1. |
- Alfredson, Håkan, et al.
(author)
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cDNA-arrays and real-time quantitative PCR techniques in the investigation of chronic Achilles tendinosis.
- 2003
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In: Journal of Orthopaedic Research. - 0736-0266 .- 1554-527X. ; 21:6, s. 970-975
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aetiology and pathogenesis of chronic painful Achilles tendinosis are unknown. This investigation aimed to use cDNA arrays and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) technique to study tendinosis and control tissue samples. Five patients (females mean age 57.1+/-4.3 (years+/-SD)) with chronic painful Achilles tendinosis were included. From all patients, one biopsy was taken from the area with tendinosis and one from a clinically normal area (control) of the tendon. The tissue samples were immediately immersed in RNAlater and frozen at -80 degrees C until RNA extraction. Portions of pooled RNA from control and tendinosis sites, respectively, were transcribed to cDNA, radioactively labelled (32P), hybridized to cDNA expression arrays, and exposed to phosphoimager screens over night. Expressions of specific genes, shown to be regulated in the cDNA array analysis, were analyzed in the individual samples using real-time PCR. cDNA arrays showed that gene expressions for matrix-metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), fibronectin subunit B (FNRB), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and mitogen-activated protein kinase p38 (MAPKp38) were up-regulated, while matrix-metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) and decorin were down-regulated, in tendinosis tissue compared with control tissue. Using real-time PCR, 4/5 and 3/5 patients showed up-regulation of MMP-2 and FNRB mRNA, respectively. For decorin, VEGF, and MAPKp38, real-time PCR revealed a great variability among patients. Interestingly, the mRNAs for several cytokines and cytokine receptors were not regulated, indicating the absence of an inflammatory process in chronic painful Achilles tendinosis. In conclusion, cDNA-arrays and real-time PCR can be used to study differences in gene expression levels between tendinosis and control tendon tissue.
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2. |
- Belibasakis, Georgios N., 1976-
(author)
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Cellular and molecular responses of periodontal connective tissue cells to Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans cytolethal distending toxin
- 2004
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans is present in elevated proportions and numbers in dental bacterial biofilms of patients with localized aggressive periodontitis. This variant of periodontal disease, occurring in adolescents and young adults, is characterized by rapid and severe destruction of the connective tissues and bone supporting the teeth, eventually culminating in tooth loss. The cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is a newly discovered bacterial protein toxin, uniquely present in A. actinomycetemcomitans among all known to-date oral bacterial species. The Cdt has the capacity to inhibit mammalian cell growth, but its putative role in the pathogenesis of the disease is unclear. The aim of this in vitro work has been to study the effects of A. actinomycetemcomitans on periodontal connective tissue cell cultures, and to evaluate the possible involvement of its Cdt. A. actinomycetemcomitans inhibited the proliferation of gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts, as a result of a combined arrest at the G1 and G2/M phases of the cell cycle. This growth inhibition was non-lethal and the cells remained metabolically active, although their DNA synthesis was reduced. The intoxicated cells exhibited increased size and irregular structure, characterized by distension and elongation. This cellular enlargement occurred in both G1 and G2/M phase arrested cells. The Cdt of A. actinomycetemcomitans was responsible for the observed growth inhibition, as well as the concomitant morphological alterations. The possible induction of inflammatory cytokines related to bone resorption was investigated in response to A. actinomycetemcomitans, and the involvement of Cdt was evaluated. Extensive focus was given to the study of receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) expression, a membrane-bound ligand that signals osteoclast progenitors to differentiate and fuse into mature osteoclasts, activating bone resorption. It was demonstrated that A. actinomycetemcomitans induced RANKL mRNA and protein expression in the cells studied, but did not affect the expression of its decoy receptor, osteoprotegerin. This induction was solely attributed to its Cdt, as demonstrated by the use of a cdt-knockout A. actinomycetemcomitans strain, purified recombinant Cdt, and antibodies blocking the Cdt. In addition, this event was not mediated by pro-inflammatory cytokines known to stimulate RANKL. Interleukin-6 mRNA and protein expression were also enhanced by A. actinomycetemcomitans, but Cdt had limited involvement in this enhancement. In conclusion, two distinct mechanisms by which A. actinomycetemcomitans Cdt may be involved in the pathogenesis of localized aggressive periodontitis are proposed. Firstly, the growth arrest of the resident fibroblasts may impair the physiological connective tissue remodelling equilibrium and lead to connective tissue attachment loss. Secondly, the induction of RANKL by these cells, residing in the proximity of the alveolar bone, may locally stimulate osteoclastogenesis and promote alveolar bone resorption. This work also provides further insights to the understanding of Cdt mechanisms of action, contributing to the global characterization of the toxin’s virulence.
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4. |
- Brage, Monica, et al.
(author)
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Osteoclastogenesis is decreased by cysteine proteinase inhibitors.
