Human osteoblasts in culture metabolize both 1 alpha, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its precursor 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 into their respective lactones

1 alpha, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3], the hormonal form of vitamin D3, is further metabolized in the kidney and intestine through the carbon 24 (C-24) oxidation pathway initiated by C-24 hydroxylation, and the carbon 23 (C-23) oxidation pathway initiated by C-23 hydroxylation. The C-24 oxidation pathway leading to the formation of calcitroic acid has been previously reported to be present in bone cells, but the C-23 oxidation pathway leading to the formation of 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone has not been described in bone cells, even though 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone is noted to have a significant effect on bone formation. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the production of 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone in normal human osteoblasts, and our studies revealed that human osteoblasts possess the activity of both 24- and 23-hydroxylases constitutively. Thus, 1 alpha, 24(R),25-(OH)3D3, 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2-24-oxo-D3, 1 alpha, 23(S), 25-(OH)3-24-oxo-D3, 1 alpha, 23-(OH)2-24,25,26,27-tetranor D3, and calcitroic acid formed through the C-24 oxidation pathway and 1 alpha, 23(S),25-(OH)3D3 and 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone formed through the C-23 oxidation pathway were detected under basal conditions. Also, the synthesis of these metabolites was increased significantly when the cells were treated with 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 (50 nM) for 24 h before incubation with the tracer. As 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) follows similar side-chain modifications as 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3, the metabolism of 25OHD3 in normal human osteoblasts was studied under basal conditions. We found that 25OHD3 was also metabolized through both C-24 and C-23 oxidation pathways, resulting in significant synthesis of 24(R),25-(OH)2D3 along with 25OH-24-oxo-D3, 23(S),25-(OH)2-24-oxo-D3, 23(S),25-(OH)2D3, and 25OHD3-26,23-lactone. Under the same experimental conditions, we looked for 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 synthesis, as earlier studies have shown production of 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 in human bone cells. During a time-course study ranging from 1-24 h, we found that by 2 h, the 24(R), 25-(OH)2D3 concentration rose and accumulated considerably during the following 24 h, but 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3 did not accumulate at any time. However, other 1-hydroxylated metabolites, 1 alpha, 23(S),25-(OH)3D3, 1 alpha, 23(S),25-(OH)3-24-oxo-D3, as well as 1 alpha, 25-(OH)2D3-26,23-lactone were detected.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animal models: a means to study the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis

A number of animal models have been developed to investigate the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. In general, rabbits, guinea pigs, and dogs have been the animals of choice, although rats, mice, and birds have also been used. The techniques used to induce disease development include: destabilization of a knee joint either by extra- or intraarticular surgical manipulation; immobilization of the knee joint to alter load impact and distribution; or introduction of a foreign substance into the joint space. The success of a particular animal model rests in the ability to parallel, on a temporal basis, the biological changes which characterize osteoarthritic development as seen in the human population. Macroscopic, microscopic, and biochemical evaluations then permit the detailing of the steps which lead to cartilage erosion. In this manner, link proteins have been found to be deficient in osteoarthritic guinea pig cartilage.

The phosphorylation of human link proteins

Three link proteins of 48,44 and 40 kDa were purified from human articular cartilage and identified with monoclonal anti-link protein antibody 8-A-4. Two sets of lower molecular weight proteins of 30-31 kDa and 24-26 kDa also contained link protein epitopes recognized by the monoclonal antibody and were most likely degradative products of the intact link proteins. The link proteins of 48 and 40 kDa were identified as phosphoproteins while the 44 kDa link protein did not contain 32P. The phosphorylated 48 and 40 kDa link proteins contained approximately 2 moles PO4/mole link protein.

Monensin stimulation of arylsulfatase B activity in human chondrocytes

Secreted and intracellular arylsulfatase B (ASB) activities were measured in normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human chondrocyte cultures in the absence and presence of monensin, ammonium chloride, and chloroquine. Of the three agents added, only monensin produced a significant stimulation of secreted enzyme activity. Osteoarthritic cells consistently exhibited a three-fold higher level of secreted specific ASB activity than did normal cells, with or without monensin. When compared with normal cells, OA cells also consistently exhibited a twofold heightened intracellular specific enzyme activity both in the absence or presence of monensin. With increasing dosage of monensin, secreted and intracellular ASB activity increased for both OA and normal cells. Total enzyme activity of secreted and intracellular ASB was found to be cell density dependent. No inhibition of secreted or intracellular ASB activity was observed for sparsely plated cultures. In contrast to sparse cultures, an inhibition of secreted ASB, with or without monensin, was observed in densely plated cultures. Intracellular total activity was not inhibited by high-density cultures. Secreted ASB activity was found to be time-dependent after passage. Enzyme activity was maximal at 6 h in both OA and normal cells and decreased by the end of 24 h both in serum-free medium and in serum-free medium with monensin. When compared with normal cells, OA cells expressed higher levels of ASB activity under all test conditions. This heightened activity therefore appears to be a property inherent in the OA chondrocyte.

