Real-world registry-based study on apremilast use in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in Finland.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the position of apremilast in the treatment pathway of psoriasis (PsO) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in Finnish clinical practice, compared the characteristics of apremilast and biologic therapy users, evaluated persistence with apremilast and identified factors influencing treatment discontinuation. METHOD: This retrospective study used data from Finnish national health registries. The target group was identified based on L40* diagnosis and medication records between 2015 and 2018. Treatment persistence was analysed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. RESULTS: Of eligible patients (PsO 31 202; PsA 12 386), 1% (n = 471) used apremilast and 10% (n = 4214) biologics, apremilast users being older (mean age 55.9 vs 52.4 years, p < 0.001) with a higher Charlson comorbidity score (0.71 vs 0.54, p < 0.001). Most patients switched to apremilast from conventional synthetic therapy (PsO 75%; PsA 76%); 47% of patients remained on apremilast during the observation period (PsO 58%; PsA 42%). Most patients discontinuing apremilast switched to biologics (PsO 51%; PsA 51%). Apremilast persistence increased with age (p = 0.042) and was higher in PsO than in PsA (median 14 vs 11 months; p = 0.005). Compared to prior conventional synthetic therapy, prior biologic therapy decreased persistence (hazard ratio for discontinuation 2.15, 95% confidence interval 1.42-3.25). CONCLUSION: In Finnish clinical practice, apremilast is mainly used between conventional synthetic therapy and biologics, with at least as high treatment persistence as reported in previous studies. Apremilast users were older with higher comorbidity burden than biologics users.

Enhanced invasion and tumor growth of fibroblast growth factor 8b-overexpressing MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Fibroblast growth factor 8 (FGF-8) is a secreted heparin-binding protein, which has mitogenic and transforming activity. Increased expression of FGF-8 has been found in human breast cancer, and it has a potential autocrine role in its progression. Human FGF-8 is alternatively spliced to generate four protein isoforms (a, b, e, and f). Isoform b has been shown to be the most transforming. In this work, we studied the role of FGF-8b in the growth (in vitro and in vivo) of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, which proliferate in an estrogen-dependent manner. Constitutive overexpression of FGF-8b in MCF-7 cells down-regulated FGF-8b-binding receptors FGF receptor (FGFR) 1IIIc, FGFR2IIIc, and FGFR4 found to be expressed in these cells. FGF-8b overexpression led to an increase in the anchorage-independent proliferation rate in suspension culture and colony formation in soft agar, when MCF-7 cells were cultured with or without estradiol. FGF-8b also provided an additional growth advantage for cells stimulated with estradiol. In addition, FGF-8b-transfected cells invaded more actively through Matrigel than did control cells. This was possibly due to the increased secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 9. In vivo, FGF-8b-transfected MCF-7 cells formed faster growing tumors than vector-only-transfected cells when xenografted into nude mice. The tumors formed by FGF-8b-transfected cells were more vascular than the tumors formed by vector-only-transfected cells. In conclusion, FGF-8b expression confers a growth advantage to MCF-7 breast carcinoma cells, both in vitro and in vivo. In addition to stimulation of proliferation, this growth advantage probably arises from increased invasion and tumor vascularization induced by FGF-8b. The results suggest that FGF-8b signaling may be an important factor in the regulation of tumorigenesis and progression of human breast cancer.

Inhibition of osteoclast function by adenovirus expressing antisense protein-tyrosine kinase 2.

