Cell interaction with extracellular matrix (ECM) modulates cell growth and differentiation. By using in vitro culture systems, we tested the effect of type I collagen (Coll-I) on signal transduction mechanisms in the osteosarcoma cell line UMR-106 and in primary cultures from neonatal rat calvariae. Cells were cultured for 72 h on Coll-I gel matrix and compared with control cells plated on plastic surfaces. Agonist-dependent and voltage-dependent rises in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i; measured by fura 2 fluorometry) were significantly blunted in cells cultured on Coll-I compared with cells grown on plastic. In UMR-106 cells, the collagen matrix effect was mimicked by 24-h incubation with soluble Coll-I or short peptides containing the arginine-glycine-aspartate motif. Accumulation of cellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) stimulated by parathyroid hormone, cholera toxin, and forskolin was augmented (50-150%) in cells plated on Coll-I vs. control. The collagen effect on both [Ca2+]i- and adenylate cyclase-signaling pathways in UMR-106 cells was abrogated in the presence of protein kinase C (PKC) depletion or inhibition. Also, Coll-I induced a twofold increase in membrane-bound PKC without changing cytosolic PKC activity. Thus, by altering PKC activity, Coll-I modulates the [Ca2+]i- and cAMP-signaling pathways in osteoblasts. This, in turn, may influence bone remodeling processes.

We have recently shown that two mechanisms are involved in the regulation of pHi in the osteoblastic phenotype cell line UMR-106 (Na(+)-H+ antiporter and a Na(+)-independent Cl(-)-HCO 3(-)-OH- exchanger). In the present work, we used the pH-sensitive dye 2',7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5,6-carboxyfluorescein as well as isotope fluxes to investigate the influence of second messengers on the activity of these transporters. Elevation in intracellular calcium concentration [( Ca2+]in) in UMR-106 cells (measured by fura-2 fluorescence) is followed by stimulation of the Cl(-)-HCO3- exchanger, leading to cytosolic acidification. Subsequently, cell alkalinization, mediated by the Na(+)-H+ exchanger, restores pHi to its resting value. An acute reduction in [Ca2+]in abruptly stops the activity of the anion exchanger while having no influence on the activity of the Na(+)-H+ exchanger. The stimulatory effect of Ca2+in on the anion exchanger is dose dependent and is abrogated by the calmodulin inhibitors N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-naphthalenesulfonamide and calmidazolium. An increase in intracellular adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) brought about by forskolin, 8-bromo-cAMP, or prostaglandin E2 leads to inhibition of activity of both the Na(+)-H+ antiporter and the anion exchanger. The suppressive effect of cAMP on Cl(-)-HCO3- exchange could be overcome by elevating [Ca2+]in. We conclude that 1) