Osteoimmunology peeks into the interaction of bone and the immune system, which has largely proved to be a multiplex reaction. Osteocytes have been shown to regulate bone resorption through the expression of RANKL in physiologic and pathologic conditions. TNF-α, a product of the immune system, is an important cytokine regulating bone resorption in inflammatory conditions either directly or by increasing RANKL and M-CSF expressions by osteoblasts and stromal cells. The effect of TNF-α on a wide range of cell types has been documented; however, the direct effect of TNF-α on osteocytes has not been established yet. In this study, primary osteocytes were isolated by cell sorting from neonatal calvaria of Dmp1-Topaz mice, which express the green fluorescent protein under the influence of dentin matrix protein 1 promoter. The results show that osteocytes have a significantly higher RANKL mRNA expression when cultured with TNF-α. A co-culture system of osteocytes and TNF receptors I and II deficient osteoclast precursors treated with TNF-α show a significant increase in TRAP-positive cells while cultures without TNF-α failed to show TRAP-positive cells. Additionally, in vivo experiments of TNF-α injected to mouse calvaria show an increase in TRAP-positive cell number in the suture mesenchyme and an increase in the percentage of RANKL-positive osteocytes compared to PBS-injected calvaria. Osteocytes cultured with TNF-α show up-regulation of MAPKs phosphorylation measured by western blot, and adding MAPKs inhibitors to osteocytes cultured with TNF-α significantly decreases RANKL mRNA expression compared to osteocytes cultured with TNF-α alone. We also found that TNF-α activates the NF-κB pathway in osteocytes measured as a function of p65 subunit nuclear translocation. TNF-α directly affects osteocyte RANKL expression and increases osteoclastogenesis; our results demonstrate that osteocytes guard an important role in inflammatory bone resorption mediated by TNF-α.

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an n-3 fatty acid that is an important structural component of the cell membrane. DHA exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects through G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120), which is a functional receptor for n-3 fatty acids. DHA also regulates osteoclast formation and function. However, no studies have investigated the effect of DHA on inflammation-induced osteoclast formation in vivo. In the present study, we investigated whether DHA influences osteoclast formation, bone resorption and the expression of osteoclast-associated cytokines during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation in vivo, and then we elucidated the underlying mechanisms by using in vitro experiments. In vitro experiments revealed both receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL)- and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced osteoclast formation was inhibited by DHA. Supracalvarial administration of LPS with or without DHA was carried out for 5 days and then the number of osteoclasts, ratio of bone resorption pits and the level of type I collagen C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide were measured. All measurements were significantly lower in LPS+DHA-co-administered mice than LPS-administered mice. However, this DHA-induced inhibition was not observed in LPS-, DHA-, and selective GPR120 antagonist AH7614-co-administered mice. Furthermore, the expression of RANKL and TNF-α mRNAs was lower in the LPS+DHA-co-administered group than in the LPS-administered group in vivo. TNF-α mRNA levels were decreased in macrophages co-treated with LPS+DHA compared with cells treated with LPS in vitro. In contrast, RANKL mRNA expression levels from osteoblasts co-treated with DHA and LPS in vitro were equal to that in cells treated with LPS alone. Finally, the inhibitory effects of DHA on osteoclast formation in vitro were not observed by using osteoclast precursors from GPR120-deficient mice, and inhibition of LPS-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption by DHA in vivo was not observed in GPR120-deficient mice. These results suggest that DHA inhibits LPS-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vivo via GPR120 by inhibiting LPS-induced TNF-α production in macrophages along with direct inhibition of osteoclast formation.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists are an effective treatment approach for type 2 diabetes. Recently, antiinflammatory effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists have also been reported. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces inflammation and osteoclast formation. In this study, we investigated the effect of exendin-4, a widely used GLP-1 receptor agonist, in LPS-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption. LPS with or without exendin-4 was administered on mouse calvariae by daily subcutaneous injection. The number of osteoclasts, the ratio of bone resorption pits, and the level of C-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were significantly lower in LPS-and exendin-4-coadministered mice than in mice administered with LPS alone. RANKL and TNF-α mRNA expression levels were lower in the exendin-4-and LPScoadministered group than in the LPS-administered group. Our in vitro results showed no direct effects of exendin-4 on RANKL-induced osteoclast formation, TNF-α-induced osteoclast formation, or LPS-induced RANKL expression in stromal cells. Conversely, TNF-α mRNA expression was inhibited in the exendin-4-and LPS-cotreated macrophages compared with cells treated with LPS alone. These results indicate that the GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 may inhibit LPS-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption by inhibiting LPS-induced TNF-α production in macrophages.

