Suppression of Osteoclastogenesis via Upregulation of Zfyve21 and Ddit4 by Salubrinal and Guanabenz

Salubrinal and guanabenz are two known inhibitors of de-phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α), and they suppress osteoclastogenesis through downregulating nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), a master molecule of osteoclastogenesis. The mechanism of NFATc1 suppression is not well understood. Using genome-wide microarray analysis, we investigated molecular regulators of osteoclastogenesis, in particular, in response to salubrinal and guanabenz. We identified two sets of genes: a set of genes that were upregulated by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and downregulated by salubrinal and guanabenz; and the other set of genes that were downregulated by RANKL and upregulated by salubrinal and guanabenz. The microarray and qPCR result revealed that a zinc finger protein, FYVE domain containing 21 (Zfyve21), as well as DNA-damage-inducible transcript 4 (Ddit4), were suppressed by RANKL and upregulated by salubrinal and guanabenz. A partial silencing of Zfyve21 or Ddit4 attenuated salubrinal- and guanabenz-driven suppression of NFATc1. Collectively, this study demonstrates that Zfyve21 and Ddit4 are two inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis. We expect that they may potentially serve as novel targets for preventing bone loss from skeletal diseases such as osteoporosis

Suppression of osteoclastogenesis via α2-adrenergic receptors

The sympathetic nervous system is known to regulate osteoclast development. However, the involvement of α2-adrenergic receptors (α2-ARs) in osteoclastogenesis is not well understood. In the present study, their potential role in osteoclastogenesis was investigated. Guanabenz, clonidine and xylazine were used as agonists of α2-ARs, while yohimbine and idazoxan were employed as antagonists. Using RAW264.7 pre-osteoclast and primary bone marrow cells, the mRNA expression of the osteoclast-related genes nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K was evaluated following induction with receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL). TRAP staining was also conducted to assess effects on osteoclastogenesis in mouse bone marrow cells in vitro. Administration of 5-20 µM guanabenz (P<0.01, for RANKL-only treatment), 20 µM clonidine (P<0.05, for RANKL-only treatment) and 20 µM xylazine (P<0.05, for RANKL-only treatment) attenuated RANKL-induced upregulation of NFATc1, TRAP and cathepsin K mRNA. Furthermore, the reductions in these mRNAs by 10 µM guanabenz and 20 µM clonidine in the presence of RANKL were attenuated by 20 µM yohimbine or idazoxan (P<0.05). The administration of 5-20 µM guanabenz (P<0.01, for RANKL-only treatment) and 10-20 µM clonidine (P<0.05, for RANKL-only treatment) also decreased the number of TRAP-positive multi-nucleated osteoclasts. Collectively, the present study demonstrates that α2-ARs may be involved in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis

α1B-Adrenergic receptor signaling controls circadian expression of Tnfrsf11b by regulating clock genes in osteoblasts

Circadian clocks are endogenous and biological oscillations that occur with a period of <24 h. In mammals, the central circadian pacemaker is localized in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and is linked to peripheral tissues through neural and hormonal signals. In the present study, we investigated the physiological function of the molecular clock on bone remodeling. The results of loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments both indicated that the rhythmic expression of Tnfrsf11b, which encodes osteoprotegerin (OPG), was regulated by Bmal1 in MC3T3-E1 cells. We also showed that REV-ERBα negatively regulated Tnfrsf11b as well as Bmal1 in MC3T3-E1 cells. We systematically investigated the relationship between the sympathetic nervous system and the circadian clock in osteoblasts. The administration of phenylephrine, a nonspecific α1-adrenergic receptor (AR) agonist, stimulated the expression of Tnfrsf11b, whereas the genetic ablation of α1B-AR signaling led to the alteration of Tnfrsf11b expression concomitant with Bmal1 and Per2 in bone. Thus, this study demonstrated that the circadian regulation of Tnfrsf11b was regulated by the clock genes encoding REV-ERBα (Nr1d1) and Bmal1 (Bmal1, also known as Arntl), which are components of the core loop of the circadian clock in osteoblasts

S and Togari A. Effects of propranolol on bone metabolism in spontaneously hypertensive rats

ABSTRACT The effects of propranolol (PRO), a nonselective ␤-adrenergic receptor (␤-AR) antagonist with membrane-stabilizing action on bone metabolism, were examined in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) showing osteoporosis with hyperactivity of the sympathetic nervous system. Treatment of SHR with PRO at 1 and 5 mg/kg p.o. for 12 weeks increased bone mass of the lumbar vertebra and proximal tibia without affecting blood pressure, but PRO at 50 and 100 mg/kg with hypotensive action did not increase bone mass. Next, the effects of PRO at 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg on bone status were examined in more detail. Compared with the SHR control, not only bone mass but also biomechanical parameters of strength and toughness of the lumbar vertebrae were increased in SHR treated with PRO at 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, suggesting antiosteoporotic action. PRO at 1 mg/kg statistically increased histomorphometry indices of bone formation, whereas PRO at doses of 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/kg decreased those of bone resorption. Antiosteoporotic effect of PRO is attenuated at 10 mg/kg compared with 0.1 and 1 mg/kg. In addition, treatment with timolol, a nonselective ␤-AR antagonist without membrane-stabilizing action, or butoxamine, a selective ␤2-AR antagonist, at 1 mg/kg increased bone mass in SHR. These results suggested that treatment of SHR with ␤-blockers at low dose improved bone loss and bone fragility. This antiosteoporotic effect of ␤-blockers seems to be caused by the blocking action of ␤2-AR, regardless of the membrane-stabilizing action

Shear stress-induced Ca2+ elevation is mediated by autocrine-acting glutamate in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

AbstractMechanical loading is an important regulatory factor in bone homeostasis. Neurotransmitters, such as glutamate and ATP, are known to be released from osteoblasts, but their roles have been less studied. In this study, we investigated the role of transmitter release in mechanotransduction. To identify from where transmitters were released, focal fluid flow was applied to a single cell of MC3T3-E1, mouse calvaria-derived osteoblastic cell line, by using a glass micropipette. Intracellular Ca2+ elevation induced by the focal shear stress was eliminated by either GdCl3, a mechanosensing channel inhibitor, or removal of extracellular Ca2+. On the other hand, the focal shear stress-induced Ca2+ elevation was also significantly suppressed by inositol triphosphate receptor antagonist or vesicular release inhibitors. These results suggest that not only mechanosensitive channel-mediated Ca2+ influx but also some autocrine transmitters are involved in mechanotransduction. Additionally, glutamate receptor antagonists, but not ATP receptor antagonist, suppressed most of the focal shear stress-induced Ca2+ elevation. Therefore, it is suggested that glutamate is released from osteoblasts following the activation of mechanosensitive Ca2+ channels and acts in an autocrine manner. The glutamate release may have a significant role in the initial event of mechanotransduction in bone tissue