Phosphorylation of proteoglycans. Identification of phosphorylation sites in chondroitin sulfate-rich region of core protein

Serine residues, which are the sites of phosphorylation in proteoglycans, were demonstrated to be located on chondroitin sulfate-containing peptides. These peptides appeared to be derived primarily from the chondroitin sulfate-rich region of the proteoglycan core protein. The localization of phosphate moieties in the chondroitin sulfate-containing peptides was observed in all experiments. The phosphate moieties were retained on chondroitin sulfate-containing peptides after the protein core was treated with either papain or trypsin. Two phosphopeptide preparations, derived from chondroitin sulfate-containing peptides of proteoglycan subunits, were extensively purified. These 2 phosphopeptide preparations were shown by carbohydrate analysis to be free of keratan sulfate-containing peptides or peptides from the hyaluronic acid binding region of the core protein. One of the phosphopeptide preparations had a phosphate: serine molar ratio of 0.40. This indicated that nearly one-half of the serine residues were phosphorylated rather than glycosylated. Peptides derived from the core protein that contained keratan sulfate had no phosphate moieties.

Characterization of human bone cells in culture

Cultures of human bone cells were established, maintained, and characterized with respect to several metabolic parameters. These studies were undertaken with a view to using the bone culture system as a means of studying mechanisms of bone metabolism. The donor patients' ages ranged from 1 to 90 years and their disease states included congenital limb anomalies, exostosis, and osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis. Cultures were maintained up to 5 months. The osteoblast-like character of these cells was confirmed with the use of measurements applied to bone cells from other systems. Analyses showed that (a) the cells' appearance resembled that of cultured osteoblasts from other animal sources, b) intracellular cAMP was stimulated by human parathyroid hormone, c) osteocalcin was detected in the medium of all tested bone cell cultures and its production was found to be stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, and d) newly synthesized collagen was almost exclusively type I. In contrast, cultures of human fibroblasts, established in one instance from tissue specimens of the same donor patient, grew faster, reached a higher limiting density, and produced a greater proportion of type III collagen than the corresponding bone cells. Furthermore, fibroblasts did not accumulate osteocalcin in their culture medium. The conditions described in this report to maintain human bone cells in culture should provide a suitable test system to study the regulation of human bone metabolism.

The pediatrician's approach to the preschool child with language delay

A systematic approach to the child with suspected language disorder includes screening of expressive language, receptive language, general development, and hearing. Various screening approaches and tools are discussed. Diagnostic categories and associated referral patterns are recommended.

Phosphorylation of proteoglycans from human articular cartilage by a cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Purified proteoglycan subunits from human articular, bovine articular and nasal cartilages, and a rat chondrosarcoma were phosphorylated in vitro by beef heart cAMP-dependent protein kinase in the presence of gamma 32P-ATP. In these experiments, a maximum of 1.7 moles of 32P were incorporated per mole of proteoglycan from human cartilage. Phosphorylation was dependent on the presence of cAMP. Analysis by autoradiography revealed that serine residues in the core protein of the proteoglycan were the sites of phosphorylation. Treatment of proteoglycan subunits with chondroitinase ABC and alkaline phosphatase prior to reaction with cAMP-dependent protein kinase increased the incorporation of 32P by 12-30% when compared with untreated proteoglycans. These data indicate that proteoglycans in cartilage can be phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase.

