Osteocyte primary cilium and its role in bone mechanotransduction

Establishing the Basis for Mechanobiology-Based Physical Therapy Protocols to Potentiate Cellular Healing and Tissue Regeneration

Life is mechanobiological: mechanical stimuli play a pivotal role in the formation of structurally and functionally appropriate body templates through mechanobiologically-driven cellular and tissue re/modeling. The body responds to mechanical stimuli engendered through physical movement in an integrated fashion, internalizing and transferring forces from organ, through tissue and cellular length scales. In the context of rehabilitation and therapeutic outcomes, such mechanical stimuli are referred to as mechanotherapy. Physical therapists use mechanotherapy and mechanical interventions, e.g., exercise therapy and manual mobilizations, to restore function and treat disease and/or injury. While the effect of directed movement, such as in physical therapy, is well documented at the length scale of the body and its organs, a number of recent studies implicate its integral effect in modulating cellular behavior and subsequent tissue adaptation. Yet the link between movement biomechanics, physical therapy, and subsequent cellular and tissue mechanoadaptation is not well established in the literature. Here we review mechanoadaptation in the context of physical therapy, from organ to cell scale mechanotransduction and cell to organ scale extracellular matrix genesis and re/modeling. We suggest that physical therapy can be developed to harness the mechanosensitivity of cells and tissues, enabling prescriptive definition of physical and mechanical interventions to enhance tissue genesis, healing, and rehabilitation.

Primary cilium is required for the stimulating effect of icaritin on osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts in vitro

OBJECTIVE

Icaritin, one effective metabolite of Herba Epimedii-derived flavonoid icariin, has a strong osteogenic activity. However, its action mechanism remains unclear. Since primary cilia have been shown to play a pivotal role in regulating the osteogenesis, we hypothesized primary cilia are indispensable in mediating icaritin osteogenic effect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Primary rat calvarial osteoblasts were transfected with siRNA1 targeting intraflagellar transport protein 88 (IFT88), a protein required for ciliogenesis, to prevent formation of primary cilium and were treated with 10^-6 M icaritin.

RESULTS

Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was significantly increased after 3 days in cells transfected with scrambled siRNA control and treated by icaritin (SC+I group) compared to cells transfected with scrambled siRNA control only (SC group). ALP activity after IFT88 siRNA1 transfection and icaritin treatment (siRNA1+I group) was significantly lower than that of SC+I group. Formation of ALP positively stained colonies after 6 days, osteocalcin secretion after 9 days and formation of calcified nodules after 12 days displayed a similar tendency among the three groups. mRNA expression of osteogenesis-related genes ALP, BMP-2, COL1α, RUNX-2 and OSX after 24 h was significantly increased in SC+I group, but was not different with SC group in siRNA1+I group. Protein levels of BMP-2, COL1α, RUNX-2 and OSX after 48 h showed the similar tendency with gene expression.

CONCLUSION

Primary cilia are important in mediating icaritin-stimulated osteogenic differentiation and may be a novel target for pharmacological therapies for bone loss.

Dissection of mechanoresponse elements in promoter sites of the mechanoresponsive CYR61 gene

Mechanotransduction is important for mesenchymal regeneration and differentiation. Exaggerated high or very low impact yields pathological outcome resulting in fracture or tissue atrophy. Pathological strain in animal models was described but tools to dissect the respective stimuli and downstream pathways are limited. We expand the analytical tools to describe DNA strain response elements in a reporter gene approach. Deletion constructs of the human cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61) promoter were cloned into luciferase vectors and stably transfected into human telomerase-immortalised mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC-TERT). Cells were mechanically stimulated with variable frequencies, amplitudes and durations. Promoter activity was determined as well as CYR61 mRNA and protein expression. In silico promoter analysis identified putative transcription factor binding sites, one of which was a cAMP response element, verified by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. We demonstrate for the first time that the activity of promoter regions is inhibited in low, but stimulated in high frequency stimulations. We conclude that by varying conditions of mechanical strain it is possible to characterize stimulatory versus inhibitory strain on cellular levels. Our work may be helpful in future studies to dissect the molecular pathways of physiological versus pathological strain and may have implications for clinical exercise based treatment strategies.

Mechanotransduction as an Adaptation to Gravity

Gravity has played a critical role in the development of terrestrial life. A key event in evolution has been the development of mechanisms to sense and transduce gravitational force into biological signals. The objective of this manuscript is to review how living organisms on Earth use mechanotransduction as an adaptation to gravity. Certain cells have evolved specialized structures, such as otoliths in hair cells of the inner ear and statoliths in plants, to respond directly to the force of gravity. By conducting studies in the reduced gravity of spaceflight (microgravity) or simulating microgravity in the laboratory, we have gained insights into how gravity might have changed life on Earth. We review how microgravity affects prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells at the cellular and molecular levels. Genomic studies in yeast have identified changes in genes involved in budding, cell polarity, and cell separation regulated by Ras, PI3K, and TOR signaling pathways. Moreover, transcriptomic analysis of late pregnant rats have revealed that microgravity affects genes that regulate circadian clocks, activate mechanotransduction pathways, and induce changes in immune response, metabolism, and cells proliferation. Importantly, these studies identified genes that modify chromatin structure and methylation, suggesting that long-term adaptation to gravity may be mediated by epigenetic modifications. Given that gravity represents a modification in mechanical stresses encounter by the cells, the tensegrity model of cytoskeletal architecture provides an excellent paradigm to explain how changes in the balance of forces, which are transmitted across transmembrane receptors and cytoskeleton, can influence intracellular signaling pathways and gene expression.