Osteoclast activation is initiated by adhesion to bone, cytoskeletal rearrangement, formation of the sealing zone, and formation of the polarized ruffled membrane. Previous findings suggest that protein-tyrosine kinase 2 (PYK2), a cytoplasmic kinase related to focal adhesion kinase, participates in these events. This study examines the role of PYK2 in adhesion-mediated signaling and osteoclast function, using PYK2 antisense. We produced a recombinant adenovirus containing a 300-base pair reversed 5'-coding region of PYK2 and used full-length PYK2 as a control. Murine osteoclast-like cells or their mononuclear precursors were generated in a co-culture of bone marrow and osteoblasts. Infection with antisense adenovirus significantly reduced the expression of endogenous PYK2 protein relative to uninfected cells or to cells infected with sense PYK2 and caused: 1) a reduction in osteoclast formation in vitro; 2) inhibition of cell spreading and of actin ring formation in osteoclasts plated on glass or bone and of attachment and spreading of osteoclast precursors plated on vitronectin; 3) inhibition of bone resorption in vitro; 4) marked reduction in p130(Cas) tyrosine phosphorylation; and 5) no change in alpha(v)beta(3) integrin expression or c-Src tyrosine phosphorylation. Taken together, these findings support the hypothesis that PYK2 plays a central role in the adhesion-dependent cytoskeletal organization and sealing zone formation required for osteoclastic bone resorption.

Abnormal localisation and hyperclustering of (alpha)(V)(beta)(3) integrins and associated proteins in Src-deficient or tyrphostin A9-treated osteoclasts.

The non-receptor tyrosine kinase Src was shown to be essential for osteoclast function in vivo. We have previously reported that engagement of (alpha)(v)(beta)(3) integrin in osteoclasts induces tyrosine phosphorylation and activation of the adhesion kinase PYK2 and the adaptor protein p130(Cas) in a Src-dependent manner. The objective of this study was to analyse the role of c-Src in the (alpha)(v)(beta)(3) integrin-dependent recruitment of signalling and cytoskeletal molecules in osteoclasts during bone resorption. Using prefusion osteoclasts (pOCs) obtained from cocultures of osteoblasts and spleen cells isolated from Src(-/-) mice or their normal littermates, we found: (1) similar expression levels and ligand binding affinities of (alpha)(v)(beta)(3) integrins in Src(-/-) and Src(+/?) pOCs, (2) reduced adhesion and spreading of Src(-/-) pOCs, (3) defective organisation of the microfilament proteins, F-actin, vinculin and paxillin, and of PYK2 and p130(Cas) in the sealing zone of Src(-/-)OCLs, and (4) hyperclustering of (alpha)(v)(beta)(3) integrins together with microfilament and signalling proteins in the basal membrane of Src-deficient OCLs. In normal OCLs, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor tyrphostin A9 inhibits actin ring formation, bone resorption and tyrosine phosphorylation of several proteins, including c-Src. Furthermore, tyrphostin A9 induced similar hyperclustering of (alpha)(v)(beta)(3) integrins in osteoclasts as observed in Src(-/-) OCLs. Taken together, these findings suggest that normal localisation of (alpha)(v)(beta)(3) and recruitment of its downstream effectors to the appropriate compartments of the osteoclast during resorption depend on Src kinase activity.

Integrins and signaling in osteoclast function.

Integrins are heterodimeric adhesion receptors that mediate cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions. Osteoclasts highly express the alphavbeta3 integrin, which binds to a variety of extracellular matrix proteins including vitronectin, osteopontin and bone sialoprotein. RGD-containing peptides, RGD-mimetics and alphavbeta3 blocking antibodies inhibit bone resorption in vitro and in vivo, suggesting that this integrin plays an important role in osteoclast function. RGD-containing peptides were shown to raise cytosolic calcium in osteoclasts. Furthermore, several signaling and adaptor molecules were found to be involved in alphavbeta3 integrin-dependent signaling pathways, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, c-Src, PYK2 and p130(cas). In addition, cytoskeletal molecules such as paxillin, vinculin, gelsolin and F-actin are recruited to adhesion contacts upon integrin activation. Many of these molecules signaling and cytoskeletal localize to the sealing zone of actively resorbing osteoclasts, suggesting that they play a role in linking the adhesion of osteoclasts to the bone matrix with the cytoskeletal organization and the polarization and activation of these cells for bone resorption.

Role of alpha(v)beta(3) integrin in osteoclast migration and formation of the sealing zone.

