MLO-Y4 osteocytic cell clones express distinct gene expression patterns characteristic of different stages of osteocyte differentiation / Clones de las células osteocíticas MLO-Y4 tienen diferentes patrones de expresión génica característicos de diferentes estadíos de diferenciación osteocítica

Osteocytes are the most abundant bone cell and are formed when osteoblasts become embedded in the bone matrix. Through changes in gene expression and paracrine effects, osteocytes regulate the number of osteoblasts, bone forming cells, and osteoclasts, bone resorbing cells, which are needed to maintain bone mass. MLO-Y4 is the better characterized osteocytic cell line; however, lacks expression of sclerostin, the product of the SOST gene, which is fundamental for osteocyte function and blocks bone formation. With the objective to isolate MLO-Y4 clones with different gene expression profiles, we performed cultures at very low density of MLO-Y4 cells stably transfected with nuclear green fluorescent protein (MLOnGFP). Cell morphology was visualized under a fluorescence microscope. Once the cells reached 80% confluency, RNA was extracted and quantitative real time PCR was performed. Clones exhibit different sizes and morphology, with some cells showing a spindle-like shape and others with abundant projections and a star-like shape. Gene expression also differed among clones. However, none of the clones examined expressed SOST. We conclude that the MLO-nGFP clones constitute a useful tool to study osteocyte differentiation and the role of osteocytes in the control of bone formation and resorption in vitro. (AU)

Los osteocitos son las células más abundantes del hueso y se forman cuando los osteoblastos se encuentran rodeados de matriz ósea. A través de cambios en la expresión génica y efectos paracrinos, los osteocitos controlan el número de osteoblastos que forman el hueso, y osteoclastos que resorben el hueso, células necesarias para mantener la masa ósea. Las células MLO-Y4 son la línea celular osteocítica más investigada; sin embargo, no expresan esclerostina, el pro esclerostina, el producto del gen SOST que bloquea la formación ósea y es indispensable para la función de los osteocitos. Con el objetivo de aislar clones de las células MLO-Y4 con diferentes perfiles de expresión génica, realizamos cultivos a muy baja densidad de las células transfectadas en forma estable con proteína verde fluorescente nuclear (MLO-nGFP). La morfología celular fue evaluada utilizando un microscopio de fluorescencia. Una vez que las células alcanzaron el 80% de confluencia, el ARN fue extraído y analizado por PCR cuantitativa en tiempo real. Las células de los diferentes clones tienen diferentes tamaños y morfología, algunas células son fusiformes y otras con proyecciones citoplasmáticas abundantes y en forma de estrella. La expresión de los genes también varió en los distintos clones. Sin embargo, ninguno de ellos expresó SOST. En conclusión, los clones de las células MLO-nGFP constituyen una herramienta útil para estudiar la diferenciación de los osteocitos y el rol de estas células en el control de la formación y resorción ósea in vitro. (AU)

Expression regulation and functional analysis of RGS2 and RGS4 in adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

BACKGROUND: Understanding the molecular basis underlying the formation of bone-forming osteocytes and lipid-storing adipocytes will help provide insights into the cause of disorders originating in stem/progenitor cells and develop therapeutic treatments for bone- or adipose-related diseases. In this study, the role of RGS2 and RGS4, two members of the regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) family, was investigated during adipogenenic and osteogenenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). RESULTS: Expression of RGS2 and RGS4 were found to be inversely regulated during adipogenesis induced by dexamethasone (DEX) and 3-isobutyl-methylxanthine, regardless if insulin was present, with RGS2 up-regulated and RGS4 down-regulated in response to adipogenic induction. RGS2 expression was also up-regulated during osteogenesis at a level similar to that induced by treatment of DEX alone, a shared component of adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation inducing media, but significantly lower than the level induced by adipogenic inducing media. RGS4 expression was down-regulated during the first 48 h of osteogenesis but up-regulated afterwards, in both cases at levels similar to that induced by DEX alone. Expression knock-down using small interfering RNA against RGS2 resulted in decreased differentiation efficiency during both adipogenesis and osteogenesis. On the other hand, expression knock-down of RGS4 also resulted in decreased adipogenic differentiation but increased osteogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: RGS2 and RGS4 are differentially regulated during adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. In addition, both RGS2 and RGS4 play positive roles during adipogenesis but opposing roles during osteogenesis, with RGS2 as a positive regulator and RGS4 as a negative regulator. These results imply that members of RGS proteins may play multifaceted roles during human adipogenesis and osteogenesis to balance or counterbalance each other's function during those processes.

