Differential expression of claudin family members during osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation: Cldn-1 is a novel positive regulator of osteoblastogenesis

Prevention and treatment of peri-implant fibrosis by functionally inhibiting skeletal cells expressing the leptin receptor

The cellular and molecular mediators of peri-implant fibrosis-a most common reason for implant failure and for surgical revision after the replacement of a prosthetic joint-remain unclear. Here we show that peri-implant fibrotic tissue in mice and humans is largely composed of a specific population of skeletal cells expressing the leptin receptor (LEPR) and that these cells are necessary and sufficient to generate and maintain peri-implant fibrotic tissue. In a mouse model of tibial implantation and osseointegration that mimics partial knee arthroplasty, genetic ablation of LEPR+ cells prevented peri-implant fibrosis and the implantation of LEPR+ cells from peri-implant fibrotic tissue was sufficient to induce fibrosis in secondary hosts. Conditional deletion of the adhesion G-protein-coupled receptor F5 (ADGRF5) in LEPR+ cells attenuated peri-implant fibrosis while augmenting peri-implant bone formation, and ADGRF5 inhibition by the intra-articular or systemic administration of neutralizing anti-ADGRF5 in the mice prevented and reversed peri-implant fibrosis. Pharmaceutical agents that inhibit the ADGRF5 pathway in LEPR+ cells may be used to prevent and treat peri-implant fibrosis.

Absence of TRIC-B from type XIV Osteogenesis Imperfecta osteoblasts alters cell adhesion and mitochondrial function - A multi-omics study

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a heritable collagen-related bone dysplasia characterized by bone fractures, growth deficiency and skeletal deformity. Type XIV OI is a recessive OI form caused by null mutations in TMEM38B, which encodes the ER membrane intracellular cation channel TRIC-B. Previously, we showed that absence of TMEM38B alters calcium flux in the ER of OI patient osteoblasts and fibroblasts, which further disrupts collagen synthesis and secretion. How the absence of TMEM38B affects osteoblast function is still poorly understood. Here we further investigated the role of TMEM38B in human osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. TMEM38B-null osteoblasts showed altered expression of osteoblast marker genes and decreased mineralization. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that cell-cell adhesion was one of the most downregulated pathways in TMEM38B-null osteoblasts, with further validation by real-time PCR and Western blot. Gap and tight junction proteins were also decreased by TRIC-B absence, both in patient osteoblasts and in calvarial osteoblasts of Tmem38b-null mice. Disrupted cell adhesion decreased mutant cell proliferation and cell cycle progression. An important novel finding was that TMEM38B-null osteoblasts had elongated mitochondria with altered fusion and fission markers, MFN2 and DRP1. In addition, TMEM38B-null osteoblasts exhibited a significant increase in superoxide production in mitochondria, further supporting mitochondrial dysfunction. Together these results emphasize the novel role of TMEM38B/TRIC-B in osteoblast differentiation, affecting cell-cell adhesion processes, gap and tight junction, proliferation, cell cycle, and mitochondrial function.

Targeted Deletion of the Claudin12 Gene in Mice Increases Articular Cartilage and Inhibits Chondrocyte Differentiation

To study the role of Claudin (CLDN)12 in bone, we developed mice with a targeted deletion of exon2 in the Cldn12 gene for skeletal phenotype analysis. Micro-CT analysis of the secondary spongiosa of distal femurs of mice with targeted disruption of the Cldn12 gene and control littermates showed no significant genotype-specific differences in either cortical or trabecular bone parameters for either gender in 13-week-old mice. Immunohistochemistry revealed that while CLDN12 was expressed in both differentiating chondrocytes and osteoblasts of the secondary spongiosa of 3-week-old wild-type mice, its expression was restricted to differentiating chondrocytes in the articular cartilage and growth plate in adult mice. Articular cartilage area at the knee were increased by 47% in Cldn12 knockout (KO) mice compared to control littermates. Micro-CT analyses found that while the trabecular number was increased by 9% and the trabecular spacing was reduced by 9% in the femoral epiphysis of Cldn12 KO mice, neither bone volume nor bone volume adjusted for tissue volume was different between the two genotypes. The expression levels of Clusterin, Lubricin and Mmp13 were increased by 56%, 46%, and 129%, respectively, in primary articular chondrocytes derived from KO compared to control mice. Our data indicate that targeted deletion of the Cldn12 gene in mice increases articular cartilage, in part, by promoting articular chondrocyte phenotype.

Odontogenic gene expression profile of human dental pulp-derived cells under high glucose influence: a microarray analysis

Hyperglycemia, a major characteristic of diabetes, is considered to play a vital role in diabetic complications. High glucose levels have been found to inhibit the mineralization of dental pulp cells. However, gene expression associated with this phenomenon has not yet been reported. This is important for future dental therapeutic application.

