Identification of a novel phosphonocarboxylate inhibitor of Rab geranylgeranyl transferase that specifically prevents Rab prenylation in osteoclasts and macrophages

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate drugs inhibit bone resorption by inhibiting FPP synthase and thereby preventing the synthesis of isoprenoid lipids required for protein prenylation in bone-resorbing osteoclasts. NE10790 is a phosphonocarboxylate analogue of the potent bisphosphonate risedronate and is a weak anti-resorptive agent. Although NE10790 was a poor inhibitor of FPP synthase, it did inhibit prenylation in J774 macrophages and osteoclasts, but only of proteins of molecular mass approximately 22-26 kDa, the prenylation of which was not affected by peptidomimetic inhibitors of either farnesyl transferase (FTI-277) or geranylgeranyl transferase I (GGTI-298). These 22-26-kDa proteins were shown to be geranylgeranylated by labelling J774 cells with [(3)H]geranylgeraniol. Furthermore, NE10790 inhibited incorporation of [(14)C]mevalonic acid into Rab6, but not into H-Ras or Rap1, proteins that are modified by FTase and GGTase I, respectively. These data demonstrate that NE10790 selectively prevents Rab prenylation in intact cells. In accord, NE10790 inhibited the activity of recombinant Rab GGTase in vitro, but did not affect the activity of recombinant FTase or GGTase I. NE10790 therefore appears to be the first specific inhibitor of Rab GGTase to be identified. In contrast to risedronate, NE10790 inhibited bone resorption in vitro without markedly affecting osteoclast number or the F-actin "ring" structure in polarized osteoclasts. However, NE10790 did alter osteoclast morphology, causing the formation of large intracellular vacuoles and protrusion of the basolateral membrane into large, "domed" structures that lacked microvilli. The anti-resorptive activity of NE10790 is thus likely due to disruption of Rab-dependent intracellular membrane trafficking in osteoclasts.

Cells in regenerating deer antler cartilage provide a microenvironment that supports osteoclast differentiation

Deer antlers are a rare example of mammalian epimorphic regeneration. Each year, the antlers re-grow by a modified endochondral ossification process that involves extensive remodelling of cartilage by osteoclasts. This study identified regenerating antler cartilage as a site of osteoclastogenesis in vivo. An in vitro model was then developed to study antler osteoclast differentiation. Cultured as a high-density micromass, cells from non-mineralised cartilage supported the differentiation of large numbers of osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (MNCs) in the absence of factors normally required for osteoclastogenesis. After 48 h of culture, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive mononuclear cells (osteoclast precursors) were visible, and by day 14 a large number of TRAP-positive MNCs had formed (783+/−200 per well, mean +/− s.e.m., N=4). Reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed that receptor activator of NF κ B ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) mRNAs were expressed in micromass cultures. Antler MNCs have the phenotype of osteoclasts from mammalian bone; they expressed TRAP, vitronectin and calcitonin receptors and, when cultured on dentine, formed F-actin rings and large resorption pits. When cultured on glass, antler MNCs appeared to digest the matrix of the micromass and endocytose type I collagen. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) may play a role in the resorption of this non-mineralised matrix since it is highly expressed in 100 % of MNCs. In contrast, cathepsin K, another enzyme expressed in osteoclasts from bone, is only highly expressed in resorbing MNCs cultured on dentine. This study identifies the deer antler as a valuable model that can be used to study the differentiation and function of osteoclasts in adult regenerating mineralised tissues.

New technologies in scanning probe microscopy for studying molecular interactions in cells

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a specialised form of scanning probe microscopy, which was invented by Binnig and colleagues in 1986. Since then, AFM has been increasingly used to study biomedical problems. Because of its high resolution, AFM has been used to examine the topography or shape of surfaces, such as during the molecular imaging of proteins. This, combined with the ability to operate under known force regimes, makes AFM technology particularly useful for measuring intermolecular bond forces and assessing the mechanical properties of biological materials. Many of the constraints (e.g. complex instrumentation, slow acquisition speeds and poor vertical range) that previously limited the use of AFM in cell biology are now beginning to be resolved. Technological advances will enable AFM to challenge both confocal laser scanning microscopy and scanning electron microscopy as a method for carrying out three-dimensional imaging. Its use as both a precise micro-manipulator and a measurement tool will probably result in many novel and exciting applications in the future. In this article, we have reviewed some of the current biological applications of AFM, and illustrated these applications using studies of the cell biology of bone and integrin-mediated adhesion.

