ABSTRACT
Neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) and Nrp2 are transmembrane receptors that can bind class 3 semaphorins (Sema3A-G) in addition to VEGF family members to play important roles in axonal guidance, vascularization and angiogenesis, as well as immune responses. Moreover, recent evidence implicates Sema3A/Nrp-mediated signaling in bone regulation. However, to date the expression of Nrp2 in bone has not been investigated and a possible role for Nrp2 in the maintenance of bone homeostasis in vivo remains unexplored. Here we show that Nrp2, together with its possible coreceptors (Plexin A family members and Plexin D1) and class 3 semaphorin ligands, were expressed during in vitro osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells. Moreover, Nrp2 transcript and protein levels were highly induced in hematopoietic bone marrow cell-derived osteoclast cultures. Osteoblastic as well as osteoclastic Nrp2 expression was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of the long bones of mice. Interestingly, Nrp2 knockout mice were characterized by a low bone mass phenotype which was accompanied by an increased number of osteoclasts and a decreased osteoblast count. Collectively, these data point to a physiological role for Nrp2 in bone homeostasis.
Subject(s)
Bone and Bones/metabolism , Neuropilin-2/metabolism , Osteoblasts/metabolism , Osteoclasts/metabolism , Animals , Blotting, Western , Bone and Bones/cytology , Cells, Cultured , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Neuropilin-2/genetics , Osteoblasts/cytology , Osteoclasts/cytology , Osteogenesis/physiology , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain ReactionABSTRACT
The odd-skipped related genes Osr1 and Osr2 encode closely related zinc finger containing transcription factors that are expressed in developing limb. However, their role in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation remains controversial and little is known about their regulation. In this study we showed that both Osr1 and Osr2 were expressed in several murine and human osteoblast cell lines as well as in primary osteoblast cultures. Moreover, their transcript levels were regulated by a number of osteogenic stimuli in murine pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells. The most robust regulation of Osr1 and Osr2 mRNA levels was observed after stimulation with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 induced transcript levels of Osr1 and Osr2 and this up-regulation was confirmed in other osteoblast cultures, both from murine and human origin. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'Vitamin D Workshop'.
Subject(s)
Calcitriol/physiology , Transcription Factors/genetics , Animals , Cells, Cultured , Humans , Mice , Osteoblasts/drug effects , Osteoblasts/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/biosynthesis , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Transcription Factors/biosynthesis , Up-Regulation/drug effectsABSTRACT
The active form of vitamin D3, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3], is an important regulator of bone metabolism, calcium and phosphate homeostasis but also has potent antiproliferative and pro-differentiating effects on a wide variety of cell types. To identify key genes that are (directly) regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3, a large number of microarray studies have been performed on different types of cancer cells (prostate, breast, ovarian, colorectal, squamous cell carcinoma and leukemia). The variety of target genes identified through these studies reflects the pleiotropic action of 1,25(OH)2D3. Common cellular processes targeted by 1,25(OH)2D3 in the different cancer cell lines include cell cycle progression, apoptosis, cellular adhesion, oxidative stress, immune function and steroid metabolism. Upon comparison of the lists of genes regulated by 1,25(OH)2D3 in the different microarray studies, only a small set of individual genes were commonly regulated, among which are included 24-hydroxylase, growth arrest and DNA-damage-inducible protein, cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide and multiple cyclins.
