Objectives

The objective of this study was to investigate the association of four single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2) gene, gene-obesity interaction, and haplotype combination with osteoporosis (OP) susceptibility.

Introduction: Our group has previously reported on microarray gene expression profiling of failed aseptic and septic THRs. The data obtained from the Affymetrix DNA chips suggested a range of 21 differentially expressed genes between the tissue samples obtained from the control and study patients with failed aseptic THRs. The variation in expression that was demonstrated did not suggest that the basis of the local tissue reaction that occurs in aseptic loosening of THR is primarily inflammatory in nature. In order to validate these results we have performed quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to analyse the transcriptional levels of genes expression in the samples used in our original study and to formulate a hypothesis of how these candidate genes can be related to aseptic join loosening.

Methods: 3 control and 6 aseptic samples of peri-prosthetic membrane were subjected to RNA extraction. RNA quality analysis and quantification were performed. SYBRâ Green I real time quantitative PCR (RT qPCR) assays were designed using Primer Express [Applied Biosystems] and BLAST searching the resulting sequences. The comparative method for quantitation of gene expression levels, which utilizes arithmetic formulas to give the similar results to those achieved with standard curves, was utilised to validate the cDNA microarray data.

Results: We were able to devise successful quantitative real-time PCR for 15 of the 21 candidate genes plus the reference gene GAPDH. The genes coding for complement component C4B, Osteonectin , ATP2A2 (an ATPase linked to the regulation of adhesion, differentiation and proliferation in tissue that expresses this gene such as bone) and Phospholipase2A, were all found to be under-expressed whereas SLC2A5 (a solute carrier that can facilitate glucose/fructose transport)and NPC1 (intimately involved in cholesterol and glycolipid trafficking and inversely related to PLA2-mediated release of eicosanoids such as PGE2) were found to be over-expressed.

Conclusions: The data from our gene expression and RT-PCR studies have suggested novel pathways that may be intimately involved in the development of peri-prosthetic osteolysis and aseptic loosening that are distinctly different from the currently accepted theory of a proinflammatory cytokine cascade initiated by tissue reaction to particulate wear debris. These include possible alteration in both extra- and intracellular Ca2+ metabolism together with a possible effect upon extra-cellular matrix function. Altered lipid metabolism may also be evident and in particular decreased eicosanoid production. Intriguingly, the pattern of gene expression that is seen our studies would appear to be quite different than that seen in synovial inflammatory arthritidies such as rheumatoid and osteo-arthritis and suggests that previous studies that has used these pathological mechanisms as comparisons or controls may be flawed.

Purpose: Osteolysis associated with periprosthetic loosening is generally associated with the presence of wear particle-associated macrophages which (i) release inflammatory cytokines (e.g. TNFα and IL-1α) and (ii) are capable of osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. The recently identified molecule, RANKL (expressed on osteoblastic cells) has been shown to play a central role in the macrophage-osteoclast differentiation observed in aseptic loosening. However, as TNFα and IL-1α are abundant in periprosthetic tissues and have been shown to mediate wear particle (bone cement)-associated osteolysis in animal models, and as we have recently shown that TNFa can induce osteoclastogenesis in a manner independent of RANKL mechanism, the aim of the present study was to determine whether wear particles, in particular bone cement particles, can affect RANKL- and TNFα-induced osteoclast formation and bone resorption in vitro.

Methods: Murine monocytes were cultured on glass coverslips and dentine slices with or without PMMA particles in presence of:- (i) macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) alone, (ii) M-CSF + soluble RANKL (iii) M-CSF + TNFα or (iv) M-CSF + TNFα + IL-1a. All cultures were maintained for 7–10 days after which the extent of osteoclast differentiation was determined by the expression of specific osteoclast markers including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) on coverslips and evidence of lacunar resorption on dentine slices.

Results: Extensive osteoclast formation and lacunar resorption was evident in monocyte cultures in the presence of soluble RANKL and M-CSF. Addition of PMMA in these cultures increased the extent of RANKL-induced lacunar resorption by about 2 fold. In the absence of soluble RANKL, but in the presence of TNFα (± IL-1α), murine monocytes were also capable of differentiating into active bone resorbing osteoclasts. Addition of PMMA particles to these cultures resulted in a marked increase in the TNFα-induced osteoclas-togenesis. It is worth noting that monocyte cultures containing M-CSF and PMMA particles only did not differentiate into bone resorbing osteoclasts.

Conclusion: These results indicate that PMMA particles can activate both RANKL- and cytokine-induced osteoclast formation and osteolysis. Although, we had previously shown the existence of these two distinct cellular mechanisms in periprosthetic loosening, this is the first report in which wear particles have directly been shown to stimulate these cellular mechanisms independently. Our findings could provide possible therapeutic approaches to control the wear particle-associated early failure of joint replacements.

Purpose: Bone destruction occurs due to the growth of primary malignant bone tumours (sarcomas) that are often not amendable to surgery. Bone resorption is carried out by osteoclasts which are formed from cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Primary malignant bone tumours contain tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in addition to neoplastic cells. The aim of the study was to determine the cellular and humoral conditions required for TAM-osteoclast differentiation and to assess the affect of an anti-osteolytic agent on osteoclastic bone resorption.

Methods: TAMs were isolated form bone and soft tissue sarcoma by collagenase digestion and cultured in the presence of RANKL and M-CSF on coverslips and dentine slices for up to 21 days. The extent of osteoclast formation and resorption was determined by expression of osteoclast markers (TRAP, VNR, cathepsin K) in cell cultures on coverslips and the extent of lacunar resorption in cell cultures on dentine slices.

Results: Osteoclast formation occurred only when RANKL and M-CSF were added to the TAM cultures. This resulted in the formation of numerous mononuclear multinucleated cells which were strongly TRAP, VNR and cathepsin K positive. In cell cultures on dentine slices, it was noted that these cells were capable of extensive lacunar resorption with formation of multiple large lacunar resorption pits. The addition of the bisphosphonate zoledronate to the cell cultures resulted in inhibition of osteoclast formation and complete absence of lacunar resorption.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that sarcoma-associated macrophages are capable of differentiating into osteoclasts and that both RANKL and M-CSF are required for this to occur. This process is likely to contribute to tumour osteolysis associated with the growth of sarcomas in bone. Further assessment of the use of inhibitors of osteoclast formation/resorption, is also indicated by our results.