Bone recognition mechanism of porcine osteocalcin from crystal structure

Osteocalcin is the most abundant noncollagenous protein in bone, and its concentration in serum is closely linked to bone metabolism and serves as a biological marker for the clinical assessment of bone disease. Although its precise mechanism of action is unclear, osteocalcin influences bone mineralization, in part through its ability to bind with high affinity to the mineral component of bone, hydroxyapatite. In addition to binding to hydroxyapatite, osteocalcin functions in cell signalling and the recruitment of osteoclasts and osteoblasts, which have active roles in bone resorption and deposition, respectively. Here we present the X-ray crystal structure of porcine osteocalcin at 2.0 A resolution, which reveals a negatively charged protein surface that coordinates five calcium ions in a spatial orientation that is complementary to calcium ions in a hydroxyapatite crystal lattice. On the basis of our findings, we propose a model of osteocalcin binding to hydroxyapatite and draw parallels with other proteins that engage crystal lattices.     

Effects of Cu2+ and Ph on osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro

The effects of Cu2+ and pH on osteoclastic bone resorption lacunae are studied by culturing Japanese white rabbit osteoclasts on bone slices. The number and surface area of bone resorption lacunae are measured by photomicrography and image analysis. Concentration of calcium ion in the supernatant is measured by atomic absorption spectrometry to evaluate the activity of osteoclasts. The morphology of the lacunae is observed under a scanning electron microscope. The results indicate that Cu2+ at concentration of 1.00×10-6 mol/L and 1.00×10-7 mol/L inhibits osteoclastic activity and causes a dose-dependent reduction in the number and surface area of the lacunae. While the number of lanunae is increased and osteoclastic bone resorbing function is significantly improved at Cu2+ concentration of 1.00×10-8 mol/L. It is suggested that the effect of Cu2+ on osteoclastic bone resorption depends on Cu2+ concentration. pH had no significant effect on osteoclastic function in the near neutral range.     

Effects of the rare earth ions on bone resorbing function of rabbit mature osteoclasts<Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

The osteoclast plays initiating and vanguard roles in the course of bone remodeling. The resorption and formation of bone is the basic clues of bone remodeling, which results from the mutual dependent functions of osteoclasts and osteoblasts. When the osteoclasts are activated, the bone resorption function is increased. The excess bone resorption leads to osteoporosis, characterized by formation of many hollows, lacunae and tunnels on the bone surface or in depth[1,2]. The differentiation, pro…     

Structural basis for semaphorin signalling through the plexin receptor

Semaphorins and their receptor plexins constitute a pleiotropic cell-signalling system that is used in a wide variety of biological processes, and both protein families have been implicated in numerous human diseases. The binding of soluble or membrane-anchored semaphorins to the membrane-distal region of the plexin ectodomain activates plexin's intrinsic GTPase-activating protein (GAP) at the cytoplasmic region, ultimately modulating cellular adhesion behaviour. However, the structural mechanism underlying the receptor activation remains largely unknown. Here we report the crystal structures of the semaphorin 6A (Sema6A) receptor-binding fragment and the plexin A2 (PlxnA2) ligand-binding fragment in both their pre-signalling (that is, before binding) and signalling (after complex formation) states. Before binding, the Sema6A ectodomain was in the expected 'face-to-face' homodimer arrangement, similar to that adopted by Sema3A and Sema4D, whereas PlxnA2 was in an unexpected 'head-on' homodimer arrangement. In contrast, the structure of the Sema6A-PlxnA2 signalling complex revealed a 2:2 heterotetramer in which the two PlxnA2 monomers dissociated from one another and docked onto the top face of the Sema6A homodimer using the same interface as the head-on homodimer, indicating that plexins undergo 'partner exchange'. Cell-based activity measurements using mutant ligands/receptors confirmed that the Sema6A face-to-face dimer arrangement is physiologically relevant and is maintained throughout signalling events. Thus, homodimer-to-heterodimer transitions of cell-surface plexin that result in a specific orientation of its molecular axis relative to the membrane may constitute the structural mechanism by which the ligand-binding 'signal' is transmitted to the cytoplasmic region, inducing GAP domain rearrangements and activation.     

