FHL2, a molecule that interacts with many integrins and transcription factors, was found to play an important role in osteoblast differentiation. Overexpression of FHL2 increases the accumulation of osteoblast differentiation markers and matrix mineralization, whereas FHL2 deficiency results in inhibition of osteoblast differentiation and decreased bone formation.Introduction: Integrin-matrix interaction plays a critical role in osteoblast function. It has been shown that the cytoplasmic domains of integrin beta subunits mediate signal transduction induced by integrin-matrix interaction. We reasoned that the identification of proteins interacting with beta-cytoplasmic tails followed by analysis of the function of these proteins would enhance our understanding on integrin signaling and the roles of these proteins in osteoblast activities.Materials and Methods: Yeast two hybrid assay was used to identify proteins interacting with the cytoplasmic domain of integrin beta 5 subunit. The association of these proteins with integrin alpha v beta 5 was confirmed by confocal analysis and co-immunoprecipitation. A stable MC3T3-E1 cells line overexpressing Four and Half Lim Protein 2 (FHL2) and mouse osteoblasts deficient in FHL2 were used to study the roles of FHL2 in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Matrix protein expression was determined by mRNA analysis and Western blotting. Matrix mineralization was detected by Alizarin red staining. Alkaline phosphatase activity was also measured. mu CT was used to determine bone histomorphometry.Results and Conclusions: FHL2 and actin-binding proteins, palladin and filamin A, were identified as proteins interacting with beta 5 cytoplasmic domain. FHL2 co-localized with alpha v beta 5 at the focal adhesion sites in association with palladin and filamin A. FHL2 was also present in nuclei. Osteoblasts overexpressing FHL2 exhibited increased adhesion to and migration on matrix proteins. Conversely, FHL2 stimulation of CREB activity was dependent on integrin function because it was inhibited by Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) peptide. The expression of osteoblast differentiation markers and Msx2 was upregulated, and bone matrix mineralization was increased in FHL2 overexpressing cells. In contrast, FHL2-deficient bone marrow cells and osteoblasts displayed decreased osteoblast colony formation and differentiation, respectively, compared with wildtype cells. Moreover, FHL2-deficient female mice exhibited greater bone loss than the wildtype littermates after ovariectomy. Thus, FHL2 plays an important role in osteoblast differentiation and bone formation.

A new SERM, CHF 4227.01, given to 6-month-old female rats immediately after ovariectomy, preserved bone mass and bone microarchitecture without affecting uterus weight. It also decreased serum cholesterol and fat mass in estrogen-deficient rats.Introduction: We tested the effect of a new benzopyran derivative, CHF 4227.01, with selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) activity on bone mass and biomechanics in ovariectomized (OVX) female rats in comparison with 17 alpha-ethinylestradiol (EST), raloxifene (RLX), and lasofoxifene (LFX).Materials and Methods: Four doses of CHF 4227.01 (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mg/kg body weight [bw]/day) were administered in OVX animals daily by gavage 5 days/week for 4 months. EST was administered at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg bw/day, whereas RLX and LSX were administered at doses of 1 and 0.1 mg/kg bw/day, respectively, by gavage. In one group (Sham), rats were operated but the ovaries not removed; another OVX group was treated only with placebo.Results and Conclusions: Treatment with CHF 4227.01 (1.0 and 0.1 mg/kg bw), EST (0.1 mg/kg bw), LFX (0.1 mg/kg bw), or RLX (1.0 mg/kg bw) prevented bone loss on the lumbar spine and the proximal femur assessed in vivo by DXA. Volumetric BMD obtained by pQCT ex vivo confirmed protection from bone loss in the spine and proximal femur among rats treated with CHF 4227.01. This effect was associated with strong inhibition of bone resorption both histologically and biochemically. Furthermore, CHF 4227.01 preserved trabecular microarchitecture, analyzed by mu CT, and maintained biomechanical indices of bone strength in the spine and proximal femur, effects also observed for RLX, whereas LSX was less protective of microarchitecture. CHF 4227.01 treatment did not affect uterine weight, prevented the increase in body weight and fat mass seen in OVX animals, and decreased serum cholesterol to below the average of intact animals. In conclusion, CHF 4227.01 exhibits a promising therapeutic and safety profile as a new SERM on both skeletal and extraskeletal outcomes.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (Erks), members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, play an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. In this study we employed a dominant negative approach to determine the role of Erks in the regulation of human osteoblastic cell function. Human osteoblastic cells were transduced with a pseudotyped retrovirus encoding either a mutated Erk1 protein with a dominant negative action against both Erk1 and Erk2 (Erk1DN cells) or the LacZ protein (LacZ cells) as a control. Both basal and growth factor-stimulated MAPK activity and cell proliferation were inhibited in Erk1DN cells. Expression of Erk1DN protein suppressed both osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization by decreasing alkaline phosphatase activity and the deposition of bone matrix proteins. Cell adhesion to collagen, osteopontin, and vitronectin was decreased in Erk1DN cells as compared with LacZ cells. Cell spreading and migration on these matrices were also inhibited. In Erk1DN cells, expression of alphabeta(1), alpha(v)beta(3), and alpha(v)beta(5) integrins on the surface was decreased. Metabolic labeling indicated that the synthesis of these integrins was inhibited in Erk1DN cells. These data suggest that Erks are not only essential for the growth and differentiation of osteoblasts but also are important for osteoblast adhesion, spreading, migration, and integrin expression.

