and functional characterization of these factors remains an area of intense investigation. As with any complex, biological system that is in a finely tuned equilibrium under normal conditions, problems can occur. An imbalance in the processes of formation and resorption can lead to calcification disorders, and the resultant diseases of the skeletal system have a major impact on human health. A number of pharmacological agents have been, and are being, investigated for their therapeutic potential to correct these defects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Transforming growth factor beta enhances parathyroid hormone stimulation of adenylate cyclase in clonal osteoblast-like cells

The effects of transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) on parathyroid hormone (PTH)-responsive adenylate cyclase were examined in clonal rat osteosarcoma cells (UMR-106) with the osteoblast phenotype. Purified TGF beta incubated with UMR-106 cells for 48 hr produced a concentration-dependent increase in PTH stimulation of adenylate cyclase, with maximal increase in PTH response (37%) occurring at 1 ng/ml TGF beta. TGF beta also enhanced receptor-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase by isoproterenol and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and nonreceptor-mediated enzyme activation by cholera toxin and forskolin. In cells in which PTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity was augmented by treatment with pertussis toxin, the incremental increase in PTH response produced by TGF beta was reduced by 33%. However, TGF beta neither mimicked nor altered the ability of pertussis toxin to catalyze the ADP-ribosylation of a 41,000-Da protein, presumably the alpha subunit of the inhibitory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component (Gi) of adenylate cyclase, in cholate-extracted UMR-106 cell membranes. TGF beta also had no effect on the levels of alpha or beta subunits of Gi, as assessed by immunotransfer blotting. In time course studies, brief (less than or equal to 30 min) exposure of cells to TGF beta during early culture was sufficient to increase PTH response but only after exposed cells were subsequently allowed to grow for prolonged periods. TGF beta enhancement of PTH and isoproterenol responses was blocked by prior treatment of cells with cycloheximide but not indomethacin. The results suggest that TGF beta enhances PTH response in osteoblast-like cells by action(s) exerted at nonreceptor components of adenylate cyclase. The effect of TGF beta may involve Gi, although in a manner unrelated to either pertussis toxin-catalyzed ADP-ribosylation of the alpha subunit of Gi or changes in levels of Gi subunits. The regulatory action of TGF beta on adenylate cyclase is likely to be mediated by the rapid generation of cellular signals excluding prostaglandins, followed by a prolonged sequence of events involving protein synthesis. These observations suggest a mechanism by which TGF beta may regulate osteoblast responses to systemic hormones.

Monoclonal antibodies to ROS 17/2.8 cells recognize antigens, some of which are restricted to osteoblasts and chondrocytes

We have raised a panel of 15 monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) recognizing cell surface antigens of the rat osteoblast-like cell line ROS 17/2.8. The MAbs were selected on the basis of preferential binding to ROS 17/2.8 cells compared to ROS 25/1 cells. Immunohistochemical studies of antigen localization on cryostat sections of rat calvaria, long bone, and soft tissues demonstrated that five of these MAbs, UBIM 1, 2, 3, 12, and 17, recognize antigens that are restricted to normal rat osteoblasts and chondrocytes. The antigens appear to be localized to the cell surface of the osteoblast, with no apparent staining of bone matrix in either undecalcified or decalcified sections. In vitro, these MAbs recognize cell surface antigens present on two additional cell lines, ROS 24/1 and Rat 2 cells, and on the adherent cell population cultured from rat long bone marrow. Of these MAbs, three (UBIM 1, 2, and 3) recognize high-molecular-weight antigens of Mr 200,000-225,000. This study has also identified cell surface antigens of ROS 17/2.8 cells that are not expressed by osteoblasts in vivo. MAbs UBIM 9 and 21 bind to marrow cells in long bone sections, to the 7-day-old nonadherent cell population from cultured marrow, and to lymphoid tissue in sections of spleen. Another four MAbs (UBIM 10, 11, 14, and 22) bind to a variety of cells and tissues both in vitro and in vivo. Studies of the interactions of this panel of MAbs with osteogenic tissues and cell lines may have an important impact on the understanding of osteoblast physiology.

