Calcitonin gene-related peptide modulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with periprosthetic osteolysis by THP-1 macrophage-like cells

Insight into the Molecule Impact of Critical-Sized UHMWPE-ALN Wear Particles on Cells by the Alginate-Encapsulated Cell Reactor

Wear particles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) are inevitable during service as joint prosthesis, and particles ≤ 10 μm with critical size could cause serious osteolysis and aseptic loosening of joint prosthesis. The aim of this study is to adopt the alginate-encapsulated cell reactor to investigate the molecular impact of critical-sized wear particles of UHMWPE loaded with alendronate sodium (UHMWPE-ALN) on cells. Results showed that compared with UHMWPE wear particles, UHMWPE-ALN wear particles inhibited the proliferation of macrophages significantly after being co-cultured for 1, 4, 7, and 14 d. Furthermore, the released ALN promoted early apoptosis, suppressed the secretion of TNF-α and IL-6 of macrophages, and down-regulated relative gene expressions of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β and RANK. In addition, compared with UHMWPE wear particles, UHMWPE-ALN wear particles promoted the ALP activity of osteoblasts, down-regulated the gene expression of RANKL, and up-regulated gene expression of osteoprotegerin. There were mainly two approaches of the effects of critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN wear particles on cells, one of which was cytology and the other was cytokine signal pathway. The former mainly affected the proliferation and activity of macrophages and osteoblasts. The latter would inhibit osteoclasts via cytokine and RANKL/RANK signal pathway. Thus, UHMWPE-ALN had the potential application in clinics to treat osteolysis induced by wear particles.

Evidence-based selection of reference genes for RT-qPCR assays in periodontal research

Objective

To underline the necessity of adequate reference genes for real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and evaluate a novel tool for condition‐specific reference gene selection.

Background

RT‐qPCR is a commonly used experimental technique that allows for highly sensitive analysis of gene transcription. Moreover, the use of internal reference genes as a means for relative quantification has rendered RT‐qPCR a straightforward method for a variety of sciences, including dentistry. However, the expressional stability of internal reference genes must be evaluated for every assay in order to account for possible quantification bias.

Materials and Methods

Herein, we used the software tool RefGenes to identify putatively stable reference genes with the help of microarray datasets and evaluated them. Additionally, we propose an evidence‐based workflow for adequate normalization of thusly identified genes. Human gingival fibroblasts (HGF‐hTert), human acute leukemia‐derived monocytes (THP‐1), and telomerase immortalized gingival keratinocytes (TIGKs) were subjected to set‐ups simulating various glycemic conditions and lipopolysaccharide challenges. Five common housekeeping genes (HKGs) and five genes from RefGenes were selected as targets and RT‐qPCR was performed subsequently. Then, normalization algorithms Bestkeeper, Normfinder, and geNorm were used for further analysis of the putative reference gene stability.

Results

RefGenes‐derived targets exhibited the highest stability values in THP‐1 and TIGK cell lines. Moreover, unacceptable standard variations were observed for some common HKG like β‐actin. However, common HKG exhibited good stability values in HGF‐hTert cells.

Conclusion

The results indicate that microarray‐based preselection of putative reference genes is a valuable refinement for RT‐qPCR studies. Accordingly, the present study proposes a straightforward workflow for evidence‐based preselection and validation of internal reference genes.

Induction of Irritation and Inflammation in a 3D Innervated Tissue Model of the Human Cornea

Detection of slight changes in the chemical, thermal, and physical environments of the ocular surface is necessary to protect eyesight. The cornea, as the most densely innervated peripheral tissue in the body, can be damaged as a result of caustic chemical exposure. Such damage can be painful and debilitating, thus underscoring the need to understand mechanisms of ocular irritation. Both ethical and translational limitations regarding the use of animal subjects in part drive the need to develop relevant in vitro cell and tissue models that emulate the physiology of the human cornea. In this study, we utilized our 3D in vitro cornea-like tissue model to study the effects of irritation mediated by transient receptor potential (TRP) channels vanilloid 1 and ankyrin 1 (TRPV1; TRPA1) in response to allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) stimulation. Changes in gene expression were analyzed to characterize wound healing responses of the epithelial, stromal, and neuronal cell populations in the corneal tissue models. Key findings of the study include indications of wound healing, such as stromal myofibroblast differentiation and epithelial barrier re-establishment, amplification of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and downstream ECM protein remodeling due to irritation with the addition of sensory innervation. This study further establishes this in vitro tissue model as a useful tool for studying corneal irritation in vitro in a holistic manner with promise as a novel and sensitive tool for studying chemical exposures and subsequent responses.