The alpha(v)beta(3) integrin is abundantly expressed in osteoclasts and has been implicated in the regulation of osteoclast function, especially in cell attachment. However, in vivo studies have shown that echistatin, an RGD-containing disintegrin which binds to alpha(v)beta(3), inhibits bone resorption without changing the number of osteoclasts on the bone surface, suggesting inhibition of osteoclast activity. The objective of this study was to examine how occupancy of alpha(v)beta(3) integrins inhibits osteoclast function, using primary rat osteoclasts and murine pre-fusion osteoclast-like cells formed in a co-culture system. We show that: (1) echistatin inhibits bone resorption in vitro at lower concentrations (IC(50 )= 0.1 nM) than those required to detach osteoclasts from bone (IC(50 ) approximately 1 microM); (2) echistatin (IC(50 )= 0.1 nM) inhibits M-CSF-induced migration and cell spreading of osteoclasts; (3) alpha(v)beta(3) integrins are localized in podosomes at the leading edge of migrating osteoclasts, whereas, with echistatin treatment (0.1 nM), alpha(v)beta(3) disperses randomly throughout the adhesion surface; and (4) when bone resorption is fully inhibited with echistatin, there is visible disruption of the sealing zone (IC(50 )= 13 nM), and alpha(v)beta(3) visualized with confocal microscopy re-distributes from the basolateral membranes to intracellular vesicular structures. Taken together, these findings suggest that alpha(v)beta(3) integrin plays a role in the regulation of two processes required for effective osteoclastic bone resorption: cell migration (IC(50 )= 0.1 nM) and maintenance of the sealing zone (IC(50) approximately 10 nM).

Stable association of PYK2 and p130(Cas) in osteoclasts and their co-localization in the sealing zone.

Bone resorption is initiated by osteoclast attachment to the mineralized matrix, cytoskeletal reorganization, cellular polarization, and the formation of the sealing zone. The present study examines the interaction between PYK2 and p130(Cas) (Crk-associated substrate), suggested to be part of the signaling pathway initiated by osteoclast adhesion. Using murine osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) and their mononuclear precursors (pOCs), generated in a co-culture of bone marrow and osteoblastic MB1.8 cells, we show that: 1) p130(Cas) is tyrosine-phosphorylated upon adhesion of pOCs to vitronectin or ligation of beta3 integrins; 2) p130(Cas) colocalizes with PYK2 and the cytoskeletal proteins F-actin, vinculin, and paxillin in the podosomal-rich ring-like structures of OCLs plated on glass and in the sealing zone in actively resorbing OCLs on bone; 3) p130(Cas) and PYK2 form a stable complex in pOCs, independent of tyrosine phosphorylation of either molecule, and this complex is present in Src (-/-) OCLs, in which neither protein is phosphorylated or associated with the osteoclast adhesion structure; 4) the association of p130(Cas) and PYK2 is mediated by the SH3 domain of p130(Cas) and the C-terminal domain of PYK2. These findings suggest that p130(Cas) and its association with PYK2 may play an important role in the adhesion-dependent signaling that leads to cytoskeletal reorganization and formation of the sealing zone during osteoclast activation.

PYK2 in osteoclasts is an adhesion kinase, localized in the sealing zone, activated by ligation of alpha(v)beta3 integrin, and phosphorylated by src kinase.

Osteoclast activation is initiated by adhesion to the bone surface, followed by cytoskeletal rearrangement, the formation of the sealing zone, and a polarized ruffled membrane. This study shows that PYK2/CAKbeta/RAFTK, a cytoplasmic kinase related to the focal adhesion kinase, is highly expressed in rat osteoclasts in vivo. Using murine osteoclast-like cells (OCLs) or their mononuclear precursors (pOCs), generated in a coculture of bone marrow and osteoblastic MB1.8 cells, we show: (a) tyrosine phosphorylation of PYK2 upon ligation of beta3 integrins or adhesion of pOCs to serum, vitronectin, osteopontin, or fibronectin but not to laminin or collagen; (b) coimmunoprecipitation of PYK2 and c-Src from OCLs; (c) PYK2 binding to the SH2 domains of Src; (d) marked reduction in tyrosine phosphorylation and kinase activity of PYK2 in OCLs derived from Src (-/-) mice, which do not form actin rings and do not resorb bone; (e) PYK2 phosphorylation by exogeneous c-Src; (f) translocation of PYK2 to the Triton X-100 insoluble cytoskeletal fraction upon adhesion; (g) localization of PYK2 in podosomes and the ring-like structures in OCLs plated on glass and in the sealing zone in OCLs plated on bone; and (h) activation of PYK2, in the presence of MB1.8 cells, parallels the formation of sealing zones and pit resorption in vitro and is reduced by echistatin or calcitonin and cytochalasin D. Taken together, these findings suggest that Src-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of PYK2 is involved in the adhesion-induced formation of the sealing zone, required for osteoclastic bone resorption.