Primary cilia are sensors of electrical field stimulation to induce osteogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells

In this study, we report for the first time that the primary cilium acts as a crucial sensor for electrical field stimulation (EFS)-enhanced osteogenic response in osteoprogenitor cells. In addition, primary cilia seem to functionally modulate effects of EFS-induced cellular calcium oscillations. Primary cilia are organelles that have recently been implicated to play a crucial sensor role for many mechanical and chemical stimuli on stem cells. Here, we investigate the role of primary cilia in EFS-enhanced osteogenic response of human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) by knocking down 2 primary cilia structural proteins, polycystin-1 and intraflagellar protein-88. Our results indicate that structurally integrated primary cilia are required for detection of electrical field signals in hASCs. Furthermore, by measuring changes of cytoplasmic calcium concentration in hASCs during EFS, our findings also suggest that primary cilia may potentially function as a crucial calcium-signaling nexus in hASCs during EFS.-Cai, S., Bodle, J. C., Mathieu, P. S., Amos, A., Hamouda, M., Bernacki, S., McCarty, G., Loboa, E. G. Primary cilia are sensors of electrical field stimulation to induce osteogenesis of human adipose-derived stem cells.

Molecular Actions of Glucocorticoids in Cartilage and Bone During Health, Disease, and Steroid Therapy

Cartilage and bone are severely affected by glucocorticoids (GCs), steroid hormones that are frequently used to treat inflammatory diseases. Major complications associated with long-term steroid therapy include impairment of cartilaginous bone growth and GC-induced osteoporosis. Particularly in arthritis, GC application can increase joint and bone damage. Contrarily, endogenous GC release supports cartilage and bone integrity. In the last decade, substantial progress in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of GC action has been gained through genome-wide binding studies of the GC receptor. These genomic approaches have revolutionized our understanding of gene regulation by ligand-induced transcription factors in general. Furthermore, specific inactivation of GC signaling and the GC receptor in bone and cartilage cells of rodent models has enabled the cell-specific effects of GCs in normal tissue homeostasis, inflammatory bone diseases, and GC-induced osteoporosis to be dissected. In this review, we summarize the current view of GC action in cartilage and bone. We further discuss future research directions in the context of new concepts for optimized steroid therapies with less detrimental effects on bone.

Predicting cortical bone adaptation to axial loading in the mouse tibia

The development of predictive mathematical models can contribute to a deeper understanding of the specific stages of bone mechanobiology and the process by which bone adapts to mechanical forces. The objective of this work was to predict, with spatial accuracy, cortical bone adaptation to mechanical load, in order to better understand the mechanical cues that might be driving adaptation. The axial tibial loading model was used to trigger cortical bone adaptation in C57BL/6 mice and provide relevant biological and biomechanical information. A method for mapping cortical thickness in the mouse tibia diaphysis was developed, allowing for a thorough spatial description of where bone adaptation occurs. Poroelastic finite-element (FE) models were used to determine the structural response of the tibia upon axial loading and interstitial fluid velocity as the mechanical stimulus. FE models were coupled with mechanobiological governing equations, which accounted for non-static loads and assumed that bone responds instantly to local mechanical cues in an on–off manner. The presented formulation was able to simulate the areas of adaptation and accurately reproduce the distributions of cortical thickening observed in the experimental data with a statistically significant positive correlation (Kendall's τ rank coefficient τ = 0.51, p < 0.001). This work demonstrates that computational models can spatially predict cortical bone mechanoadaptation to a time variant stimulus. Such models could be used in the design of more efficient loading protocols and drug therapies that target the relevant physiological mechanisms.

From mechanical stimulus to bone formation: A review

Bone is a remarkable tissue that can respond to external stimuli. The importance of mechanical forces on the mass and structural development of bone has long been accepted. This adaptation behaviour is very complex and involves multidisciplinary concepts, and significant progress has recently been made in understanding this process. In this review, we describe the state of the art studies in this area and highlight current insights while simultaneously clarifying some basic yet essential topics related to the origin of mechanical stimulus in bone, the biomechanisms associated with mechanotransduction, the nature of physiological bone stimuli and the test systems most commonly used to study the mechanical stimulation of bone.

Ciliary IFT80 balances canonical versus non-canonical hedgehog signalling for osteoblast differentiation

Intraflagellar transport proteins (IFT) are required for hedgehog (Hh) signalling transduction that is essential for bone development, however, how IFT proteins regulate Hh signalling in osteoblasts (OBs) remains unclear. Here we show that deletion of ciliary IFT80 in OB precursor cells (OPC) in mice results in growth retardation and markedly decreased bone mass with impaired OB differentiation. Loss of IFT80 blocks canonical Hh–Gli signalling via disrupting Smo ciliary localization, but elevates non-canonical Hh–Gαi–RhoA–stress fibre signalling by increasing Smo and Gαi binding. Inhibition of RhoA and ROCK activity partially restores osteogenic differentiation of IFT80-deficient OPCs by inhibiting non-canonical Hh–RhoA–Cofilin/MLC2 signalling. Cytochalasin D, an actin destabilizer, dramatically restores OB differentiation of IFT80-deficient OPCs by disrupting actin stress fibres and promoting cilia formation and Hh–Gli signalling. These findings reveal that IFT80 is required for OB differentiation by balancing between canonical Hh–Gli and non-canonical Hh–Gαi–RhoA pathways and highlight IFT80 as a therapeutic target for craniofacial and skeletal abnormalities.

Primary cilia are highly conserved microtubule-based organelles that play essential roles in several cellular processes including osteogenesis. Here the authors show that intraflagellar protein IFT80 regulates osteoblast differentiation by balancing signalling though the canonical and non-canonical Hedgehog pathways.

The Nervous System Orchestrates and Integrates Craniofacial Development: A Review

Development of a head is a dazzlingly complex process: a number of distinct cellular sources including cranial ecto- and endoderm, mesoderm and neural crest contribute to facial and other structures. In the head, an extremely fine-tuned developmental coordination of CNS, peripheral neural components, sensory organs and a musculo-skeletal apparatus occurs, which provides protection and functional integration. The face can to a large extent be considered as an assembly of sensory systems encased and functionally fused with appendages represented by jaws. Here we review how the developing brain, neurogenic placodes and peripheral nerves influence the morphogenesis of surrounding tissues as a part of various general integrative processes in the head. The mechanisms of this impact, as we understand it now, span from the targeted release of the morphogens necessary for shaping to providing a niche for cellular sources required in later development. In this review we also discuss the most recent findings and ideas related to how peripheral nerves and nerve-associated cells contribute to craniofacial development, including teeth, during the post- neural crest period and potentially in regeneration.