- 2004
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In: Bone. - : Elsevier BV. - 8756-3282 .- 1873-2763. ; 34:3, s. 412-24
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The effects of cystatin C and other cysteine proteinase inhibitors on osteoclast formation and differentiation have been investigated. Cystatin C decreased osteoclast formation stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), 1,25(OH)2-vitamin D3 or interleukin-6 (IL-6) (in the presence of its soluble receptor) as assessed by the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP+) multinucleated cells in mouse bone marrow cultures. The inhibitory effect was associated with decreased mRNA expression for the calcitonin receptor as well as decreased number of specific binding sites for 125I-calcitonin, and without any effect on the mRNA expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) ligand (RANKL). Similarly, the cysteine proteinase inhibitors leupeptin, E-64 and benzyloxycarbonyl-Phe-Ala-diazomethane (Z-FA-CHN2) decreased PTH-stimulated formation of TRAP+ multinucleated cells and binding of 125I-calcitonin. A peptidyl derivative synthesized to mimic part of the proteinase-binding site of cystatin C (benzyloxycarbonyl-Arg-Leu-Val-Gly-diazomethane, or Z-RLVG-CHN2) also decreased PTH-stimulated osteoclast formation. In a 9-day culture, addition of cystatin C during the last 5 days was sufficient to cause substantial inhibition of osteoclast formation. Cystatin C-induced decrease of osteoclast formation was associated with enhanced number of F4/80-positive macrophages and increased mRNA expression of the macrophage receptor c-fms in the bone marrow culture. Osteoclast formation in mouse bone marrow cultures as well as in mouse spleen cell cultures, stimulated by macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and RANKL was also decreased by different cysteine proteinase inhibitors. In addition, cystatin C inhibited M-CSF/RANKL induction of calcitonin receptor mRNA in spleen cell cultures. The inhibitory effect by cystatin C in spleen cells was associated with decreased mRNA expression of RANK and the transcription factor NFAT2. It is concluded that cysteine proteinase inhibitors decrease formation of osteoclasts by interfering at a late stage of pre-osteoclast differentiation.
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5. |
- Brand, H S, et al.
(author)
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Family 2 cystatins inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption in calvarial bone explants.
- 2004
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In: Bone. - : Elsevier BV. - 8756-3282 .- 1873-2763. ; 35:3, s. 689-96
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Osteoclastic bone resorption depends on the activity of various proteolytic enzymes, in particular those belonging to the group of cysteine proteinases. Biochemical studies have shown that cystatins, naturally occurring inhibitors of these enzymes, inhibit bone matrix degradation. Since the mechanism by which cystatins exert this inhibitory effect is not completely resolved yet, we studied the effect of cystatins on bone resorption microscopically and by Ca-release measurements. Calvarial bone explants were cultured in the presence or absence of family 2 cystatins and processed for light and electron microscopic analysis, and the culture media were analyzed for calcium release. Both egg white cystatin and human cystatin C decreased calcium release into the medium significantly. Microscopic analyses of the bone explants demonstrated that in the presence of either inhibitor, a high percentage of osteoclasts was associated with demineralized non-degraded bone matrix. Following a 24-h incubation in the presence of cystatin C, 41% of the cells were adjacent to areas of demineralized non-degraded bone matrix, whereas in controls, this was only 6%. If bone explants were cultured with both PTH and cystatin C, 60% of the osteoclasts were associated with demineralized non-degraded bone matrix, compared to 27% for bones treated with PTH only (P < 0.01). Our study provides evidence that cystatins, the naturally occurring inhibitors of cysteine proteinases, reversibly inhibit bone matrix degradation in the resorption lacunae adjacent to osteoclasts. These findings suggest the involvement of cystatins in the modulation of osteoclastic bone degradation.
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7. |
- Holmlund, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Bone resorbing activity and cytokine levels in gingival crevicular fluid before and after treatment of periodontal disease.
- 2004
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In: Journal of clinical periodontology. - 0303-6979 .- 1600-051X. ; 31:6, s. 475-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to investigate bone resorption activity (BRA), interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), IL-1 beta and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in sites with no signs of periodontal disease and in sites with horizontal or angular loss of periodontal bone. These assessments were performed before and after periodontal treatment. METHODS: GCFs were collected from 10 individuals with filter strips from two healthy sites and four sites with deep pathological periodontal pockets, two of which showed horizontal bone loss and two with angular bone loss. All diseased pockets were treated with flap surgery and systemic Doxyferm. Twelve months later GCF was collected again and treatment outcome evaluated. BRA in GCFs was assessed in a bone organ culture system by following the release of (45)Ca from neonatal mouse calvariae. The amounts of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1ra in GCFs were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Treatment resulted in reduction of pocket depths with 3.5+/-0.5 mm in sites with angular bone loss and 2.8+/-0.3 mm in sites with horizontal bone loss. Initially, BRA, IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1ra were significantly higher in GCFs from diseased sites compared with healthy sites. No differences in BRA and cytokine levels were seen between GCFs from pockets with horizontal and angular bone losses. The levels of IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-1ra were significantly reduced after treatment of diseased pockets. Pocket depths were significantly correlated to BRA only in pre-treatment sites with angular bone loss. BRA was correlated to Il-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, but not to IL-1ra, in diseased sites with angular bone loss, before and after treatment. The reductions of BRA in the individual sites, seen after treatment, were not correlated to the reductions of Il-1 alpha, IL-1 beta or IL-1ra. CONCLUSIONS: These data show that BRA and cytokine levels are increased in GCFs from sites with periodontal disease and that periodontal treatment results in reduction of the cytokines. Our findings further indicate that IL-1 alpha and IL-1 beta play important roles for the BRA present in GCFs, but that other factors also contribute to this activity.