Inhibition of bone resorption in vitro by a peptide containing the cadherin cell adhesion recognition sequence HAV is due to prevention of sealing zone formation.

Cadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins usually mediating homophilic calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion in a variety of cells and species. All classical cadherins share common structural and functional properties, one of which is the cell adhesion recognition (CAR) sequence HAV (His-Ala-Val). In the present work we have studied the effects of the cadherin CAR sequence-containing hexapeptide AHAVSE on osteoclasts, the main bone resorbing cells in well-characterized pit formation assay. The primary attachment of osteoclasts to bone surface is not affected by the peptide, suggesting that it is not mediated by cadherins. However, treatment of osteoclast cultures with AHAVSE peptide decreased the number of resorption pits and the total resorbed area without affecting the mean size of resorption pits. Furthermore, we show rapid inactivation of osteoclasts with AHAVSE, which is seen as a decrease in the percentage of osteoclasts with actin rings. Double staining of pan-cadherin antibody with actin and vinculin localized cadherin-like molecule in the sealing zone area of osteoclasts. These results suggest that the tight attachment of osteoclasts to the bone surface in the sealing zone area may be mediated by cadherin-like molecules and that the decrease of resorption in AHAVSE-treated osteoclast cultures is due to prevention of sealing zone formation.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase association with the osteoclast cytoskeleton, and its involvement in osteoclast attachment and spreading.

Osteoclast activation involves attachment to the mineralized bone matrix and reorganization of the cytoskeleton, leading to polarization of the cell. Signaling molecules, PI3-kinase, rho A, and pp60c-src, were shown to be essential for osteoclastic bone resorption. In this study we have focused on the involvement of these signaling molecules in the early event of osteoclast activation: attachment, spreading, and organization of the cytoskeleton. Highly purified osteoclasts were fractionated into Triton X-100-soluble or cytosolic and Triton X-100-insoluble or cytoskeletal fractions, and the distribution of above-mentioned signaling molecules between the two fractions was examined. PI3-kinase, rho A, and pp60c-src all showed translocation to the cytoskeletal fraction upon osteoclast attachment to plastic. However, PI3-kinase and rho A, but not pp60c-src, showed further translocation of 2.4- and 3.2-fold, respectively, upon attachment of osteoclasts to bone. PI3-kinase translocation to the cytoskeleton was inhibited by either cytochalasin B or colchicine. Furthermore, treatment of osteoclasts with the PI3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin decreased its translocation, suggesting that PI3-kinase activity was needed for its translocation. Moreover, wortmannin inhibited osteoclast attachment to both bone and plastic and caused drastic changes in osteoclast morphology resulting in rounding of the cells, disappearance of F-actin structures or podosomes, and appearance of punctate or vesicular structures inside the cells. Osteoblastic MB1.8 cells and IC-21 macrophages did not show additional translocation of PI3-kinase or rho A upon attachment to bone or changes in attachment or morphology in response to wortmannin. Finally, PI3-kinase coimmunoprecipitated with alpha v beta 3 integrin from osteoclasts.

Beta 1 integrins and osteoclast function: involvement in collagen recognition and bone resorption.