Winter mortality of common loons in Florida coastal waters

Diagnostic findings are presented for 434 common loons (Gavia immer) found sick or dead on Florida beaches from 1970 through 1994, primarily during the months of December to April. The most commonly recognized problem was an emaciation syndrome (66%), followed by oiling (18%), aspergillosis (7%), trauma (5%) and miscellaneous disease entities (1%). The cause-of-death for 3% of the birds was not determined. Many of the carcasses examined (n = 173) were obtained during an epizootic which occurred from January to March of 1983 in which more than 13,000 loons were estimated to have died. An emaciation syndrome, characterized by severe atrophy of pectoral muscles, loss of body fat and hemorrhagic enteritis, was the primary finding in this epizootic. It was postulated to have a complex etiologic basis involving synergistic effects and energy costs of migration, molting and replacement of flight feathers, food resource changes, salt-loading, intestinal parasitism, environmental contaminants, and inclement weather.

Trafficking of matrix collagens through bone-resorbing osteoclasts

An intracellular pathway for proteins liberated from mineralized matrix during resorption was identified in osteoclasts. Analysis by confocal microscopy of sites of active bone resorption showed that released matrix proteins, including degraded type I collagen, were endocytosed along the ruffled border within the resorption compartment and transcytosed through the osteoclast to the basolateral membrane. Intracellular trafficking of degraded collagen, as typified by the resorbing osteoclast, may provide the cell with a regulatory mechanism for the control of tissue degradation.

Beta 1 integrins and osteoclast function: involvement in collagen recognition and bone resorption

The extracellular matrix of bone is composed mainly of type I collagen. In this report we studied the role and collagen-binding properties of osteoclast integrins (alpha v, alpha 2, beta 1, and beta 3). Cell adhesion assays with rat osteoclasts and affinity chromatography/SDS-PAGE analysis with purified human osteoclast membranes demonstrated adhesion of osteoclasts to native type I collagen in a divalent cation and Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-dependent way via alpha 2 beta 1 integrin, whereas osteoclast adhesion to denatured collagen predominantly involved alpha v beta 3. In receptor-binding assays, the involvement of human recombinant alpha v beta 3 in adhesion to denatured collagen was confirmed. Additionally, osteoclasts adhered to type I collagen fibers and to monomeric types II-V collagen with characteristics similar to those on native monomeric type I collagen. Osteoclastic bone resorption in vitro was inhibited (> 40%) in the presence of alpha 2 and beta 1 antibodies. Using scanning laser confocal microscopy, alpha v beta 3, alpha 2, and beta 1 integrin were detected within podosomes in nonresorbing osteoclasts and in the ruffled border area and basolateral membrane in resorbing osteoclasts, but not in the sealing zone of resorbing osteoclasts. These results demonstrate that alpha 2 beta 1, in addition to alpha v beta 3, has an important role in osteoclast function and acts as a receptor for native, but not denatured, collagen.

Helminth and arthropod parasites of experimentally introduced whooping cranes in Florida

Nine species of nematodes, unidentified larval nematodes, three species of trematodes, two species of acanthocephalans and a single species of chewing louse were collected from 1993 to 1995 from 25 introduced whooping cranes (Grus americana) in Florida (USA). In spite of a quarantine procedure involving anthelmintic therapy, three helminth parasites may have been introduced from captive populations. Other parasites acquired were similar to those found in a local congener, the Florida sandhill crane (Grus canadensis pratensis), or only occurred infrequently.

A species of Plasmodium from sandhill cranes in Florida

Infections of a species of Plasmodium (subgenus Giovannolaia) were diagnosed in 3 sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis) from north-central Florida. This parasite is close morphometrically to Plasmodium polare; this finding constitutes the first report of a species of Plasmodium from sandhill cranes in North America.

