Oursler, Merry Jo

In the bone marrow cavity, adipocyte numbers increase, whereas osteoblast progenitor numbers decrease with aging. Because adipocytes and osteoblasts share a common progenitor, it is possible that this shift is due to an increase in adipocyte-lineage cells at the expense of osteoblast-lineage commitment. Estrogens inhibit adipocyte differentiation, and in both men and women, circulating estrogens correlate with bone loss with aging. In bone cells, estrogens stimulate expression of TGF-β and suppress mesenchymal cell adipogenesis. Using a tripotential mesenchymal cell line, we have examined whether estradiol suppression of adipocyte differentiation is due to stimulation of TGF-β and the mechanism by which TGF-β suppresses adipogenesis. We observed that estradiol-mediated suppression of adipogenic gene expression required at least 48 h treatment. TGF-β expression increased within 24 h of estradiol treatment, and TGF-β inhibition reversed estradiol influences on adipogenesis and adipocyte gene expression. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mediates TGF-β suppression of adipogenesis in mouse 3T3-L1 cells. CTGF expression was induced within 24 h of TGF-β treatment, whereas estradiol-mediated induction required 48 h treatment. Moreover, estradiol-mediated induction of CTGF was abrogated by TGF-β inhibition. These data support that estradiol effects on adipogenesis involves TGF-β induction, which then induces CTGF to suppress adipogenesis.

Abstract While female mice do not have the equivalent of a menopause, they do undergo reproductive senescence. Thus, to dissociate the effects of aging versus estrogen deficiency on age-related bone loss, we sham-operated, ovariectomized, or ovariectomized and estrogen-replaced female C57/BL6 mice at 6 months of age and followed them to age 18 to 22 months. Lumbar spines and femurs were excised for analysis, and bone marrow hematopoietic lineage negative (lin–) cells (enriched for osteoprogenitor cells) were isolated for gene expression studies. Six-month-old intact control mice were euthanized to define baseline parameters. Compared with young mice, aged/sham-operated mice had a 42% reduction in lumbar spine bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), and maintaining constant estrogen levels over life in ovariectomized/estrogen-treated mice did not prevent age-related trabecular bone loss at this site. By contrast, lifelong estrogen treatment of ovariectomized mice completely prevented the age-related reduction in cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and thickness at the tibial diaphysis present in the aged/sham-operated mice. As compared with cells from young mice, lin– cells from aged/sham-operated mice expressed significantly higher mRNA levels for osteoblast differentiation and proliferation marker genes. These data thus demonstrate that, in mice, age-related loss of cortical bone in the appendicular skeleton, but not loss of trabecular bone in the spine, can be prevented by maintaining constant estrogen levels over life. The observed increase in osteoblastic differentiation and proliferation marker gene expression in progenitor bone marrow cells from aged versus young mice may represent a compensatory mechanism in response to ongoing bone loss. © 2010 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Abstract Sex steroids are important regulators of bone turnover, but the mechanisms of their effects on bone remain unclear. Sclerostin is an inhibitor of Wnt signaling, and circulating estrogen (E) levels are inversely associated with sclerostin levels in postmenopausal women. To directly test for sex steroid regulation of sclerostin levels, we examined effects of E treatment of postmenopausal women or selective withdrawal of E versus testosterone (T) in elderly men on circulating sclerostin levels. E treatment of postmenopausal women (n = 17) for 4 weeks led to a 27% decrease in serum sclerostin levels [versus +1% in controls (n = 18), p < .001]. Similarly, in 59 elderly men, we eliminated endogenous E and T production and studied them under conditions of physiologic T and E replacement, and then following withdrawal of T or E, we found that E, but not T, prevented increases in sclerostin levels following induction of sex steroid deficiency. In both sexes, changes in sclerostin levels correlated with changes in bone-resorption, but not bone-formation, markers (r = 0.62, p < .001, and r = 0.33, p = .009, for correlations with changes in serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen in the women and men, respectively). Our studies thus establish that in humans, circulating sclerostin levels are reduced by E but not by T. Moreover, consistent with recent data indicating important effects of Wnts on osteoclastic cells, our findings suggest that in humans, changes in sclerostin production may contribute to effects of E on bone resorption. © 2011 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Local release of TGF-β during times of high bone turnover leads to elevated levels within the bone microenvironment, and we have shown that TGF-β suppresses osteoclast apoptosis. Therefore, understanding the influences of TGF-β on bone resorbing osteoclasts is critical to the design of therapies to reduce excess bone loss. Here we investigated the mechanisms by which TGF-β sustains suppression of osteoclast apoptosis. We found TGF-β rapidly increased leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) expression and secretion by phosphorylated mothers against decapentaplegic-dependent and -independent signaling pathways. TGF-β also induced suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3) expression, which was required for TGF-β or LIF to promote osteoclast survival by. Blocking LIF or SOCS3 blocked TGF-β promotion of osteoclast survival, confirming that LIF and SOCS3 expression are necessary for TGF-β-mediated suppression of osteoclast apoptosis. Investigation of the mechanisms by which LIF promotes osteoclast survival revealed that LIF-induced expression of Bcl-XL and repressed Bcl-2 interacting domain expression by activating MAPK kinase, AKT, and nuclear factor-κB pathways. Suppression of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling further increased Bcl-XL expression and enhanced osteoclast survival, supporting that this pathway is not involved in prosurvival effects of TGF-β and LIF. These data show that TGF-β coordinately induces LIF and SOCS3 to promote prosurvival signaling. This alters the ratio of prosurvival Bcl2 family member Bcl-XL to proapoptotic family member Bcl-2 interacting domain, leading to prolonged osteoclast survival.