The extracellular matrix of bone is composed mainly of type I collagen. In this report we studied the role and collagen-binding properties of osteoclast integrins (alpha v, alpha 2, beta 1, and beta 3). Cell adhesion assays with rat osteoclasts and affinity chromatography/SDS-PAGE analysis with purified human osteoclast membranes demonstrated adhesion of osteoclasts to native type I collagen in a divalent cation and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-dependent way via alpha 2 beta 1 integrin, whereas osteoclast adhesion to denatured collagen predominantly involved alpha v beta 3. In receptor-binding assays, the involvement of human recombinant alpha v beta 3 in adhesion to denatured collagen was confirmed. Additionally, osteoclasts adhered to type I collagen fibers and to monomeric types II-V collagen with characteristics similar to those on native monomeric type I collagen. Osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro was inhibited (> 40%) in the presence of alpha 2 and beta 1 antibodies. Using scanning laser confocal microscopy, alpha v beta 3, alpha 2, and beta 1 integrin were detected within podosomes in nonresorbing osteoclasts and in the ruffled border area and basolateral membrane in resorbing osteoclasts, but not in the sealing zone of resorbing osteoclasts. These results demonstrate that alpha 2 beta 1, in addition to alpha v beta 3, has an important role in osteoclast function and acts as a receptor for native, but not denatured, collagen.

Different calcium sensitivity in osteoclasts on glass and on bone and maintenance of cytoskeletal structures on bone in the presence of high extracellular calcium.

The sensitivity of rat osteoclasts to increased extracellular calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]e) was investigated by single cell measurements of free cytosolic calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]i), by changes in microfilament organization of resorbing osteoclasts, and by in vitro bone resorption assays. Osteoclasts cultured on glass and on bone showed clear differences in their responses, as in 44% and 52% of osteoclasts on glass but in only 21% and 25% of osteoclasts on bone [Ca2+]i increased when [Ca2+]e was increased from 2 mM to 6 or 10 mM via perfusion, respectively. Bone resorption was inhibited without changes in the osteoclast numbers only by 10 mM [Ca2+]e in 2 day cultures. Furthermore, there were no changes in the organization of microfilament structures in resorbing osteoclasts after increased [Ca2+]e (up to 20 mM [Ca2+]e, 30 min incubation). These results suggest that the sensitivity of osteoclasts to increased [Ca2+]e is dependent on their activation phase (resting/migrating vs. resorbing) and that resorbing osteoclasts are not sensitive to increased [Ca2+]e or that the sensing system cannot be reached in polarized resorbing osteoclasts. In contrast, increasing [Ca2+]i through the use of calcium ionophores dispersed specific microfilament structures at the sealing zone transiently in a few minutes. This shows that [Ca2+]i is used as a signaling mechanism to inactivate osteoclasts, with a similar end result on microfilament structures at the sealing zone as caused by increased concentration of cAMP and activation of protein kinase C.

Cytoskeletal changes in osteoclasts during the resorption cycle.

Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells which change their shape and polarity according to their resorptive activity. At least in vitro, nonresorbing osteoclasts move on the bone surface and do not show clear evidence of apical-basolateral polarity. When stimulated for resorption, osteoclasts undergo a rapid reorganization of the cytoskeleton and appear clearly polarized. The detailed nature of different membrane domains in polarized osteoclasts is still far from clear, but a remarkable feature is the formation of a tight sealing zone between the ruffled border and the rest of the cell membrane. Characteristic organization of F-actin into a belt or ring-like structure with a double circle of vinculin around it is needed for the formation of the sealing zone. This type of microfilament organization is typical only for resorbing osteoclasts and can thus be used as a marker for resorbing cells. These characteristic changes in the molecular organization of the cytoskeleton in osteoclasts during the resorption cycle offer several potential targets to inhibit bone resorption, perhaps cell-specific.

Isolation and characterization of highly enriched, prefusion mouse osteoclastic cells.

