Effects of Melandrium firmum Rohrbach on RANKL­induced osteoclast differentiation and OVX rats.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease characterized by reduced bone mineral density (BMD), which results in an increased risk of fracture. Melandrium firmum (Siebold & Zucc.) Rohrbach (MFR), 'Wangbulryuhaeng' in Korean, is the dried aerial portion of Melandrii Herba Rohrbach, which is a member of the Caryophyllaceae family and has been used to treat several gynecological conditions as a traditional medicine. However, to the best of our knowledge, the effect of MFR on osteoclast differentiation and osteoporosis has not been assessed. To evaluate the effects of MFR on osteoclast differentiation, tartrate­resistant acid phosphatase staining, actin ring formation and bone resorption assays were used. Additionally, receptor activator of nuclear factor­κB ligand­induced expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and c­Fos were measured using western blotting and reverse transcription­PCR. The expression levels of osteoclast­related genes were also examined. To further investigate the anti­osteoporotic effects of MFR in vivo, an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model of menopausal osteoporosis was established. Subsequently, the femoral head was scanned using micro­computed tomography. The results revealed that MFR suppressed osteoclast differentiation, formation and function. Specifically, MFR reduced the expression levels of osteoclast­related genes by downregulating transcription factors, such as NFATc1 and c­Fos. Consistent with the in vitro results, administration of MFR water extract to OVX rats reduced BMD loss, and reduced the expression levels of NFATc1 and cathepsin K in the femoral head. In conclusion, MFR may contribute to alleviate osteoporosis­like symptoms. These results suggested that MFR may exhibit potential for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Plastrum testudinis extract suppresses osteoclast differentiation via the NF-κB signaling pathway and ameliorates senile osteoporosis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Plastrum testudinis (PT) is a kind of single traditional Chinese medicine that can tonify kidney and strengthen bone. Plastrum testudinis extract (PTE) has been approved to promote the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. However, the mechanism by which PTE reduces osteoclast differentiation has not yet been reported. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the potential of PTE as a therapeutic treatment for bone loss caused by senile osteoporosis (SOP). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated whether PTE could inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation both in vitro and in vivo, and investigated PTE-induced phenotypes of human peripheral blood monocytes. RESULTS: We found that PTE inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner and that PTE treatment is most effective during the early stages of osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, we found that PTE could block the NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro, leading to the down-regulation of osteoclast-specific genes including C-FOS and NFATC1. The results from our in vivo mouse study suggest that PTE treatment suppresses osteoclast formation and mitigates bone loss caused by SOP. Notably, we also found that PTE inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in human peripheral blood monocytes. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PTE treatment suppresses osteoclastogenesis and ameliorates bone loss caused by SOP by selectively blocking the nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p50.

Glaucocalyxin A suppresses osteoclastogenesis induced by RANKL and osteoporosis induced by ovariectomy by inhibiting the NF-κB and Akt pathways.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Glaucocalyxin A (GLA), the most abundant active component of the aboveground sections of Rabdosia japonica (Burm. f.) Hara var. glaucocalyx (Maxim.) Hara, possesses various pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antithrombosis, anticoagulation, antibacterial, antitumor, anti-inflammatory activities. According to previous studies, inflammation is closely associated with osteoclast differentiation and activity. Although GLA has demonstrated effective anti-inflammatory properties, its effects on osteoclast differentiation remain unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: To examine the possible inhibitory effects of GLA and its molecular mechanisms in osteogenesis induced by RANKL as well as ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis (OP) in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, F-actin staining, and a bone resorption pit assay were applied for identifying the effects of GLA on the differentiation of osteoclasts and the function of bone resorption. The mRNA expression of the genes related to osteoclast differentiation was measured by quantitative PCR. Protein expression of nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), c-fos and phosphorylation of inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B (IκBα), protein kinase B (AKT), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 in RANKL-induced osteoclasts was determined using western blotting. The effect of GLA on OP was studied using a mouse model of OVX. RESULTS: At nontoxic concentrations ≤0.5 µM in vitro, GLA suppressed the formation of osteoclasts induced by RANKL with the decreased number and area size of TRAP-positive multinuclear osteoclasts, and the resorption of bone function by reducing F-actin ring number and bone resorption pit areas. It also reduced the expression of the genes specific for osteoclasts, which included genes encoding NFATc1, cathepsin K, c-fos, TRAP, vacuolar-type ATPase d2, and dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein. Moreover, GLA repressed NF-κB and Akt pathway activation induced by RANKL. Micro-CT analysis of femur samples indicated decreased bone loss and greater trabecular bone density after GLA treatment, which showed that GLA played a protective role by inhibiting bone loss in OVX-induced OP mice in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to show that GLA has significant therapeutic potential in OP, which is the disease of osteoclast increase caused by estrogen deficiency.

