Regulation of ghrelin receptor by microbial and inflammatory signals in human osteoblasts

Abstract: Recently, it has been suggested that the anti-inflammatory hormone ghrelin (GHRL) and its receptor GHS-R may play a pivotal role in periodontal health and diseases. However, their exact regulation and effects in periodontitis are not known. The aim of this in-vitro study was to investigate the effect of microbial and inflammatory insults on the GHS-R1a expression in human osteoblast-like cells. MG-63 cells were exposed to interleukin (IL)-1β and Fusobacterium nucleatum in the presence and absence of GHRL for up to 2 d. Subsequently, gene expressions of GHS-R1a, inflammatory mediators and matrix metalloproteinase were analyzed by real-time PCR. GHS-R protein synthesis and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation were assessed by immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. IL-1β and F. nucleatum caused a significant upregulation of GHS-R1a expression and an increase in GHS-R1a protein. Pre-incubation with a MEK1/2 inhibitor diminished the IL-1β-induced GHS-R1a upregulation. IL-1β and F. nucleatum also enhanced the expressions of cyclooxygenase 2, CC-chemokine ligand 2, IL-6, IL-8, and matrix metalloproteinase 1, but these stimulatory effects were counteracted by GHRL. By contrast, the stimulatory actions of IL-1β and F. nucleatum on the GHS-R1a expression were further enhanced by GHRL. Our study provides original evidence that IL-1β and F. nucleatum regulate the GHS-R/GHRL system in osteoblast-like cells. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time that the proinflammatory and proteolytic actions of IL-1β and F. nucleatum on osteoblast-like cells are inhibited by GHRL. Our study suggests that microbial and inflammatory insults upregulate GHS-R1a, which may represent a protective negative feedback mechanism in human bone.

Staphylococcus aureus regulates secretion of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 through activation of nuclear factor kappaB signaling pathway in human osteoblasts

OBJECTIVE: Activation of nuclear factor kappaB by diverse bacteria regulates the secretion of chemokines and cytokines. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus)-infected osteoblasts can significantly increase the secretion of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The aim of this study was to investigate whether S. aureus can activate nuclear factor kappaB in human osteoblasts, and whether the activation of nuclear factor kappaB by S. aureus regulates the secretion of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. METHODS: Immunoblot and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were used to detect the degradation of IκBa and activation of nuclear factor kappaB in human osteoblasts in response to S. aureus, respectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the secretion of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the supernatants. Lastly, carbobenzoxyl-l-leucinyl-l-leucinyl-l-leucinal, an inhibitor of the nuclear factor kappaB, was used to determine if activation of nuclear factor kappaB by S. aureus in human osteoblasts regulates the secretions of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. RESULTS: Our results for the first time demonstrated that S. aureus can induce the degradation of IκBa and activation of nuclear factor kappaB in human osteoblasts in a time and dose-dependent manner. In addition, inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB by carbobenzoxyl-l-leucinyl-l-leucinyl-l-leucinal suppressed the secretion of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the supernatants of S. aureus-infected human osteoblasts in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that S. aureus can activate nuclear factor kappaB in human osteoblasts, and subsequently regulate the secretion of interleukin-6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. The nuclear factor kappaB transcription factor regulates a number of genes involved in a wide variety of biological processes. Further study of the effects of nuclear factor kappaB activation on S. aureus-infected human osteoblast may provide us new insights into discovery of the immune mechanisms in osteomyelitis.

Porphyromonas gingivalis decreases osteoblast proliferation through IL-6-RANKL/OPG and MMP-9/TIMPs pathways.

Background: Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontal pathogen, is closely associated with inflammatory alveolar bone resorption. This bacterium exerts its pathogenic effect indirectly through multiple virulence factors, such as lipopolysaccharides, fimbriae, and proteases. Another possible pathogenic path may be through a direct interaction with the host's soft and hard tissues (e.g., alveolar bone), which could lead to periodontitis. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the present study was to investigate the direct effect of live and heat-inactivated P gingivalis on bone resorption, using an in vitro osteoblast culture model. Results: Optical microscopy and 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide MTT assay revealed that live P gingivalis induced osteoblast detachment and reduced their proliferation. This effect was specific to live bacteria and was dependent on their concentration. Live P gingivalis increased IL-6 mRNA expression and protein production and downregulated RANKL and OPG mRNA expression. The effect of live P gingivalis on bone resorption was strengthened by an increase in MMP-9 expression and its activity. This increase was accompanied by an increase in TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 mRNA expression and protein production by osteoblasts infected with live P gingivalis. Conclusion: Overall, the results suggest that direct contact of P gingivalis with osteoblasts induces bone resorption through an inflammatory pathway that involves IL-6, RANKL/OPG, and MMP-9/TIMPs.