羟基磷灰石基生物材料培养破骨细胞研究现状

骨重建是新骨组织替换旧骨或受损骨的生理过程,在无瘢痕骨愈合和受损骨再生中起着必要的作用。骨重建主要是骨形成细胞如成骨细胞（osteoblast,OB）,骨吸收细胞如破骨细胞（osteoclast,OC）,和巨噬细胞（macrophage,MP）等细胞之间的相互协调活动。OC作为生物体内唯一多核细胞,负责生物体内骨质的脱钙与骨基质的吸收。自然骨具有一定硬度、韧性,良好的生物活性,保证骨重建中细胞的增殖、分化、骨形成或骨再吸收等活性。以羟基磷灰石（hydroxyapatite,HA）为主的磷酸钙（HA-CaPs）是自然骨中矿物质的主要成分,具有优异的生物性能而被广泛应用于骨组织修复领域。总结了HA-CaPs物相成分、表面形貌等对OC等骨吸收细胞增殖、分化和骨吸收活性的影响,并通过OC对于骨修复材料体内吸收机制及细胞活性调控机制等探讨HA-CaPs与细胞间相互关系,以期为磷酸钙人工骨替代材料更加广泛的生物应用作理论参考。     

Effects of genistein, daidzein and glycitein on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and on the adipogenic trans-differentiation of osteoblasts

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and oil red O assays were used to examine the effects of genistein, daidzein and glycitein on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and the adipogenic trans-differentiation of primary mouse osteoblasts. The results indicated that daidzein, genistein and glycitein at concentrations from 1×10^-8 mol/L to 1×10^-5 mol/L promoted the proliferation of MSCs and osteoblasts; genistein, daidzein and glycitein promoted osteogenic differentiation and inhibited adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, and inhibited adipocytic transdifferentiation of osteoblasts at appropriate concentrations as 17β-estradiol. It suggests that genistein, daidzein and glycitein regulate a dual differentiational process of MSCs into the osteogenic and adipogenic lineages, and trans-differentiational process of primary osteoblasts into the adipocyte lineages, causing a lineage shift toward osteoblast. Protective effects of them on bone may be mediated by a reversal of adipogenesis which may promote the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts, and make adipocytes secrete less cytokines which may promote osteoclast formation and activation. In addition, the results also indicated that genistein, daidzein and glycitein may be helpful in preventing the development of steroid induced osteonecrosis.     

Effects of mechanical forces on maintenance and adaptation of form in trabecular bone

The architecture of trabecular bone, the porous bone found in the spine and at articulating joints, provides the requirements for optimal load transfer, by pairing suitable strength and stiffness to minimal weight according to rules of mathematical design. But, as it is unlikely that the architecture is fully pre-programmed in the genes, how are the bone cells informed about these rules, which so obviously dictate architecture? A relationship exists between bone architecture and mechanical usage--while strenuous exercise increases bone mass, disuse, as in microgravity and inactivity, reduces it. Bone resorption cells (osteoclasts) and bone formation cells (osteoblasts) normally balance bone mass in a coupled homeostatic process of remodelling, which renews some 25% of trabecular bone volume per year. Here we present a computational model of the metabolic process in bone that confirms that cell coupling is governed by feedback from mechanical load transfer. This model can explain the emergence and maintenance of trabecular architecture as an optimal mechanical structure, as well as its adaptation to alternative external loads.     

玉柏石松中甾体化合物对体外培养成骨细胞活性的影响

为研究玉柏石松中甾体化合物豆甾烷-3-酮-21-羧酸（SA）对体外培养小鼠成骨细胞系MC3T3-E1活性的影响,用Alamar Blue法检测了成骨细胞增殖率,碱性磷酸酶试剂盒检测了细胞中碱性磷酸酶活性,茜素红染色检测了成骨细胞矿化水平,荧光定量PCR检测了成骨细胞骨分化相关基因的表达.结果显示：8μmol/L和16μmol/L的SA处理细胞8 d能抑制成骨细胞碱性磷酸活性;处理细胞16 d能提高骨细胞矿化水平.SA抑制成骨早期分化相关基因（Runx-2和Osterix）的表达,促进骨基质蛋白OPN和骨重建相关转录因子（Jun-D,Fra-1和Fra-2）的表达.故SA具有促进骨折愈合的成骨活性,可能通过促进相关转录因子表达,骨折断面旧骨的吸收和骨基质钙化等方式完成.     

