Conditions Inducing Excessive O-GlcNAcylation Inhibit BMP2-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of C2C12 Cells.

Hyperglycemic conditions in diabetic patients can affect various cellular functions, including the modulation of osteogenic differentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms by which hyperglycemia affects osteogenic differentiation are yet to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate whether the aberrant increase in protein O-linked-ß-N-acetylglucosamine glycosylation (O-GlcNAcylation) contributes to the suppression of osteogenic differentiation due to hyperglycemia. To induce osteogenic differentiation, C2C12 cells were cultured in the presence of recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2). Excessive protein O-GlcNAcylation was induced by treating C2C12 cells with high glucose, glucosamine, or N-acetylglucosamine concentrations or by O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) overexpression. The effect of O-GlcNAcylation on osteoblast differentiation was then confirmed by examining the expression levels of osteogenic marker gene mRNAs, activity of alkaline phosphatase, and transcriptional activity of Runx2, a critical transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Cell treatment with high glucose, glucosamine or N-acetylglucosamine increased O-GlcNAcylation of Runx2 and the total levels of O-GlcNAcylated proteins, which led to a decrease in the transcriptional activity of Runx2, expression levels of osteogenic marker genes (Runx2, osterix, alkaline phosphatase, and type I collagen), and activity of alkaline phosphatase. These inhibitory effects were rescued by lowering protein O-GlcNAcylation levels by adding STO45849, an OGT inhibitor, or by overexpressing ß-N-acetylglucosaminidase. Our findings suggest that excessive protein O-GlcNAcylation contributes to high glucose-suppressed osteogenic differentiation.

Morinda citrifolia Leaf Extract Enhances Osteogenic Differentiation Through Activation of Wnt/ß-Catenin Signaling.

Morinda citrifolia (Noni) leaf is an herbal medicine with application in the domestic treatment of a broad range of conditions, including bone fracture and luxation. However, the basic mechanism underlying the stimulation of osteogenic differentiation by Noni leaf extract remains poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the effect of this extract on osteogenic differentiation and the mechanism by which Noni leaf extract enhances osteogenic differentiation. Aqueous extract of Noni leaves was prepared, and rutin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside were identified to be two of its major components. C2C12 and human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells were used to study the effect of Noni. Noni did not show cytotoxicity at a concentration range of 0.015%-1.0% (w/v%) and significantly enhanced the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and expression levels of osteoblast differentiation markers, including Runx2, ALP, osterix, and osteocalcin, bone morphogenetic protein 2, Wnt3a, and ß-catenin. In addition, Noni enhanced the matrix mineralization of hPDL cells. In the signaling pathways, Noni increased the phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK3ß and nuclear translocation and transcriptional activity of ß-catenin, which were attenuated by the addition of Dkk-1, a Wnt inhibitor, or LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. These results suggest that Noni leaf extract enhances osteogenic differentiation through the PI3K/Akt-dependent activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling. Noni leaf extract might be a novel alternative medicine for bone and periodontal regeneration in patients with periodontal diseases.

Erratum: Institutions, Correspondence, Figures & Legends Correction. Hyperglycemia increases the expression levels of sclerostin in a reactive oxygen species- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-dependent manner.

[This corrects the article on p. 101 in vol. 45, PMID: 26131370.].

Hyperglycemia increases the expression levels of sclerostin in a reactive oxygen species- and tumor necrosis factor-alpha-dependent manner.