Hinokitiol inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro and prevents ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo.

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone-loss disease characterized by abnormally excessive osteoclast formation and bone resorption. Identification of natural medicines that can inhibit osteoclastogenesis, bone resorption, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced signaling is necessary for improved treatment of osteoporosis. In this study, hinokitiol, a tropolone-related compound extracted from the heart wood of several cupressaceous plants, was found to inhibit RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro. Hinokitiol inhibited early activation of the ERK, p38, and JNK-MAPK pathways, thereby suppressing the activity and expression of downstream factors (c-Jun, c-Fos, and NFATC1). Consistent with the above in vitro findings, hinokitiol treatment protected against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in vivo. Collectively, our results imply that hinokitiol can potentially serve as an effective agent for treating osteoclast-induced osteoporosis.

Asperosaponin VI protects against bone destructions in collagen induced arthritis by inhibiting osteoclastogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Bone destructive diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoporosis and bone metastatic tumors are mainly mediated by over-activated osteoclasts. Asperosaponin VI (AVI), isolated from the rhizome of Dipsacus asper, belongs to triterpenoid saponins. It has multiple physiological activities but its effects on RA, especially on osteoclast differentiation and activation are still unclear. PURPOSE: Explore the protective role of AVI on collagen induced arthritis (CIA) in vivo and RANKL induced osteoclastogenesis in vitro. METHODS: The effects of AVI on cell viability and RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis, actin ring formation, bone resorption activity as well as on osteoclast specific gene and protein expression were tested using bone marrow derived monocytes (BMMs). Paws from CIA mice were used for micro-CT, HE and TRAP staining, real-time PCR and western blot. Sera were used for cytokine analysis by ELISA. The signaling pathways were detected using western blot, real-time PCR and immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: AVI significantly inhibited RANKL-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption activity by suppressing the formation of actin ring. It also inhibited the expression of various osteoclatogenesis marker genes and signaling pathways. AVI protected arthritis in vivo by suppressing inflammation and bone loss. CONCLUSION: AVI exerts its anti-osteoclastogenic activity both in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation and function. Thus, our studies demonstrate a potential therapeutic role for AVI in preventing or inhibiting RANKL-mediated osteolytic bone diseases.

The HIV co-receptor CCR5 regulates osteoclast function.

C-C chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) is a co-receptor of HIV. Epidemiological findings suggest that the functional loss of CCR5 is correlated with a lower incidence of bone-destructive diseases as well as of HIV transmission. However, it is not clear whether CCR5 is involved in regulation of the function of bone cells, in addition to that of immune cells. Here we show that blockade of CCR5 using specific antibodies impairs human osteoclast function in vitro. Ccr5-deficient (Ccr5 -/- ) mice presented with dysfunctional osteoclasts and were resistant to osteoporosis induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL), which triggers osteoporosis independently of inflammatory and immunomodulatory pathways. Furthermore, Ccr5 deficiency impairs the cellular locomotion and bone-resorption activity of osteoclasts, which is associated with the disarrangement of podosomes and adhesion complex molecules including Pyk2. Overall, the data provides evidence that CCR5 has an essential role in bone-destructive conditions through the functional regulation of osteoclasts.

Rosmarinic acid exerts an antiosteoporotic effect in the RANKL-induced mouse model of bone loss by promotion of osteoblastic differentiation and inhibition of osteoclastic differentiation.

