RhoGTPases regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics, a key element in osteoclast biology. We identified three novel genes induced during RANKL-stimulated osteoclastogenesis among RhoGTPases and their exchange factors that are essential in osteoclast biology.Introduction: During the process of differentiation, adhesion to the bone matrix or osteolysis, the actin cytoskeleton of osteoclasts undergoes profound reorganization. RhoGTPases are key regulators of actin dynamics. They control cell adhesion, migration, and morphology through their action on actin cytoskeleton. In mice, there are 18 low molecular weight RhoGTPases. They are activated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors: the RhoGEFs. There are 76 RhoGEFs in mice: 65 belong to the Dbl family and 11 to the CZH family. To identify novel genes among RhoGTPases and RhoGEFs important in osteoclasts, we established the expression profiles of the complete families of RhoGTPases and RhoGEFs during RANKL-stimulated osteoclastogenesis. Materials and Methods: The RAW264.7 cell line, mouse bone marrow macrophages, and hematopoietic stem cells were used as precursors for RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Gene arrays and real-time quantitative PCR analyses were performed to establish the transcription profiles of RhoGTPase and RhoGEF genes during differentiation. Small hairpin RNA was used to knock down genes of interest. Results: Of the 18 RhoGTPases and 76 RhoGEFs, the expression of three genes was upregulated by RANKL: the RhoGTPase RhoU/Wrch1, the Dbl family exchange factor Arhgef8/Net1, and the CZH family exchange factor Dock5. The inductions were observed in gene array and real-time quantitative PCR experiments performed in RAW264.7 cells. They were further confirmed in bone marrow macrophages and hematopoietic stem cells. Silencing of Wrch1 and Arhgef8 expression severely inhibited differentiation and affected osteoclast morphology. Dock5 suppression was lethal in osteoclast precursors while having no effect in fibroblasts. Conclusions: We identified three genes among RhoGTPase signaling pathways that are upregulated during RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. These genes are novel essential actors in osteoclasts, most likely through the control of actin cytoskeleton dynamics.

No abstract

BackgroundReal-time quantitative RT-PCR (qPCR) is a powerful technique capable of accurately quantitating mRNA expression levels over a large dynamic range. This makes qPCR the most widely used method for studying quantitative gene expression. An important aspect of qPCR is selecting appropriate controls or normalization factors to account for any differences in starting cDNA quantities between samples during expression studies. Here, we report on the selection of a concise set of housekeeper genes for the accurate normalization of quantitative gene expression data in differentiating osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages. We implemented the use of geNorm, an algorithm that determines the suitability of genes to function as housekeepers by assessing expression stabilities. We evaluated the expression stabilities of 18S, ACTB, B2M, GAPDH, HMBS and HPRT1 genes.FindingsOur analyses revealed that 18S and GAPDH were regulated during osteoblast differentiation and are not suitable for use as reference genes. The most stably expressed genes in osteoblasts were ACTB, HMBS and HPRT1 and their geometric average constitutes a suitable normalization factor upon which gene expression data can be normalized. In macrophages, 18S and GAPDH were the most variable genes while HMBS and B2M were the most stably expressed genes. The geometric average of HMBS and B2M expression levels forms a suitable normalization factor to account for potential differences in starting cDNA quantities during gene expression analysis in macrophages. The expression stabilities of the six candidate reference genes in osteoclasts were, on average, more variable than that observed in macrophages but slightly less variable than those seen in osteoblasts. The two most stably expressed genes in osteoclasts were HMBS and B2M and the genes displaying the greatest levels of variability were 18S and GAPDH. Notably, 18S and GAPDH were the two most variably expressed control genes in all three cell types. The geometric average of HMBS, B2M and ACTB creates an appropriate normalization factor for gene expression studies in osteoclasts.ConclusionWe have identified concise sets of genes suitable to use as normalization factors for quantitative real-time RT-PCR gene expression studies in osteoblasts, osteoclasts and macrophages.

In osteoclasts (OCs) podosomes are organized in a belt, a feature critical for bone resorption. Although microtubules (MTs) promote the formation and stability of the belt, the MT and/or podosome molecules that mediate the interaction of the two systems are not identified. Because the growing "plus" ends of MTs point toward the podosome belt, plus-end tracking proteins (؉TIPs) might regulate podosome patterning. Among the ؉TIPs, EB1 increased as OCs matured and was enriched in the podosome belt, and EB1-positive MTs targeted podosomes. Suppression of MT dynamic instability, displacement of EB1 from MT ends, or EB1 depletion resulted in the loss of the podosome belt. We identified cortactin as an Src-dependent interacting partner of EB1. Cortactin-deficient OCs presented a defective MT targeting to, and patterning of, podosomes and reduced bone resorption. Suppression of MT dynamic instability or EB1 depletion increased cortactin phosphorylation, decreasing its acetylation and affecting its interaction with EB1. Thus, dynamic MTs and podosomes interact to control bone resorption.