PURPOSE: Sclerostin, an inhibitor of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, exerts negative effects on bone formation and contributes to periodontitis-induced alveolar bone loss. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum sclerostin levels are increased in diabetic patients and that sclerostin expression in alveolar bone is enhanced in a diabetic periodontitis model. However, the molecular mechanism of how sclerostin expression is enhanced in diabetic patients remains elusive. Therefore, in this study, the effect of hyperglycemia on the expression of sclerostin in osteoblast lineage cells was examined. METHODS: C2C12 and MLO-Y4 cells were used in this study. In order to examine the effect of hyperglycemia, the glucose concentration in the culture medium was adjusted to a range of levels between 40 and 100 mM. Gene expression levels were examined by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot assays. Top-Flash reporter was used to examine the transcriptional activity of the ß-catenin/lymphoid enhanced factor/T-cell factor complex. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) protein levels were examined with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The effect of reactive oxygen species on sclerostin expression was examined by treating cells with 1 mM H2O2 or 20 mM N-acetylcysteine. RESULTS: The high glucose treatment increased the mRNA and protein levels of sclerostin. High glucose suppressed Wnt3a-induced Top-Flash reporter activity and the expression levels of osteoblast marker genes. High glucose increased reactive oxygen species production and TNFα expression levels. Treatment of cells with H2O2 also enhanced the expression levels of TNFα and sclerostin. In addition, N-acetylcysteine treatment or knockdown of TNFα attenuated high glucose-induced sclerostin expression. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that hyperglycemia increases sclerostin expression via the enhanced production of reactive oxygen species and TNFα.

EGF Inhibits Wnt/ß-Catenin-Induced Osteoblast Differentiation by Promoting ß-Catenin Degradation.

Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and canonical Wnts are representative developmental signals that enhance osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Previously, we demonstrated that epidermal growth factor (EGF) inhibits BMP2-induced osteoblast differentiation by inducing Smurf1 expression. However, the regulatory role of EGF in Wnt/ß-catenin-induced osteoblast differentiation has not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the effect of EGF on Wnt/ß-catenin signaling-induced osteoblast differentiation using the C2C12 cell line. EGF significantly suppressed the expression of osteoblast marker genes, which were induced by Wnt3a and a GSK-3ß inhibitor. EGF increased the expression levels of Smurf1 mRNA and protein. Smurf1 knockdown rescued Wnt/ß-catenin-induced osteogenic marker gene expression in the presence of EGF. EGF treatment or Smurf1 overexpression did not affect ß-catenin mRNA expression levels, but reduced ß-catenin protein levels and TOP-Flash activity. EGF and Smurf1 promoted ß-catenin ubiquitination. Co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays showed that Smurf1 associates with ß-catenin. These results suggest that EGF/Smurf1 inhibits Wnt/ß-catenin-induced osteogenic differentiation and that Smurf1 downregulates Wnt/ß-catenin signaling by enhancing proteasomal degradation of ß-catenin.

Morinda citrifolia leaves enhance osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human periodontal ligament cells.

This present study investigated the potential of Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract to induce osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization of human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured in complete medium, ascorbic acid with ß-glycerophosphate, or Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract. Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity compared to culturing in complete medium or ascorbic acid with ß-glycerophosphate. Matrixcontaining mineralized nodules were formed only when the cells were cultured in the presence of Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract. These nodules showed positive alizarin red S staining and were rich in calcium and phosphorus according to energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In conclusion, Morinda citrifolia leaf extract promoted osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization in human periodontal ligament cells, a clear indication of the therapeutic potential of Morinda citrifolia leaves in bone and periodontal tissue regeneration.

Evolution in fast forward: a potential role for mutators in accelerating Staphylococcus aureus pathoadaptation.

Pathogen evolution and subsequent phenotypic heterogeneity during chronic infection are proposed to enhance Staphylococcus aureus survival during human infection. We tested this theory by genetically and phenotypically characterizing strains with mutations constructed in the mismatch repair (MMR) and oxidized guanine (GO) system, termed mutators, which exhibit increased spontaneous-mutation frequencies. Analysis of these mutators revealed not only strain-dependent increases in the spontaneous-mutation frequency but also shifts in mutational type and hot spots consistent with loss of GO or MMR functions. Although the GO and MMR systems are relied upon in some bacterial species to prevent reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage, no deficit in hydrogen peroxide sensitivity was found when either of these DNA repair pathways was lost in S. aureus. To gain insight into the contribution of increased mutation supply to S. aureus pathoadaptation, we measured the rate of α-hemolysin and staphyloxanthin inactivation during serial passage. Detection of increased rates of α-hemolysin and staphyloxanthin inactivation in GO and MMR mutants suggests that these strains are capable of modifying virulence phenotypes implicated in mediating infection. Accelerated derivation of altered virulence phenotypes, combined with the absence of increased ROS sensitivity, highlights the potential of mutators to drive pathoadaptation in the host and serve as catalysts for persistent infections.

