Kalkitoxin attenuates calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells via RUNX-2 signaling pathways

Background@#Kalkitoxin (KT) is an active lipopeptide isolated from the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula found in the bed of the coral reef. Although KT suppresses cell division and inflammation, KT’s mechanism of action in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is unidentified. Therefore, our main aim was to investigate the impact of KT on vascular calcification for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. @*Objectives@#Using diverse calcification media, we studied the effect of KT on VSMC calcification and the underlying mechanism of this effect. @*Methods@#VSMC was isolated from the 6 weeks ICR mice. Then VSMCs were treated with different concentrations of KT to check the cell viability. Alizarin red and von Kossa staining were carried out to examine the calcium deposition on VSMC. Thoracic aorta of 6 weeks mice were taken and treated with different concentrations of KT, and H and E staining was performed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot were performed to examine KT’s effect on VSMC mineralization. Calcium deposition on VSMC was examined with a calcium deposition quantification kit. @*Results@#Calcium deposition, Alizarin red, and von Kossa staining revealed that KT reduced inorganic phosphate-induced calcification phenotypes. KT also reduced Ca++ -induced calcification by inhibiting genes that regulate osteoblast differentiation, such as runtrelated transcription factor 2 (RUNX-2), SMAD family member 4, osterix, collagen 1α, and osteopontin. Also, KT repressed Ca2+ -induced bone morphogenetic protein 2, RUNX-2, collagen 1α, osteoprotegerin, and smooth muscle actin protein expression. Likewise, Alizarin red and von Kossa staining showed that KT markedly decreased the calcification of ex vivo ring formation in the mouse thoracic aorta. @*Conclusions@#This experiment demonstrated that KT decreases vascular calcification and may be developed as a new therapeutic treatment for vascular calcification and arteriosclerosis.

Aster saponin A 2 inhibits osteoclastogenesis through mitogenactivated protein kinase-c-Fos-NFATc1signaling pathway

Background@#In lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 cells, Aster tartaric (AT) inhibits the nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells and MAPKs pathways and critical pathways of osteoclast development and bone resorption. @*Objectives@#This study examined how aster saponin A2 (AS-A2) isolated from AT affects the processes and function of osteoclastogenesis induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) in RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). @*Methods@#The cell viability, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, pit formation assay, polymerase chain reaction, and western blot were carried out to determine the effects of ASA2 on osteoclastogenesis. @*Results@#In RAW264.7 and BMMs, AS-A2 decreased RANKL-initiated osteoclast differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner. In AS-A2-treated cells, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 protein expression were reduced considerably compared to the control cells. In RAW264.7 cells, AS-A2 suppressed the RANKL-induced activation of osteoclast-related genes. During osteoclast differentiation, AS-A2 suppressed the transcriptional and translational expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos. AS-A2 inhibited osteoclast development, reducing the size of the bone resorption pit area. @*Conclusion@#AS-A2 isolated from AT appears to be a viable therapeutic therapy for osteolytic illnesses, such as osteoporosis, Paget’s disease, and osteogenesis imperfecta.

Recent Advances of Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is primarily associated with bacterial infection such as dental plaque. Dental plaque, an oral biofilm harboring a complex microbial community, can cause various inflammatory reactions in periodontal tissue. In many cases, the local bacterial invasion and host-mediated immune responses lead to severe alveolar bone destruction. To date, plaque control, non-surgical, and surgical interventions have been the conventional periodontal treatment modalities. Although adjuvant therapies including antibiotics or supplements have accompanied these procedures, their usage has been limited by antibiotic resistance, as well as their partial effectiveness. Therefore, new strategies are needed to control local inflammation in the periodontium and host immune responses. In recent years, target molecules that modulate microbial signaling mechanisms, host inflammatory substances, and bone immune responses have received considerable attention by researchers. In this review, we introduce three approaches that suggest a way forward for the development of new treatments for periodontal disease; (1) quorum quenching using quorum sensing inhibitors, (2) inflammasome targeting, and (3) use of FDA-approved anabolic agents, including Teriparatide and sclerostin antibody.

Recent Advances of Therapeutic Targets for the Treatment of Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is primarily associated with bacterial infection such as dental plaque. Dental plaque, an oral biofilm harboring a complex microbial community, can cause various inflammatory reactions in periodontal tissue. In many cases, the local bacterial invasion and host-mediated immune responses lead to severe alveolar bone destruction. To date, plaque control, non-surgical, and surgical interventions have been the conventional periodontal treatment modalities. Although adjuvant therapies including antibiotics or supplements have accompanied these procedures, their usage has been limited by antibiotic resistance, as well as their partial effectiveness. Therefore, new strategies are needed to control local inflammation in the periodontium and host immune responses. In recent years, target molecules that modulate microbial signaling mechanisms, host inflammatory substances, and bone immune responses have received considerable attention by researchers. In this review, we introduce three approaches that suggest a way forward for the development of new treatments for periodontal disease; (1) quorum quenching using quorum sensing inhibitors, (2) inflammasome targeting, and (3) use of FDA-approved anabolic agents, including Teriparatide and sclerostin antibody.