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of high glucose levels on mineralization of human dental pulp-derived cells (hDPCs) and identify the genes involved.

METHODOLOGY

hDPCs were cultured in mineralizing medium containing 25 or 5.5 mM D-glucose. On days 1 and 14, RNA was extracted and expression microarray performed. Then, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were selected for further validation using the reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) method. Cells were fixed and stained with alizarin red on day 21 to detect the formation of mineralized nodules, which was further quantified by acetic acid extraction.

RESULTS

Comparisons between high-glucose and low-glucose conditions showed that on day 1, there were 72 significantly up-regulated and 75 down-regulated genes in the high-glucose condition. Moreover, 115 significantly up- and 292 down-regulated genes were identified in the high-glucose condition on day 14. DEGs were enriched in different GO terms and pathways, such as biological and cellular processes, metabolic pathways, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways. RT-qPCR results confirmed the significant expression of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 3 (PDK3), cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8), activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), fibulin-7 (Fbln-7), hyaluronan synthase 1 (HAS1), interleukin 4 receptor (IL-4R) and apolipoprotein C1 (ApoC1).

CONCLUSIONS

The high-glucose condition significantly inhibited the mineralization of hDPCs. DEGs were identified, and interestingly, HAS1 and Fbln-7 genes may be involved in the glucose inhibitory effect on hDPC mineralization.

Transcriptomics-based analysis of the mechanism by which Wang-Bi capsule alleviates joint destruction in rats with collagen-induced arthritis

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease accompanied with joint destruction that often leads to disability. Wang-Bi capsule (WB), a traditional Chinese medicine-based herbs formula, has exhibited inhibition effect on joint destruction of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model in our previous study. But its molecular mechanisms are still obscure.

METHODS

CIA rats were treated intragastrical with WB for eight weeks, and the effect of joints protection were evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, safranin O fast green staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and micro‑CT scanning analysis. The transcriptomic of tarsal joints were used to investigate how WB alleviated joint destruction.

RESULTS

The histological examination of ankle joints showed WB alleviated both cartilage damage and bone destruction of CIA rats. This protective effect on joints were further evidenced by micro-CT analysis. The transcriptomic analysis showed that WB prominently changed 12 KEGG signaling pathways ("calcium signaling pathway", "cAMP signaling pathway", "cell adhesion molecules", "chemokine signaling pathway", "complement and coagulation cascades", "MAPK signaling pathway", "NF-kappa B signaling pathway", "osteoclast differentiation", "PI3K-Akt signaling pathway", "focal adhesion", "Gap junction" and "Rap1 signaling pathway") associated with bone or cartilage. Several genes (including Il6, Tnfsf11, Ffar2, Plg, Tnfrsf11b, Fgf4, Fpr1, Siglec1, Vegfd, Cldn1, Cxcl13, Chad, Arrb2, Fgf9, Egfr) regulating bone resorption, bone formation and cartilage development were identified by further analysis. Meanwhile, these differentially expressed genes were validated by real-time quantitative PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the protective effect of WB treatment on joint were confirmed in CIA rats, and its basic molecular mechanisms may be associated with regulating some genes (including Il6, Tnfsf11, Ffar2 and Plg etc.) involved in bone resorption, bone formation and cartilage development.

Novel Role for Claudin-11 in the Regulation of Osteoblasts via Modulation of ADAM10-Mediated Notch Signaling

The claudin (Cldn) family comprises 27 members of 20 to 34 kDa transmembrane tight junction proteins. In addition to Cldns' established canonical role as barriers controlling paracellular flow of molecules, a distinct noncanonical role for them as mediators of cell signaling is now emerging. In our studies evaluating Cldn family expression levels during osteoblast differentiation, Cldn-11 showed the largest increase (60-fold). Immunohistochemistry studies revealed high Cldn-11 expression in trabecular (Tb) bone lining cells. Micro-CT analysis of femurs and vertebrae of Cldn-11 knock-out (KO) mice at 12 weeks of age exhibited a 40% (p < 0.01) reduction in Tb bone volume adjusted for tissue volume compared with control mice, a change caused by significant reductions in Tb number and thickness and increase in Tb separation. Histomorphometry and serum biomarker studies revealed that reduced bone formation, not increased resorption, is the cause for reduced Tb bone volume in the Cldn-11 KO mice. Cldn-11 KO osteoblasts expressed reduced ALP and BSP, whereas Cldn-11 overexpression in MC3T3-E1 cells increased expression of ALP and BSP. Mechanistically, Cldn-11 interacted with tetraspanin (Tspan)3 in osteoblasts, and Tspan3 knockdown reduced osteoblast differentiation. Because members of the Tspan family regulate cell functions via Notch signaling, we evaluated whether Cldn-11/Tspan3 regulates Notch signaling in osteoblasts. Accordingly, Notch targets Hey1 and Hey2 were significantly upregulated in Cldn-11 overexpressing cultures but downregulated in both Cldn-11 KO and Tspan3 knockdown osteoblasts. Because ADAM10 has been shown to interact with Tspan family members to regulate Notch signaling, we evaluated whether Cldn-11 regulates ADAM10 expression. Cldn-11 overexpressing cells express more mature ADAM10, and an ADAM10 inhibitor blocked the Cldn-11 effect on osteoblast differentiation. Based on these data, we propose Cldn-11 as a novel component of an osteoblast cell surface protein complex, comprising Tspan3 and ADAM10, which regulates Notch signaling and cell differentiation. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Chemokine receptor 3 is a negative regulator of trabecular bone mass in female mice

