Osteoblasts Display Different Responsiveness to TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis During Their Differentiation Process

Apoptosis can occur throughout the life span of osteoblasts (OBs), beginning from the early stages of differentiation and continuing throughout all stages of their working life. Here, we investigated the effects of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on normal human OBs showing for the first time that the expression of TRAIL receptors is modulated during OB differentiation. In particular, the TRAIL receptor ratio was in favor of the deaths because of the low expression of DcR2 in undifferentiated OBs, differently it was shifted toward the decoys in differentiated ones. Undifferentiated OBs treated with TRAIL showed reduced cell viability, whereas differentiated OBs displayed TRAIL resistance. The OB sensitiveness to TRAIL was due to the up-regulation of DR5 and the down-regulation of DcR2. The main death receptor involved in TRAIL-reduced OB viability was DR5 as demonstrated by the rescue of cell viability observed in the presence of anti-DR5 neutralizing antibody. Besides the ratio of TRAIL receptors, the sensitivity of undifferentiated OBs to TRAIL-cytotoxic effect was also associated with low mRNA levels of intracellular anti-apoptotic proteins, such as cFLIP, the activation of caspase-8 and -3, as well as the DNA fragmentation. This study suggests that apoptotic effect exerted by TRAIL/TRAIL-receptor system on normal human OB is strictly dependent upon cell differentiation status

Trail differently affects osteoclast formation in physiological and pathological conditions.

Although osteoclasts (OCs) differentiate under the control of RANK/RANKL/OPG system, a number of inflammatory cytokines can contribute to increase osteoclastogenesis in diseases associated with bone loss. Recently, different studies indicate that TRAIL is implicated in modulating osteoclastogenesis. Here, we investigated the effect of TRAIL on OC formation in physiological and pathological conditions with bone involvement utilizing osteoclastogenesis in vitro models represented by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and patients affected by multiple myeloma or periodontal disease. We demonstrated that in PBMCs from healthy donors TRAIL can directly induce OC formation in the absence of RANKL, while exert an inhibitory effect when added concomitantly to RANKL. In PBMCs from the patients, in which media the levels of TRAIL, RANKL and OPG are elevated, the neutralization of TRAIL partially inhibits the OC formation, and this effect was reversed by RANKL addition. Finally, we detect high TRAIL levels in the sera from the patients. In conclusion, our results indicate that TRAIL could exert a different role in modulating OC differentiation in physiological and pathological conditions

TRAIL effect on osteoclast formation in physiological and pathological conditions

Although osteoclasts (OCs) differentiate under the control of RANK/RANKL/OPG system, a number of inflammatory cytokines can contribute to increase osteoclastogenesis in diseases associated with bone loss. Recently, different studies indicate that TRAIL is implicated in modulating osteoclastogenesis. Here, we investigated the effect of TRAIL on OC formation in physiological and pathological conditions with bone involvement utilizing osteoclastogenesis in vitro models represented by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy donors and patients affected by multiple myeloma or periodontal disease. We demonstrated that in PBMCs from healthy donors TRAIL can directly induce OC formation in the absence of RANKL, while exert an inhibitory effect when added concomitantly to RANKL. In PBMCs from the patients, in which media the levels of TRAIL, RANKL and OPG are elevated, the neutralization of TRAIL partially inhibits the OC formation, and this effect was reversed by RANKL addition. Finally, we detect high TRAIL levels in the sera from the patients. In conclusion, our results indicate that TRAIL could exert a different role in modulating OC differentiation in physiological and pathological conditions

Osteoblasts display different responsiveness to TRAIL- induced apoptosis during their differentiation process

Apoptosis can occur throughout the entire life span of osteoblasts (OBs), beginning from the early stages of differentiation and continuing throughout all stages of their working life. Here we investigated the effects of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) on normal human OBs showing for the first time that the expression of TRAIL receptors is modulated during OB differentiation. In particular, the TRAIL receptor ratio was in favour of the deaths because of the low expression of DcR2 in undifferentiated OBs, differently it was shifted toward the decoys in differentiated ones. Undifferentiated OBs treated with TRAIL showed reduced cell viability, whereas differentiated OBs displayed TRAIL resistance. The OB sensitiveness to TRAIL was due to the up-regulation of DR5 and the down-regulation of DcR2. The main death receptor involved in TRAIL-reduced OB viability was DR5 as demonstrated by the rescue of cell viability observed in the presence of anti-DR5 neutralizing antibody. Besides the ratio of TRAIL receptors, the sensitivity of undifferentiated OBs to TRAIL-cytotoxic effect was also associated with low mRNA levels of intracellular anti-apoptotic proteins, such as cFLIP, the activation of caspase-8 and -3, as well as the DNA fragmentation. This study suggests that apoptotic effect exerted by TRAIL/TRAIL-receptor system on normal human OB is strictly dependent upon cell differentiation status

Osteoblast apoptosis in periodontal disease: role of TRAIL

Periodontal disease (Pd) is characterized by an increased osteoclast resorption and a decreased osteoblast (OB) bone formation. OBs obtained from alveolar bone of Periodontitis patients (Pp) undergo apoptosis in the presence of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). We studied the intracellular apoptotic pathway induced by TRAIL; TRAIL death (DR4, DR5) and decoy (DcR1, DcR2) receptors expression in Periodontitis patients OBs (PpOBs), and we measured the concentration of TRAIL in the serum of Pp. We demonstrated that DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 in PpOBs, following TRAIL stimulation, occurred in shorter time; moreover, a higher amount of both caspases was activated in order to direct OBs. Down-regulation of DcR2 in PpOBs was demonstrated and high TRAIL levels were detected in the serum of Pp. In conclusion, our data suggest that PpOBs are more sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis when compared to the control group. The down-regulation of DcR2 possibly leads to an imbalanced ratio between death and decoy receptors. Our findings highlight a role of TRAIL in the pathogenesis of Pd

Osteoblast apoptosis in periodontal disease: role of TRAIL.

Periodontal disease (Pd) is characterized by an increased osteoclast resorption and a decreased osteoblast (OB) bone formation. OBs obtained from alveolar bone of Periodontitis patients (Pp) undergo apoptosis in the presence of TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL). We studied the intracellular apoptotic pathway induced by TRAIL; TRAIL death (DR4, DR5) and decoy (DcR1, DcR2) receptors expression in Periodontitis patients OBs (PpOBs), and we measured the concentration of TRAIL in the serum of Pp. We demonstrated that DNA fragmentation and activation of caspase-8 and caspase-3 in PpOBs, following TRAIL stimulation, occurred in shorter time; moreover, a higher amount of both caspases was activated in order to direct OBs. Down-regulation of DcR2 in PpOBs was demonstrated and high TRAIL levels were detected in the serum of Pp. In conclusion, our data suggest that PpOBs are more sensitive to TRAIL-induced apoptosis when compared to the control group. The down-regulation of DcR2 possibly leads to an imbalanced ratio between death and decoy receptors. Our findings highlight a role of TRAIL in the pathogenesis of Pd