Stimulation of Bone Repair with Ultrasound

This chapter reviews the different options available for the use of ultrasound in the enhancement of fracture healing or in the reactivation of a failed healing process: LIPUS, shock waves and ultrasound-mediated delivery of bioactive molecules, such as growth factors or plasmids. The main emphasis is on LIPUS, or Low Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound, the most widespread and studied technique. LIPUS has pronounced bioeffects on tissue regeneration, while employing intensities within a diagnostic range. The biological response to LIPUS is complex as the response of numerous cell types to this stimulus involves several pathways. Known to-date mechanotransduction pathways involved in cell responses include MAPK and other kinases signaling pathways, gap-junctional intercellular communication, up-regulation and clustering of integrins, involvement of the COX-2/PGE2 and iNOS/NO pathways, and activation of the ATI mechanoreceptor. Mechanisms at the origin of LIPUS biological effects remain intriguing, and analysis is hampered by the diversity of experimental systems used in-vitro. Data point to clear evidence that bioeffects can be modulated by direct and indirect mechanical effects, like acoustic radiation force, acoustic streaming, propagation of surface waves, heat, fluid-flow induced circulation and redistribution of nutrients, oxygen and signaling molecules. One of the future engineering challenge is therefore the design of dedicated experimental set-ups allowing control of these different mechanical phenomena, and to relate them to biological responses. Then, the derivation of an 'acoustic dose' and the cross-calibration of the different experimental systems will be possible. Despite this imperfect knowledge of LIPUS biophysics, the clinical evidence, although most often of low quality, speaks in favor of the clinical use of LIPUS, when the economics of nonunion and the absence of toxicity of this ultrasound technology are taken into account.

Informing phenomenological structural bone remodelling with a mechanistic poroelastic model

Studies suggest that fluid motion in the extracellular space may be involved in the cellular mechanosensitivity at play in the bone tissue adaptation process. Previously, the authors developed a mesoscale predictive structural model of the femur using truss elements to represent trabecular bone, relying on a phenomenological strain-based bone adaptation algorithm. In order to introduce a response to bending and shear, the authors considered the use of beam elements, requiring a new formulation of the bone adaptation drivers. The primary goal of the study presented here was to isolate phenomenological drivers based on the results of a mechanistic approach to be used with a beam element representation of trabecular bone in mesoscale structural modelling. A single-beam model and a microscale poroelastic model of a single trabecula were developed. A mechanistic iterative adaptation algorithm was implemented based on fluid motion velocity through the bone matrix pores to predict the remodelled geometries of the poroelastic trabecula under 42 different loading scenarios. Regression analyses were used to correlate the changes in poroelastic trabecula thickness and orientation to the initial strain outputs of the beam model. Linear (R(2) > 0.998) and third-order polynomial (R(2) > 0.98) relationships were found between change in cross section and axial strain at the central axis, and between beam reorientation and ratio of bending strain to axial strain, respectively. Implementing these relationships into the phenomenological predictive algorithm for the mesoscale structural femur has the potential to produce a model combining biofidelic structure and mechanical behaviour with computational efficiency.

Physiological mechanisms and therapeutic potential of bone mechanosensing

Skeletal loading is an important physiological regulator of bone mass. Theoretically, mechanical forces or administration of drugs that activate bone mechanosensors would be a novel treatment for osteoporotic disorders, particularly age-related osteoporosis and other bone loss caused by skeletal unloading. Uncertainty regarding the identity of the molecular targets that sense and transduce mechanical forces in bone, however, has limited the therapeutic exploitation of mechanosesning pathways to control bone mass. Recently, two evolutionally conserved mechanosensing pathways have been shown to function as "physical environment" sensors in cells of the osteoblasts lineage. Indeed, polycystin-1 (Pkd1, or PC1) and polycystin-2 (Pkd2, or PC2' or TRPP2), which form a flow sensing receptor channel complex, and TAZ (transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif, or WWTR1), which responds to the extracellular matrix microenvironment act in concert to reciprocally regulate osteoblastogenesis and adipogenesis through co-activating Runx2 and a co-repressing PPARγ activities. Interactions of polycystins and TAZ with other putative mechanosensing mechanism, such as primary cilia, integrins and hemichannels, may create multifaceted mechanosensing networks in bone. Moreover, modulation of polycystins and TAZ interactions identify novel molecular targets to develop small molecules that mimic the effects of mechanical loading on bone.

Spag17 deficiency results in skeletal malformations and bone abnormalities

Height is the result of many growth and development processes. Most of the genes associated with height are known to play a role in skeletal development. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the SPAG17 gene have been associated with human height. However, it is not clear how this gene influences linear growth. Here we show that a targeted mutation in Spag17 leads to skeletal malformations. Hind limb length in mutants was significantly shorter than in wild-type mice. Studies revealed differences in maturation of femur and tibia suggesting alterations in limb patterning. Morphometric studies showed increased bone formation evidenced by increased trabecular bone area and the ratio of bone area to total area, leading to reductions in the ratio of marrow area/total area in the femur. Micro-CTs and von Kossa staining demonstrated increased mineral in the femur. Moreover, osteocalcin and osterix were more highly expressed in mutant mice than in wild-type mice femurs. These data suggest that femur bone shortening may be due to premature ossification. On the other hand, tibias appear to be shorter due to a delay in cartilage and bone development. Morphometric studies showed reduction in growth plate and bone formation. These defects did not affect bone mineralization, although the volume of primary bone and levels of osteocalcin and osterix were higher. Other skeletal malformations were observed including fused sternebrae, reduced mineralization in the skull, medial and metacarpal phalanges. Primary cilia from chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from knockout mice were shorter and fewer cells had primary cilia in comparison to cells from wild-type mice. In addition, Spag17 knockdown in wild-type MEFs by Spag17 siRNA duplex reproduced the shorter primary cilia phenotype. Our findings disclosed unexpected functions for Spag17 in the regulation of skeletal growth and mineralization, perhaps because of its role in primary cilia of chondrocytes and osteoblasts.