CDllb+ targeted depletion of macrophages negatively affects bone fracture healing

Inflammation is an important part of the fracture repair process which requires osteogenic cells to interact with innate immune cells such as macrophages. All murine macrophages express the F4/80 cell surface marker but they may be further subdivided into two main phenotypes: M1 (proinflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) based on surface marker expression and function. Macrophages polarize between these two main classes in response to inflammation while differentially regulating the healing process. Studies have shown that F4/80+ cell ablation impairs fracture healing, however, the distinct phenotypes that participate in the early healing process is unclear. We hypothesized that the M1 subtype is essential for the early steps of fracture healing and their depletion would impair fracture repair. To test this hypothesis, M1 (F4/80+/MHCII+/CD86+/CDllb+) macrophages were depleted using a saporin conjugated Mac-1 antibody (Mac1SAP) in vitro using primary macrophages and in vivo using a mouse femur fracture model. Primary macrophages isolated from mice femoral bone marrow were either left undifferentiated (+PBS), differentiated into M1 macrophages (+LPS), or differentiated to M2 macrophages (+IL-4), and then treated with either vehicle or 10 pM Mac1SAP. Samples were collected at day 2 and 5 post Mac1SAP treatment. Macrophage subtypes were identified by flow cytometry and cytokine secretion profiles were quantified using xMAP. For the in vivo model, mice were treated with Mac1SAP 24 h prior to fracture. Femur bone marrow samples were collected and analyzed by flow cytometry, xMAP, immunohistochemistry, MicroCT, and histology. The results demonstrated that Mac1SAP significantly depleted M1 macrophages both in vivo and in vitro. Mac1SAP treatment altered expression of 75% of cytokines in vitro and 30% of cytokines in vivo including IL-6, TNF-a, and IP-10. In both the in vitro and in vivo models, the M1 subtype correlated highly with cytokines G-CSF, IL-1α, IL-6, IL-10, LIX, KC, MCP-1, IP-10, MIP1α, MIP1β, RANTES, IL-9, IL-2 and TNFα. M1 depletion was also found to reduced callus properties at day 14 via microCT analysis. Overall, the data suggests that depletion of M1 macrophages by Mac1SAP treatment alters the cytokine expression profiles during early bone repair which ultimately impairs bone healing.

Insights into the role of circular RNA in macrophage activation and fibrosis disease

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded RNAs which form a covalent bond structure without a 5' cap or a 3' polyadenylated tail, which is deleted through back-splicing. The expression of circRNAs in highly divergent eukaryotes is abundant. With the development of high-throughput sequencing, the mysteries of circRNAs have gradually been revealed. Increased attention has been paid to determining their biological functions and whether their changed expression profiles are linked to disease progression. Functionally, circRNAs have been shown to act as miRNA sponges or nuclear transcription factor regulators, and to play a part in RNA splicing. Various types of circRNAs have been discovered to be differentially expressed under steady physiological and pathological conditions. Recently, several studies have focused on the roles of circRNAs in macrophages on inflammatory stimulation. In this study, we review the current advances in the understanding of circRNAs in macrophages under various pathological conditions, in particular during organ fibrosis, and summarize possible directions for future circRNA applications.

Expression and role of calcitonin gene-related peptide in mouse Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis

AIM

To investigate the expression and role of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the mouse models induced by Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus).

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice were randomized into a control group and A. fumigatus keratitis group. The cornea photography was assessed under the slit lamp and the clinical score was recorded after infection. Western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunohistofluorescence analysis were applied to detect CGRP expression in cornea of both groups. In vitro, tests were conducted with C57BL/6 mice macrophages to investigate CGRP expression after interaction with A. fumigatus. Cytokines expression induced by exogenous CGRP and the antagonist CGRP8-37 in A. fumigatus-exposed macrophages was evaluated by real-time PCR and ELISA.

