Deletion of Rptor in Preosteoblasts Reveals a Role for the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) Complex in Dietary-Induced Changes to Bone Mass and Glucose Homeostasis in Female Mice.

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) complex is the major nutrient sensor in mammalian cells that responds to amino acids, energy levels, growth factors, and hormones, such as insulin, to control anabolic and catabolic processes. We have recently shown that suppression of the mTORC1 complex in bone-forming osteoblasts (OBs) improved glucose handling in male mice fed a normal or obesogenic diet. Mechanistically, this occurs, at least in part, by increasing OB insulin sensitivity leading to upregulation of glucose uptake and glycolysis. Given previously reported sex-dependent differences observed upon antagonism of mTORC1 signaling, we investigated the metabolic and skeletal effects of genetic inactivation of preosteoblastic-mTORC1 in female mice. Eight-week-old control diet (CD)-fed Rptor ob -/- mice had a low bone mass with a significant reduction in trabecular bone volume and trabecular number, reduced cortical bone thickness, and increased marrow adiposity. Despite no changes in body composition, CD-fed Rptor ob -/- mice exhibited significant lower fasting insulin and glucose levels and increased insulin sensitivity. Upon high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, Rptor ob -/- mice were resistant to a diet-induced increase in whole-body and total fat mass and protected from the development of diet-induced insulin resistance. Notably, although 12 weeks of HFD increased marrow adiposity, with minimal changes in both trabecular and cortical bone in the female control mice, marrow adiposity was significantly reduced in HFD-fed Rptor ob -/- compared to both HFD-fed control and CD-fed Rptor ob -/- mice. Collectively, our results demonstrate that mTORC1 function in preosteoblasts is crucial for skeletal development and skeletal regulation of glucose homeostasis in both male and female mice. Importantly, loss of mTORC1 function in OBs results in metabolic and physiological adaptations that mirror a caloric restriction phenotype (under CD) and protects against HFD-induced obesity, associated insulin resistance, and marrow adiposity expansion. These results highlight the critical contribution of the skeleton in the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

The mTORC1 complex in pre-osteoblasts regulates whole-body energy metabolism independently of osteocalcin.

Overnutrition causes hyperactivation of mTORC1-dependent negative feedback loops leading to the downregulation of insulin signaling and development of insulin resistance. In osteoblasts (OBs), insulin signaling plays a crucial role in the control of systemic glucose homeostasis. We utilized mice with conditional deletion of Rptor to investigate how the loss of mTORC1 function in OB affects glucose metabolism under normal and overnutrition dietary states. Compared to the controls, chow-fed Rptorob-/- mice had substantially less fat mass and exhibited adipocyte hyperplasia. Remarkably, upon feeding with high-fat diet, mice with pre- and post-natal deletion of Rptor in OBs were protected from diet-induced obesity and exhibited improved glucose metabolism with lower fasting glucose and insulin levels, increased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. This leanness and resistance to weight gain was not attributable to changes in food intake, physical activity or lipid absorption but instead was due to increased energy expenditure and greater whole-body substrate flexibility. RNA-seq revealed an increase in glycolysis and skeletal insulin signaling pathways, which correlated with the potentiation of insulin signaling and increased insulin-dependent glucose uptake in Rptor-knockout osteoblasts. Collectively, these findings point to a critical role for the mTORC1 complex in the skeletal regulation of whole-body glucose metabolism and the skeletal development of insulin resistance.

mTORC1 plays an important role in osteoblastic regulation of B-lymphopoiesis.

Skeletal osteoblasts are important regulators of B-lymphopoiesis, serving as a rich source of factors such as CXCL12 and IL-7 which are crucial for B-cell development. Recent studies from our laboratory and others have shown that deletion of Rptor, a unique component of the mTORC1 nutrient-sensing complex, early in the osteoblast lineage development results in defective bone development in mice. In this study, we now demonstrate that mTORC1 signalling in pre-osteoblasts is required for normal B-lymphocyte development in mice. Targeted deletion of Rptor in osterix-expressing pre-osteoblasts (Rptorob-/-) leads to a significant reduction in the number of B-cells in the bone marrow, peripheral blood and spleen at 4 and 12 weeks of age. Rptorob-/- mice also exhibit a significant reduction in pre-B and immature B-cells in the BM, indicative of a block in B-cell development from the pro-B to pre-B cell stage. Circulating levels of IL-7 and CXCL12 are also significantly reduced in Rptorob-/- mice. Importantly, whilst Rptor-deficient osteoblasts are unable to support HSC differentiation to B-cells in co-culture, this can be rescued by the addition of exogenous IL-7 and CXCL12. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that mTORC1 plays an important role in extrinsic osteoblastic regulation of B-cell development.

Osteocalcin-dependent regulation of glucose metabolism and fertility: Skeletal implications for the development of insulin resistance.

The skeleton has recently emerged as a critical insulin target tissue that regulates whole body glucose metabolism and male reproductive function. While our understanding of these new regulatory axes remains in its infancy, the bone-specific protein, osteocalcin, has been shown to be centrally involved. Undercarboxylated osteocalcin acts as a secretagogue in a feed-forward loop to stimulate pancreatic ß-cell proliferation and insulin secretion, improve insulin sensitivity, and promote testosterone production. Importantly, dysregulation of insulin signaling in bone causes a reduction in serum osteocalcin levels that is associated with elevated blood glucose and reduced serum insulin levels, suggesting that the skeleton may play a significant role in the development of diet-induced insulin resistance. Insulin signaling is negatively regulated by the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) which becomes hyper-activated in response to nutrient overload. Loss- and gain-of function models suggest that mTORC1 function in bone is essential for normal skeletal development; however, the role of this complex in the regulation of glucose metabolism remains to be determined. This review highlights our current understanding of the role played by osteocalcin in the skeletal regulation of glucose metabolism and fertility. In particular, it examines data emerging from transgenic mouse models which have revealed a pancreas-bone-testis regulatory axis and discusses recent human studies which seek to corroborate findings from mouse models with clinical observations. Moreover, we review recent studies which suggest dysregulation of insulin signaling in bone leads to the development of insulin resistance and discuss the potential role of mTORC1 signaling in this process.

HIF-2α Promotes Dissemination of Plasma Cells in Multiple Myeloma by Regulating CXCL12/CXCR4 and CCR1.

Disease progression and relapse in multiple myeloma is dependent on the ability of the multiple myeloma plasma cells (PC) to reenter the circulation and disseminate throughout the bone marrow. Increased bone marrow hypoxia is associated with increased recirculation of multiple myeloma PCs. Accordingly, we hypothesized that during chronic hypoxia, activation of HIF-2α may overcome the bone marrow retention signal provided by stromal-derived CXCL12, thereby enabling dissemination of multiple myeloma PCs. Here we demonstrate that HIF-2α upregulates multiple myeloma PC CXCL12 expression, decreasing migration toward CXCL12 and reducing adhesion to mesenchymal stromal cells in vitro We also found that HIF-2α strongly induced expression of the chemokine receptor CCR1 in multiple myeloma PCs. CCR1 activation potently induces multiple myeloma PC migration toward CCL3 while abrogating the multiple myeloma PC migratory response to CXCL12. In addition, increased CCR1 expression by multiple myeloma PCs conferred poor prognosis in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients and was associated with an increase in circulating multiple myeloma PCs in these patients. Taken together, our results suggest a role for hypoxia-mediated CCR1 upregulation in driving the egress of multiple myeloma PCs from the bone marrow. Targeting CCR1 may represent a novel strategy to prevent dissemination and overt relapse in multiple myeloma. Cancer Res; 77(20); 5452-63. ©2017 AACR.

mTORC1 Plays an Important Role in Skeletal Development by Controlling Preosteoblast Differentiation.

The mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is activated by extracellular factors that control bone accrual. However, the direct role of this complex in osteoblast biology remains to be determined. To investigate this question, we disrupted mTORC1 function in preosteoblasts by targeted deletion of Raptor (Rptor) in Osterix-expressing cells. Deletion of Rptor resulted in reduced limb length that was associated with smaller epiphyseal growth plates in the postnatal skeleton. Rptor deletion caused a marked reduction in pre- and postnatal bone accrual, which was evident in skeletal elements derived from both intramembranous and endochondrial ossification. The decrease in bone accrual, as well as the associated increase in skeletal fragility, was due to a reduction in osteoblast function. In vitro, osteoblasts derived from knockout mice display a reduced osteogenic potential, and an assessment of bone-developmental markers in Rptor knockout osteoblasts revealed a transcriptional profile consistent with an immature osteoblast phenotype suggesting that osteoblast differentiation was stalled early in osteogenesis. Metabolic labeling and an assessment of cell size of Rptor knockout osteoblasts revealed a significant decrease in protein synthesis, a major driver of cell growth. These findings demonstrate that mTORC1 plays an important role in skeletal development by regulating mRNA translation during preosteoblast differentiation.