ß-ARRESTIN/CONNEXIN 43 (Cx43) complex anchors ERKS outside the nucleus: a prerequisite for bisphosphonate antiapoptotic effect mediated by Cx43/ERK in osteocytes / El complejo ß-ARRESTINA/CONEXINA 43 (Cx43) retiene ERKS fuera del núcleo: un paso necesario para el efecto anti-apoptótico de los bisfosfonatos mediado por Cx34/ERK en osteocitos

Bisphosphonates (BPs) anti-fracture efficacy may be due in part to inhibition of osteocyte apoptosis. This effect requires opening of connexin (Cx) 43 hemichannels and phosphorylation of the extracellular signal regulated kinases (ERKs). However, unlike ERK activation by other stimuli, the Cx43/ERK pathway activated by BPs does not result in nuclear ERK accumulation. Instead, the anti-apoptotic effect of BPs depends on phosphorylation of cytoplasmic ERK targets and is abolished by forced nuclear retention of ERKs. We now report that ERKs and the scaffolding protein ß-arrestin co-immuno-precipitate with Cx43 in MLO-Y4 osteocytic cells and that the BP alendronate increases this association. Moreover, ERK2 fused to red fluorescent protein (ERK2-RFP) co-localizes with Cx43 fused to green fluorescent protein outside the nucleus in cells untreated or treated with alendronate. Alendronate does not induce ERK nuclear accumulation in cells transfected with wild type ß-arrestin (wtARR) or vector control, whereas it does in cells expressing a dominant negative ß-arrestin mutant (dnARR) consisting of the ß-arrestin-clathrin binding domain that competes with endogenous ß-arrestin for binding to clathrin. Alendronate activates ERKs in dnARRtransfected cells as effectively as in cells transfected with wtARR, demonstrating that dnARR only interferes with subcellular localization but not with activation of ERKs by BPs. Further, whereas alendronate inhibits apoptosis in cells expressing wtARR or vector control, it is ineffective in cells expressing dnARR. Thus, BPs induce the formation of a complex comprising Cx43, ß-arrestin, and clathrin, which directs ERKs outside the nucleus and is indispensable for osteocyte survival induced by BPs. (AU)

La efectividad de los bisfosfonatos (BPs) en la prevención de fracturas puede deberse en parte a la inhibición de la apoptosis de osteocitos. Este efecto depende de la apertura de hemicanales de conexina (Cx) 43 y la fosforilación de quinasas reguladas por señales extracelulares (ERKs). Sin embargo, a diferencia de la activación de ERKs debida a otros estímulos, la vía de señalización Cx43/ERK activada por BPs no conlleva la acumulación de ERKs en el núcleo. El efecto anti-apoptótico de los BPs depende de la fosforilación de blancos citoplasmáticos de ERKs y es inhibido cuando las quinasas son retenidas en el núcleo. En este estudio hemos demostrado que ERKs y la proteína "scaffolding" ß-arrestina co-inmunoprecipitan con Cx43 en células osteocíticas MLO-Y4 y que alendronato aumenta esta asociación. Más aún, ERK2 fusionada a la proteína roja fluorescente (ERK2-RFP) co-localiza con Cx43 fusionada con la proteína verde fluorescente fuera del núcleo en células tratadas con vehículo o alendronato. Alendronato no indujo la acumulación nuclear de ERK en células transfectadas con ß-arrestina nativa (wtARR) o con un vector control, pero si lo hizo en células que expresan una forma dominante negativa de ß-arrestina (dnARR), consistente en el dominio de interacción entre ß-arrestina y clatrina, y que compite con ß-arrestina endógena por la unión a clatrina. Alendronato activa ERKs con la misma eficiencia en células transfectadas con dnARR o wtARR, demostrando que dnARR sólo interfiere con la localización subcelular de ERKs, pero no con su activación inducida por los BPs. Más aún, mientras alendronato inhibe apoptosis en células que expresan wtARR o vector control, es inefectivo en células que expresan dnARR. En conclusión, los BPs inducen la formación de un complejo que incluye Cx43, ß-arrestina y clatrina, el cual retiene ERKs fuera del núcleo y es indispensable para la sobrevida de los osteocitos inducida por estas drogas. (AU)