RESULTS

The cornea expression of CGRP was significantly elevated in C57BL/6 mice corneas and macrophages after A. fumigatus infection. After treatment with exogenous CGRP, the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-6 were reduced, and IL-10 level was increased in the A. fumigatus stimulated-macrophages. However, IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 levels were upregulated after pretreatment of CGRP8-37. But the mRNA levels of MIP-2, TGF-β and IL-10 were not changed.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that A. fumigatus increased CGRP expression. CGRP may play a protective role against inflammation in A. fumigatus keratitis.

No Association of CALCA Polymorphisms and Aseptic Loosening after Primary Total Hip Arthroplasty

Studies of aseptic loosening showed an influence of calcitonin and α-CGRP, both encoded from the calcitonin/α-CGRP (CALCA) gene by alternative splicing. The aim of this study was to detect a possible association of the CALCA polymorphisms P1(rs1553005), P2(rs35815751), P3(rs5240), and P4(rs2956) with the time to aseptic loosening after THA. 320 patients suffering from aseptic loosening after primary total hip arthroplasty were genotyped for CALCA-P1 polymorphism and 161 patients for CALCA-P2 and CALCA-P3 polymorphisms and 160 patients for CALCA-P4 polymorphism. CALCA genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction-fragment length polymorphism. The genotype distribution of CALCA-P1 was CC 10%, CT 43%, and 46% TT. CALCA-P2 showed a distribution of 90.7%II, 8.7% ID, and 0.6% DD. The CALCA-P3 genotype distribution was 97.5% TT and 2.5% TC. The CALCA-P4 genotype distribution was 48.1% AA, 40% AT, and 11.9% TT. Significant differences between the CALCA genotypes were not found concerning age at implantation and replantation, BMI, gender, and cementation technique. No associations of the time for aseptic loosening were found. In conclusion, we did not find a significant association of CALCA polymorphisms and the time to aseptic loosening after primary THA in a Western European group.

Nanocomposite particles with improved microstructure for 3D culture systems and bone regeneration

Nano-apatite and gelatin-alginate hydrogel microparticles have been prepared by a one-step synthesis combined with electrostatic bead generation, for the reconstruction of bone defects. Based on the analysis of bone composition, architecture and embryonic intramembranous ossification, a bio-inspired fabrication has been developed. Accordingly, the mineral phase has been in situ synthesized, calcifying the hydrogel matrix while the latter was crosslinked, finally generating microparticles that can assemble into a bone defect to ensure interconnected pores. Although nano-apatite-biopolymer composites have been widely investigated, microstructural optimization to provide improved distribution and stability of the mineral is rarely achieved. The optimization of the developed method progressively resulted in two types of formulations (15P and 7.5P), with 15 and 7.5 (wt%) phosphate content in the initial precursor. The osteolytic potential was investigated using differentiated macrophages. A commercially available calcium phosphate bone graft substitute (Eurocer 400) was incorporated into the hydrogel, and the obtained composites were in vitro tested for comparison. The cytocompatibility of the microparticles was studied with mouse osteoblast-like cell line MC3T3-E1. Results indicated the best in vitro performance have been obtained for the sample loaded with 7.5P. Preliminary evaluation of biocompatibility into a critical size (3 mm) defect in rabbits showed that 7.5P nanocomposite is associated with newly formed bone in the proximity of the microparticles, after 28 days.

Study on critical-sized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene wear particles loaded with alendronate sodium: in vitro release and cell response

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro release and the effect of RAW 264.7 macrophages of critical-sized wear particles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) loaded with alendronate sodium (ALN), one of the most effective drugs to treat osteoporosis in clinic. The critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN 0.5 wt.% wear particles were prepared by vacuum gradient filtration combined with Pluronic F-68. In vitro release of ALN from critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN wear particles was investigated in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C with a shaker. Cell morphology, proliferation, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and secretions of cytokines were evaluated after co-cultured with critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN wear particles in vitro. Results showed that ALN released from critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN wear particles included burst release and slow release in vitro. Macrophages would be chemotaxis and aggregated around the critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN or UHMWPE wear particle, which was phagocytosed with time. The proliferation of macrophages co-cultured with critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN wear particles was significantly decreased compared with that of critical-sized UHMWPE group. Meanwhile, the critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN wear particles significantly induced the LDH leakage of macrophages, which indicated the cell death. The death of macrophages induced by ALN was one of pathways to inhibit their proliferation. The secretions of cytokines (interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha) in critical-sized UHMWPE-ALN group were significantly lower than those in critical-sized UHMWPE group due to the released ALN. The present results suggested that UHMWPE-ALN had the potential application in clinic to treat osteolysis induced by wear particles.

