MFG-E8, a novel homeostatic regulator of osteoclastogenesis

Chronological analysis of periodontal bone loss in experimental periodontitis in mice

OBJECTIVES

Periodontal disease is understood to be a result of dysbiotic interactions between the host and the biofilm, causing a unique reaction for each individual, which in turn characterizes their susceptibility. The objective of this study was to chronologically evaluate periodontal tissue destruction induced by systemic bacterial challenge in known susceptible (BALB/c) and resistant (C57BL/6) mouse lineages.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Animals, 6-8 weeks old, were allocated into three experimental groups: Negative control (C), Gavage with sterile carboxymethyl cellulose 2%-without bacteria (Sham), and Gavage with carboxymethyl cellulose 2% + Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg-W83). Before infection, all animals received antibiotic treatment (sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, 400/80 mg/5 mL) for 7 days, followed by 3 days of rest. Microbial challenge was performed 3 times per week for 1, 2, or 3 weeks. After that, the animals were kept until the completion of 42 days of experiments, when they were euthanized. The alveolar bone microarchitecture was assessed by computed microtomography.

RESULTS

Both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice exhibited significant bone volume loss and lower trabecular thickness as well as greater bone porosity compared to the (C) and (Sham) groups after 1 week of microbial challenge (p < .001). When comparing only the gavage groups regarding disease implantation, time and lineage, it was possible to observe that within 1 week of induction the disease was more established in BALB/c than in C57BL/6 (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reflected that after 1 week of microbial challenge, there was evidence of alveolar bone loss for both lineages, with the loss observed in BALB/c mice being more pronounced.

MFG-E8 alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration by suppressing pyroptosis and extracellular matrix degradation in nucleus pulposus cells via Nrf2/TXNIP/NLRP3 axis

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a chronic age-related degenerative disease accompanied by complex pathophysiological mechanisms. Increasing evidence indicates that NLRP3 inflammasome mediated pyroptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells displays an important role in the pathological progression of IVDD. Milk fat globule-EGF factor-8 (MFG-E8) is an endogenously secreted glycoprotein with beneficial effects of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and modulation of NLRP3 inflammasome. However, the effect of MFG-E8 on IVDD remains unclear. In this study, our purpose is to clarify the expression changes of MFG-E8 in the IVDD process and explore the role and mechanism of MFG-E8. We found that MFG-E8's expression was reduced in degraded nucleus pulposus tissues of humans and rats as well as hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-treated NP cells. Exogenous supplementation of MFG-E8 could rescue H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and NLRP3 inflammasome activation and protect NP cells from pyroptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. Mechanistically, Nrf2/TXNIP/NLRP3 axis plays a crucial role in MFG-E8-mediated suppression of the above-pathological events. In vivo, we established a rat intervertebral disc acupuncture model and found that MFG-E8 administration effectively alleviated IVDD development by imageological and histomorphological evaluation. Overall, our findings revealed the internal mechanisms underlying MFG-E8 regulation in NP cells and its intrinsic value for IVDD therapy.

Dual role of phosphatidylserine and its receptors in osteoclastogenesis

Fusion and apoptosis share a breakdown of the membrane phospholipids asymmetry, modes of which are largely unknown in osteoclastogenesis. Here, we investigated the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) and its receptors, and their biological functions in osteoclastogenesis. Strong immunoreactivities in vivo for the PS receptors TIM4, BAI1, and STAB2 were observed in the TRAP-positive multinucleated cells in the alveolar bone that was being remodeled around the developing dental follicles in rats. These receptors were significantly upregulated during M-CSF/RANKL-induced in vitro osteoclastogenesis using mouse bone marrow-derived cells. PS externalization in preosteoclasts was increased by the M-CSF/RANKL treatment. Multinucleation of preosteoclasts was markedly inhibited by antibodies against PS and its receptors. Among the investigated lipid transporter proteins, floppases (Abcb4, Abcc5, and Abcg1) were upregulated, whereas flippases (Atp11c and Atp8a1) downregulated during osteoclastogenesis. Preosteoclast fusion was markedly blocked by the ATPase inhibitor Na₃VO₄ and siRNAs against Abcc5 and Abcg1, revealing the importance of these lipid transporters in PS externalization. Further, the levels of Cd47 and Cd31, don't-eat-me signal inducers, were increased or sustained in the early phase of osteoclastogenesis, whereas those of AnnexinI and Mfg-e8, eat-me signals inducers, were increased in the late apoptotic phase. In addition, Z-VAD-FMK, a pan caspase inhibitor, had no effect on preosteoclast fusion in the early phase of osteoclastogenesis, whereas Abs against PS, TIM4, and BAI1 decreased osteoclast apoptosis during the late phase. These results suggest that PS externalization is essential for the whole process of osteoclastogenesis and share PS receptors and transporters in the early stage fusion and late stage apoptosis. Therefore, modulation of PS and its receptors could be a useful strategy to develop anti-bone resorptive agents.

Functional Role of Milk Fat Globule-Epidermal Growth Factor VIII in Macrophage-Mediated Inflammatory Responses and Inflammatory/Autoimmune Diseases

Inflammation involves a series of complex biological processes mediated by innate immunity for host defense against pathogen infection. Chronic inflammation is considered to be one of the major causes of serious diseases, including a number of autoimmune/inflammatory diseases, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological diseases. Milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (MFG-E8) is a secreted protein found in vertebrates and was initially discovered as a critical component of the milk fat globule. Previously, a number of studies have reported that MFG-E8 contributes to various biological functions including the phagocytic removal of damaged and apoptotic cells from tissues, the induction of VEGF-mediated neovascularization, the maintenance of intestinal epithelial homeostasis, and the promotion of mucosal healing. Recently, emerging studies have reported that MFG-E8 plays a role in inflammatory responses and inflammatory/autoimmune diseases. This review describes the characteristics of MFG-E8-mediated signaling pathways, summarizes recent findings supporting the roles of MFG-E8 in inflammatory responses and inflammatory/autoimmune diseases, and discusses MFG-E8 targeting as a potential therapeutic strategy for the development of anti-inflammatory/autoimmune disease drugs.