Myeloma–Bone Interaction : A Vicious Cycle via TAK1–PIM2 Signaling

Myeloma cells interact with their ambient cells in the bone, such as bone marrow stromal cells, osteoclasts, and osteocytes, resulting in enhancement of osteoclastogenesis and inhibition of osteoblastogenesis while enhancing their growth and drug resistance. The activation of the TAK1–PIM2 signaling axis appears to be vital for this mutual interaction, posing it as an important therapeutic target to suppress tumor expansion and ameliorate bone destruction in multiple myeloma.Multiple myeloma (MM) has a propensity to develop preferentially in bone and form bone-destructive lesions. MM cells enhance osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption through activation of the RANKL–NF-κB signaling pathway while suppressing bone formation by inhibiting osteoblastogenesis from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) by factors elaborated in the bone marrow and bone in MM, including the soluble Wnt inhibitors DKK-1 and sclerostin, activin A, and TGF-β, resulting in systemic bone destruction with loss of bone. Osteocytes have been drawn attention as multifunctional regulators in bone metabolism. MM cells induce apoptosis in osteocytes to trigger the production of factors, including RANKL, sclerostin, and DKK-1, to further exacerbate bone destruction. Bone lesions developed in MM, in turn, provide microenvironments suited for MM cell growth/survival, including niches to foster MM cells and their precursors. Thus, MM cells alter the microenvironments through bone destruction in the bone where they reside, which in turn potentiates tumor growth and survival, thereby generating a vicious loop between tumor progression and bone destruction. The serine/threonine kinases PIM2 and TAK1, an upstream mediator of PIM2, are overexpressed in bone marrow stromal cells and osteoclasts as well in MM cells in bone lesions. Upregulation of the TAK1–PIM2 pathway plays a critical role in tumor expansion and bone destruction, posing the TAK1–PIM2 pathway as a pivotal therapeutic target in MM

Protein Phosphatase 1δ with Nucleophosmin

Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation has been recognized as an essential mechanism in the regulation of cellular metabolism and function in various tissues. Serine and threonine protein phosphatases (PP) are divided into four categories: PP1, PP2A, PP2B, and PP2C. At least four isoforms of PP1 catalytic subunit in rat, PP1α, PP1γ1, PP1γ2, and PP1δ, were isolated. In the present study, we examined the localization and expression of PP1δ in human osteoblastic Saos-2 cells. Anti-PP1δ antibody recognized a protein present in the nucleolar regions in Saos-2 cells. Cellular fractionation revealed that PP1δ is a 37 kDa protein localized in the nucleolus. Nucleophosmin is a nucleolar phosphoprotein and located mainly in the nucleolus. Staining pattern of nucleophosmin in Saos-2 cells was similar to that of PP1δ. PP1δ and nucleophosmin were specifically stained as dots in the nucleus. Dual fluorescence images revealed that PP1δ and nucleophosmin were localized in the same regions in the nucleolus. Similar distribution patterns of PP1δ and nucleophosmin were observed in osteoblastic MG63 cells. The interaction of PP1δ and nucleophosmin was also shown by immunoprecipitation and Western analysis. These results indicated that PP1δ associate with nucleophosmin directly in the nucleolus and suggested that nucleophosmin is one of the candidate substrate for PP1δ

Role of Protein Phosphatase 2A in Osteoblast Differentiation and Function

The reversible phosphorylation of proteins plays hugely important roles in a variety of cellular processes, such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. These processes are strictly controlled by protein kinases (phosphorylation) and phosphatases (de-phosphorylation). Here we provide a brief history of the study of protein phosphorylation, including a summary of different types of protein kinases and phosphatases. One of the most physiologically important serine/threonine phosphatases is PP2A. This review provides a description of the phenotypes of various PP2A transgenic mice and further focuses on the known functions of PP2A in bone formation, including its role in osteoblast differentiation and function. A reduction in PP2A promotes bone formation and osteoblast differentiation through the regulation of bone-related transcription factors such as Osterix. Interestingly, downregulation of PP2A also stimulates adipocyte differentiation from undifferentiated mesenchymal cells under the appropriate adipogenic differentiation conditions. In osteoblasts, PP2A is also involved in the ability to control osteoclastogenesis as well as in the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. Thus, PP2A is considered to be a comprehensive factor in controlling the differentiation and function of cells derived from mesenchymal cells such as osteoblasts and adipocytes

Interaction of Protein Phosphatase 1δ with Nucleophosmin in Human Osteoblastic Cells

Protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation has been recognized as an essential mechanism in the regulation of cellular metabolism and function in various tissues. Serine and threonine protein phosphatases (PP) are divided into four categories: PP1, PP2A, PP2B, and PP2C. At least four isoforms of PP1 catalytic subunit in rat, PP1α, PP1γ1, PP1γ2, and PP1δ, were isolated. In the present study, we examined the localization and expression of PP1δ in human osteoblastic Saos-2 cells. Anti-PP1δ antibody recognized a protein present in the nucleolar regions in Saos-2 cells. Cellular fractionation revealed that PP1δ is a 37 kDa protein localized in the nucleolus. Nucleophosmin is a nucleolar phosphoprotein and located mainly in the nucleolus. Staining pattern of nucleophosmin in Saos-2 cells was similar to that of PP1δ. PP1δ and nucleophosmin were specifically stained as dots in the nucleus. Dual fluorescence images revealed that PP1δ and nucleophosmin were localized in the same regions in the nucleolus. Similar distribution patterns of PP1δ and nucleophosmin were observed in osteoblastic MG63 cells. The interaction of PP1δ and nucleophosmin was also shown by immunoprecipitation and Western analysis. These results indicated that PP1δ associate with nucleophosmin directly in the nucleolus and suggested that nucleophosmin is one of the candidate substrate for PP1δ

PKR is necessary for osteoclastogenesis.

Double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) is involved in cell cycle progression, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, tumorgenesis, and apoptosis. We previously reported that PKR is required for differentiation and calcification in osteoblasts. TNF-α plays a key role in osteoclast differentiation. However, it is unknown about the roles of PKR in the TNF-α-induced osteoclast differentiation. The expression of PKR in osteoclast precursor RAW264.7 cells increased during TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis. The TNF-α-induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages and RAW264.7 cells was markedly suppressed by the pre-treatment of PKR inhibitor, 2-aminopurine (2AP), as well as gene silencing of PKR. The expression of gene markers in the differentiated osteoclasts including TRAP, Calcitonin receptor, cathepsin K and ATP6V0d2 was also suppressed by the 2AP treatment. Bone resorption activity of TNF-α-induced osteoclasts was also supressed by 2AP treatment. Inhibition of PKR supressed the TNF-α-induced activation of NF-κB and MAPK in RAW264.7 cells. 2AP inhibited both the nuclear translocation of NF-κB and its transcriptional activity in RAW264.7 cells. 2AP inhibited the TNF-α-induced expression of NFATc1 and c-fos, master transcription factors in osteoclastogenesis. TNF-α-induced nuclear translocation of NFATc1 in mature osteoclasts was clearly inhibited by the 2AP treatment. The PKR inhibitor C16 decreased the TNF-α-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in mouse calvaria. The present study indicates that PKR is necessary for the TNF-α-induced osteoclast differentiation in vitro and in vivo

Increased IL-6 expression in osteoclasts is necessary but not sufficient for the development of Paget's disease of bone

Measles virus nucleocapsid protein (MVNP) expression in osteoclasts (OCLs) and mutation of the SQSTM1 (p62) gene contribute to the increased OCL activity in Paget's disease (PD). OCLs expressing MVNP display many of the features of PD OCLs. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) production is essential for the pagetic phenotype, because transgenic mice with MVNP targeted to OCLs develop pagetic OCLs and lesions, but this phenotype is absent when MVNP mice are bred to IL-6(-/-) mice. In contrast, mutant p62 expression in OCL precursors promotes receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) hyperresponsivity and increased OCL production, but OCLs that form have normal morphology, are not hyperresponsive to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25-(OH)2 D3 ), nor produce elevated levels of IL-6. We previously generated p62(P394L) knock-in mice (p62KI) and found that although OCL numbers were increased, the mice did not develop pagetic lesions. However, mice expressing both MVNP and p62KI developed more exuberant pagetic lesions than mice expressing MVNP alone. To examine the role of elevated IL-6 in PD and determine if MVNP mediates its effects primarily through elevation of IL-6, we generated transgenic mice that overexpress IL-6 driven by the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) promoter (TIL-6 mice) and produce IL-6 at levels comparable to MVNP mice. These were crossed with p62KI mice to determine whether IL-6 overexpression cooperates with mutant p62 to produce pagetic lesions. OCL precursors from p62KI/TIL-6 mice formed greater numbers of OCLs than either p62KI or TIL-6 OCL precursors in response to 1,25-(OH)2 D3 . Histomorphometric analysis of bones from p62KI/TIL-6 mice revealed increased OCL numbers per bone surface area compared to wild-type (WT) mice. However, micro-quantitative CT (µQCT) analysis did not reveal significant differences between p62KI/TIL-6 and WT mice, and no pagetic OCLs or lesions were detected in vivo. Thus, increased IL-6 expression in OCLs from p62KI mice contributes to increased responsivity to 1,25-(OH)2 D3 and increased OCL numbers, but is not sufficient to induce Paget's-like OCLs or bone lesions in vivo