Cilia/Ift protein and motor -related bone diseases and mouse models

Primary cilia are essential cellular organelles projecting from the cell surface to sense and transduce developmental signaling. They are tiny but have complicated structures containing microtubule (MT)-based internal structures (the axoneme) and mother centriole formed basal body. Intraflagellar transport (Ift) operated by Ift proteins and motors are indispensable for cilia formation and function. Mutations in Ift proteins or Ift motors cause various human diseases, some of which have severe bone defects. Over the last few decades, major advances have occurred in understanding the roles of these proteins and cilia in bone development and remodeling by examining cilia/Ift protein-related human diseases and establishing mouse transgenic models. In this review, we describe current advances in the understanding of the cilia/Ift structure and function. We further summarize cilia/Ift-related human diseases and current mouse models with an emphasis on bone-related phenotypes, cilia morphology, and signaling pathways.

Function and regulation of primary cilia and intraflagellar transport proteins in the skeleton

Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles that project from the cell surface to enable transduction of various developmental signaling pathways. The process of intraflagellar transport (IFT) is crucial for the building and maintenance of primary cilia. Ciliary dysfunction has been found in a range of disorders called ciliopathies, some of which display severe skeletal dysplasias. In recent years, interest has grown in uncovering the function of primary cilia/IFT proteins in bone development, mechanotransduction, and cellular regulation. We summarize recent advances in understanding the function of cilia and IFT proteins in the regulation of cell differentiation in osteoblasts, osteocytes, chondrocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We also discuss the mechanosensory function of cilia and IFT proteins in bone cells, cilia orientation, and other functions of cilia in chondrocytes.

Bicc1 is a genetic determinant of osteoblastogenesis and bone mineral density

Patient bone mineral density (BMD) predicts the likelihood of osteoporotic fracture. While substantial progress has been made toward elucidating the genetic determinants of BMD, our understanding of the factors involved remains incomplete. Here, using a systems genetics approach in the mouse, we predicted that bicaudal C homolog 1 (Bicc1), which encodes an RNA-binding protein, is responsible for a BMD quantitative trait locus (QTL) located on murine chromosome 10. Consistent with this prediction, mice heterozygous for a null allele of Bicc1 had low BMD. We used a coexpression network-based approach to determine how Bicc1 influences BMD. Based on this analysis, we inferred that Bicc1 was involved in osteoblast differentiation and that polycystic kidney disease 2 (Pkd2) was a downstream target of Bicc1. Knock down of Bicc1 and Pkd2 impaired osteoblastogenesis, and Bicc1 deficiency-dependent osteoblast defects were rescued by Pkd2 overexpression. Last, in 2 human BMD genome-wide association (GWAS) meta-analyses, we identified SNPs in BICC1 and PKD2 that were associated with BMD. These results, in both mice and humans, identify Bicc1 as a genetic determinant of osteoblastogenesis and BMD and suggest that it does so by regulating Pkd2 transcript levels.

Physiological effects of microgravity on bone cells

Life on Earth developed under the influence of normal gravity (1g). With evidence from previous studies, scientists have suggested that normal physiological processes, such as the functional integrity of muscles and bone mass, can be affected by microgravity during spaceflight. During the life span, bone not only develops as a structure designed specifically for mechanical tasks but also adapts for efficiency. The lack of weight-bearing forces makes microgravity an ideal physical stimulus to evaluate bone cell responses. One of the most serious problems induced by long-term weightlessness is bone mineral loss. Results from in vitro studies that entailed the use of bone cells in spaceflights showed modification in cell attachment structures and cytoskeletal reorganization, which may be involved in bone loss. Humans exposed to microgravity conditions experience various physiological changes, including loss of bone mass, muscle deterioration, and immunodeficiency. In vitro models can be used to extract valuable information about changes in mechanical stress to ultimately identify the different pathways of mechanotransduction in bone cells. Despite many in vivo and in vitro studies under both real microgravity and simulated conditions, the mechanism of bone loss is still not well defined. The objective of this review is to summarize the recent research on bone cells under microgravity conditions based on advances in the field.

Primary cilium mechanotransduction of tensile strain in 3D culture: Finite element analyses of strain amplification caused by tensile strain applied to a primary cilium embedded in a collagen matrix

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC) exhibit multilineage differentiation potential with lineage specification that is dictated by both the chemical and mechanical stimuli to which they are exposed. We have previously shown that 10% cyclic tensile strain increases hASC osteogenesis and cell-mediated calcium accretion. We have also recently shown that primary cilia are present on hASC and that chemically-induced lineage specification of hASC concurrently results in length and conformation changes of the primary cilia. Further, we have observed cilia length changes in hASC cultured within a collagen I gel in response to 10% cyclic tensile strain. We therefore hypothesize that primary cilia may play a key mechanotransduction role for hASC exposed to tensile strain. The goal of this study was to use finite element analysis (FEA) to determine strains occurring within the ciliary membrane in response to 10% tensile strain applied parallel, or perpendicular, to cilia orientation. To elucidate the mechanical environment experienced by the cilium, several lengths were modeled and evaluated based on cilia lengths measured on hASC grown under varied culture conditions. Principal tensile strains in both hASC and ciliary membranes were calculated using FEA, and the magnitude and location of maximum principal tensile strain determined. We found that maximum principal tensile strain was concentrated at the base of the cilium. In the linear elastic model, applying strain perpendicular to the cilium resulted in maximum strains within the ciliary membrane from 150% to 200%, while applying strain parallel to the cilium resulted in much higher strains, approximately 400%. In the hyperelastic model, applying strain perpendicular to the cilium resulted in maximum strains within the ciliary membrane around 30%, while applying strain parallel to the cilium resulted in much higher strains ranging from 50% to 70%. Interestingly, FEA results indicated that primary cilium length was not directly related to ciliary membrane strain. Rather, it appears that cilium orientation may be more important than cilium length in determining sensitivity of hASC to tensile strain. This is the first study to model the effects of tensile strain on the primary cilium and provides newfound insight into the potential role of the primary cilium as a mechanosensor, particularly in tensile strain and potentially a multitude of other mechanical stimuli beyond fluid shear.