Osteócitos: sobre o papel central dessas células na biopatologia óssea / Osteocytes: on the central role of these cells in osseous pathobiology

Os alvos principais na compreensão da biopatologia óssea centravam-se nos osteoblastos e clastos, mas nos últimos anos têm se deslocado para os osteócitos — como mecanotransdutores do tecido ósseo, a partir da rede tridimensional, pelo entrelaçamento e contato de seus prolongamentos interligando uma célula a outras 20 a 40, tal qual uma rede neural. Pela mecanotransdução e a partir de mediadores como a esclerostina e o RANKL, os osteócitos podem influenciar na biopatologia óssea por interferirem na atividade dos osteoblastos e clastos. Quando necessário mais osso, os osteócitos liberam menos esclerostina; quando é necessário inibir a formação óssea, os osteócitos liberam mais esclerostina. O RANKL está ligado à osteoclastogênese local para que se tenha mais células capazes de reabsorver a matriz mineralizada. Algumas terapêuticas inovadoras das doenças ósseas metabólicas têm tido como alvo esses mediadores e os osteócitos. Estudar a presença e os efeitos específicos da esclerostina e do RANKL na osseointegração pode levar a um maior detalhamento de seus fenômenos biológicos.

The main targets for the comprehension of bone pathobiology were focused in osteoblasts and clasts, but in recent years it has shifted to the osteocytes — as mechanotransductors of the bone tissue, from the three-dimensional network, by interconnecting its extensions linking a cell to other 20 to 40, like a neural network. By mechanotransduction and from mediators as sclerostin and RANKL, the osteocytes may influence bone pathobiology by interfering with the activity of osteoblasts and clasts. When more bone is necessary, osteocytes release less sclerostin, when it is necessary to inhibit bone formation, osteocytes release more sclerostin. RANKLis connected to local osteoclastogenesis in order to have more cells capable of reabsorbing the mineralized matrix. New therapeutic ways of controlling the metabolic bone diseases have been targeted at these mediators. Studying the presence and the specific effects of sclerostin and RANKL in osseointegration can lead to greater detailing of their biological phenomena.

Oscillatory fluid flow elicits changes in morphology, cytoskeleton and integrin-associated molecules in MLO-Y4 cells, but not in MC3T3-E1 cells

Interstitial fluid flow stress is one of the most important mechanical stimulations of bone cells under physiological conditions. Osteocytes and osteoblasts act as primary mechanosensors within bones, and in vitro are able to respond to fluid shear stress, both morphologically and functionally. However, there is little information about the response of integrin-associated molecules using both osteoblasts and osteocytes. In this study, we investigated the changes in response to 2 hours of oscillatory fluid flow stress in the MLO-Y4 osteocyte-like cell line and the MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cell line. MLO-Y4 cells exhibited a significant increase in the expression of integrin-associated molecules, including OPN, CD44, vinculin and integrin avp3. However, there was no or limited increase observed in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. Cell area and fiber stress formation were also markedly promoted by fluid flow only in MLO-Y4 cells. But the numbers of processes per cell remain unaffected in both cell lines.

The lacuno-canalicular system (LCS) and osteocyte network of alveolar bone by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) / Características del sistema lacuno-canalicular (lcs) y la red osteocitaria del hueso alveolar observadas por microscopía láser de barrido confocal (clsm)

El sistema lacuno-canalicularosteocitario (OLCS) comprende una amplia red de intercomunicación entre las lagunas y loscanalículos que contienen a los osteocitos y sus procesos citoplasmáticos dentro de la matriz ósea mineralizada, de lo que depende su vitalidad y funcionamiento. Hasta el momento no se han estudiado las características tridimensionales delOLCS en el hueso alveolar por lo que el objetivo del presente trabajo fue de eterminarla por microscopía de barrido co nfocal. Muestras de hueso alveolar de ratas Wistar machos, luego fijadas en formol buffer fueron teñidas con fucsina básicapar a visualizar el sistema lacuno-canalicular y a muestrasdescalcificadas del mismo hueso mediante una falotoxinafluorescente se les marcó la actina para visualizar la redosteocitaria. Las muestras se observaron a nivel de la raízmesial del primer molar superior en sentido buco-palatinocon un microscopio láser de barrido confocal. Los resultadosmostraron que en la zona aledaña a la cortical periodontal dela tabla ósea vestibular las lagunas osteocitarias presentanforma ovalada y tamaño relativamente uniforme, alinéandoseparalelas entre sí y con su eje mayor paralelo a la superficieósea periodontal en tanto que los osteocitos, de forma ovalada,presentan su eje mayor orientado perpendicularmente a dicha superficie y con los procesos citoplasmáticos irradiándose en todos los sentidos del espacio. En la zona aledaña ala cortical periodontal de la tabla ósea palatina las lagunas osteocitarias se presentan de forma redondeada y tienen distintos tamaños, sin seguir un patrón de orientación específico, y los cuerpos osteocitarios presentan su eje mayor paralelo a una dirección más recta que en la tabla vestibular.

Use of calcium phosphate cement scaffolds for bone tissue engineering: in vitro study / A utilização do cimento de fosfato de cálcio como arcabouço para engenharia de tecido ósseo: estudo in vitro

Purpose: To evaluate the ability of macroporous tricalcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffolds to enable the adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human bone marrow. Methods: Cells from the iliac crest of an adult human donor were processed and cultured on macroporous CPC discs. Paraffin spheres sized between 100 and 250µm were used as porogens. Cells were cultured for 5, 10, and 15 days. Next, we assessed cells' behavior and morphology on the biomaterial by scanning electron microscopy. The expression levels of the BGLA and SSP1 genes and the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were quantified by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction technique (QT-PCR) using the fluorophore SYBR GREEN®. Results: QT-PCR detected the expression of the BGLA and SSP1 genes and the ALP activity in the periods of 10 and 15 days of culture. Thus, we found out that there was cell proliferation and differentiation in osteogenic cells. Conclusion: Macroporous CPC, with pore sized between 100 and 250µm and developed using paraffin spheres, enables adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in osteogenic cells and can be used as a scaffold for bone tissue engineering.

Objetivo: Avaliar a capacidade de suportes tridimensionais macroporosos de cimento de fosfato de cálcio (CFC), de permitir a adesão, proliferação e diferenciação de células-tronco mesenquimais derivadas da medula óssea humana. Métodos: células obtidas da crista ilíaca de um doador humano adulto foram processadas e cultivadas sobre suportes de CFC, macroporosos, que tiveram como corpo gerador de poros, microesferas de parafina, com tamanho entre 100 e 250µm. Os períodos de cultura estabelecidos foram de cinco, 10 e 15 dias. Após estes períodos, o comportamento e a morfologia das células junto ao biomaterial foram avaliados por meio de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura. Os níveis de expressão dos genes BGLA e SSP1 bem como a atividade da Fosfatase Alcalina (ALP) foram quantificados pela técnica de PCR em Tempo Real (QT-PCR) utilizando o fluoróforo SYBR Green®. Resultados: O QT-PCR detectou a expressão dos genes BGLA e SSP1 e a atividade da fosfatase alcalina nos períodos de 10 e 15 dias de cultura. No período de cinco dias, não foi observada a expressão de nenhum dos genes investigados. Conclusão: O CFC, macroporoso, com tamanho de poros entre 100 e 250µm, criados por meio da utilização de microesferas de parafina, permite a adesão, proliferação e diferenciação de células-tronco mesenquimais em células osteogênicas, podendo ser utilizado como arcabouço para engenharia de tecido ósseo.