Aloe-Emodin Induces Chondrogenic Differentiation of ATDC5 Cells via MAP Kinases and BMP-2 Signaling Pathways

Endochondral bone formation is the process by which mesenchymal cells condense into chondrocytes, which are ultimately responsible for new bone formation. The processes of chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophy are critical for bone formation and are therefore highly regulated. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of aloe-emodin on chondrogenic differentiation in clonal mouse chondrogenic ATDC5 cells. Aloe-emodin treatment stimulated the accumulation of cartilage nodules in a dose-dependent manner. ATDC5 cells were treated with aloe-emodin and stained with alcian blue. Compared with the control cells, the ATDC5 cells showed more intense alcian blue staining. This finding suggested that aloe-emodin induced the synthesis of matrix proteoglycans and increased the activity of alkaline phosphatase. Aloe-emodin also enhanced the expressions of chondrogenic marker genes such as collagen II, collagen X, BSP and RunX2 in a time-dependent manner. Furthermore, examination of the MAPK signaling pathway showed that aloe-emodin increased the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), but had no effect on p38 and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Aloe-emodin also enhanced the protein expression of BMP-2 in a time-dependent manner. Thus, these results showed that aloe-emodin exhibited chodromodulating effects via the BMP-2 or ERK signaling pathway. Aloe-emodin may have potential future applications for the treatment of growth disorders.

Evaluation of Osseointegration around Tibial Implants in Rats by Ibandronate-Treated Nanotubular Ti-32Nb-5Zr Alloy

Materials with differing surfaces have been developed for clinical implant therapy in dentistry and orthopedics. This study was designed to evaluate bone response to titanium alloy containing Ti-32Nb-5Zr with nanostructure, anodic oxidation, heat treatment, and ibandronate coating. Rats were randomly assigned to two groups for implantation of titanium alloy (untreated) as the control group and titanium alloy group coated with ibandronate as the experimental group. Then, the implants were inserted in both tibiae of the rats for four weeks. After implantation, bone implant interface, trabecular microstructure, mechanical fixation was evaluated by histology, micro-computed tomography (microCT) and the push-out test, respectively. We found that the anodized, heat-treated and ibandronate-coated titanium alloy triggered pronounced bone implant integration and early bone formation. Ibandronate-coated implants showed elevated values for removal torque and a higher level of BV/TV, trabecular thickness and separation upon analysis with microCT and mechanical testing. Similarly, higher bone contact and a larger percentage bone area were observed via histology compared to untreated alloy. Furthermore, well coating of ibandronate with alloy was observed by vitro releasing experiment. Our study provided evidences that the coating of bisphosphonate onto the anodized and heat-treated nanostructure of titanium alloy had a positive effect on implant fixation.

Protective Effect of HP08-0106 on Ligature-induced Periodontitis in Rats

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of the periodontium, characterized by destruction of the tooth supporting tissues including alveolar bone and mediated by various pro-inflammatory mediators. Here, we demonstrated that HP08-0106, composed of four crude drugs-Gardenia jasminoides Grandiflora, Angelica gigas Nakai, Rehmannia glutinosa, and Schizonepeta tenuifolia in a weight ratio of 2:2:1:2, perturbs inflammatory responses, osteoclast formation in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and alveolar bone resorption in ligature-induced periodontitis. HP08-0106 decreased the protein level of iNOS and COX2 as well as the secreted level of IL-1beta, indicating that HP08-0106 has antiinflammatory effects. HP08-0106 also inhibited the expression of genes associated with osteoclastogenesis including c-Fos, MMP-9 and TRAP. Moreover, HP08-0106 exhibited a protective effect from alveolar bone loss in ligature-induced periodontitis animal models. Our results strongly suggest that HP08-0106 represent an important therapeutic tool to treat inflammatory disorders associated with bone loss such as periodontitis.

Protective Effect of HP08-0111 on Ligature-Induced Periodontitis

Periodontitis is an inflammatory disorder of the periodontium and is characterized by destruction of the tooth supporting tissues, mediated by the upregulation of synthesis and release of a variety of pro-inflammatory factors. Inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins upregulate RANKL and its subsequent binding to RANK stimulates osteoclast formation, resorption activity, and survival. In our present study, we investigated the effects of HP08-0111, composed of Coptis japonica (Thunb.) Makino, vitamin C and vitamin E, upon inflammatory responses, osteoclastogenesis and alveolar bone loss. HP08-0111 decreased the expression of IL-1beta and COX2 on LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells and inhibited osteoclast-specific genes such as c-Fos, MMP-9, and TRAP. HP08-0111 also exhibited protective effects against alveolar bone loss in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis. Our results suggest that HP08-0111 is potentially an important therapeutic tool for the treatment of disorders associated with bone loss such as periodontitis.

Hexane-Soluble Fraction of the Common Fig, Ficus carica, Inhibits Osteoclast Differentiation in Murine Bone Marrow-Derived Macrophages and RAW 264.7 Cells

Osteoclasts, derived from multipotent myeloid progenitor cells, play homeostatic roles in skeletal modeling and remodeling, but may also destroy bone in pathological conditions such as osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoclast development depends critically on a differentiation factor, the receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL). In this study, we found that the hexane soluble fraction of the common fig Ficus carica (HF6-FC) is a potent inhibitor of osteoclastogenesis in RANKL-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and in bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMMs). HF6-FC exerts its inhibitory effects by suppression of p38 and NF-kappaB but activation of ERK. In addition, HF6-FC significantly decreased the expression of NFATc1 and c-Fos, the master regulator of osteoclast differentiation. The data indicate that components of HF6-FC may have therapeutic effects on bone-destructive processes such as osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and periodontal bone resorption.