: The Hyp mouse, a model for human X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH), is characterized by phosphate wasting and defective mineralization. Since osteopontin (OPN) is considered pivotal for biological mineralization, we examined the biosynthesis of OPN in osteoblasts of +/Y and Hyp /Y mice. Immunoprecipitation analyses using a specific antibody to OPN revealed that Hyp /Y and +/Y osteoblasts secrete similar levels of OPN as determined by [ 35 S]-methionine biosynthetic labeling, but a reduced phosphorylation was noted after 32 P-PO 4 biosynthetic labeling. Northern blot hybridization analysis of +/Y and Hyp /Y mice osteoblast mRNAs, using a cDNA probe for mouse OPN, revealed no difference in the steady state levels of osteopontin mRNA. Analysis of casein kinase II activity in +/Y and Hyp /Y mice osteoblast, kidney, heart and liver membrane fractions revealed that casein kinase II activity in the Hyp /Y mice osteoblasts and kidney is only 35%-50%, respectively, of that of the +/Y mice tissues. The accumulated data are consistent with a post-translation defect in the Hyp /Y mouse osteoblast which results in the under-phosphorylation of osteopontin and subsequent under-mineralization of bone matrix.

Using a mouse model (Hyp) of human hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets [X-linked hypophosphatemia (XLH)], we compared the effects of 22-oxa-1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (OCT) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] on restoring defects in mineral and skeletal metabolism. Hyp/Y mice received OCT or 1,25(OH)2D3 at doses of 0.05-0.25 micron.kg-1.day-1 for 4 wk. OCT normalized serum calcium levels, whereas 1,25(OH)2D3 produced hypercalcemia in Hyp/Y. OCT and 1,25(OH)2D3 also normalized serum phosphate levels and increased urinary calcium levels. Additionally, OCT and 1,25(OH)2D3 reduced elevated urinary pyridinoline levels and suppressed urinary adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate levels to normal. Bone ash content was low in Hyp/Y, and OCT was more effective than 1,25(OH)2D3 in reversing this defect. Histomorphometric analysis of bone turnover, mineralization rate, and osteoid content demonstrated comparable responses with OCT and 1,25(OH)2D3, although the highest dose of 1,25(OH)2D3 resulted in increased osteoid content and delayed mineralization. OCT appears to be more effective and definitely less toxic than 1,25(OH)2D3 in reversing skeletal lesions in Hyp/Y mice and may prove to be the drug of choice in the treatment of childhood XLH.

To assess the potential impact of ipriflavone on the biomechanical properties and mineral composition of bone, we administered two doses (200 or 400 mg/kg bw) of the drug orally to adult male rats for 1 month. Bone biomechanics were evaluated by vibration damping, an index of strain energy loss, and impact strength (the amount of energy required to fracture after a single impact). At the higher dose, ipriflavone significantly decreased vibration damping of rat femurs by 23.0±9.8% compared with control, vehicle-treated animals, suggesting a higher capacity to withstand dynamic stress. This result was confirmed by the impact strength studies showing that a higher energy (49.6±21.3% above control) was required to fracture femurs of rat treated with 400 mg/kg bw ipriflavone. The high dose of ipriflavone increased bone mineral density, assessed by both volume displacement and ash analysis (4.2% and 2.5% above controls, respectively). The relative content of calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in the ashes was not different among the treated and untreated groups, indicating that no gross abnormalities in mineral composition of bone occurred after ipriflavone administration. Similarly, there were no differences in serum calcium and magnesium levels between treated and control animals at the end of the study, whereas lower circulating phosphorus levels were detected in the latter. Ipriflavone treatment was not associated with significant changes in serum alkaline phosphatase nor type I collagen telopeptide levels, two markers of bone turnover. In summary, 1-month treatment with ipriflavone increased bone density and improved the biomechanical properties of adult rat male bones without altering mineral composition. These results lend support to the use of ipriflavone in osteoporotic syndromes.