Phosphorylation of proteoglycans from human articular cartilage

Previous studies have shown that sulfated proteoglycans from human articular and epiphyseal cartilage were phosphorylated. These macromolecules contribute to the stiffness and resiliency of this tissue. We demonstrate here that the phosphate moieties are an integral part of proteoglycan subunits. Specifically, evidence is presented which indicates that proteoglycan monomers contain 3 to 4 phosphate moieties per core protein and that these appear to exist as phosphoserine residues. Furthermore, the data illustrate that human articular cartilage also contains more than 20 different phosphoproteins, some of which are closely associated with proteoglycan aggregates. Proteoglycan subunits were purified from extracts of articular cartilage or from media fractions which had been used to label tissue specimens with 32P-orthophosphate. Chemical and radiographic analyses revealed that the phosphate concentration with respect to sulfate and uronic acid content remained constant when purified proteoglycan monomers were subjected to equilibrium ultracentrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography. That the phosphate moieties were bound to proteoglycan monomers via monoester linkages was indicated by the release of 32P-orthophosphate from proteoglycan subunits incubated under mild alkaline conditions or reacted with acid or alkaline phosphatases. Identification of serine residues in the core protein as the sites of phosphorylation was made by autoradiography of thin layer plates on which hydrolyzed samples of purified 32P-proteoglycan subunits had been subjected to 2-dimensional electrophoresis/chromatography. Quantification of 3 to 4 phosphate moieties per core protein of 200,000 daltons was made by chemical analysis of inorganic phosphate released from proteoglycans by acid hydrolysis.

Characteristics of human chondrocyte cultures in completely defined medium

Chondrocytes derived from normal human adult articular cartilage were established and maintained for over 5 months in a completely defined medium without the addition of serum or any other growth factors. At the end of 5 months, these cells were still metabolically active. The cells incorporated [3H] thymidine into DNA, incorporated [35S] sulfate into proteoglycans, and exhibited lysosomal enzyme activities. The 35S-labeled proteoglycans isolated from the culture medium had elution profiles on high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) similar to those observed for proteoglycans from other mammalian sources. This self-contained growth competence may reflect a need produced by the unusual avascular and alymphatic character of articular cartilage.

Experimentally-induced osteoarthritis in guinea pigs: effect of surgical procedure and dietary intake of vitamin C

The effect of variation in dietary ascorbic acid on surgically induced osteoarthritis was examined in the stifle joints of guniea pigs. Two different surgical procedures were used to induce osteoarthritis in the right stifle joint of these animals. Guinea pigs were maintained either on a high (150 mg/day) or low (2.4 mg/day) dietary intake of vitamin C. Regardless of the surgical procedure used to induce osteoarthritis, the animals maintained on the high level of vitamin C consistently showed severe joint damage than animals on the low level of the vitamin.

Proteoglycan structure and metabolism in normal and osteoarthritic cartilage of guinea pigs

Sulfated proteoglycan structure and metabolism in osteoarthritic articular cartilage from the hind-limb joints of guinea pigs in which the disease had been surgically induced were evaluated and compared with those from nonoperated or sham-operated controls. In these studies, conducted on animals receiving high and low dietary levels of ascorbic acid, the effect of vitamin C on these variables was also examined. Sulfated proteoglycan biosynthesis per unit of DNA as reflected by in vivo uptake of 35S-sulfate was stimulated both by arthritic development and high dietary vitamin C. Under these conditions, the specific activities, 35S-cpm/micrograms uronic acid, of the proteoglycans were elevated. Neither arthritic development nor variation in dietary levels of vitamin C altered the structure of the proteoglycans. Two species of proteoglycans that exhibited the same electrophoretic mobilities in agarose/acrylamide gels, the same elution profiles on high performance liquid chromatography,, and the same galactosamine/glucosamine ratios were found in all normal and osteoarthritic cartilage specimens tested. The specific activities of these two specimens tested. The specific activities of these two species were dissimilar. In all samples, the larger of the two species had a higher specific activity.

Experimentally induced osteoarthritis in guinea pigs: metabolic responses in articular cartilage to developing pathology

Developing osteoarthritis, surgically induced in the right hind knee joint of guinea pigs by different procedures (A or B), was studied in animals maintained on either minimal or supplemented levels of dietary vitamin C. Procedure A, consisting of transecting the anterior cruciate and major portion of the medial collateral ligaments, resulted in a slower developing and less severe form of the disease than procedure B which also included a partial menisectomy. Regardless of the surgical procedure used, animals on minimal levels of ascorbate always exhibited more severe pathology than those on high levels. When compared with controls, a significant enhancement of acid phosphatase characterized arthritic cartilage in both supplemented and minimal diet groups, although the increase was 2-fold greater in the latter. In addition, a significant elevation of arylsulfatase A and B activities was observed only in the minimal diet group. Early stages of pathology in both diet groups were characterized by formation of repair cartilage which stained strongly with Safranin O on histologic sections. As the disease progressed, pitting, ulcerations, and eburnation occurred in the minimal diet group. Cartilage weight in normal joints was greater for guinea pigs kept on high levels of vitamin C. It is likely that this stimulated synthesis of cartilage in the supplemented animals protected against the erosion of the articular cartilage which characterized the more severe disease process in the guinea pigs on minimal levels of ascorbate.

Metabolic response during early stages of surgically-induced osteoarthritis in mature beagles

Severance of the anterior cruciate ligament in the knees of mature beagles caused instability and resulted in the slow onset of changes comparable to those present in human osteoarthritis (OA). Heightened cellular activities were reflected in increased levels of arylsulfatase, acid phosphatase, and beta-glucuronidase in the articular cartilage. Similar increases in these lysosomal enzyme activities were found in the synovial fluid of the operated joints. Dietary supplementation with vitamin C resulted in increased serum protein content and increased cartilage formation, although ascorbate had no effect on enzyme activities. The early stages of OA in mature beagles, therefore, were characterized by interference with normal chondrocyte metabolism which resulted in staggered elevation of different lysosomal enzymes.

Phosphorylation of proteoglycans in human articular cartilage

A study of human articular cartilage indicated that componenet proteoglycans can be phosphorylated. Phosphorylation, also found in a specimen of human epiphysial cartilage, occurred when [gamma-32P]-ATP or 32Pi was included in the in vitro incubation medium. Treatment of the phosphorylated proteoglycans with chondroitinase and chondrosulfatases effectively removed the chondroitin sulfate without dephosphorylating the remaining molecule. Since phosphorylation could be effected in a totally chemically defined medium, it appears that the necessary enzyme systems for this reaction are contained entirely within chondrocytes.

Effect of ascorbic acid on arylsulfatase activities and sulfated proteoglycan metabolism in chondrocyte cultures

A correlation between increased arylsulfatase activities and decreased sulfated proteoglycan content in human osteoarthritic articular cartilage suggested a possible interrelationship between these parameters. Since we had previously shown that ascorbate caused a decrease in levels of arylsulfatase A and B activities in normal chondrocyte cultures, the validity of the above relationship was examined by measuring the effect of vitamin C on the biosynthesis and distribution of 35S-labeled proteoglycans and arylsulfatase A and B activities in cell extracts of chondrocytes derived from normal and osteoarthritic tissue. Arylsulfatase A and B activities were found to be reduced in the presence of ascorbic acid in all normal and osteoarthritic cell lines examined when measured 3, 6, 10, and 13 days after the introduction of the vitamin in the culture medium. Acid phosphatase activity, on the other hand, was found to be elevated in the presence of ascorbate. The inhibitory effect by ascorbic acid on arylsulfatase activities could be reversed by withdrawing the vitamin from the nutrient medium. Addition of EDTA to the cell extracts before assay also reversed the inhibiton. Sulfated proteoglycan biosynthesis as reflected in 35S-sulfate uptake per milligram of DNA was significantly increased in the presence of ascorbic acid. The distribution of the newly synthesized molecules between the cell layer and medium fractions was altered. In the presence of ascorbate, more deposition into the cell layer of newly synthesized macromolecules occurred. These data suggest an inverse relationship between arylsulfatase activities and the stability of the newly synthesized sulfated proteoglycans in the extracellular matrix.

The effect of salicylate on prostaglandin levels in rabbit knees following inducement of osteoarthritic changes

Surgical inducement of medial instability in the right knee of rabbits was used to produce joint changes which resemble those observed in human osteoarthritis. Ordinary tap water was supplied to half of the rabbits and tap water plus sodium salicylate to the others. Determinations of prostaglandin were made on the synovial fluid and cartilage from all rabbits five months after surgery. In both groups, the concentration of prostaglandin in synovial fluid was lower in the operated knees, but the total amount of prostaglandin was found to be approximately equal to that in the unoperated knees. The development of degenerative joint changes therefore was not accompanied by increases in prostaglandin content. Salicylate treatment did not alter this observation, however, it did reduce overall prostaglandin levels. These results suggest that prostaglandin interaction is not involved in osteoarthritic joint degeneration.

Effect of salicylate on the surgical inducement of joint degeneration in rabbit knees

Degenerative joint changes were produced in one knee of each of fourteen rabbits by surgical induction of instability. The involved knee in rabbits with and without systemic salicylate treatment was compared with the knee not operated on. Salicylate did not significantly change the activities of lysosomal enzymes in cartilage or synovial fluid, the uptake of tritiated thymidine, glycine, or 35S-inorganic sulphate by cartilage, or the histological manifestations of cartilage degeneration.

