Emerging molecules in the interface between skeletal system and innate immunity

Genkwanin blocks the interaction between phosphorylated JNK and NFATc1 to promote osteogenic differentiation and collagen Ⅰ α1 production

Genkwanin (GWA), a flavonoid compound found abundantly in various traditional Chinese medicines, has demonstrated pharmacological effectiveness against a range of diseases. However, its role in bone formation and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of GWA on osteogenic differentiation and to uncover the possible mechanisms. Primary bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and MC3T3-E1 cells induced for osteogenic differentiation were used as in vitro cell models. An ovariectomy (OVX) mouse model to induce secondary osteoporosis was used to evaluate the in vivo pharmacologic efficacy of GWA. Our studies revealed that GWA facilitated osteogenic differentiation and bio-mineralization of BMSCs and MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro, and could effectively prevent OVX-induced systematic bone loss and collagen Ⅰ α1 (COL1A1) reduction in vivo. Mechanism studies indicated that GWA could directly bind to phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (pJNK) to prevent the phosphorylation of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) by JNK, thereby promote osteogenic differentiation and COL1A1 production via increasing the nuclear localization of NFATc1. This is distinct from the previously recognized function of the JNK/AP-1/NFATc1 signaling pathway in activating osteoclast differentiation. More importantly, GWA had no significant effects on estrogen-related signaling pathways, indicating a unique advantage in lowering the risk of gynecological cancer. In conclusion, our data suggest that GWA may be a promising candidate for the therapy of diseases associated with bone loss. Targeting pJNK-NFATc1 interaction may represent a new strategy to stimulate osteogenesis.

Senso-immunology: the past, present, and future

Pain and mechanical stimulation are thought to be alarm systems that alert the brain to physical abnormalities. When we experience unpleasant feelings in infected or traumatized tissues, our awareness is directed to the afflicted region, prompting activities such as resting or licking the tissue. Despite extensive research into the molecular biology of nociceptors, it was unclear whether their role was limited to the generation and transmission of unpleasant feelings or whether they actively modulate the pathogenesis of infected or traumatized tissues. Recently, it has become clear how the sensory and immune systems interact with one another and share similar receptors and ligands to modify the pathogenesis of various diseases. In this paper, we summarize the mechanisms of crosstalk between the sensory and immune systems and the impact of this new interdisciplinary field, which should be dubbed 'senso-immunology,' on medical science.

Bioactive coatings with anti-osteoclast therapeutic agents for bone implants: Enhanced compliance and prolonged implant life

The use of therapeutic agents that inhibit bone resorption is crucial to prolong implant life, delay revision surgery, and reduce the burden on the healthcare system. These therapeutic agents include bisphosphonates, various nucleic acids, statins, proteins, and protein complexes. Their use in systemic treatment has several drawbacks, such as side effects and insufficient efficacy in terms of concentration, which can be eliminated by local treatment. This review focuses on the incorporation of osteoclast inhibitors (antiresorptive agents) into bioactive coatings for bone implants. The ability of bioactive coatings as systems for local delivery of antiresorptive agents to achieve optimal loading of the bioactive coating and its release is described in detail. Various parameters such as the suitable concentrations, release times, and the effects of the antiresorptive agents on nearby cells or bone tissue are discussed. However, further research is needed to support the optimization of the implant, as this will enable subsequent personalized design of the coating in terms of the design and selection of the coating material, the choice of an antiresorptive agent and its amount in the coating. In addition, therapeutic agents that have not yet been incorporated into bioactive coatings but appear promising are also mentioned. From this work, it can be concluded that therapeutic agents contribute to the biocompatibility of the bioactive coating by enhancing its beneficial properties.

The muscle to bone axis (and viceversa): An encrypted language affecting tissues and organs and yet to be codified?

Skeletal muscles and bone tissue form the musculoskeletal apparatus, a complex system essential for the voluntary movement. The loss of muscle mass and muscle strength is often associated with a loss of bone mass, in a "hazardous duet" which implies the co-existence of sarcopenia-osteoporosis and exposes patients to a deterioration in quality of life and increased mortality. From the mechanostat theory to the recent definition of the osteosarcopenia syndrome, many aspects of muscle-bone interaction have been investigated in recent decades. The mechanical interaction is now accepted, considering the close anatomical relationship between the two tissues, however, much remains to be discovered regarding the biochemical muscle-bone interaction. Skeletal muscle has been defined as an endocrine organ capable of exerting an action on other tissues. Myokines, bioactive polypeptides released by the muscle, could represent the encrypted message in the communication between muscle and bone. These two tissues have a reciprocal influence on their metabolisms and respond in a similar way to the multiple external factors. The aim of this review is to stimulate the understanding of the encrypted language between muscle and bone, highlighting the role of catabolic pathways and oxidative stress in the musculoskeletal apparatus to elucidate the shared mechanisms and the similarity of response to the same stimuli by different tissues. Our understanding of muscle-bone interactions it could be useful to identify and develop new strategies to treat musculoskeletal diseases, together with pharmacological, nutritional and exercise-based approaches, which are already in use for the treatment of these pathologies.