The heparin binding PECAM-1 adhesion molecule is expressed by CD34+ hematopoietic precursor cells with early myeloid and B-lymphoid cell phenotypes

The platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PE-CAM-1), defined by the CD31 monoclonal antibody (MoAb), was initially described as a cell-cell adhesion molecule mediating both homotypic and heterotypic adhesion. In this report, we show that enriched CD34+ human hematopoietic progenitor cell populations, containing early myeloid, erythroid, and multipotential progenitor cells, are CD31+. Analyses of CD34+ cell lines representing early myeloid, multipotential, and pre-pre-B-lymphoid progenitors indicate that precursors of both myeloid and B-lymphoid cells express PECAM-1 at high levels. Three-color flow-cytometric analyses also show that normal human bone marrow CD31+ CD34+ subsets coexpress myeloid (CD33) or B-lymphoid (CD19, CD10) markers. Except for the monocytic cell line, U937, all CD34- cell lines tested, which represent more mature stages of the myeloid, erythroid, and lymphoid lineages, expressed substantially lower or negligible levels of PECAM-1. Western blotting studies indicated that the CD31 MoAb, JC/70A, detected molecules in the 120- to 140-kD molecular weight range on the monocytic CD34- CD33+ CD31+ cell line, U937; on the CD34+ CD31+ CD33+ CD19- multipotential/lymphomyeloid precursor cell lines, KG1 and KG1B; on the CD34+ CD31+ CD19+ CD10+ CD33- precursor pre-pre-B-cell line, MIK-ALL; and on a CD34(+)-enriched precursor cell population from normal human bone marrow. A single molecular weight species was generally observed with enriched membrane preparations, whereas two PECAM-1 molecules were present in whole-cell lysates of cell lines and the CD34+ bone marrow cell subset. Preliminary studies show that a proportion of the PECAM-1 molecules on the lymphomyeloid/multipotential progenitor cell line, KG1, and on the monocytic cell line, U937, binds to heparin-sepharose. A soluble form of PECAM-1 also binds heparin-sepharose. The high level of expression of PECAM-1 on CD34+ cells suggests that this glycoprotein may function as a heterotypic adhesion molecule, possibly mediating multipotential, myeloid, and early-B-lymphoid precursor cell interactions with stromal cells and extracellular matrix molecules via heparan sulfate proteoglycans. It may also act as a homotypic adhesion molecule by interacting with PECAM-1 on bone marrow stromal macrophage-like cells and endothelial cells or on endothelial cells during stem/progenitor cell migration. Thus, this molecule has the potential importance of directing both lineage commitment and trafficking of early hematopoietic progenitor cells.

Modulation of vitronectin receptor-mediated osteoclast adhesion by Arg-Gly-Asp peptide analogs: a structure-function analysis

This study details the investigation of induction of retractile shape change in the osteoclast through inhibition of adhesion between osteoclasts and matrix with (1) peptide analogs bearing an Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) sequence, (2) antibodies to the integrin alpha V beta 3 vitronectin receptor, and (3) the RGD-containing snake venom peptide echistatin. Osteoclast retraction on dentin has been demonstrated for GRGDSP peptide, in contrast to the inactivity of the analog containing the conservative RGE sequence modification. An osteoclast adhesion assay employing rat or chick bone cells and serum-coated glass coverslips as substrate was developed for routine evaluation of inhibition of adhesion. Antibodies F4 and F11 to the beta 3 chain of rat vitronectin receptor were effective at submicromolar concentrations in rat osteoclasts (IC50 0.29 and 0.05 microM, respectively), whereas MAb 23C6 to human/chick vitronectin receptor was somewhat less effective against chick osteoclasts (IC50 1.6 microM). A rank order of RGD analog activity (mean IC50, microM) in the serum-coated glass adhesion assay was derived for the linear peptides GRGDSP (201 microM), GRGDTP (180 microM), Ac-RGDS-NH2 (84 microM), Ac-RGDV-NH2 (68 microM), RGDV (43 microM), GRGDS (38 microM), and RGDS (26 microM). The two most potent short peptides were the cyclic analog SK&F 106760 Ac-S,S-cyclo-(Cys-(N alpha Me)Arg-Gly-Asp-Pen)-NH2 (IC50 7.0 microM), and the Telios peptide H-Gly-S,S-cyclo-(Pen-Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro-Cys)-Ala-OH (IC50 6.6 microM). The snake venom peptide echistatin was the most potent substance evaluated in the serum-coated glass assay (IC50 0.78 nM) employing either rat or chick osteoclasts.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A nonradioactive biochemical characterization of membrane proteins using enhanced chemiluminescence

