Biomedical subjects

Kazuto Hoshi

Publications and source records attributed to Kazuto Hoshi.

30 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Osteocytic osteolysis observed in rats to which parathyroid hormone was continuously administered.

In order to prove osteocytic osteolysis in vivo, human parathyroid hormone (hPTH (1-34), 749 ng/h), or only solvent of the same volume, was continuously administered to 8-month-old rats by an infusion pump for 4 weeks, and then structural changes in osteocytes in the cortical bones of the tibiae were analyzed morphometrically, histologically, and histochemically. Based on contact microradiography (CMR) observations, the osteocyte lacunae in the PTH group tended to be enlarged, compared with those of the control, while the average lacuna area was 137.0 microm2 in the PTH group versus 93.9 microm2 in the control, suggesting evidence of osteocytic osteolysis. Acid phosphatase enzyme histochemical localization was observed in some osteocytes in the PTH group; therefore, lysosome systems may participate in the osteolytic mechanisms. On histological samples stained with hematoxylin-eosin or toluidine blue, the lacunae of the controls were surrounded by narrow areas of matrices both positive for hematoxylin and metachromatic for toluidine blue, while belt-like areas positive for hematoxylin were observed around the PTH-group lacunae. These findings suggested that, after osteocytic osteolysis, regenerated bone matrices may be added to the walls of osteocytes that possess enlarged lacunae.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Bone morphogenetic protein 2-induced osteoblast differentiation requires Smad-mediated down-regulation of Cdk6.

Because a temporal arrest in the G(1) phase of the cell cycle is thought to be a prerequisite for cell differentiation, we investigated cell cycle factors that critically influence the differentiation of mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells induced by bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), a potent inducer of osteoblast differentiation. Of the G(1) cell cycle factors examined, the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (Cdk6) was found to be strongly down-regulated by BMP-2/Smads signaling, mainly via transcriptional repression. The enforced expression of Cdk6 blocked BMP-2-induced osteoblast differentiation to various degrees, depending on the level of its overexpression. However, neither BMP-2 treatment nor Cdk6 overexpression significantly affected cell proliferation, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of Cdk6 on cell differentiation was exerted by a mechanism that is largely independent of its cell cycle regulation. These results indicate that Cdk6 is a critical regulator of BMP-2-induced osteoblast differentiation and that its Smads-mediated down-regulation is essential for efficient osteoblast differentiation.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Expression of osteopontin in cisplatin-induced tubular injury.

Osteopontin (OPN) is considered as a key protein in cell regeneration. OPN is thought to have many functions in cell-cell binding and cell-matrix binding via OPN receptors in various organs. But there is little information on the precise role of OPN. To clarify the functional role of OPN in tubular injury, we performed in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of OPN in a renal cortical necrosis model induced by cisplatin from the acute injury to late recovery phases. In the acute injury phase, both mRNA and protein of OPN were markedly induced in damaged tubular lumens with cell debris. In the late recovery phase, on the other hand, OPN protein and mRNA were observed in dilated and flattened tubular epithelial cells showing a regenerative appearance. Most of these cells were also immunostained with CD44, a receptor of OPN. PCNA staining was also co-localized with these expressions. In light of the CD44 function regulating cell proliferation, these findings suggest that OPN may contribute to regeneration of tubular epithelial cells during the acute to late recovery phases of cortical tubular damage induced by cisplatin.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Deficiency of insulin receptor substrate-1 impairs skeletal growth through early closure of epiphyseal cartilage.

UNLABELLED: Morphological analyses in and around the epiphyseal cartilage of mice deficient in insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) showed IRS-1 signaling to be important for skeletal growth by preventing early closure of the epiphyseal cartilage and maintaining the subsequent bone turnover at the primary spongiosa. INTRODUCTION: IRS-1 is an essential molecule for intracellular signaling by IGF-I and insulin, both of which are potent anabolic regulators of cartilage and bone metabolism. To clarify the role of IRS-1 signaling in the skeletal growth, morphological analyses were performed in and around the epiphyseal cartilage of mice deficient in IRS-1 (IRS-1(-/-)), whose limbs and trunk were 20-30% shorter than wildtype (WT) mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The epiphyseal cartilage and the primary spongiosa at proximal tibias of homozygous IRS-1(-/-) and WT male littermates were compared using histological, immunohistochemical, enzyme cytohistochemical, ultrastructural, and bone histomorphometrical analyses. RESULTS: In and around the WT epiphyseal cartilage, IRS-1 and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 receptors were widely expressed, whereas IRS-2 was weakly localized in bone cells. Chronological observation revealed that height of the proliferative zone and the size of hypertrophic chondrocytes were decreased in WT mice as a function of age, and these decreases were accelerated in the IRS-1 (-/-) cartilage, whose findings at 12 weeks were similar to those of WT at 24 weeks. In the IRS-1(-/-) cartilage, proliferating chondrocytes with positive proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) or parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor immunostaining had almost disappeared by 12 weeks. Contrarily, TUNEL+ apoptotic cells were increased in the hypertrophic zone, at the bottom of which most of the chondrocytes were surrounded by the calcified matrix, suggesting the closure of the cartilage. In the primary spongiosa, bone volume, alkaline phosphatase (ALP)+ osteoblasts, TRACP+ osteoclasts, and the osteopontin-positive cement line were markedly decreased. Bone histomorphometrical parameters for both bone formation and resorption were significantly lower in IRS-1(-/-) mice, indicating the suppression of bone turnover. CONCLUSION: The IRS-1(-/-) epiphyseal cartilage exhibited insufficient proliferation of chondrocytes, calcification of hypertrophic chondrocytes, acceleration of apoptosis, and early closure of the growth plate. Thus, the data strongly suggest that IRS-1 signaling is important for the skeletal growth by preventing early closure of the epiphyseal cartilage and by maintaining the subsequent bone turnover at the primary spongiosa.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