Decreased bone mineral density in experimental myasthenia gravis in C57BL/6 mice

Experimental autoimmune myasthenia gravis (EAMG), an animal model of myasthenia gravis (MG), can be induced in C57BL/6 (B6, H-2 ^b) mice by 2-3 injections with Torpedo californica AChR (tAChR) in complete Freund's adjuvant. Some EAMG mice exhibit weight loss with muscle weakness. The loss in body weight, which is closely associated with bone structure, is particularly evident in EAMG mice with severe muscle weakness. However, the relationship between muscle weakness and bone loss in EAMG has not been studied before. Recent investigations on bone have shed light on association of bone health and immunological states. It is possible that muscle weakness in EAMG developed by anti-tAChR immune responses might accompany bone loss. We determined whether reduced muscle strength associates with decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in EAMG mice. EAMG was induced by two injections at 4-week interval of tAChR and adjuvants in two different age groups. The first tAChR injection was either at age 8 weeks or at 15 weeks. We measured BMD at three skeletal sites, including femur, tibia, and lumbar vertebrae, using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Among these bone areas, femur of EAMG mice in both age groups showed a significant decrease in BMD compared to control adjuvant-injected and to non-immunized mice. Reduction in BMD in induced EAMG at a later-age appears to parallel the severity of the disease. The results indicate that anti-tAChR autoimmune response alone can reduce bone density in EAMG mice. BMD reduction was also observed in adjuvant-injected mice in comparison to normal un-injected mice, suggesting that BMD decrease can occur even when muscle activity is normal. Decreased BMD observed in both tAChR-injected and adjuvant-injected mice groups were discussed in relation to innate immunity and bone-related immunology involving activated T cells and tumour necrosis factor-related cytokines that trigger osteoclastogenesis and bone loss.

Bone responses in health and infectious diseases: A focus on osteoblasts

Historically, bone was thought to be immunologically inactive with the sole function of supporting locomotion and ensuring stromaness functions as a major lymphoid organ. However, a myriad of pathogens (bacteria such as staphylococcus as well as viruses including alphaviruses, HIV or HCV) can invade the bone. These pathogens can cause apoptosis, autophagy and necrosis of osteoblasts and lead to lymphopenia and immune paralysis. There are now several detailed studies on how osteoblasts contribute to innate immune and inflammatory responses; indeed, osteoblasts in concert with resident macrophages can engage an armory of defense mechanisms capable of detecting and controlling pathogen evasion mechanisms. Osteoblasts can express the so-called pattern recognition receptors such as TOLL-like receptors involved in the detection for example of lipids and unique sugars (polysaccharides and polyriboses) expressed by bacteria or viruses (e.g. LPS and RNA respectively). Activated osteoblasts can produce interferon type I, cytokines, chemokines and interferon-stimulated proteins through autocrine and paracrine mechanisms to control for viral replication and to promote phagocytosis or lysis of bacteria for example by defensins. Uncontrolled and sustained innate immune activation of infected osteoblasts will also lead to an imbalance in the production of osteoclastogenic factors such as RANKL and osteoprotegerin involved in bone repair.

Netrins as prophylactic targets in skeletal diseases: A double-edged sword?

The netrin family of proteins are involved in axon guidance during central nervous system development. In vertebrates, two membrane bound forms and five secreted forms of netrin have been reported. In addition to their critical role in neural morphogenesis, a growing number of reports suggest that netrin family proteins also play a role in inflammatory conditions, angiogenesis, and tumorigenesis. In these processes, Unc5 and DCC family proteins serve as receptors of netrin proteins. Recently, it was reported that some netrin family proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of skeletal diseases including osteoporosis and arthritis. For example, administration of secreted netrin family proteins such as netrin 1 and netrin 4 has prophylactic potential in pathogenic bone degradation in mice. However, netrin 1 blocking antibody also protects mice from inflammatory bone destruction. Therefore, netrin family proteins are involved in the regulation of bone homeostasis, but their bona fide roles in the skeletal system remain controversial. In this review, we discuss the osteo-innate-immune functions of the netrin family of proteins, and summarize their therapeutic potential.

Neutrophils and arthritis: Role in disease and pharmacological perspectives

The inflammatory response in the joint can induce an intense accumulation of leukocytes in the tissue that frequently results in severe local damage and loss of function. Neutrophils are essential cells to combat many pathogens, but their arsenal can contribute or aggravate articular inflammation. Here we summarized some aspects of neutrophil biology, their role in inflammation and indicated how the modulation of neutrophil functions could be useful for the treatment of different forms of arthritis.