Effects of epidermal growth factor on bone formation and resorption in vivo

The effects of mouse epidermal growth factor (EGF) on bone formation and resorption were examined in male mice. EGF administration (2-200 ng.g-1.day-1 ip for 7 days) induced a dose-dependent rise in plasma EGF levels that remained within physiological range. Histomorphometric analysis of caudal vertebrae showed that EGF (20 and 200 ng.g-1.day-1) reduced the endosteal matrix and mineral appositional rates after 5 days of treatment as measured by double [3H]proline labeling and double tetracycline labeling, respectively. This effect was transitory and was not observed after 7 days of EGF administration. EGF administered for 7 days induced a dose-dependent increase in the periosteal osteoblastic and tetracycline double-labeled surfaces. At high dosage (200 ng.g-1.day-1) EGF administration increased the osteoclastic surface and the number of acid phosphatase-stained osteoclasts, although plasma calcium remained normal. The results show that EGF administration at physiological doses induces distinct effects on endosteal and periosteal bone formation and that the effects are dependent on EGF dosage and duration of treatment. This study indicates that EGF at physiological dosage stimulates periosteal bone formation and increases endosteal bone resorption in the growing mouse.

Effects of tumor necrosis factor alpha on parathyroid hormone-induced increases in osteoblastic cell cyclic AMP

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (10(-10) - 10(-8) M) had no effects on cyclic AMP production by the osteoblastic osteosarcomal cells, Saos-2 and G292, or normal rat calvarial cells. The cytokine did, however, inhibit the parathyroid hormone (PTH)-induced effect on cyclic AMP in the Saos-2 and normal rat osteoblastic cells. This inhibitory effect did not occur on prostaglandin E2-induced cyclic AMP increases in the osteoblastic cells. Interleukin-1 (10 U/ml-100 U/ml) did not produce any effect on basal levels or PTH-induced cyclic AMP increases in these cells.

Incidence and pathophysiology of hypercalcemia

Hypercalcemia occurs for various reasons in patients with malignant diseases. Most of these patients show a relative increase in bone resorption over bone formation. Increased renal tubular calcium reabsorption is also important for maintaining hypercalcemia in the majority of patients. Calcium absorption from the gut is usually decreased. In a few patients, fixed impairment of glomerular filtration contributes to hypercalcemia. Because the pathophysiology of hypercalcemia is heterogeneous, it may be considered as three separate syndromes: the humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy caused by systemic mediators; the hypercalcemia associated with localized osteolytic disease; and the hypercalcemia associated with myeloma and related hematologic malignancies. Increased bone resorption is a key feature in each of these syndromes. In malignant disease, bone resorption is enhanced because osteoclast activity is increased by the production of humoral mediators. These mediators are often produced by the tumor cells but are also produced by normal host cells that have been activated by the presence of the tumor. some of these mediators of hypercalcemia are systemic factors, but some act only locally. They include parathyroid hormone-related protein, transforming growth factor alpha, lymphotoxin, tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 alpha and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Regulation of osteosarcoma EGF receptor affinity by phorbol ester and cyclic AMP

We studied the binding and degradation of 125I-labeled epidermal growth factor (EGF) by UMR-106 osteosarcoma cells and the regulation of EGF receptor affinity for EGF by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and by treatments that raise intracellular levels of cyclic AMP. Cell surface binding of [125I]EGF to A431 cells reached a plateau after a 30 minute incubation at 37 degrees C but was undetectable in UMR-106 cells. Degradation of [125I]EGF proceeded at a 50-fold higher rate in A431 cells on a per cell basis, but receptor-bound [125I]EGF was internalized and degraded at a 3.5-fold higher rate by UMR-106 cells on a per receptor basis. At 4 degrees C, [125I]EGF labeled a single class of surface binding sites in the UMR-106 cell. Treatment with TPA at 37 degrees C reduced subsequent cell surface binding of [125I]EGF at 4 degrees C a maximum of 80% with an IC50 of 1.25 ng/ml. Maximal TPA reduction of [125I]EGF binding was observed within 5-15 minutes and was due to a reduction in the affinity of cell surface receptors of [125I]EGF without a change in receptor density. Pretreatment of the cells for 4 h with 30 microM forskolin, 1 mM isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX) plus 30 microM forskolin, or 1 mM IBMX plus 100 ng/ml parathyroid hormone (PTH) attenuated the loss in [125I]EGF binding caused by a subsequent dose of 10 ng/ml of TPA by 17% (p less than 0.0005), 39% (p less than 0.0002), and 35% (p less than 0.002), respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)