Tetraspanin 7 (TSPAN7) expression is upregulated in multiple myeloma patients and inhibits myeloma tumour development in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Increased expression of the tetraspanin TSPAN7 has been observed in a number of cancers; however, it is unclear how TSPAN7 plays a role in cancer progression. METHODS: We investigated the expression of TSPAN7 in the haematological malignancy multiple myleoma (MM) and assessed the consequences of TSPAN7 expression in the adhesion, migration and growth of MM plasma cells (PC) in vitro and in bone marrow (BM) homing and tumour growth in vivo. Finally, we characterised the association of TSPAN7 with cell surface partner molecules in vitro. RESULTS: TSPAN7 was found to be highly expressed at the RNA and protein level in CD138(+) MM PC from approximately 50% of MM patients. TSPAN7 overexpression in the murine myeloma cell line 5TGM1 significantly reduced tumour burden in 5TGM1/KaLwRij mice 4 weeks after intravenous adminstration of 5TGM1 cells. While TSPAN7 overexpression did not affect cell proliferation in vitro, TSPAN7 increased 5TGM1 cell adhesion to BM stromal cells and transendothelial migration. In addition, TSPAN7 was found to associate with the molecular chaperone calnexin on the cell surface. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that elevated TSPAN7 may be associated with better outcomes for up to 50% of MM patients.

The effect of the PI3K inhibitor BKM120 on tumour growth and osteolytic bone disease in multiple myeloma.

The plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma (MM) is unique amongst haematological malignancies in its capacity to cause osteoclast-mediated skeletal destruction. The PI3K/Akt pathway mediates proliferation, survival and drug resistance in MM plasma cells and is also involved in regulating the formation and activity of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. NVP-BKM120 (Buparlisib, Novartis) is a PI3K inhibitor that is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in several tumour settings. In this study, we have examined the anti-tumorigenic effects of BKM120 in an immunocompetent mouse model of MM and its effects on osteoblast and osteoclast formation and function. BKM120 treatment (40 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in serum paraprotein and tumour burden, and µCT analysis of the proximal tibia revealed a significant reduction in the number of osteolytic bone lesions in BKM120-treated animals. BKM120 also mediated a significant increase in serum levels of the osteoblast marker P1NP, and a significant decrease in serum levels of the osteoclast marker TRAcP5. In vitro, BKM120 decreased MM plasma cell proliferation, osteoclast formation and function, and promoted osteoblast formation and function. These findings suggest that, in addition to its anti-tumour properties, BKM120 could be used to treat osteolytic bone disease in MM patients.

Brief report: the differential roles of mTORC1 and mTORC2 in mesenchymal stem cell differentiation.

Adipocytes (AdCs) and osteoblasts (OBs) are derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and differentiation toward either lineage is both mutually exclusive and transcriptionally controlled. Recent studies implicate the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway as important in determining MSC fate, with inhibition of mTOR promoting OB differentiation and suppressing AdC differentiation. mTOR functions within two distinct multiprotein complexes, mTORC1 and mTORC2, each of which contains the unique adaptor protein, raptor or rictor, respectively. While compounds used to study mTOR signaling, such as rapamycin and related analogs, primarily inhibit mTORC1, prolonged exposure can also disrupt mTORC2 function, confounding interpretation of inhibitor studies. As a result, the relative contribution of mTORC1 and mTORC2 to MSC fate determination remains unclear. In this study, we generated primary mouse MSCs deficient in either Rptor (RapKO) or Rictor (RicKO) using the Cre/loxP system. Cre-mediated deletion of Rptor or Rictor resulted in impaired mTORC1 and mTORC2 signaling, respectively. Under lineage-inductive culture conditions, RapKO MSCs displayed a reduced capacity to form lipid-laden AdCs and an increased capacity to form a mineralized matrix. In contrast, RicKO MSCs displayed reduced osteogenic differentiation capacity and enhanced adipogenic differentiation potential. Taken together, our findings reveal distinct roles for mTORC1 and mTORC2 in MSC lineage commitment.

The effect of the dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitor BEZ235 on tumour growth and osteolytic bone disease in multiple myeloma.