Here we demonstrate a nonradioactive immunoprecipitation and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) technique which replaces the standard practice of isotopic protein labeling by iodination or metabolic tagging in the analysis of membrane proteins. The technique has proved extremely valuable in the biochemical analysis of small quantities of frozen, pathological tissue. Membranes were prepared from Dx3 (a human melanoma cell line), C6 (a rat glial cell line), and osteoclastoma (a human giant cell tumor of bone). The membranes were labeled with biotin and immunoprecipitated with a variety of antibodies to the vitronectin receptor (VNR). The VNR proteins were resolved by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted onto nitrocellulose paper. The biotinylated protein was visualized using streptavidin horseradish peroxidase and enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL). Film exposures ranged from 15 min to 16 h. Good visualization of the VNR, yielding the typical heterodimeric receptor of 90 and 150 kDa, was given. Signals generated were high and background noise low with a 30-min film exposure. An overnight exposure increased the detection of weaker bands. In conclusion, biotinylation of membrane proteins proved a satisfactory label for immunoprecipitation and SDS-PAGE analysis. The ECL development stage was extremely flexible with visualization of strong and weak signals. The method has several advantages over a conventional radioactive immunoprecipitation in that it is relatively inexpensive, simple, quick and nonhazardous.

Integrins on rat osteoclasts: characterization of two monoclonal antibodies (F4 and F11) to rat beta 3

Two monoclonal antibodies, F4 and F11, were raised to newborn rat bone cell suspensions. These antibodies are shown by immunocytochemistry on tissue sections to recognize an antigen shared between osteoclasts, megakaryocytes, and platelets. Immunoprecipitation analysis of the antigen from C6 rat glial cells followed by SDS-PAGE showed a heterodimeric molecule with a characteristic integrin-like shift in apparent molecular mass upon reduction (137/78 kD nonreduced; 118/100 kD reduced); the low-molecular-mass band comigrates with the beta 3 subunit precipitated with polyclonal antihuman vitronectin receptor antiserum, and the high-molecular-mass band comigrates with the alpha v subunit precipitated with a polyclonal antiserum to a C-terminal amino acid sequence of human alpha v. Antibody F4 strongly cross-reacts with human cells and is shown in cross-blocking experiments and immunoprecipitation analysis with a human melanoma cell line DX3 to recognize a seemingly identical molecule as identified by anti-alpha v beta 3 monoclonal antibody 23C6. Expression of F4 and F11 is reduced in platelets from a patient heterozygous for Glanzmann's thrombasthenia. Taken together, these results indicate that F4 and F11 recognize rat CD61, the integrin beta 3 chain, which, as was confirmed with polyclonal anti CD61 antisera, is highly expressed in rat osteoclasts. These antibodies may be useful tools in investigating the biochemical nature and biologic function of beta 3 integrins in rat osteoclasts. Additionally, because high expression of beta 3 in vivo is restricted to osteoclasts, megakaryocytes, and platelets, these antibodies may be used to help identify osteoclasts in tissue sections and bone cell suspensions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rat osteoclasts adhere to a wide range of RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) peptide-containing proteins, including the bone sialoproteins and fibronectin, via a beta 3 integrin