TAK1 inhibition in myeloma

Along with the tumor progression, the bone marrow microenvironment is skewed in multiple myeloma (MM), which underlies the unique pathophysiology of MM and confers aggressiveness and drug resistance in MM cells. TGF-β-activated kinase-1 (TAK1) mediates a wide range of intracellular signaling pathways. We demonstrate here that TAK1 is constitutively overexpressed and phosphorylated in MM cells, and that TAK1 inhibition suppresses the activation of NF-κB, p38MAPK, ERK and STAT3 in order to decrease the expression of critical mediators for MM growth and survival, including PIM2, MYC, Mcl-1, IRF4, and Sp1, along with a substantial reduction in the angiogenic factor VEGF in MM cells. Intriguingly, TAK1 phosphorylation was also induced along with upregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) in cocultures with MM cells, which facilitated MM cell-BMSC adhesion while inducing IL-6 production and receptor activator of nuclear factor κ-Β ligand (RANKL) expression by BMSC. TAK1 inhibition effectively impaired MM cell adhesion to BMSC to disrupt the support of MM cell growth and survival by BMSC. Furthermore, TAK1 inhibition suppressed osteoclastogenesis enhanced by RANKL in cocultures of bone marrow cells with MM cells, and restored osteoblastic differentiation suppressed by MM cells or inhibitory factors for osteoblastogenesis overproduced in MM. Finally, treatment with the TAK1 inhibitor LLZ1640-2 markedly suppressed MM tumor growth and prevented bone destruction and loss in mouse MM models. Therefore, TAK1 inhibition may be a promising therapeutic option targeting not only MM cells but also the skewed bone marrow microenvironment in MM

Novel antimyeloma therapeutic option with inhibition of the HDAC1-IRF4 axis and PIM kinase

Multiple myeloma (MM) preferentially expands and acquires drug resistance in the bone marrow (BM). We herein examined the role of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in the constitutive activation of the master transcription factor IRF4 and the prosurvival mediator PIM2 kinase in MM cells. The knockdown or inhibition of HDAC1 by the class I HDAC inhibitor MS-275 reduced the basal expression of IRF4 and PIM2 in MM cells. Mechanistically, the inhibition of HDAC1 decreased IRF4 transcription through histone hyperacetylation and inhibiting the recruitment of RNA polymerase II at the IRF4 locus, thereby reducing IRF4-targeting genes, including PIM2. In addition to the transcriptional regulation of PIM2 by the HDAC1-IRF4 axis, PIM2 was markedly upregulated by external stimuli from BM stromal cells and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Upregulated PIM2 contributed to the attenuation of the cytotoxic effects of MS-275. Class I HDAC and PIM kinase inhibitors cooperatively suppressed MM cell growth in the presence of IL-6 and in vivo. Therefore, the present results demonstrate the potential of the simultaneous targeting of the intrinsic HDAC1-IRF4 axis plus externally activated PIM2 as an efficient therapeutic option for MM fostered in the BM

Blocking the ZZ domain of sequestosome1/p62 suppresses myeloma growth and osteoclast formation in vitro and induces dramatic bone formation in myeloma-bearing bones in vivo

We reported that p62 (sequestosome 1) serves as a signaling hub in bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) for the formation of signaling complexes, including NFκB, p38MAPK and JNK, that are involved in the increased osteoclastogenesis and multiple myeloma (MM) cell growth induced by BMSCs that are key contributors to multiple myeloma bone disease (MMBD), and demonstrated that the ZZ domain of p62 (p62-ZZ) is required for BMSC enhancement of MMBD. We recently identified a novel p62-ZZ inhibitor, XRK3F2, which inhibits MM cell growth and BMSC growth enhancement of human MM cells. In the current study, we evaluate the relative specificity of XRK3F2 for p62-ZZ, characterize XRK3F2's capacity to inhibit growth of primary MM cells and human MM cell lines, and test the in vivo effects of XRK3F2 in the immunocompetent 5TGM1 MM model. We found that XRK3F2 induces dramatic cortical bone formation that is restricted to MM containing bones and blocked the effects and upregulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), an osteoblast (OB) differentiation inhibitor that is increased in the MM bone marrow microenvironment and utilizes signaling complexes formed on p62-ZZ, in BMSC. Interestingly, XRK3F2 had no effect on non-MM bearing bone. These results demonstrate that targeting p62 in MM models has profound effects on MMBD