Glucocorticoids and bone: local effects and systemic implications

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are highly effective in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions but their therapeutic use is limited by numerous adverse effects. Recent insights into the mechanisms of action of both endogenous and exogenous GCs on bone cells have unlocked new approaches to the development of effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of GC-induced osteoporosis. Furthermore, topical studies in rodents indicate that the osteoblast-derived peptide, osteocalcin, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of GC-induced diabetes and obesity. These exciting findings mechanistically link the detrimental effects of GCs on bone and energy metabolism. In this article we review the physiology and pathophysiology of GC action on bone cells, and discuss current and emerging concepts regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying adverse effects of GCs such as osteoporosis and diabetes.

Mechanotransduction

Physical forces are central players in development and morphogenesis, provide an ever-present backdrop influencing physiological functions, and contribute to a variety of pathologies. Mechanotransduction encompasses the rich variety of ways in which cells and tissues convert cues from their physical environment into biochemical signals. These cues include tensile, compressive and shear stresses, and the stiffness or elastic modulus of the tissues in which cells reside. This article focuses on the proximal events that lead directly from a change in physical state to a change in cell-signaling state. A large body of evidence demonstrates a prominent role for the extracellular matrix, the intracellular cytoskeleton, and the cell matrix adhesions that link these networks in transduction of the mechanical environment. Recent work emphasizes the important role of physical unfolding or conformational changes in proteins induced by mechanical loading, with examples identified both within the focal adhesion complex at the cell-matrix interface and in extracellular matrix proteins themselves. Beyond these adhesion and matrix-based mechanisms, classical and new mechanisms of mechanotransduction reside in stretch-activated ion channels, the coupling of physical forces to interstitial autocrine and paracrine signaling, force-induced activation of extracellular proteins, and physical effects directly transmitted to the cell's nucleus. Rapid progress is leading to detailed delineation of molecular mechanisms by which the physical environment shapes cellular signaling events, opening up avenues for exploring how mechanotransduction pathways are integrated into physiological and pathophysiological cellular and tissue processes.

In vitro and in vivo approaches to study osteocyte biology

Osteocytes, the most abundant cell population of the bone lineage, have been a major focus in the bone research field in recent years. This population of cells that resides within mineralized matrix is now thought to be the mechanosensory cell in bone and plays major roles in the regulation of bone formation and resorption. Studies of osteocytes had been impaired by their location, resulting in numerous attempts to isolate primary osteocytes and to generate cell lines representative of the osteocytic phenotype. Progress has been achieved in recent years by utilizing in vivo genetic technology and generation of osteocyte directed transgenic and gene deficiency mouse models. We will provide an overview of the current in vitro and in vivo models utilized to study osteocyte biology. We discuss generation of osteocyte-like cell lines and isolation of primary osteocytes and summarize studies that have utilized these cellular models to understand the functional role of osteocytes. Approaches that attempt to selectively identify and isolate osteocytes using fluorescent protein reporters driven by regulatory elements of genes that are highly expressed in osteocytes will be discussed. In addition, recent in vivo studies utilizing overexpression or conditional deletion of various genes using dentin matrix protein (Dmp1) directed Cre recombinase are outlined. In conclusion, evaluation of the benefits and deficiencies of currently used cell lines/genetic models in understanding osteocyte biology underlines the current progress in this field. The future efforts will be directed towards developing novel in vitro and in vivo models that would additionally facilitate in understanding the multiple roles of osteocytes.

Hand in glove: brain and skull in development and dysmorphogenesis

The brain originates relatively early in development from differentiated ectoderm that forms a hollow tube and takes on an exceedingly complex shape with development. The skull is made up of individual bony elements that form from neural crest- and mesoderm-derived mesenchyme that unite to provide support and protection for soft tissues and spaces of the head. The meninges provide a protective and permeable membrane between brain and skull. Across evolutionary and developmental time, dynamic changes in brain and skull shape track one another so that their integration is evidenced in two structures that fit soundly regardless of changes in biomechanical and physiologic functions. Evidence for this tight correspondence is also seen in diseases of the craniofacial complex that are often classified as diseases of the skull (e.g., craniosynostosis) or diseases of the brain (e.g., holoprosencephaly) even when both tissues are affected. Our review suggests a model that links brain and skull morphogenesis through coordinated integration of signaling pathways (e.g., FGF, TGFβ, Wnt) via processes that are not currently understood, perhaps involving the meninges. Differences in the earliest signaling of biological structure establish divergent designs that will be enhanced during morphogenesis. Signaling systems that pattern the developing brain are also active in patterning required for growth and assembly of the skull and some members of these signaling families have been indicated as causal for craniofacial diseases. Because cells of early brain and skull are sensitive to similar signaling families, variation in the strength or timing of signals or shifts in patterning boundaries that affect one system (neural or skull) could also affect the other system and appropriate co-adjustments in development would be made. Interactions of these signaling systems and of the tissues that they pattern are fundamental to the consistent but labile functional and structural association of brain and skull conserved over evolutionary time obvious in the study of development and disease.