The plasma cell malignancy multiple myeloma (MM) is unique among haematological malignancies in its capacity to cause osteoclast-mediated skeletal destruction. The PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway mediates proliferation, survival and drug resistance in MM plasma cells and is also involved in regulating the formation and activity of bone-forming osteoblasts and bone-resorbing osteoclasts. NVP-BEZ235 is a dual pan class I PI3K and mTOR inhibitor that is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in several tumour settings. In this study, we examined the anti-tumorigenic effects of BEZ235 in an immunocompetent mouse model of MM and assessed the effects of BEZ235 on osteoblast and osteoclast formation and function. BEZ235 treatment (50 mg/kg) resulted in a significant decrease in serum paraprotein and tumour burden, and µCT analysis of the proximal tibia revealed a significant reduction in the number of osteolytic bone lesions in BEZ235-treated animals. Levels of the serum osteoblast marker P1NP were significantly higher in BEZ235-treated animals, while levels of the osteoclast marker TRAcP5 were reduced. In vitro, BEZ235 decreased MM plasma cell proliferation, osteoclast formation and function and promoted osteoblast formation and function. These findings suggest that, in addition to its anti-tumour properties, BEZ235 could be useful in treating osteolytic bone disease in MM patients.

NVP-BEZ235, a dual pan class I PI3 kinase and mTOR inhibitor, promotes osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stromal cells.

Osteoblasts are bone-forming cells derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) that reside within the bone marrow. In response to a variety of factors, MSCs proliferate and differentiate into mature, functional osteoblasts. Several studies have shown previously that suppression of the PI3K and mTOR signaling pathways in these cells strongly promotes osteogenic differentiation, which suggests that inhibitors of these pathways may be useful as anabolic bone agents. In this study we examined the effect of BEZ235, a newly developed dual PI3K and mTOR inhibitor currently in phase I-II clinical trials for advanced solid tumors, on osteogenic differentiation and function using primary MSC cultures. Under osteoinductive conditions, BEZ235 strongly promotes osteogenic differentiation, as evidenced by an increase in mineralized matrix production, an upregulation of genes involved in osteogenesis, including bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP2, -4, and -6) and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) superfamily members (TGFB1, TGFB2, and INHBE), and increased activation of SMAD signaling molecules. In addition, BEZ235 enhances de novo bone formation in calvarial organotypic cultures. Using pharmacologic inhibitors to delineate mechanism, our studies reveal that suppression of mTOR and, to a much lesser extent PI3K p110α, mediates the osteogenic effects of BEZ235. As confirmation, shRNA-mediated knockdown of mTOR enhances osteogenic differentiation and function in SAOS-2 osteoblast-like cells. Taken together, our findings suggest that BEZ235 may be useful in treating PI3K/mTOR-dependent tumors associated with bone loss, such as the hematologic malignancy multiple myeloma.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-2 is a novel regulator of aberrant CXCL12 expression in multiple myeloma plasma cells.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma is an incurable malignancy of bone marrow plasma cells. Progression of multiple myeloma is accompanied by an increase in bone marrow angiogenesis. Studies from our laboratory suggest a role for the CXCL12 chemokine in this process, with circulating levels of CXCL12 correlating with bone marrow angiogenesis in patients with multiple myeloma. While the mechanisms responsible for aberrant plasma cell expression of CXCL12 remain to be determined, studies in other systems suggest a role for hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible transcription factors. DESIGN AND METHODS: The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor protein was examined in patients' bone marrow biopsy specimens using immunohistochemistry. The hypoxic regulation of CXCL12 was examined in multiple myeloma plasma cell lines using polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. The role of hypoxia-inducible factors-1 and -2 in the regulation of CXCL12 expression was examined using over-expression and short hairpin RNA knockdown constructs, electrophoretic mobility shift assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation. The contribution of CXCL12 to hypoxia-induced angiogenesis was examined in vivo using a subcutaneous murine model of neovascularization. RESULTS: Strong hypoxia-inducible factor-2 protein expression was detected in CD138(+) multiple myeloma plasma cells in patients' biopsy specimens. Prolonged exposure to hypoxia strongly up-regulated CXCL12 expression in multiple myeloma plasma cells and hypoxia-inducible factor-2 was found to play a key role in this response. Promoter analyses revealed increased hypoxia-inducible factor-2 binding to the CXCL12 promoter under hypoxic conditions. Over-expression of hypoxia-inducible factor in multiple myeloma plasma cells strongly induced in vivo angiogenesis, and administration of a CXCL12 antagonist decreased hypoxia-inducible factor-induced angiogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia-inducible factor-2 is a newly identified regulator of CXCL12 expression in multiple myeloma plasma cells and a major contributor to multiple myeloma plasma cell-induced angiogenesis. Targeting the hypoxic niche, and more specifically hypoxia-inducible factor-2, may represent a viable strategy to inhibit angiogenesis in multiple myeloma and progression of this disease.

Targeted disruption of the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis inhibits osteolysis in a murine model of myeloma-associated bone loss.