[Control of calcification by extracellular matrix].

Physiological calcification begins from crystallization of hydroxyapatite in extracellular matrix of both bones and teeth. Because calcification is exactly the extracellular event, organic components of extracellular matrix play important roles in control of calcification. The authors discuss the molecular regulation of calcification by organic components of extracellular matrix, focusing on the mineral/organic interaction.

1-Carboxyglutamic Acid↗

PubMed2003

Cystatin 10, a novel chondrocyte-specific protein, may promote the last steps of the chondrocyte differentiation pathway.

This study attempts to characterize cystatin 10 (Cst10), which we recently identified as a novel protein implicated in endochondral ossification. Expression of Cst10 was specific to cartilage, localized in the cytosol of prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes of the mouse growth plate. In the mouse chondrogenic cell line ATDC5, Cst10 expression preceded type X collagen expression and increased in synchrony with maturation. When we compared ATDC5 cells transfected with Cst10 cDNA with cells transfected with a mock vector, hypertrophic maturation and mineralization of chondrocytes were promoted by Cst10 gene overexpression in that type X collagen expression was observed earlier, and alizarin red staining was stronger. On the other hand, type II collagen expression and Alcian blue staining, both of which are markers of the early stage of chondrocyte differentiation, were similar in both cells. Overexpression of the Cst10 gene also caused fragmentation of nuclei, the appearance of annexin V, a change in the mitochondrial membrane potential, and activation of caspases. These results strongly suggest that Cst10 may play an important role in the last steps of the chondrocyte differentiation pathway as an inducer of maturation, followed by apoptosis of chondrocytes.

Alcian Blue↗

PubMed2003

Induction of osteoclast differentiation by Runx2 through receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin regulation and partial rescue of osteoclastogenesis in Runx2-/- mice by RANKL transgene.

Receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL), osteoprotegerin (OPG), and macrophage-colony stimulating factor play essential roles in the regulation of osteoclastogenesis. Runx2-deficient (Runx2-/-) mice showed a complete lack of bone formation because of maturational arrest of osteoblasts and disturbed chondrocyte maturation. Further, osteoclasts were absent in these mice, in which OPG and macrophage-colony stimulating factor were normally expressed, but RANKL expression was severely diminished. We investigated the function of Runx2 in osteoclast differentiation. A Runx2-/- calvaria-derived cell line (CA120-4), which expressed OPG strongly but RANKL barely, severely suppressed osteoclast differentiation from normal bone marrow cells in co-cultures. Adenoviral introduction of Runx2 into CA120-4 cells induced RANKL expression, suppressed OPG expression, and restored osteoclast differentiation from normal bone marrow cells, whereas the addition of OPG abolished the osteoclast differentiation induced by Runx2. Addition of soluble RANKL (sRANKL) also restored osteoclast differentiation in co-cultures. Forced expression of sRANKL in Runx2-/- livers increased the number and size of osteoclast-like cells around calcified cartilage, although vascular invasion into the cartilage was superficial because of incomplete osteoclast differentiation. These findings indicate that Runx2 promotes osteoclast differentiation by inducing RANKL and inhibiting OPG. As the introduction of sRANKL was insufficient for osteoclast differentiation in Runx2-/- mice, however, our findings also suggest that additional factor(s) or matrix protein(s), which are induced in terminally differentiated chondrocytes or osteoblasts by Runx2, are required for osteoclastogenesis in early skeletal development.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Bisphosphonate incadronate inhibits maturation of ectopic bone induced by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2.