Abstract A new bone cell line was established by transfecting normal adult human osteoblast-like (hOB) cells, derived from a 68-year-old woman, with the plasmid pSV3 neo. The plasmid included coding sequences and promotors for the large and small T antigens of the SV40 virus as well as resistance to the antibiotics neomycin and G418. A single antibiotic-resistant colony was located and cloned. Large tumor antigen production in the clonal cell line was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence study. Treatment with 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D3 increased steady-state concentrations of protein and mRNA for osteocalcin and for alkaline phosphatase. Northern blot analyses also demonstrated the presence of mRNAs for α(I)-procollagen, osteopontin 1a, transforming growth factor β, and interleukin-1β. The plasma membrane calcium pump and osteonectin were identified by immunocytochemical analysis. These cells produced a matrix that mineralized when β-glycerophosphate was added to their cultures. As assessed by functional receptor assays, both estrogen and androgen receptors were present and functional, although at low concentrations. Treatment with parathyroid hormone did not stimulate adenylate cyclase activity. Thus, these cells are a well-differentiated, steroid-responsive clonal cell line that closely approximates the phenotype of the mature osteoblast. They should serve as an excellent model for the study of osteoblast biology.

Abstract Silicon in trace amounts enhances bone formation, and the silicon-containing compound zeolite A (ZA) increases eggshell thickness in hens. In the studies reported here, treatment of nearly homogeneous strains of normal human osteoblast-like cells for 48 h with ZA at 0.1–100 μg/ml induced a dose-dependent increase (r = 0.35, P < 0.001) in DNA synthesis (n = 31) to 162 ± 16% (mean ± SEM) of control and in the proportion of cells in mitosis (n = 4) from 9.1 ± 1.8 to 27.0 ± 4.5% (r = 0.69, P < 0.005). ZA treatment also increased alkaline phosphatase activity (P < 0.05) and osteocalcin release (P < 0.05) but did not significantly affect collagen production per individual cell. The mitogenic action of ZA was dependent on cell seeding density over the range of 1250–40,000 cells per cm2, which is consistent with induction of an autocrine factors). TGF-β is a potent mitogen for osteoblasts. ZA treatment increased the steady-state mRNA levels of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and induced the release of the latent form of TGF-β protein into the conditioned medium within 6 h. We conclude that ZA induces the proliferation and differentiation of cells of the osteoblast lineage.

Abstract The coupling of bone resorption and formation suggests that autocrine and paracrine factors are produced and released within the local bone environment. Since osteoblasts secrete latent transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and osteoclasts can activate this latent complex, one candidate paracrine coupling factor is TGF-β. To examine whether TGF-β is also a potential osteoclast-derived autocrine and paracrine factor, highly purified avian osteoclasts were examined for synthesis of TGF-β and the mechanism by which osteoclasts activate the latent TGF-β complex was investigated. TGF-β protein production was measured within 4 h of culture in osteoclast-conditioned media using growth factor inhibition of CCL-64 cells and verified by blocking effects with anti-TGF-β antibodies. Synthesis of TGF-β was confirmed by northern blotting and metabolic labeling. Northern blots of total RNA revealed that osteoclasts expressed the mRNA for TGF-β2, β3, and β4. Biosynthetic studies suggest that TGF-β2 was the principle form secreted in culture. Nearly all the TGF-β that was secreted had been activated by the osteoclasts. When presented with exogenous latent TGF-β, osteoclasts activated latent TGF-β from a variety of sources. Furthermore, osteoclast-conditioned media retained the ability to activate latent TGF-β during cell-free incubations at 37°C. Osteoclast-mediated activation was inhibited by proteinase inhibitors, weak base treatment of the cells, or disruption of the cytoskeletal network. These data suggest that osteoclasts may secrete proteinases into the extracellular milieu to activate latent TGF-β and that TGF-β may be an autocrine factor involved in regulating osteoclast activity.