C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) belongs to the family of CXC chemokines. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces inflammation-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, and in recent years, stimulatory effects of CXCL12 on bone resorption have also been reported. In the present study, we investigated the effects of CXCL12 on LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. LPS was administered with or without CXCL12 onto mouse calvariae by daily subcutaneous injection. Numbers of osteoclasts and bone resorption were significantly elevated in mice co-administered LPS and CXCL12 compared with mice administered LPS alone. Moreover, receptor activator of NF-kB ligand (RANKL) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA levels were higher in mice co-administered LPS and CXCL12 compared with mice administered LPS alone. These in vitro results confirmed a direct stimulatory effect of CXCL12 on RANKL- and TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis. Furthermore, TNF-α and RANKL mRNA levels were elevated in macrophages and osteoblasts, respectively, co-treated in vitro with CXCL12 and LPS, in comparison with cells treated with LPS alone. Our results suggest that CXCL12 enhances LPS-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption in vivo through a combination of increasing LPS-induced TNF-α production by macrophages, increasing RANKL production by osteoblasts, and direct enhancement of osteoclastogenesis.

Compressive force during orthodontic tooth movement induces osteoclast formation in vivo. TNF-α plays an important role in mouse osteoclast formation and bone resorption induced by compressive force during orthodontic tooth movement. Stromal cells, macrophages and T cells take part in TNF-α-induced osteoclast formation in vitro. Root resorption caused by odontoclasts is a major clinical problem during orthodontic tooth movement. In this study, we determined the cell type targeted by TNF-α during compressive-force-induced osteoclast and odontoclast formation to elucidate the mechanism of bone and root resorption in vivo. An orthodontic tooth movement mouse model was prepared with a nickel-titanium closed coil spring inserted between the maxillary incisors and the first molar. Using TNF receptor 1- and 2-deficient (KO) mice, we found that osteoclast and odontoclast formation was mediated by TNF-α in orthodontic tooth movement. We generated four types of chimeric mice: wild-type (WT) bone marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated WT mice (WT>WT), KO bone marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated WT mice (KO>WT), WT bone marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated KO mice (WT>KO), and KO marrow cells transplanted into lethally irradiated KO mice (KO>KO). Using anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 antibodies, T cells were eliminated from these mice. We subjected these chimeric mice to orthodontic tooth movement. Orthodontic tooth movement was evaluated and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cells along the alveolar bone (osteoclasts) and along the tooth root (odontoclasts) were counted after 12 days of tooth movement. The amount of orthodontic tooth movement, and the number of osteoclasts and odontoclasts on the compression side were significantly lower in WT>KO and KO>KO mice than in WT>WT and KO>WT mice. According to these results, we concluded that TNF-α-responsive stromal cells are important for osteoclast and odontoclast formation during orthodontic tooth movement.

Interleukin (IL)-33 is a member of the IL-1 family, which acts as an alarmin. Several studies suggested that IL-33 inhibited osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is considered a direct inducer of osteoclastogenesis. However, there has been no report regarding the effect of IL-33 on TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. The objective of this study is to investigate the role of IL-33 on TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption. In an in vitro analysis of osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast precursors, which were derived from bone marrow cells, were treated with or without IL-33 in the presence of TNF-α. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining solution was used to assess osteoclast formation. In an in vivo analysis of mouse calvariae, TNF-α with or without IL-33 was subcutaneously administrated into the supracalvarial region of mice daily for 5 days. Histological sections were stained for TRAP, and osteoclast numbers were determined. Using micro-CT reconstruction images, the ratio of bone destruction area on the calvariae was evaluated. The number of TRAP-positive cells induced by TNF-α was significantly decreased with IL-33 in vitro and in vivo. Bone resorption was also reduced. IL-33 inhibited IκB phosphorylation and NF-κB nuclear translocation. These results suggest that IL-33 inhibited TNF-α-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.

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Titanium nitride (TiN) coating by ion plating has properties such as high hardness, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and surface lubricity, therefore TiN coating is often used in various dental appliances and materials. In this study, we evaluated the corrosion behaviors and mechanical properties of TiN coated stainless steel (SS) and nickel titanium (Ni-Ti) orthodontic wires prepared by ion plating. TiN coating by ion plating improves the corrosion resistance of orthodontic wires. The corrosion pitting of the TiN coated wire surface become small. The tensile strength and stiffness of SS wire were increased after TiN coating. In contrast, its elastic force, which is a property for Ni-Ti wire, was decreased. In addition, TiN coating provided small friction forces. The low level of friction may increase tooth movement efficiently. Therefore, TiN coated SS wire could be useful for orthodontics treatment.