Centrosome fine ultrastructure of the osteocyte mechanosensitive primary cilium

The centrosome is the principal microtubule organization center in cells, giving rise to microtubule-based organelles (e.g., cilia, flagella). The aim was to study the osteocyte centrosome morphology at an ultrastructural level in relation to its mechanosensitive function. Osteocyte centrosomes and cilia in tibial cortical bone were explored by acetylated alpha-tubulin (AαTub) immunostaining under confocal microscopy. For the first time, fine ultrastructure and spatial orientation of the osteocyte centrosome were explored by transmission electron microscopy on serial ultrathin sections. AαTub-positive staining was observed in 94% of the osteocytes examined (222/236). The mother centriole formed a short primary cilium and was longer than the daughter centriole due to an intermediate zone between centriole and cilium. The proximal end of the mother centriole was connected with the surface of daughter centriole by striated rootlets. The mother centriole exhibited distal appendages that interacted with the cell membrane and formed a particular structure called "cilium membrane prolongation." The primary cilium was mainly oriented perpendicular to the long axis of bone. Mother and daughter centrioles change their original mutual orientation during the osteocyte differentiation process. The short primary cilium is hypothesized as a novel type of fluid-sensing organelle in osteocytes.

Osteoblasts detect pericellular calcium concentration increase via neomycin-sensitive voltage gated calcium channels

The mechanisms underlying the detection of critically loaded or micro-damaged regions of bone by bone cells are still a matter of debate. Our previous studies showed that calcium efflux originates from pre-failure regions of bone matrix and MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts respond to such efflux by an increase in the intracellular calcium concentration. The mechanisms by which the intracellular calcium concentration increases in response to an increase in the pericellular calcium concentration are unknown. Elevation of the intracellular calcium may occur via release from the internal calcium stores of the cell and/or via the membrane bound channels. The current study applied a wide range of pharmaceutical inhibitors to identify the calcium entry pathways involved in the process: internal calcium release from endoplasmic reticulum (ER, inhibited by thapsigargin and TMB-8), calcium receptor (CaSR, inhibited by calhex), stretch-activated calcium channel (SACC, inhibited by gadolinium), voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC, inhibited by nifedipine, verapamil, neomycin, and ω-conotoxin), and calcium-induced-calcium-release channel (CICRC, inhibited by ryanodine and dantrolene). These inhibitors were screened for their effectiveness to block intracellular calcium increase by using a concentration gradient induced calcium efflux model which mimics calcium diffusion from the basal aspect of cells. The inhibitor(s) which reduced the intracellular calcium response was further tested on osteoblasts seeded on mechanically loaded notched cortical bone wafers undergoing damage. The results showed that only neomycin reduced the intracellular calcium response in osteoblasts, by 27%, upon extracellular calcium stimulus induced by concentration gradient. The inhibitory effect of neomycin was more pronounced (75% reduction in maximum fluorescence) for osteoblasts seeded on notched cortical bone wafers loaded mechanically to damaging load levels. These results imply that the increase in intracellular calcium occurs by the entry of extracellular calcium ions through VGCCs which are sensitive to neomycin. N-type and P-type VGCCs are potential candidates because they are observed in osteoblasts and they are sensitive to neomycin. The calcium channels identified in this study provide new insight into mechanisms underlying the targeted repair process which is essential to bone adaptation.

Extracellular matrix mineralization promotes E11/gp38 glycoprotein expression and drives osteocytic differentiation

Osteocytes are terminally differentiated osteoblasts which reside in a mineralized extracellular matrix (ECM). The factors that regulate this differentiation process are unknown. We have investigated whether ECM mineralization could promote osteocyte formation. To do this we have utilised MLO-A5 pre-osteocyte-like cells and western blotting and comparative RT-PCR to examine whether the expression of osteocyte-selective markers is elevated concurrently with the onset of ECM mineralization. Secondly, if mineralization of the ECM is indeed a driver of osteocyte formation, we reasoned that impairment of ECM mineralization would result in a reversible inhibition of osteocyte formation. Supplementation of MLO-A5 cell cultures with ascorbic acid and phosphate promoted progressive ECM mineralization as well as temporally associated increases in expression of the osteocyte-selective markers, E11/gp38 glycoprotein and sclerostin. Consistent with a primary role for ECM mineralization in osteocyte formation, we also found that inhibition of ECM mineralization, by omitting phosphate or adding sodium pyrophosphate, a recognized inhibitor of hydroxyapatite formation, resulted in a 15-fold decrease in mineral deposition that was closely accompanied by lower expression of E11 and other osteocyte markers such as Dmp1, Cd44 and Sost whilst expression of osteoblast markers Ocn and Col1a increased. To rule out the possibility that such restriction of ECM mineralization may produce an irreversible modification in osteoblast behaviour to limit E11 expression and osteocytogenesis, we also measured the capacity of MLO-A5 cells to re-enter the osteocyte differentiation programme. We found that the mineralisation process was re-initiated and closely allied to increased expression of E11 protein after re-administration of phosphate or omission of sodium pyrophosphate, indicating an ECM mineralization-induced restoration in osteocyte formation. These results emphasise the importance of cell-ECM interactions in regulating osteoblast behaviour and, more importantly, suggest that ECM mineralization exerts pivotal control during terminal osteoblast differentiation and acquisition of the osteocyte phenotype.

An experimental and computational analysis of primary cilia deflection under fluid flow

In this study we have developed a novel model of the deflection of primary cilia experiencing fluid flow accounting for phenomena not previously considered. Specifically, we developed a large rotation formulation that accounts for rotation at the base of the cilium, the initial shape of the cilium and fluid drag at high deflection angles. We utilised this model to analyse full 3D data-sets of primary cilia deflecting under fluid flow acquired with high-speed confocal microscopy. We found a wide variety of previously unreported bending shapes and behaviours. We also analysed post-flow relaxation patterns. Results from our combined experimental and theoretical approach suggest that the average flexural rigidity of primary cilia might be higher than previously reported (Schwartz et al. 1997, Am J Physiol. 272(1 Pt 2):F132-F138). In addition our findings indicate that the mechanics of primary cilia are richly varied and mechanisms may exist to alter their mechanical behaviour.