This study describes the isolation and characterization of highly enriched mammalian osteoclast precursors, released by the "disintegrin" echistatin, from an osteoclast formation culture. Incubation of a 6-day coculture of mouse bone marrow cells and mouse osteoblastic cells (MB1.8) with echistatin (30 nM), an RGD-containing snake venom, for 20 min yielded an 88-95% pure population of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells, 1.5 x 10(5) cells per 150 cm2 culture dish. These cells were mostly mononucleated and based on the following characteristics are considered to be prefusion osteoclasts (pOC cells): (i) presence of calcitonin (CT) receptors documented by 125I-sCT autoradiography and cAMP generation in response to salmon calcitonin; (ii) expression of mRNAs for alpha v beta 3 integrin, osteopontin, 92-kDa type IV collagenase (matrix metalloproteinase 9), carbonic anhydrase II, OC-2 (an "osteoclastic" cysteine proteinase), and protein tyrosine phosphatase epsilon; and (iii) high level expression of pp60c-src protein. The pOC cells resorb bone (form "pits" on bone slices) but only in the presence of osteoblastic MB1.8 cells and 1,25(OH)2D3. Resorption was inhibited by CT. In conclusion, we describe a rapid, reproducible procedure to isolate virtually pure mammalian prefusion osteoclasts, which should help in the study of osteoclast formation, composition, and function.

Effects of recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 on the differentiation of osteoclast-like cells and bone resorption.

Recombinant human OP-1 stimulated the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells (MNCs) significantly and in a dose-dependent manner in rat bone marrow cell culture. Newly formed MNCs either induced by hOP-1 alone or with 1,25(OH)2D3 were also positive for vitronectin receptor and carbonic anhydrase II. Moreover, OP-1 markedly increased the capacity of 1,25(OH)2D3 to induce osteoclast-like cell formation and bone resorption in bone marrow cultures. 25 pg/ml of calcitonin significantly inhibited both OP-1- and vitamin D3-induced TRAP-positive MNC-formation in marrow cultures, indicating that in both cases the MNC formation was calcitonin sensitive. OP-1 at 5-100 ng/ml did not have any significant effect on bone resorption as studied by pit formation assay. These studies that OP-1 in concert with 1,25(OH)2D3 could have an important role in bone remodeling by exhibiting its effects not only on osteoblast growth and differentiation but also on the recruitment of osteoclasts.

Spatial organization of microfilaments and vitronectin receptor, alpha v beta 3, in osteoclasts. A study using confocal laser scanning microscopy.

The primary function of the osteoclast is that of the major cell mediating bone resorption. They are actively migrating cells but during resorption they polarize to form a specialized tight attachment structure, the sealing zone, adjacent to the mineralized bone matrix. The processes of adhesion to, and migration on, bone involves cell adhesion molecules, integrins, interacting with their ligands in bone. We have used confocal microscopy to analyse, in rat osteoclasts cultured on bone and glass substrata, the distribution of vitronectin receptor, the major integrin of osteoclasts, and cytoskeletal proteins that it may be linked to. Double staining for F-actin and vinculin, and for vinculin with talin, revealed that cytoskeletal organization differs at various activation states of osteoclasts. Microfilament structures were flat, of 1.5 microns size, and concentrated near the bone surface. The vitronectin receptor was localized both in the basolateral membrane (away from the bone surface) and in the ruffled border (adjacent to bone) in osteoclasts cultured on bone, but was detected mainly in the basolateral membrane when cultured on glass. The vitronectin receptor appeared to be condensed on small microvilli-like projections on the basolateral membrane of osteoclasts on either bone or glass and may provide a route for alternative signalling pathways to modify osteoclast behaviour, other than by influencing cell adhesion directly. The leading edges of migrating osteoclasts, and the attachment structure, a broad vinculin band, which forms before bone resorption, also expressed vitronectin receptor, particularly when the antibody against the alpha v subunit was used.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase in osteoclasts and two different epithelial acid-secreting cells.

Acid secreting cells are rich in mitochondria and contain high levels of cytoplasmic carbonic anhydrase II. We have studied the ultrastructural distribution of a mitochondrial isoenzyme, carbonic anhydrase V, in two different acid-secreting epithelial cells, gastric parietal cells and kidney intercalated cells as well as in osteoclasts, which are the main bone resorbing cells. The mitochondria differ in carbonic anhydrase V content in these three acid-producing cells: gastric parietal cell mitochondria show strong immunolabelling for this isoenzyme, osteoclast mitochondria faint labelling and kidney intercalated cell mitochondria no labelling. The immunolabelling was located in the mitochondrial matrix, often in close contact with the inner mitochondrial membrane. These results show that mitochondrial carbonic anhydrase levels are not related to acid-transporting activity.