Under most conditions, resorbed bone is nearly precisely replaced in location and amount by new bone. Thus, it has long been recognized that bone loss through osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and bone replacement through osteoblast-mediated bone formation are tightly coupled processes. Abundant data conclusively demonstrate that osteoblasts direct osteoclast differentiation. Key questions remain, however, as to how osteoblasts are recruited to the resorption site and how the amount of bone produced is so precisely controlled. We hypothesized that osteoclasts play a crucial role in the promotion of bone formation. We found that osteoclast conditioned medium stimulates human mesenchymal stem (hMS) cell migration and differentiation toward the osteoblast lineage as measured by mineralized nodule formation in vitro. We identified candidate osteoclast-derived coupling factors using the Affymetrix microarray. We observed significant induction of sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1), which catalyzes the phosphorylation of sphingosine to form sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P), in mature multinucleated osteoclasts as compared with preosteoclasts. S1P induces osteoblast precursor recruitment and promotes mature cell survival. Wnt10b and BMP6 also were significantly increased in mature osteoclasts, whereas sclerostin levels decreased during differentiation. Stimulation of hMS cell nodule formation by osteoclast conditioned media was attenuated by the Wnt antagonist Dkk1, a BMP6-neutralizing antibody, and by a S1P antagonist. BMP6 antibodies and the S1P antagonist, but not Dkk1, reduced osteoclast conditioned media-induced hMS chemokinesis. In summary, our findings indicate that osteoclasts may recruit osteoprogenitors to the site of bone remodeling through SIP and BMP6 and stimulate bone formation through increased activation of Wnt/BMP pathways.

Abstract The estrogen receptors (ER) α and β are important ligand-mediated transcription factors known to play significant biological roles in numerous tissues including bone. Despite the high homology shared by these receptors, recent studies have suggested that their function is largely unique. Although these receptors have been studied in detail for more than a decade, little data exist concerning the mechanisms by which these two proteins regulate distinct sets of genes. Using the TGFβ-inducible early gene-1 (TIEG) as a model, we demonstrate that TIEG is rapidly induced in response to estrogen in osteoblasts by ERβ, but not ERα. We have identified the regulatory elements utilized by ERβ and have demonstrated that ERβ recruits steroid receptor coactivator (SRC)1 and SRC2 to this regulatory region. Additionally, deletion of the ERβ-activation function 1 (AF1) domain drastically decreases the estrogen induction of TIEG. Through the use of chimeric receptors, we have demonstrated that the AF1 domain of ERβ is responsible for recruiting SRC1 and SRC2 and inducing the expression of TIEG in osteoblasts. Finally, SRC1, but not SRC2, is essential for TIEG induction by ERβ. Overall, these data demonstrate that the estrogen induction of TIEG is ERβ specific and that the AF1 domain of ERβ confers this specificity. Finally, a novel and important role for ERβ’s AF1 is implicated in the recruitment of specific coactivators, suggesting that the AF1 may play a significant role in conferring the differences in regulation of gene expression by these two receptors.

Abstract Introduction: The mechanism(s) by which sex steroids regulate bone turnover in humans are unclear, and recent studies have suggested that follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) may play an important role in regulating bone resorption. Materials and Methods: Fifty-nine men (median age, 69 yr) underwent suppression of sex steroids using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and aromatase blocker and were replaced with testosterone (T; 5 mg/d) and estradiol (E; 37.5 μg/d). After assessment of bone resorption markers (serum C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen [CTX] and TRACP5b), they were randomized to sex steroid deficiency (−T, −E), E alone (−T, +E), T alone (+T, −E), or both (+T, +E) and restudied 3 wk later. Bone marrow aspirates were obtained to isolate osteoblastic, T, and monocytic cells using magnetic-activated cell sorting. Results: Serum CTX and TRACP5b increased significantly (by 71% and 15%, p < 0.01 and < 0.001, respectively) in the −T, −E group, and these increases occurred despite a 60% suppression of serum FSH levels (p < 0.001) caused by the GnRH agonist. There were significant E (but not T) effects on preventing increases in serum CTx and TRACP levels. There was a nonsignificant trend (p = 0.122) for E to suppress RANKL mRNA levels in bone marrow osteoblastic cells. Changes in mRNA levels for other cytokines (TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-1ra, IFN-γ) in bone marrow cells were not significant. Conclusions: E has greater suppressive effects on bone resorption than T, and increased bone resorption after sex steroid deficiency can occur independently of changes in FSH secretion. E effects on bone resorption may be mediated by regulation of RANKL production by osteoblastic cells, although further studies using more highly purified cells may reduce the variability of the mRNA measurements and allow for clearer definition of the mediators of sex steroid action in vivo.