Chemokines are secreted by a wide variety of cells; their functions are dependent on the binding to their chemokine receptors (CCRs) which induce directed chemotaxis in nearby responsive cells. Chemokines and their receptors can be induced under several different conditions. Based on data from clinical studies showing an increased expression of chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3) in circulating monocytes of human subjects with lower bone mineral density (BMD) as compared to those with high BMD, we predicted a role for CCR3 in the development of peak bone mass. We, therefore, first evaluated the expression pattern of Ccr3 in bone cells, in comparison to other CCRs, that have common ligands with CCR3. While Ccr1 and Ccr3 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels increased during both RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and AA-induced osteoblast differentiation, the levels of Ccr5 mRNA only increased during osteoblast differentiation. To examine if CCR3 influences osteoclast and/or osteoblast differentiation, we evaluated the consequence of blocking CCR3 function using neutralizing antibody on the expression of osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation markers. Treatment with CCR3 neutralizing antibody increased mRNA levels of Trap and cathepsin K in osteoclasts and osteocalcin in osteoblasts compared to cells treated with control IgG. Based on these in vitro findings, we next assessed the role of CCR3 in vivo by evaluating the skeletal phenotypes of Ccr3 knockout and corresponding control littermate mice. Disruption of CCR3 resulted in a significant increase in femur areal BMD at 5 and 8 weeks of age by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Micro-CT analysis revealed a 25% increase in trabecular bone mass at 10 weeks of age caused by corresponding changes in trabecular number and thickness compared to wild type mice. Based on our findings, we conclude that disruption of CCR3 function favors bone mass accumulation, in part via enhancement of bone metabolism. Understanding the molecular pathways through which CCR3 acts to regulate osteoclast and osteoblast functions could lead to new therapeutic approaches to prevent inflammation-induced bone loss.

Claudin 11 regulates bone homeostasis via bidirectional EphB4-EphrinB2 signaling

Claudins (Cldns) are well-established components of tight junctions (TJs) that play a pivotal role in the modulation of paracellular permeability. Several studies have explored the physiologic aspects of Cldn family members in bone metabolism. However, the effect of Cldn11, a major component of central nervous system myelin, on bone homeostasis has not been reported. In this study, we demonstrate that Cldn11 is a potential target for bone disease therapeutics as a dual modulator of osteogenesis enhancement and osteoclastogenesis inhibition. We found that Cldn11 played a negative role in the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand-induced osteoclast (OC) differentiation and function by downregulating the phosphorylated form of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Bruton's tyrosine kinase, and phospholipase C gamma 2, in turn impeding c-Fos and nuclear factor in activated T cell c1 expression. The enhancement of osteoblast (OB) differentiation by positive feedback of Cldn11 was achieved through the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/8, ERK, and c-Jun amino-terminal kinase. Importantly, this Cldn11-dependent dual event in bone metabolism arose from targeting EphrinB2 ligand reverse signaling in OC and EphB4 receptor forward signaling in OB. In agreement with these in vitro effects, subcutaneous injection of Cldn11 recombinant protein exerted anti-resorbing effects in a lipopolysaccharide-induced calvarial bone loss mouse model and increased osteogenic activity in a calvarial bone formation model. These findings suggest that Cldn11 is a novel regulator in bone homeostasis.