Morinda citrifolia leaves enhance osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of human periodontal ligament cells.

This present study investigated the potential of Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract to induce osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization of human periodontal ligament (hPDL) cells. Human periodontal ligament cells were cultured in complete medium, ascorbic acid with ß-glycerophosphate, or Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract. Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract significantly increased alkaline phosphatase activity compared to culturing in complete medium or ascorbic acid with ß-glycerophosphate. Matrixcontaining mineralized nodules were formed only when the cells were cultured in the presence of Morinda citrifolia leaf aqueous extract. These nodules showed positive alizarin red S staining and were rich in calcium and phosphorus according to energy dispersive X-ray analysis. In conclusion, Morinda citrifolia leaf extract promoted osteogenic differentiation and matrix mineralization in human periodontal ligament cells, a clear indication of the therapeutic potential of Morinda citrifolia leaves in bone and periodontal tissue regeneration.

Enterococcus faecalis enhances cell proliferation through hydrogen peroxide-mediated epidermal growth factor receptor activation.

Enterococcus faecalis is a member of the intestinal and oral microbiota that may affect the etiology of colorectal and oral cancers. The mechanisms by which E. faecalis may contribute to the initiation and progression of these cancers remain uncertain. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling is postulated to play a crucial role in oral carcinogenesis. A link between E. faecalis and EGFR signaling in oral cancer has not been elucidated. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between E. faecalis and oral cancer and to determine the underlying mechanisms that link E. faecalis to EGFR signaling. We report the high frequency of E. faecalis infection in oral tumors and the clinical association with EGFR activation. Using human oral cancer cells, we support the clinical findings and demonstrate that E. faecalis can induce EGFR activation and cell proliferation. E. faecalis activates EGFR through production of H(2)O(2), a signaling molecule that activates several signaling pathways. Inhibitors of H(2)O(2) (catalase) and EGFR (gefitinib) significantly blocked E. faecalis-induced EGFR activation and cell proliferation. Therefore, E. faecalis infection of oral tumor tissues suggests a possible association between E. faecalis infection and oral carcinogenesis. Interaction of E. faecalis with host cells and production of H(2)O(2) increase EGFR activation, thereby contributing to cell proliferation.

The interleukin-17 receptor plays a gender-dependent role in host protection against Porphyromonas gingivalis-induced periodontal bone loss.

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) is a proinflammatory cytokine secreted by the newly described CD4(+) Th17 subset, which is distinct from classic Th1 and Th2 lineages. IL-17 contributes to bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis but is essential in host defense against pathogens that are susceptible to neutrophils. Periodontal disease (PD) is a chronic inflammatory condition initiated by anaerobic oral pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, and it is characterized by host-mediated alveolar bone destruction due primarily to the immune response. The role of IL-17 in PD is controversial. Whereas elevated IL-17 levels have been found in humans with severe PD, we recently reported that female C57BL/6J mice lacking the IL-17 receptor (IL-17RA(KO)) are significantly more susceptible to PD bone loss due to defects in the chemokine-neutrophil axis (J. J. Yu, M. J. Ruddy, G. C. Wong, C. Sfintescu, P. J. Baker, J. B. Smith, R. T. Evans, and S. L. Gaffen, Blood 109:3794-3802, 2007). Since different mouse strains exhibit differences in susceptibility to PD as well as Th1/Th2 cell skewing, we crossed the IL-17RA gene knockout onto the BALB/c background and observed a similar enhancement in alveolar bone loss following P. gingivalis infection. Unexpectedly, in both strains IL-17RA(KO) female mice were much more susceptible to PD bone loss than males. Moreover, female BALB/c-IL-17RA(KO) mice were defective in producing anti-P. gingivalis immunoglobulin G and the chemokines KC/Groalpha and MIP-2. In contrast, male mice produced normal levels of chemokines and anti-P. gingivalis antibodies, but they were defective in granulocyte colony-stimulating factor upregulation. This study demonstrates a gender-dependent effect of IL-17 signaling and indicates that gender differences should be taken into account in the preclinical and clinical safety testing of anti-IL-17 biologic therapies.