Bone metastasis: can osteoclasts be excluded?

The RANK/RANKL signalling mechanism is the final common pathway of osteoclast formation and activity. Inhibitors of RANK ligand (RANKL) that bind to RANK (for 'receptor activator of NF-kappaB'), such as osteoprotegerin (OPG), neutralizing antibodies against RANKL and soluble RANK antagonists, are well described inhibitors of bone metastasis in preclinical and clinical models, presumably because of their effects on osteoclasts. Jones et al. show that OPG inhibits bone metastasis after intracardiac injection of B16F10 murine melanoma cells, but claim that bone metastases are entirely independent of osteoclast formation and bone resorption: rather, they are caused by an effect on cell migration through RANK. However, we question whether these surprising conclusions are rigorously supported by their data.     

Class IV semaphorin Sema4A enhances T-cell activation and interacts with Tim-2

Semaphorins are a family of phylogenetically conserved soluble and transmembrane proteins. Although many soluble semaphorins deliver guidance cues to migrating axons during neuronal development, some members are involved in immune responses. For example, CD100 (also known as Sema4D), a class IV transmembrane semaphorin, signals through CD72 to effect nonredundant roles in immune responses in a ligand-receptor system that is distinct from any seen previously in the nervous system. Here we report that the class IV semaphorin Sema4A, which is expressed in dendritic cells and B cells, enhances the in vitro activation and differentiation of T cells and the in vivo generation of antigen-specific T cells. Treating mice with monoclonal antibodies against Sema4A blocks the development of an experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis that is induced by an antigenic peptide derived from myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein. In addition, expression cloning shows that the Sema4A receptor is Tim-2, a member of the family of T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain (Tim) proteins that is expressed on activated T cells.     

反式白藜芦醇对破骨细胞分化的影响

目的:研究反式白藜芦醇对体外破骨细胞分化的影响.方法建立由骨保护素配体(RANKL)和巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(M-CSF)共同细胞因子的小鼠破骨细胞骨髓诱导体系,将不同浓度的反式白藜芦醇作用于破骨细胞.受试细胞分为对照组、反式白藜芦醇低剂量组(10-8mol.L-1)、反式白藜芦醇中剂量组(10-7mol.L-1)和反式白藜芦醇高剂量组(10-6mol.L-1),并设立空白对照组.7 d后取细胞玻片进行抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)染色,观察破骨细胞并计数;测量抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶(TRAP)活性以及破骨细胞表面NF-κB活化受体(RANK)mRNA表达量.结果诱导培养的破骨细胞形态特征明显;反式白藜芦醇中、高剂量组在细胞数量、TRAP活性上与对照组相比有明显统计学差异(P<0.05);反式白藜芦醇各剂量组在(RANK)mRNA表达量上与对照组相比有明显统计学差异(P<0.05),且呈量效关系.结论:反式白藜芦醇可以抑制体外培养的破骨细胞分化.     

UNC93B1 delivers nucleotide-sensing toll-like receptors to endolysosomes

Signalling by means of toll-like receptors (TLRs) is essential for the development of innate and adaptive immune responses. UNC93B1, essential for signalling of TLR3, TLR7 and TLR9 in both humans and mice, physically interacts with these TLRs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Here we show that the function of the polytopic membrane protein UNC93B1 is to deliver the nucleotide-sensing receptors TLR7 and TLR9 from the ER to endolysosomes. In dendritic cells of 3d mice, which express an UNC93B1 missense mutant (H412R) incapable of TLR binding, neither TLR7 nor TLR9 exits the ER. Furthermore, the trafficking and signalling defects of the nucleotide-sensing TLRs in 3d dendritic cells are corrected by expression of wild-type UNC93B1. However, UNC93B1 is dispensable for ligand recognition and signal initiation by TLRs. To our knowledge, UNC93B1 is the first protein to be identified as a molecule specifically involved in trafficking of nucleotide-sensing TLRs. By inhibiting the interaction between UNC93B1 and TLRs it should be possible to achieve specific regulation of the nucleotide-sensing TLRs without compromising signalling via the cell-surface-disposed TLRs.     