The effect of environmental pH on glycosaminoglycan metabolism by normal human chondrocytes

The synthesis and release of sulfated glycosaminoglycans by normal human chondrocytes in culture are markedly affected by environmental pH. The biosynthetic rate is increased threefold as the pH of the growth medium is raised from 7.0 to 8.0. This coincides with a corresponding elevation in total protein and cell growth. The rate of release of newly synthesized sulfated glycosaminoglycans from the cell layer as well as their distribution between intra- and extracellular localization in the cell layer is also modulated by environmental pH. At pH 8, 35 per cent is found within the cells, this value is reduced to 13 per cent at pH 7. Pulse-chase experiments showed that previously incorporated sulfated proteoglycans were released at a faster rate at pH 7 than at pH 8. The data suggest that proton concentrations affect the biosynthesis and the mode of distribution of newly synthesized sulfated glycosaminoglycans.

Enzymes from human articular cartilage: isolation of arylsulfatase B and its comparison with arylsulfatase A

This study describes the isolation of arylsulfatases A and B (arylsulfate sulfohydrolase EC 3.1.6.1) from human articular cartilage. These enzymes were extracted from collagenase digests of tissue homogenates. After fractionation with ammonium sulfate the enzymes were separated from each other by DEAE-cellulose chromatography and further purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-200. Sulfatase B, subsequently chromatographed on CM-cellulose was apparently homogenous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence and absence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 5.6, a molecular weight of 51,000 and Km of 2.6 mM for 4-nitrocatechol sulfate. Sulfatase A was found to be a glycoprotein with a pH optimum of 4.8, a molecular weight of 105,000 and a Km of 0.16 mM for 4-nitrocatechol sulfate. The competitive inhibition of both enzymes by inorganic sulfate, sulfite and phosphate support the likelihood of a common reaction mechanism. In contrast to sulfatase B which showed minimal inhibition, sulfatase A was totally inhibited by 5 mM N-ethylmaleimide.

Effect of ascorbic acid on arylsulfatase A and B activities in human chondrocyte cultures

Cultured normal human articular cartilage chondrocytes exhibited decreasing levels of arylsulfatase A and B activities when grown in the presence of increasing levels of ascorbic acid (0 to 90 mug/ml) in the media. That this was not a general effect on all lysosomal enzymes was supported by the increase in acid phosphatase activity and no change in beta-glucuronidase activity observed with increasing levels of vitamin C under identical culture conditions. No decrease in either arylsulfatase activity was observed when ascorbic acid was replaced by ascorbate-2-sulfate. Ascorbic acid did not inhibit either arylsulfatase activity when added directly to the assay mixture. These data, combined with results of mixing experiments, suggest that the effect of vitamin C is mediated through cellular factors produced in response to its inclusion in the growth media.

Sulfate metabolism in human chondrocyte cultures

The depletion of articular cartilage in the afflicted joints is a primary clinical feature of osteoarthritis. This disorder has been linked to a disturbance in the metabolism of the extracellular matrix components of this tissue. The mechanisms involved in the regulation of sulfated proteoglycan metabolism in articular cartilage were therefore studied by measuring the biosynthesis and distribution of (35)S-labeled glycosaminoglycans in chondrocyte cultures derived from normal and osteoarthritic tissue. Incorporation experiments were carried out at pH 7.0 with [(35)S]Na(2)SO(4) in the presence of fetal calf serum, human serum from normal or arthritic individuals, or a combination of these. In the presence of heat-inactivated human sera, osteoarthritic chondrocytes incorporate about two times as much of the available sulfate into macromolecules as do normal chondrocytes. The deposition of newly synthesized sulfated macromolecules into the cell layer by these cells is lower, however, than that by normal cells. In cultures of normal human chondrocytes, noninactivated sera from individuals with osteoarthritis stimulate proteoglycan biosynthesis more than equal concentrations of normal sera. The fraction of the newly synthesized material deposited into the cell layer was found to decrease with increasing serum concentrations. In the absence of serum, a 5- to 10-fold increase in deposited sulfated macromolecules was found. The distribution within the cell layer between intra- and extracellular sites also was monitored by serum factors. Heat inactivation of the human serum component of the medium resulted in a 50% decrease in intracellular retention. These data suggest that biosynthesis of sulfated proteoglycans and their retention in the matrix are modulated by cell and serum factors. Despite and increased uptake of radioactively labeled inorganic sulfate by osteoarthritic chondrocytes in cell culture, a lower rate of deposition into the cell layer resulted in less matrix formation. This may be representative of the process leading to cartilage degradation in degenerative joint disease in vivo.