To determine the effects of a bisphosphonate on the quality of bone morphogenetic protein-(BMP-) induced bone, incadronate was administered to rats in which subcutaneous ectopic bones were induced by recombinant human BMP-2. Incadronate (1 microg/kg/day) was administered to rats carrying the BMP-induced bones three times per week, from the 3rd to 7th week after BMP implantation (incadronate group). Aliquots of phosphate-buffered saline were administered in the same protocol without incadronate to the control group. During the 3rd, 4th, 7th, or 10th week, the BMP-induced bones were removed and observed by contact microradiography (CMR), H&E staining, enzyme histochemistry for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and immunohistochemistry for cathepsin K. By 3 weeks when administration of incadronate began, woven bones formed in the periphery of the BMP pellets and osteoclasts were attached to these bones. At 4 weeks, in both the incadronate and control groups, bone formation advanced inward. However, in the incadronate group, poorly calcified areas, corresponding to the remaining BMP pellets, were found in the middle areas of bone formation, whereas osteoclasts decreased when compared with those of the control group. During the 10 weeks, bone marrow was formed and the characteristics of lamellar bones, in which the lacunae of small osteocytes were regularly arranged, were noted in the control group. In contrast, the poorly calcified areas were still present up to 10 weeks in incadronate group in which the osteoclasts were also scarcer than in the control group. These findings suggested that osteoclast-mediated bone resorption was inhibited by incadronate administration, and that immature bones including the BMP pellets remained for a long time, indicating that the process of bone maturation was blocked. The possibility of using incadronate for the purpose of inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption was confirmed, but further study is needed before clinical application.

Acid Phosphatase↗

PubMed2003

[Molecular mechanisms of bone calcification].

Bone matrix consists mainly of hydroxyapatite and organics. The latter include various substances which interact with minerals. Osteoblasts secrete these organic substances and control crystal formation and growth of hydroxyapatite. The authors discuss the molecular mechanisms of calcification by focusing on the mineral/organic interaction.

English Abstract↗

PubMed2002

An immunohistochemical study on hard tissue formation in a subcutaneously transplanted rat molar.

While dental pulp undergoes calcification following tooth replantation or transplantation, we actually know little about these mechanisms. We therefore conducted histological and immunohistochemical evaluations of mineralized tissue that formed in the pulp of rat maxillary molar transplanted into abdominal subcutaneous tissue. One, 2, 3, and 4 weeks post-transplantation, the teeth were investigated immunohistochemically using antibodies to osteocalcin (OCN), osteopontin (OPN), bone sialoprotein (BSP), dentin sialoprotein (DSP), and tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP). In the 1st week after transplantation, cell-rich hard tissue was formed at the root apex. At 2 weeks, formations of hard tissue, with few cells in the root canals and bone-like tissue in the coronal pulp chamber, were noted. After 3 and 4 weeks, the amounts of these hard tissues were increased. The immunolocalization of OCN, OPN, and BSP was seen strongly in coronal and apical hard tissues, but weakly in the root hard tissue. Conversely, DSP localized in the root hard tissue, but not in other newly formed hard tissues. At 1 week, TNAP localized along the periphery of the apical hard tissue and the lower surfaces of root predentin. These results demonstrate that the newly formed hard tissues in the pulp cavity of subcutaneously transplanted molars could be classified into three types, suggesting that these might be formed by type-specific cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Insulin receptor substrate-2 maintains predominance of anabolic function over catabolic function of osteoblasts.

Insulin receptor substrates (IRS-1 and IRS-2) are essential for intracellular signaling by insulin and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), anabolic regulators of bone metabolism. Although mice lacking the IRS-2 gene (IRS-2-/- mice) developed normally, they exhibited osteopenia with decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption. Cultured IRS-2-/- osteoblasts showed reduced differentiation and matrix synthesis compared with wild-type osteoblasts. However, they showed increased receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB ligand (RANKL) expression and osteoclastogenesis in the coculture with bone marrow cells, which were restored by reintroduction of IRS-2 using an adenovirus vector. Although IRS-2 was expressed and phosphorylated by insulin and IGF-I in both osteoblasts and osteoclastic cells, cultures in the absence of osteoblasts revealed that intrinsic IRS-2 signaling in osteoclastic cells was not important for their differentiation, function, or survival. It is concluded that IRS-2 deficiency in osteoblasts causes osteopenia through impaired anabolic function and enhanced supporting ability of osteoclastogenesis. We propose that IRS-2 is needed to maintain the predominance of bone formation over bone resorption, whereas IRS-1 maintains bone turnover, as we previously reported; the integration of these two signalings causes a potent bone anabolic action by insulin and IGF-I.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Strong static magnetic field stimulates bone formation to a definite orientation in vitro and in vivo.

The induction of bone formation to an intentional orientation is a potentially viable clinical treatment for bone disorders. Among the many chemical and physical factors, a static magnetic field (SMF) of tesla order can regulate the shapes of blood cells and matrix fibers. This study investigated the effects of a strong SMF (8 T) on bone formation in both in vivo and in vitro systems. After 60 h of exposure to the SMF, cultured mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were transformed to rodlike shapes and were orientated in the direction parallel to the magnetic field. Although this strong SMF exposure did not affect cell proliferation, it up-regulated cell differentiation and matrix synthesis as determined by ALP and alizarin red stainings, respectively. The SMF also stimulated ectopic bone formation in and around subcutaneously implanted bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) 2-containing pellets in mice, in which the orientation of bone formation was parallel to the magnetic field. It is concluded that a strong SMF has the potency not only to stimulate bone formation, but also to regulate its orientation in both in vitro and in vivo models. This is the first study to show the regulation of the orientation of adherent cells by a magnetic field. We propose that the combination of a strong SMF and a potent osteogenic agent such as BMP possibly may lead to an effective treatment of bone fractures and defects.

Alkaline Phosphatase↗