Human hypophosphatemic vitamin D-resistant rickets (X-linked hypophosphatemia-XLH) is characterized by hypophosphatemia, a decreased tubular reabsorption of phosphate (Pi) and defective skeleton mineralization. Utilizing a mouse model (Hyp) of XLH, which demonstrates biological abnormalities and skeletal defects of XLH, we analyzed sodium-dependent phosphate transport in isolated osteoblasts derived from the calvaria of normophosphatemic and hypophosphatemic mice. Initial rates of phosphate uptake by normal and Hyp osteoblasts showed similar slopes. Osteoblasts from both normal and Hyp mice exhibited saturable, sodium-dependent phosphate transport with apparent Vmax and Km values not significantly different (normal mice, Vmax=24.30±3.45 nmol/mg prot. 10 min, Km=349.49±95.20 μmol/liter; Hyp mice, Vmax=23.03±3.41 nmol/mg prot. 10 min, Km=453.64±106.93 μmol/liter, n=24). No differences were found in the ability of normal and Hyp osteoblasts to respond to Pi transport after 5 hours of Pi deprivation. Both cell types exhibited a similar increase in cAMP in response to PTH. The accumulated results demonstrate that Pi uptake and transport in normal and Hyp mouse osteoblasts is a sodium-dependent saturable process. As osteoblast Pi uptake and transport is apparently normal in the Hyp mouse model of XLH, the “osteoblastic failure” described for the Hyp mouse should be attributed to other mechanism(s).

Osteoblast-like cell cultures have been established from the trabecular surfaces of normal adult rat femoral trabecular bone. The cultured cells responded to stimulation by parathyroid hormone (rPTH), with a rise in intracellular cAMP in excess of 25-fold while failing to respond to incubation with sCT. Furthermore, the osteoblast-like cells exhibited a high level of alkaline phosphatase expression, both histochemically and biochemically. Incubations with 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 increased the alkaline phosphatase activity by 50% and stimulated bone Gla-protein (BGP) synthesis. When the cell layers were supplemented with both 50 μg/ml ascorbic acid and 10 mM β-glycerophosphate and allowed to grow past confluency for 3 weeks, they formed calcified ridges and multilayered nodules. Confirmation of the mineralization of an extracellular matrix was made by von Kossa staining. This simple isolation technique now facilitates the availability of normal adult rat osteoblastic cells for investigation of bone and mineral metabolism.

Human osteoblast cultures (hOB) were examined for the production of interstitial collagenase, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP), and gelatinolytic enzymes. Cells were isolated by bacterial collagenase digestion of trabecular bone (vertebra, rib, tibia, and femur) from 11 subjects (neonatal to adult). Confluent cultures were exposed to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, PTH, PGE2, epidermal growth factor, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3, recombinant human IL-1 beta, and dexamethasone. Collagenase and TIMP were assayed immunologically and also by measurements of functional activity. Collagenase was not secreted in significant quantities by human bone cells under any tested condition. Furthermore, collagenase mRNA could not be detected in hOB. However, hOB spontaneously secreted large amounts of TIMP for at least 72 h in culture. hOB TIMP was found to be identical to human fibroblast TIMP by double immunodiffusion, metabolic labeling and immunoprecipitation, Northern blot analysis, and stoichiometry of collagenase inhibition. SDS-substrate gel electrophoresis of hOB-conditioned media revealed a prominent band of gelatinolytic activity at 68 kD, and specific polyclonal antisera established its identity with the major gelatinolytic protease of human fibroblasts. Abundant secretion of gelatinolytic, but not collagenolytic, enzymes by hOB may indicate that human osteoblasts do not initiate and direct the cleavage of osteoid collagen on the bone surface, but may participate in the preparation of the bone surface for osteoclast attachment by removal of denatured collagen peptides. The constitutive secretion of TIMP may function to regulate metalloproteinase activity.

Insulin has potent effects on osteoblast function both in vivo and in vitro. In various insulin-sensitive tissues, stimulation of glucose transport and metabolism are hallmarks of insulin action, and have been postulated to play a role in insulin regulation of cellular function. However, insulin effects on glucose metabolism in osteoblast-like cells have not been demonstrated. Therefore we examined the in vitro effects of insulin on hexose uptake in an osteoblast-enriched rat bone explant preparation. Uniform 5-mm-diameter punch sections were obtained from the cartilage-free frontal portions of the calvaria of 3-day-old rats, and the periosteum was removed. The resulting sections contained a highly enriched population of osteoblast-like cells as determined by histologic criteria, elimination of calcitonin-stimulatable cAMP generation, and enhancement of PTH-stimulatable cAMP generation per microgram of DNA. Sections were incubated for 24 hr at 37 degrees C in BGJb medium and then transferred to modified glucose-free Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer for 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) uptake studies. 3H-2-DG uptake was linear with time over 60 min, temperature sensitive, and inhibited by 5 mM phloridzin. Kinetic analysis of 2-DG uptake at 25 degrees C demonstrated a saturable transport mechanism with a Km of 2.2 mM, similar to that observed for 2-DG transport in other tissues. Studies of competitive inhibition by other sugars demonstrated a transport specificity for 2-DG that was comparable to that previously observed in fat and muscle cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)