SCOPE: Bone homeostasis is ensured by the balance between bone formation and resorption. Thus, control of the recruitment, proliferation, and differentiation of bone cells is essential to maintain bone mass. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of rosmarinic acid as a potential therapeutic agent on bone metabolism using bone cells and a mouse model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Rosmarinic acid increased alkaline phosphatase activity and induced mineralization in osteoblasts. Addition of rosmarinic acid to cultures of calvarial osteoblastic cells prepared from T-cell factor/ß-catenin TOP-GAL mutant mice strongly induced the expression of LacZ and promoted stabilization of ß-catenin in the cytoplasm of ST2 cells, suggesting that rosmarinic acid affects the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Moreover, rosmarinic acid inhibited not only osteoclast formation in cocultures of mouse bone marrow cells and osteoblasts, but also receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastic differentiation in bone marrow-derived macrophages. RANKL-induced p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and the expression of nuclear factor of activated T cell, c-Jun, and c-Fos were inhibited by rosmarinic acid in bone marrow macrophages. Finally, we confirmed that rosmarinic acid improved bone mass in a soluble RANKL-induced bone loss mouse model. CONCLUSION: Rosmarinic acid has dual regulatory effects on bone metabolism and may control the bone functions by controlling osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiation.

Halenaquinone inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis.

Halenaquinone was isolated from the marine sponge Petrosia alfiani as an inhibitor of osteoclastogenic differentiation of murine RAW264 cells. It inhibited the RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand)-induced upregulation of TRAP (tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase) activity as well as the formation of multinuclear osteoclasts. In addition, halenaquinone substantially suppressed RANKL-induced IκB degradation and Akt phosphorylation. Thus, these results suggest that halenaquinone inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis at least by suppressing the NF-κB and Akt signaling pathways.

Evaluation of pharmaceuticals with a novel 50-hour animal model of bone loss.

Osteoporosis remains a major public health problem through its associated fragility fractures. Several animal models for the study of osteoporotic bone loss, such as ovariectomy (OVX) and denervation, require surgical skills and several weeks to establish. Osteoclast differentiation and activation is mediated by RANKL. Here we report the establishment of a novel and rapid bone loss model by the administration of soluble RANKL (sRANKL) to mice. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with sRANKL and used to evaluate existing anti-osteoporosis drugs. sRANKL decreased BMD within 50 h in a dose-dependent manner. The marked decrease in femoral trabecular BMD shown by pQCT and the 3D images obtained by microCT were indistinguishable from those observed in the OVX model. Histomorphometry showed that osteoclastic activity was significantly increased in the sRANKL-injected mice. In addition, serum biochemical markers of bone turnover such as Ca, C-telopeptide of type 1 collagen (CTX), and TRACP5b were also significantly increased in the sRANKL-injected mice in a dose-dependent manner. Bisphosphonates (BPs), selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), and PTH are commonly used for the treatment of osteoporosis. We successfully evaluated the effects of anti-bone-resorbing agents such as BPs, a SERM, and anti-RANKL-neutralizing antibody on bone resorption in a couple of weeks. We also evaluated the effects of PTH on bone formation in 2 wk. A combination of sRANKL injections and OVX made it possible to evaluate a SERM. The sRANKL model is the simplest, fastest, and easiest of all osteoporosis models and could be useful in the evaluation of drug candidates for osteoporosis.

Host-derived RANKL is responsible for osteolysis in a C4-2 human prostate cancer xenograft model of experimental bone metastases.

BACKGROUND: C4-2 prostate cancer (CaP) cells grown in mouse tibiae cause a mixed osteoblastic/osteolytic response with increases in osteoclast numbers and bone resorption. Administration of osteoprotegerin (OPG) blocks these increases, indicating the critical role of RANKL in osteolysis in this model. The objective of our study was to investigate whether RANKL expressed by tumor cells (human origin) directly stimulates osteolysis associated with the growth of these cells in bone or whether the increased osteolysis is caused by RANKL expressed by the host environment cells (murine origin). The relative contribution of tumor-vs. host-derived RANKL has been difficult to establish, even with human xenografts, because murine and human RANKL are both capable of stimulating osteolysis in mice, and the RANKL inhibitors used to date (OPG and RANK-Fc) inhibit human and murine RANKL. METHODS: To address this question we used a neutralizing, antibody (huRANKL MAb), which specifically neutralizes the biological activities of human RANKL and thereby the contribution of C4-2 derived RANKL in this tibial injection model of experimental bone metastases. RESULTS: Administration of huRANKL MAb did not inhibit the osteolytic response of the bone to these cells, or affect the establishment and growth of the C4-2 tumors in this environment. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our results suggest that in this model, murine RANKL and not the tumor-derived human RANKL is the mediator of the osteolytic reaction associated with C4-2 growth in bone. We hypothesize that C4-2 cells express other factor/s inducing host production of RANKL, thereby driving tumor-associated osteolysis.