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8. |
- Lerner, Ulf H, et al.
(author)
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Cysteine proteinases in osteoclast function and recruitment
- 2004
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In: Biological Mechanisms of Tooth Movement and Craniofacial Adaptation. - Boston, Massachusetts, USA : Harvard Society for the Advancement of Orthodontics. - 0963204750 ; , s. 227-227
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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9. |
- Lerner, Ulf H
(author)
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New molecules in the tumor necrosis factor ligand and receptor superfamilies with importance for physiological and pathological bone resorption
- 2004
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In: Critical Reviews in Oral Biology and Medicine. - Alexandria : International association for dental research (IADR). - 1045-4411 .- 1544-1113. ; 15:2, s. 64-81
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Osteoclasts are tissue-specific polykaryon bone-resorbing cells derived from the monocyte/macrophage hematopoietic lineage with specialized functions required for the adhesion of the cells to bone and the subsequent polarization of the cell membrane, secretion of acid to dissolve mineral crystals, and release of proteolytic enzymes to degrade the extracellular matrix proteins. Most pathological conditions in the skeleton lead to loss of bone due to excess osteoclastic bone resorption, including periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoporosis. In rare cases, most of them genetic, patients with osteopetrosis exhibit sclerotic bone due either to a lack of osteoclasts or to non-functional osteoclasts. Mainly because of phenotypic findings in genetically manipulated mice or due to spontaneous mutations in humans, mice, and rats, several genes have been discovered as being crucial for osteoclast formation and activation. Recent breakthroughs in our understanding of osteoclast biology have revealed the critical roles in osteoclast differentiation played by RANKL, RANK, and OPG, three novel members of the tumor necrosis factor ligand and receptor superfamilies. The further study of these molecules and downstream signaling events are likely to provide a molecular basis for the development of new drugs for the treatment of diseases with excess or deficient osteoclastic bone resorption.
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10. |
- Nordström, Anna, 1973-, et al.
(author)
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Interleukin-6 promoter polymorphism is associated with bone quality assessed by calcaneus ultrasound and previous fractures in a cohort of 75-year-old women.
- 2004
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In: Osteoporosis international. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0937-941X .- 1433-2965. ; 15:10, s. 820-6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a multifunctional cytokine and a potent stimulator of bone resorption and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. The aim of this study was to investigate if a functional IL-6 promoter polymorphism (-174) was related to bone mass and fractures in a cohort consisting of 964 postmenopausal Caucasian women aged 75 years. Bone mineral density (BMD; g/cm2) of the femoral neck, lumbar spine and total body was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) was also measured in the calcaneus and quantified as speed of sound (SOS; m/s), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA; dB/MHz), and stiffness index (SI). IL-6 genotypes was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) using the restriction enzyme NlaIII. The frequencies of the different IL-6 genotypes were 27.5% (GG), 47.9% (GC), 24.6% (CC). The IL-6 polymorphism (presence of G) was independently related to a lower stiffness (beta=-0.07; P=0.03) and BUA (beta=-0.08; P=0.02), but not to BMD at any site measured by DXA. In the cohort, 420 subjects (44%) reported at least one fracture during their lifetime, and 349 (36%) reported at least one fracture after the age of 50. Using binary logistic regression, the IL-6 polymorphism (presence of G) was significantly related to an increased risk of a previous fracture during life (odds ratio 1.46, 95% CI 1.08-1.97) and to an increased risk of a fracture occurring after 50 years of age (odds ratio 1.37, 95% CI 1.004-1.88). The risk was further increased for fractures grouped as osteoporotic fractures (odds ratio 1.67, 95% CI 1.14-2.45), including forearm fractures (odds ratio 1.59, 95% CI 1.05-2.40). In conclusion, presence of G allele in the IL-6 promoter polymorphism at position -174 is independently related to previous fractures in postmenopausal women. This association may be related primarily to an altered bone quality identified by QUS and not a lower bone mass. This is also the first demonstration of association of IL-6 gene polymorphism to calcaneal QUS.
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