Gene Expression in Osteolysis: Review on the Identification of Altered Molecular Pathways in Preclinical and Clinical Studies

Aseptic loosening (AL) due to osteolysis is the primary cause of joint prosthesis failure. Currently, a second surgery is still the only available treatment for AL, with its associated drawbacks. The present review aims at identifying genes whose expression is altered in osteolysis, and that could be the target of new pharmacological treatments, with the goal of replacing surgery. This review also aims at identifying the molecular pathways altered by different wear particles. We reviewed preclinical and clinical studies from 2010 to 2016, analyzing gene expression of tissues or cells affected by osteolysis. A total of 32 in vitro, 16 in vivo and six clinical studies were included. These studies revealed that genes belonging to both inflammation and osteoclastogenesis pathways are mainly involved in osteolysis. More precisely, an increase in genes encoding for the following factors were observed: Interleukins 6 and 1β (IL16 and β), Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NFκB), Nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATC1), Cathepsin K (CATK) and Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP). Titanium (Ti) and Polyethylene (PE) were the most studied particles, showing that Ti up-regulated inflammation and osteoclastogenesis related genes, while PE up-regulated primarily osteoclastogenesis related genes.

Blockade of NF-κB and MAPK pathways by ulinastatin attenuates wear particle-stimulated osteoclast differentiation in vitro and in vivo

Ulinastatin, a urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI), is widely used to clinically treat lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-related inflammatory disorders recently. Adherent pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), of which LPS is the best-studied and classical endotoxin produced by Gram-negative bacteria, act to increase the biological activity of osteopedic wear particles such as polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) and titanium particles in cell culture and animal models of implant loosening. The present study was designed to explore the inhibitory effect of UTI on osteoclastogenesis and inflammatory osteolysis in LPS/PMMA-mediated Raw264.7 cells and murine osteolysis models, and investigate the potential mechanism. The in vitro study was divided into the control group, LPS-induced group, PMMA-stimulated group and UTI-pretreated group. UTI (500 or 5000 units/ml) pretreatment was followed by PMMA (0.5 mg/ml) with adherent LPS. The levels of inflammatory mediators including tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), matrixmetallo-proteinases-9 (MMP-9) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), receptor activation of nuclear factor NF-κB (RANK), and cathepsin K were examined and the amounts of phosphorylated I-κB, MEK, JNK and p38 were measured. In vivo study, murine osteolysis models were divided into the control group, PMMA-induced group and UTI-treated group. UTI (500 or 5000 units/kg per day) was injected intraperitoneally followed by PMMA suspension with adherent LPS (2×10⁸ particles/25 μl) in the UTI-treated group. The thickness of interfacial membrane and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells around the implants were assessed, and bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular number (Tb.N.), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th.), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp.), relative bone volume over total volume (BV/TV) of distal femur around the implants were calculated. Our results showed that UTI pretreatment suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines including MMP-9, IL-6, TNF-α, RANK and cathepsin K through down-regulating the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and MAPKs partly in LPS/PMMA-mediated Raw264.7 cells. Finally, UTI treatment decreased the inflammatory osteolysis reaction in PMMA-induced murine osteolysis models. In conclusion, these results confirm the anti-inflammatory potential of UTI in the prevention of particle disease.

Impact of vitamin E-blended UHMWPE wear particles on the osseous microenvironment in polyethylene particle-induced osteolysis