Vitronectin receptor has a role in bone resorption but does not mediate tight sealing zone attachment of osteoclasts to the bone surface.

During bone resorption, osteoclasts form a tight attachment, the sealing zone, around resorption lacunae. Vitronectin receptor has previously been shown to be expressed in osteoclasts and it has been suggested that it mediates the tight attachment at the sealing zone. In this study we have shown that glycine-arginine-glycine-aspartic acid-serine pentapeptide inhibits bone resorption by isolated osteoclasts and drastically changes the morphology of the osteoclasts. When the vitronectin receptor was localized by immunofluorescence in rat and chicken osteoclasts cultured on bone slices, it was found to be distributed throughout the osteoclast cell membrane except in the sealing zone areas. Immunoperoxidase staining of rat bone sections at the light microscopical level also revealed intense staining of the cell membrane with occasional small unstained areas, probably corresponding to the sealing zones. Immunoelectron microscopy confirmed the results obtained by light microscopy showing specific labeling only at the ruffled borders and basolateral membranes (0.82 and 2.43 gold particles/microns of membrane, respectively), but not at the sealing zone areas (0.06 gold particles/microns of membrane). Both alpha v and beta 3 subunits of the vitronectin receptor were similarly localized. These results strongly suggest that, although the vitronectin receptor is important in the function of osteoclasts, it is not mediating the final sealing zone attachment of the osteoclasts to the mineralized bone surface.

Inhibition of bone resorption by a monoclonal antibody that reacts with a 150 kD membrane protein in chicken osteoclasts.

Bone resorption is a multistep process that includes the maturation of osteoclast precursors, the special attachment of fully differentiated osteoclasts to mineralized bone surface, and the dissolution of inorganic mineral, as well as the breakdown of organic matrix. We have produced a large panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against chicken osteoclasts to obtain specific probes for studying the function of osteoclasts. One of our antibodies, K20, inhibited bone resorption of isolated osteoclasts almost completely. Several pieces of evidence suggested that the antigen detected by this antibody was located in the plasma membrane of the osteoclast. In western blot analysis K20 antibody specifically recognized a 150 kD protein in the medullary bone microsome fraction under reducing and nonreducing conditions. In addition to osteoclasts and some bone and bone marrow mononuclear cells, a positive immunoreaction was seen in the kidney tubules. These data suggest that monoclonal antibody K20 reacts with an osteoclast surface antigen that is functionally important in bone resorption.

Kinetics of the osteoclast cytoskeleton during the resorption cycle in vitro.

Resorption and migration phases alternate in the life of the osteoclast. We have previously described a specific microfilament structure at the attachment sites in resorbing osteoclasts. In the present study we have examined microfilaments and microtubules in both resorbing and migrating rat osteoclasts cultured on bone slices. In migrating osteoclasts microfilaments form so-called podosome structures containing vinculin, talin, and F-actin at the paramarginal area of the cell. When the osteoclast prepares itself for resorption, the podosomes gather to a certain area and form a broad ring around the area, which is then resorbed. In the resorbing osteoclast, vinculin and talin form a continuous double circle, which may be partially formed by podosomes, and between these double circles a broad zone is formed by F-actin. Narrow vinculin and F-actin rings were found in osteoclasts at the end of the resorption phase. The different configurations of microfilaments in 1 and 2 day cultures were correlated in terms of their relationship to the resorption lacunae. The vitamin A derivative isotretinoin significantly stimulated resorption and increased the number of microfilament configurations associated with the resorption pits. On the other hand, Bt2cAMP abolished resorption and prevented the formation of a specific ring structure of microfilaments. Based on these data, a kinetic model of the whole migration-resorption cycle of the osteoclast cultured on the bone slice is presented. With alpha-tubulin stainings of microtubules two different cytoskeletal organizations were observed. In migrating osteoclasts, microtubules were evenly distributed over the whole cell. In the resorbing osteoclast, there was a noticeable concentration of these cytoskeletal structures at cytoplasmic sites closest to the resorption lacuna. This orientation of microtubules may reflect the active secretory function of the resorbing osteoclast.