Semaphorin 7A promotes axon outgrowth through integrins and MAPKs

Striking parallels exist between immune and nervous system cellular signalling mechanisms. Molecules originally shown to be critical for immune responses also serve neuronal functions, and similarly neural guidance cues can modulate immune function. We show here that semaphorin 7A (Sema7A), a membrane-anchored member of the semaphorin family of guidance proteins previously known for its immunomodulatory effects, can also mediate neuronal functions. Unlike many other semaphorins, which act as repulsive guidance cues, Sema7A enhances central and peripheral axon growth and is required for proper axon tract formation during embryonic development. Unexpectedly, Sema7A enhancement of axon outgrowth requires integrin receptors and activation of MAPK signalling pathways. These findings define a previously unknown biological function for semaphorins, identify an unexpected role for integrins and integrin-dependent intracellular signalling in mediating semaphorin responses, and provide a framework for understanding and interfering with Sema7A function in both immune and nervous systems.     

Icariin suppresses bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts in vitro

The effect of icariin on the bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts is assessed in vitro. Osteoclasts were isolated from Japanese white rabbits and cultured on plates with a sterilized bone slice in each well. After treatment with icariin at various concentrations, the bone resorption activity of osteoclasts was evaluated by examining pit areas, superoxide anion (·O2-) generation, size and number of actin rings and intracellular calcium concentration [Ca2 ]i. As revealed by these data, icariin elicited continuous decline of [Ca2 ]i, making actin ring constricted and ·O2- generation decreased. These events resulted in smaller and fewer pits which indicate suppressed bone resorption activity of rabbit osteoclasts by icariin.     

Effect of Dy3+on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mouse primary bone marrow stromal cells and adipocytic trans-differentiation of mouse primary osteoblasts

A series of experimental methods including 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity measurement, mineralized function, Oil Red O stain and measurement were employed to assess the effect of Dy³⁺ on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of mouse primary bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and the adipogenic trans-differentiation of mouse primary osteoblasts (OBs). The results showed that Dy³⁺ had no effect on BMSC proliferation at concentrations of 1×10⁻⁸ and 1×10⁻⁵ mol/L, but inhibited BMSC proliferation at other concentrations. Dy³⁺ had no effect on OB proliferation at concentrations of 1×10⁻¹⁰ and 1×10⁻⁹ mol/L, but inhibited OB proliferation at other concentrations. Dy³⁺ had no effect on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs at concentrations of 1×10⁻⁹ and 1×10⁻⁷ mol/L, and promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs at other concentrations at the 7th day. The osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was inhibited by Dy³⁺ at concentration of 1×10⁻⁵ mol/L at the 14th day, but promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs at concentrations of 1×10⁻⁹, 1×10⁻⁸, 1×10⁻⁷ and 1×10⁻⁶ mol/L with the maximal effect at concentration of 10⁻⁶ mol/L. Dy³⁺ promoted mineralized function of BMSCs at any concentration. Dy³⁺ had no effect on adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs at concentration of 1×10⁻⁷ mol/L, but inhibited adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs at other concentrations. Dy³⁺ inhibited adipocytic trans-differentiation of OBs at any concentration, suggesting that Dy³⁺ had protective effect on bone and the protective effect on bone may be mediated by modulating differentiation of BMSCs away from the adipocyte and inhibiting adipocytic trans-differentiation of OBs which may promote differentiation and mineralization of OBs. These results may be valuable for better understanding the mechanism of the effect of Dy³⁺ on pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Supported by the Foundation for Key Program of Ministry of Education of China (Grant No. 208018)