In situ guided tissue regeneration in musculoskeletal diseases and aging : Implementing pathology into tailored tissue engineering strategies

In situ guided tissue regeneration, also addressed as in situ tissue engineering or endogenous regeneration, has a great potential for population-wide "minimal invasive" applications. During the last two decades, tissue engineering has been developed with remarkable in vitro and preclinical success but still the number of applications in clinical routine is extremely small. Moreover, the vision of population-wide applications of ex vivo tissue engineered constructs based on cells, growth and differentiation factors and scaffolds, must probably be deemed unrealistic for economic and regulation-related issues. Hence, the progress made in this respect will be mostly applicable to a fraction of post-traumatic or post-surgery situations such as big tissue defects due to tumor manifestation. Minimally invasive procedures would probably qualify for a broader application and ideally would only require off the shelf standardized products without cells. Such products should mimic the microenvironment of regenerating tissues and make use of the endogenous tissue regeneration capacities. Functionally, the chemotaxis of regenerative cells, their amplification as a transient amplifying pool and their concerted differentiation and remodeling should be addressed. This is especially important because the main target populations for such applications are the elderly and diseased. The quality of regenerative cells is impaired in such organisms and high levels of inhibitors also interfere with regeneration and healing. In metabolic bone diseases like osteoporosis, it is already known that antagonists for inhibitors such as activin and sclerostin enhance bone formation. Implementing such strategies into applications for in situ guided tissue regeneration should greatly enhance the efficacy of tailored procedures in the future.

The primary cilium as a dual sensor of mechanochemical signals in chondrocytes

The primary cilium is an immotile, solitary, and microtubule-based structure that projects from cell surfaces into the extracellular environment. The primary cilium functions as a dual sensor, as mechanosensors and chemosensors. The primary cilia coordinate several essential cell signaling pathways that are mainly involved in cell division and differentiation. A primary cilium malfunction can result in several human diseases. Mechanical loading is sense by mechanosensitive cells in nearly all tissues and organs. With this sensation, the mechanical signal is further transduced into biochemical signals involving pathways such as Akt, PKA, FAK, ERK, and MAPK. In this review, we focus on the fundamental functional and structural features of primary cilia in chondrocytes and chondrogenic cells.

Bone development: overview of bone cells and signaling

Vertebrates evolved elaborating a structure made up of more than 200 bones and cartilages articulated with one another to form the skeleton, through which locomotion, organ protection, lodging of hematopoiesis, and mineral homeostasis are allowed. Skeletogenesis starts at the fetal stage, along with marrow hematopoiesis, and evolves postnatally through modeling and remodeling processes that permit skeletal mass buildup. Preservation of skeletal mass is then implemented by balanced remodeling, which ensures continuous renovation of the tissue to allow its mechanical, structural, and metabolic properties to remain unaltered until ageing or diseases disrupt this equilibrium. Skeletal homeostasis is fulfilled by specialized bone cells in association with systemic and local regulators. Herein I review landmark discoveries that shed light on the intricate mesh connecting bone cells among themselves and with other systems, thus representing the cellular basis of normal and abnormal bone development and homeostasis.

Osseointegration--communication of cells

BACKGROUND

The article provides the scientific documentation for the 3D animated film - "Osseointegration - Communication of cells".

AIM

The aim of this article and of the film is to visualise the molecular and cellular events during the healing of an osseous wound after installation of a dental implant with special emphasis on the process of osseointegration.

MATERIAL AND RESULTS

In this review article for didactic reasons the concept of the four phases of a healing soft tissue wound was transferred to a bone wound after insertion of a dental implant: haemostasis, inflammatory phase, proliferative phase and remodelling phase. Wound healing throughout these phases is the result of a coordinated action of different cell types which communicate with each other by their interaction using signalling molecules like cytokines, extracellular matrix proteins and small molecules. A regular sequence of cell types controlled by adequate concentrations of signalling molecules results in undisturbed healing. Disturbed healing is associated with a continuation of the early inflammatory phase and the development of a toxic wound environment. The latter is characterized by high counts of polymorphnuclear cells, high concentrations of toxic radicals and proteolytic enzymes and low concentrations of growth factors and extracellular matrix molecules. Clinically the development of a toxic wound environment should be avoided, e.g. by antibacterial measures.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Experiencing implant osseointegration as a biological process may provide the clinician new targets to improve the therapy with dental implants.

Axonemal positioning and orientation in three-dimensional space for primary cilia: what is known, what is assumed, and what needs clarification

Two positional characteristics of the ciliary axoneme--its location on the plasma membrane as it emerges from the cell, and its orientation in three-dimensional (3D) space--are known to be critical for optimal function of actively motile cilia (including nodal cilia), as well as for modified cilia associated with special senses. However, these positional characteristics have not been analyzed to any significant extent for primary cilia. This review briefly summarizes the history of knowledge of these two positional characteristics across a wide spectrum of cilia, emphasizing their importance for proper function. Then the review focuses what is known about these same positional characteristics for primary cilia in all major tissue types where they have been reported. The review emphasizes major areas that would be productive for future research for understanding how positioning and 3D orientation of primary cilia may be related to their hypothesized signaling roles within different cellular populations.