Prolactin and cortisol regulate branchial claudin expression in Japanese medaka

Several gill claudin (Cldn) tight junction proteins in Japanese medaka are regulated by salinity (cldn10 paralogs and cldn28b), while others are constitutively expressed (cldn27a, cldn28a and cldn30c). The role of the endocrine system in this regulation has yet to be understood. The in vitro effects of cortisol and prolactin on cldn expression in gill explant cultures were investigated in medaka. ncc2b and cftr were used as markers of specific ionocytes associated with freshwater- and seawater-acclimation, respectively. Concentration-response experiments were performed by overnight incubation with 0, 0.1, 1 and 10μgmL^-1 cortisol or 0, 0.01, 0.1 and 1μgmL^-1 ovine prolactin. Cortisol significantly up-regulated cftr, ncc2b, cldn10 paralogs, cldn27a and cldn30c from 1.2- to 5-fold control levels at 10μgmL^-1. Cortisol had no effect on cldn28a and cldn28b. Prolactin had a concentration-dependent effect, decreasing expression of cftr (1μgmL^-1, 2.2-fold) while increasing ncc2b (from 0.1μgmL^-1, 6-7-fold). Prolactin up-regulated expression of 3 cldns: cldn28b (0.1 and 1μgmL^-1), cldn10c and cldn10f (1μgmL^-1), with up to 2-, 2.5- and 2-fold of control level, respectively. A combination experiment with both hormones showed that they act in synergy on cldn28b and have an additive effect on cftr, ncc2b, cldn10c and cldn10f. Our results showed that cortisol and prolactin are essential to maintain the expression of specific branchial claudins. This work also provides evidence that both hormones act directly on gill of medaka to modulate determinants of paracellular ion movement.

Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Matrix Formation In Vivo and In Vitro

We review the characteristics of osteoblast differentiation and bone matrix synthesis. Bone in air breathing vertebrates is a specialized tissue that developmentally replaces simpler solid tissues, usually cartilage. Bone is a living organ bounded by a layer of osteoblasts that, because of transport and compartmentalization requirements, produce bone matrix exclusively as an organized tight epithelium. With matrix growth, osteoblasts are reorganized and incorporated into the matrix as living cells, osteocytes, which communicate with each other and surface epithelium by cell processes within canaliculi in the matrix. The osteoblasts secrete the organic matrix, which are dense collagen layers that alternate parallel and orthogonal to the axis of stress loading. Into this matrix is deposited extremely dense hydroxyapatite-based mineral driven by both active and passive transport and pH control. As the matrix matures, hydroxyapatite microcrystals are organized into a sophisticated composite in the collagen layer by nucleation in the protein lattice. Recent studies on differentiating osteoblast precursors revealed a sophisticated proton export network driving mineralization, a gene expression program organized with the compartmentalization of the osteoblast epithelium that produces the mature bone matrix composite, despite varying serum calcium and phosphate. Key issues not well defined include how new osteoblasts are incorporated in the epithelial layer, replacing those incorporated in the accumulating matrix. Development of bone in vitro is the subject of numerous projects using various matrices and mesenchymal stem cell-derived preparations in bioreactors. These preparations reflect the structure of bone to variable extents, and include cells at many different stages of differentiation. Major challenges are production of bone matrix approaching the in vivo density and support for trabecular bone formation. In vitro differentiation is limited by the organization and density of osteoblasts and by endogenous and exogenous inhibitors.

Systems Proteomics View of the Endogenous Human Claudin Protein Family

Claudins are the major transmembrane protein components of tight junctions in human endothelia and epithelia. Tissue-specific expression of claudin members suggests that this protein family is not only essential for sustaining the role of tight junctions in cell permeability control but also vital in organizing cell contact signaling by protein-protein interactions. How this protein family is collectively processed and regulated is key to understanding the role of junctional proteins in preserving cell identity and tissue integrity. The focus of this review is to first provide a brief overview of the functional context, on the basis of the extensive body of claudin biology research that has been thoroughly reviewed, for endogenous human claudin members and then ascertain existing and future proteomics techniques that may be applicable to systematically characterizing the chemical forms and interacting protein partners of this protein family in human. The ability to elucidate claudin-based signaling networks may provide new insight into cell development and differentiation programs that are crucial to tissue stability and manipulation.

Proposed Modification to the Plutonium Systemic Model

The currently accepted biokinetic model for plutonium distribution within the human body was recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection in publication 67. This model was developed from human and animal studies and behavioral knowledge acquired from other known bone-seeking radionuclides. The biokinetic model provides a mathematical means of predicting the distribution, retention, and clearance of plutonium within the human body that may be used in deriving organ, tissue, and whole body dose. This work proposed a modification to the ICRP 67 systemic model for plutonium that incorporated the latest knowledge acquired from recent human injection studies with physiologically based improvements. In summary, the changes included a separation of the liver compartments, removed the intermediate soft tissue-to-bladder pathway, and added pathways from the blood compartment to both the cortical and trabecular bone volumes. The proposed model provided improved predictions for several bioassay indicators compared to the ICRP 67 model while also maintaining its basic structure. Additionally, the proposed model incorporated physiologically based improvements for the liver and skeleton and continued to ensure efficient coupling with intake biokinetic models.