The plasma cell (PC) malignancy, multiple myeloma (MM), is unique among hematological malignancies in its capacity to cause osteoclast (OC)-mediated skeletal destruction. We have previously shown that elevated plasma levels of PC-derived CXCL12 are associated with presence of X-ray detectable osteolytic lesions in MM patients. To further investigate this relationship, plasma levels of CXCL12 and betaCrossLaps, a marker of bone loss, were measured. A strong correlation between levels of CXCL12 and OC-mediated bone resorption was identified. To confirm the OC-activating potential of MM PC-derived CXCL12 in vivo, we established a model of MM-mediated focal osteolysis, wherein MM PC lines, such as RPMI-8226, were injected into the tibias of nude mice. Implanting RPMI-8226 gave rise to osteolytic lesions proximal to the tumor, resulting in a 5% decrease in bone volume (BV) compared with vehicle control. Importantly, bone loss was significantly inhibited with systemic administration of the CXCL12/CXCR4 antagonist T140. Furthermore, implanting CXCL12-overexpressing RPMI-8226 cells resulted in a 13% decrease in BV and was associated with increased OC recruitment proximal to the tumor, increased serum matrix metalloproteinase activity, and increased levels of collagen I degradation products. These findings confirm our hypothesis that MM PC-derived CXCL12 stimulates the recruitment and activity of OC, thereby contributing to the formation of MM osteolytic lesions.

Tumor angiogenesis is associated with plasma levels of stromal-derived factor-1alpha in patients with multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: Multiple myeloma is an incurable hematologic malignancy characterized by increased bone marrow angiogenesis and extensive lytic bone disease. We have previously shown that elevated levels of stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) in peripheral blood plasma are associated with osteolysis in multiple myeloma patients. We have now examined whether SDF-1alpha levels also correlate with angiogenesis. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We examined the contribution of multiple myeloma plasma cell-derived SDF-1alpha in the stimulation of in vitro angiogenesis using a tube formation assay. We also collected trephine and peripheral blood plasma samples from patients with multiple myeloma to analyze microvessel density and SDF-1alpha levels, respectively. RESULTS: We show that multiple myeloma plasma cell line-derived conditioned medium containing SDF-1alpha stimulates in vitro angiogenesis. In addition, in a large cohort of patients with multiple myeloma and its precursor condition monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, we confirm previous findings that plasma cell burden correlates with both angiogenesis and plasma levels of SDF-1alpha. We now extend these observations and show the novel finding that peripheral blood plasma levels of SDF-1alpha positively correlate with the degree of bone marrow angiogenesis in multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance patients. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of SDF-1alpha produced by multiple myeloma plasma cells promote osteolysis and bone marrow angiogenesis. Therefore, we propose that inhibition of SDF-1alpha may be an effective mechanism by which angiogenesis and osteolysis can be reduced in multiple myeloma patients.

Elevated serum levels of stromal-derived factor-1alpha are associated with increased osteoclast activity and osteolytic bone disease in multiple myeloma patients.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable plasma cell (PC) malignancy able to mediate massive destruction of the axial and craniofacial skeleton. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the potent chemokine, stromal-derived factor-1alpha (SDF-1alpha) in the recruitment of osteoclast precursors to the bone marrow. Our studies show that MM PC produce significant levels of SDF-1alpha protein and exhibit elevated plasma levels of SDF-1alpha when compared with normal, age-matched subjects. The level of SDF-1alpha positively correlated with the presence of multiple radiological bone lesions in individuals with MM, suggesting a potential role for SDF-1alpha in osteoclast precursor recruitment and activation. To examine this further, peripheral blood-derived CD14+ osteoclast precursors were cultured in an in vitro osteoclast-potentiating culture system in the presence of recombinant human SDF-1alpha. Although failing to stimulate an increase in TRAP+, multinucleated osteoclast formation, our studies show that SDF-1alpha mediated a dramatic increase in both the number and the size of the resorption lacunae formed. The increased osteoclast motility and activation in response to SDF-1alpha was associated with an increase in the expression of a number of osteoclast activation-related genes, including RANKL, RANK, TRAP, MMP-9, CA-II, and Cathepsin K. Importantly, the small-molecule CXCR4-specific inhibitor, 4F-Benzoyl-TE14011 (T140), effectively blocked osteoclast formation stimulated by the myeloma cell line, RPMI-8226. Based on these findings, we believe that the synthesis of high levels of SDF-1alpha by MM PC may serve to recruit osteoclast precursors to local sites within the bone marrow and enhance their motility and bone-resorbing activity. Therefore, we propose that inhibition of the CXCR4-SDF-1alpha axis may provide an effective means of treatment for MM-induced osteolysis.