The ligand binding ability of rat osteoclast adhesion receptors was investigated in an attachment assay using osteoclasts disaggregated from bone. Osteoclasts adhered well to the Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD)-containing proteins osteopontin (bone sialoprotein I) and BSP (bone sialoprotein II), vitronectin, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and fibronectin. Osteoclasts also adhered, but less strongly, to type I collagen. No attachment of osteoclasts was observed to thrombospondin, tenascin, laminin, or a range of non-RGD-containing bone proteins and proteins from other sources. The attachment of osteoclasts to all ligands was abolished in the presence of GRGDSP peptide, indicating the involvement of the RGD cell binding sequence in ligand binding. Attachment of osteoclasts to all substrates, with the exception of type I collagen, was also strongly inhibited by the addition of monoclonal antibody F11 to the beta 3 integrin subunit, indicating that a beta 3 integrin, probably the vitronectin receptor, was involved. Attachment to type I collagen was blocked by EDTA chelation of divalent cations and was not significantly affected by anti-beta 3 or anti-beta 1 antibodies; when taken with the inhibition by RGD peptide, this suggests the involvement of various receptors, possibly including nonintegrin collagen receptors, in the binding of osteoclasts to this protein. These results define the wide range of ligands for extracellular matrix receptors in osteoclasts in vitro. It remains to be established which of these proteins are important in osteoclast adhesion and osteoclastic bone resorption in vivo.

Integrin expression in human melanoma cell lines: heterogeneity of vitronectin receptor composition and function

Ten human melanoma cell lines were examined for integrin-receptor expression using a panel of antibodies directed against different integrin subunits. Considerable heterogeneity was detected for levels of expression of 7 integrins, including the alpha v beta 3 vitronectin receptor where a correlation between tumorigenic capacity in athymic nude mice and alpha v beta 3 levels was found. Detailed analysis of the vitronectin receptor on these lines revealed heterogeneity of composition. In one cell line, VUP, an alpha v beta 1 association was detected and, by antibody-inhibition studies, this receptor was shown to bind vitronectin as its ligand. In another line, DX3, evidence was obtained which indicated that apart from the alpha v beta 3 receptor the alpha v was able to associate with another beta subunit which was not beta 3. The existence of these alternative forms of the vitronectin receptor in this small sample of tumours of common origin might explain why the capacity to bind to fibrinogen and vitronectin substrates by these cells did not necessarily correlate with alpha v beta 3 levels.

Salmonella and Aspergillus infections in common loons overwintering in Florida

During a 5-year period (1970-1975), 190 common loons (Gavia immer) from overwintering populations on the east and west coasts of Florida were examined for evidence of infectious diseases. Salmonella spp (representing 8 serotypes) were isolated from 27 (14%) of the loons, and lesions typical of those produced by Aspergillus fumigatus were found in 34 (18%) of the loons. Seven loons were infected with Salmonella spp and had lesions typical of aspergillus infection. The largest number of loons (124) was obtained during the winter of 1973-1974, in connection with an offshore oil spill. There was no significant difference between the isolation rates of Salmonella spp from oiled vs nonoiled loons, but the occurrence of aspergillosis was higher in nonoiled than in oiled loons.

Coccidia of sandhill cranes, Grus canadensis

Eimeria gruis Yakinoff and Matschoulsky 1935, Eimeria reichenowi Yakimoff and Matschoulsky 1935, and an Adelina species are described from sandhill cranes in the United States. E. gruis was found in the feces of 11 of 14 Florida sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pratensis) and 62 of 72 greater sandhill cranes (G. c. tabida) from Florida, 5 of 14 greater sandhill cranes from Arizona, and 4 of 16 lesser sandhill cranes (G. c. canadensis) from Texas. E. reichenowi was found in the feces of 12 of 14 Florida sandhill cranes and 66 of 72 greater sandhill cranes from Florida, 4 of 14 greater sandhill cranes from Arizona, and 5 of 16 lesser sandhill cranes from Texas. Adelina sp. was found in the feces of 3 of 14 Florida sandhill cranes and 2 of 72 greater sandhill cranes from Florida. The Adelina species is considered to be a spurious parasite of the cranes.

Avian pox in Florida sandhill cranes

Cutaneous elevations were present on the feet, legs and heads of four Florida sandhill cranes, Grus canadensis pratensis, (one free-living, three penreared birds). As a result of examination of the elevations by light- and electron microscopy, it was determined that the lesions were caused by poxvirus. This is the first record of pox in cranes in North America.