Aseptic loosening mediated by wear particle-induced osteolysis (PIO) remains the major cause of implant loosening in endoprosthetic surgery. The development of new vitamin E (α-tocopherol)-blended ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (VE-UHMWPE) with increased oxidation resistance and improved mechanical properties has raised hopes. Furthermore, regenerative approaches may be opened, as vitamin E supplementation has shown neuroprotective characteristics mediated via calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is known to affect bone remodeling in PIO. Therefore, the present study aimed to further clarify the impact of VE-UHMWPE wear particles on the osseous microenvironment and to identify the potential modulatory pathways involved. Using an established murine calvaria model, mice were subjected to sham operation (SHAM group), or treated with UHMWPE or VE-UHMWPE particles for different experimental durations (7, 14 and 28 days; n=6/group). Morphometric analysis by micro-computed tomography detected significant (p<0.01) and comparable signs of PIO in all particle-treated groups, whereas markers of inflammation [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining] and bone remodeling [Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK-1)/osteoprotegerin (OPG)] were most affected in the early stages following surgery. Taking the present data into account, VE-UHMWPE appears to have a promising biocompatibility and increased ageing resistance. According to the α-CGRP serum levels and immunohistochemistry, the impact of vitamin E on neuropeptidergic signaling and its chance for regenerative approaches requires further investigation.

Calcitonin Peptide Family Members Are Differentially Regulated by LPS and Inhibit Functions of Rat Alveolar NR8383 Macrophages

Members of the calcitonin peptide family—calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), adrenomedullin (AM), and adrenomedullin2/intermedin (IMD)–exert modulatory effects upon monocytes and macrophages of various extrapulmonary origins. Utilizing the rat alveolar macrophage (AMφ) cell line NR8383, we here set out to determine to which extent these three peptides and their receptors are differentially regulated in AMφ and what specific effects they have on AMφ key functions. LPS treatment differentially up-regulated expression of the peptides and receptors. Among the three peptides, IMD mRNA content was lowest both in primary rat AMφ and NR8383 cells, whereas IMD peptide dominated in basal and LPS-stimulated secretion from NR8383 cells. Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis and TNF-α production were inhibited by AM, IMD, and CGRP, whereas pro-IL-1β mRNA was slightly down-regulated exclusively by CGRP. Neither of these peptides affected IL-6 or IL-10 production. None increased intracellular calcium concentration, but AM significantly inhibited store-operated calcium entry. In conclusion, the rat AMφ cell line NR8383 is both a source and a target of the calcitonin peptide family members AM, IMD, and CGRP. Despite sharing proteins of the receptor complexes, AM, IMD, and CGRP each showed a characteristic pattern of effects and regulation, suggesting that these closely related peptides are not just redundant members of one common signaling pathway but act in concert by addressing parallel signaling cascades. Since peptide and receptor expression are up-regulated by LPS, these signaling pathways might act as inhibitory feedback mechanisms in pulmonary bacterial infection.

The influence of calcitonin gene-related peptide on markers of bone metabolism in MG-63 osteoblast-like cells co-cultured with THP-1 macrophage-like cells under virtually osteolytic conditions

Background

The neuropeptide calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been described to have an inhibitory effect on endotoxin- and wear particle-induced inflammation in the early stages of periprosthetic osteolysis. In the present study, the crosstalk between immune cells and osteoblasts in osteolytic conditions treated with CGRP has been analyzed to evaluate whether the anti-inflammatory properties of the peptide also have a beneficial, i.e. an anti-resorptive and osteo-anabolic impact on bone metabolism.

Methods

MG-63 osteoblast-like cells were co-cultured with THP-1 macrophage-like cells stimulated with either ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles or different concentrations of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and simultaneously treated with CGRP. Inflammation was monitored in terms of measuring the levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α secretion. Furthermore, the production of the osteoblast markers osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and osteopontin (OPN) was quantified. Also, ALP enzymatic activity was measured.

Results

Stimulation of co-cultured THP-1 macrophages with either high levels of LPS or UHMWPE induced the secretion of TNF-α which could be inhibited by CGRP to a great extent. However, no remarkable changes in the OPG/RANKL ratio or bone ALP activity were observed. Interestingly, OPN was exclusively produced by THP-1 cells, thus acting as a marker of inflammation. In addition, TNF-α production in THP-1 single cell cultures was found to be considerably higher than in co-cultured cells.

Conclusions

In the co-culture system used in the present study, no obvious relation between inflammation, its mitigation by CGRP, and the modulation of bone metabolism became evident. Nonetheless, the results suggest that during the onset of periprosthetic osteolysis the focus might lie on the modulation of inflammatory reactions. Possibly, implant-related inflammation might merely have an impact on osteoclast differentiation rather than on the regulation of osteoblast activity.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12891-016-1044-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.