Bone remodeling requires osteoclasts to generate and maintain an acidified resorption compartment between the apical membrane and the bone surface to solubilize hydroxyapatite crystals within the bone matrix. This acidification process requires (i) apical proton secretion by a vacuolar H + -ATPase, (ii) actin cytoskeleton reorganization into a podosome belt that forms a gasket to restrict lacunar acid leakage, and (iii) basolateral chloride uptake and bicarbonate extrusion by an anion exchanger to provide Cl − permissive for apical acid secretion while preventing cytoplasmic alkalinization. Here we show that osteoclast-targeted deletion in mice of solute carrier family 4 anion exchanger member 2 (Slc4a2) results in osteopetrosis. We further demonstrate a previously unrecognized consequence of SLC4A2 loss of function in the osteoclast: dysregulation of calpain-dependent podosome disassembly, leading to abnormal actin belt formation, cell spreading, and migration. Rescue of SLC4A2-deficient osteoclasts with functionally defined mutants of SLC4A2 indicates regulation of actin cytoskeletal reorganization by anion-exchange activity and intracellular pH, independent of SLC4A2's long N-terminal cytoplasmic domain. These data suggest that maintenance of intracellular pH in osteoclasts through anion exchange regulates the actin superstructures required for bone resorption.

Treatment of adherent peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) with macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL) stimulates the formation of multinucleate osteoclast-like cells. Treatment with M-CSF alone results in the formation of macrophage-like cells. Through the use of Atlas human cDNA expression arrays, genes regulated by RANKL were identified. Genes include numerous cytokines and cytokine receptors (RANTES and CSF2R proportional, variant ), transcription factors (nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) and GA binding protein transcription factor alpha (GABPalpha)), and ribosomal proteins (60S L17 and 40S S20). Real-time PCR analysis showed significant correlation (R2 of 0.98 P < 0.01) with array data for all genes tested. Time courses showed differential activation patterns of transcription factors with early induction of FUSE binding protein 1 (FBP) and c-Jun, and later steady upregulation of NFATc1 and GABP by RANKL. Treatment with cyclosporin A, a known NFATc1 inhibitor, resulted in a blockade of osteoclast formation. The mononuclear cells resulting from high cyclosporin treatment (1,000 ng/ml) were cathepsin K (CTSK) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive but expression of calcitonin receptor (CTR) was downregulated by more than 30-fold. Constant exposure of M-CSF- and RANKL-treated cells to GM-CSF resulted in inhibition of osteoclast formation and the downregulation of CTSK and TRAP implicating the upregulation of CSF2R in a possible feedback inhibition of osteoclastogenesis.

Needle-free multijet electrospinning can be used to mass produce artificial ECMs with intrinsic biocompatibility and desirable integration of stem cells for large-scale applications.

SummaryBurkholderia pseudomallei is a facultative intracellular pathogen and the causative agent of melioidosis, a spectrum of potentially fatal diseases endemic in Northern Australia and South-East Asia. We demonstrate that B. pseudomallei rapidly modifies infected macrophage-like cells in a manner analagous to osteoclastogenesis. These alterations include multinucleation and the expression by infected cells of mRNA for factors required for osteoclastogenesis: the chemokines monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein 1 gamma (MIP-1g), 'regulated on activation normal T cell expressed and secreted' (RANTES) and the transcription factor 'nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1' (NFATc1). An increase in expression of these factors was also observed after infection with Burkholderia thailandensis. Expression of genes for the osteoclast markers calcitonin receptor (CTR), cathepsin K (CTSK) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) was also increased by B. pseudomallei-infected, but not by B. thailandensisinfected cells. The expression by B. pseudomalleiinfected cells of these chemokine and osteoclast marker genes was remarkably similar to cells treated with RANKL, a stimulator of osteoclastogenesis.Analysis of dentine resorption by B. pseudomalleiinduced osteoclast-like cells revealed that demineralization may occur but that authentic excavation does not take place under the tested conditions. Furthermore, we identified and characterized lfpA (for lactonase family protein A) in B. pseudomallei, which shares significant sequence similarity with the eukaryotic protein 'regucalcin', also known as 'senescence marker protein-30' (SMP-30). LfpA orthologues are widespread in prokaryotes and are well conserved, but are phylogenetically distinct from eukaryotic regucalcin orthologues. We demonstrate that lfpA mRNA expression is dramatically increased in association with macrophage-like cells. Mutation of lfpA significantly reduced expression of the tested host genes, relative to the response to wild-type B. pseudomallei. We also show that lfpA is required for optimal virulence in vivo.