An Integrative Review of Mechanotransduction in Endothelial, Epithelial (Renal) and Dendritic Cells (Osteocytes)

In this review we will examine from a biomechanical and ultrastructural viewpoint how the cytoskeletal specialization of three basic cell types, endothelial cells (ECs), epithelial cells (renal tubule) and dendritic cells (osteocytes), enables the mechano-sensing of fluid flow in both their native in vivo environment and in culture, and the downstream signaling that is initiated at the molecular level in response to fluid flow. These cellular responses will be discussed in terms of basic mysteries and paradoxes encountered by each cell type. In ECs fluid shear stress (FSS) is nearly entirely attenuated by the endothelial glycocalyx that covers their apical membrane and yet FSS is communicated to both intracellular and junctional molecular components in activating a wide variety of signaling pathways. The same is true in proximal tubule (PT) cells where a dense brush border of microvilli covers the apical surface and the flow at the apical membrane is negligible. A four decade old unexplained mystery is the ability of PT epithelia to reliably reabsorb 60% of the flow entering the tubule regardless of the glomerular filtration rate. In the cortical collecting duct (CCD) the flow rates are so low that a special sensing apparatus, a primary cilia is needed to detect very small variations in tubular flow. In bone it has been a century old mystery as to how osteocytes embedded in a stiff mineralized tissue are able to sense miniscule whole tissue strains that are far smaller than the cellular level strains required to activate osteocytes in vitro.

The primary cilium in different tissues-lessons from patients and animal models

Primary cilia are specialized organelles consisting of an axoneme anchored to the plasma membrane through the basal body consisting of two centrioles. They protrude from the cell surface of almost all mammalian cells. Mutations in genes encoding for ciliary proteins cause ciliopathies, which are characterized by a wide spectrum of phenotypes, including polycystic kidney, hepatic disease, malformations in the central nervous system, skeletal defects, retinal degeneration, and obesity. Both clinical studies and animal models have revealed that during embryogenesis, primary cilium play an essential role in defining the correct patterning of the body. In this study, we focused our attention on the tissues mainly affected in ciliopathies, such as the kidney, liver, and central nervous system. Emerging studies reveal that the primary cilium may play similar roles, leading to distinct functions according to the different cell type and developmental stages. The state of the art in primary cilia studies reveals a very complex role. The aim of this review is to evaluate the recent advances in the function of primary cilia in different tissues, underlining similarities and differences.

Effect of in vitro stress-deprivation and cyclic loading on the length of tendon cell cilia in situ

To determine the effect of loading conditions on the length of primary cilia in tendon cells in situ, freshly harvested rat tail tendons were stress-deprived (SD) for up to 72 h, cyclically loaded at 3% strain at 0.17 Hz for 24 h, or SD for 24 h followed by cyclic loading (CL) for 24 h. Tendon sections were stained for tubulin, and cilia measured microscopically. In fresh control tendons, cilia length ranged from 0.6 to 2.0 µm with a mean length of 1.1 µm. Following SD, cilia demonstrated an increase (p < 0.001) in overall length at 24 h when compared to controls. Cilia length did not increase with time of SD (p = 0.329). Cilia in cyclically loaded tendons were shorter (p < 0.001) compared to all SD time periods, but were not different from 0 time controls (p = 0.472). CL for 24 h decreased cilia length in 24 h SD tendons (p < 0.001) to levels similar to those of fresh controls (p = 0.274). The results of this study demonstrate that SD resulted in an immediate and significant increase in the length of primary cilia of tendon cells, which can be reversed by cyclic tensile loading. This suggests that, as in other tissues, cilia length in tendon cells is affected by mechanical signaling from the extracellular matrix.

Orientation of primary cilia of articular chondrocytes in three-dimensional space

Primary cilia have functions as sensory organelles integral to signal transduction and establishment of cell polarity. In articular cartilage the primary cilium has been hypothesized to function as an antenna to sense the biomechanical environment, regulate the secretion of extracellular matrix components, and maintain cellular positional information, leading to high tissue anisotropy. We used analysis of electron microscopy serial sections to demonstrate positional attributes of the primary cilium of adult equine articular chondrocytes in situ. Data for ~500 axonemes, comparing superficial to radiate chondrocytes from both load-bearing and non-load-bearing regions, were graphed using spherical co-ordinates θ, φ. The data demonstrate the axoneme has a definable orientation in 3D space differing in superficial and radiate zone chondrocytes, cells that differ by 90° in the orientation of their major axes to the articular surface. Axonemal orientation is more definable in load-bearing than in non-load-bearing areas. The position of emergence of the axoneme from the cell also is variable. In load-bearing regions of the superficial zone, extension of the axoneme is from the cellular side facing the subchondral bone. In radiate zone cells, axonemes extend from either face of the chondrocyte, that is, both toward the articular surface or toward the subchondral bone. In non-load-bearing regions this consistency is lost. These observations relate to current hypotheses concerning establishment of tissue anisotropy in articular cartilage during development, involving both migration of cells from the joint periphery and a restricted zone of division within the tissue resulting in the columnar arrangement of radiate zone cells.

The Load-Bearing Mechanosome Revisited

We introduced the mechanosome hypothesis in 2003 as a heuristic model for investigating mechanotransduction in bone (Pavalko et al., J Cell Biochem, 2003, 88(1):104-112). This model suggested specific approaches for investigating how mechanical information is conveyed from the membrane of the sensor bone cell to the target genes and how this transmitted information from the membrane is converted into changes in transcription. The key concepts underlying the mechanosome hypothesis are that load-induced deformation of bone deforms the sensor cell membrane; embedded in the membrane are the focal adhesion and cadherin-catenin complexes, which in turn are physically connected to the chromatin via a solid-state scaffold. The physical stimulation of the membrane launches multiprotein complexes (mechanosomes) from the adhesion platforms while concomitantly tugging target genes into position for contact with the incoming mechanosomes, the carriers of the mechanical information to the nucleus. The mechanosome is comprised of an adhesion-associated protein and a nucleocytoplasmic shuttling transcription factor. Upon arrival at the target gene, mechanosomes alter DNA conformation and thus influence the interactions between trans-acting proteins along the gene, changing gene activity. Here, we update significant progress related to the mechanosome concept since publication of our original hypothesis. The launching of adhesion- and cytoskeletal-associated proteins into the nucleus toward target genes appears to be a common mechanism for regulating cell response to changes in its mechanical microenvironment.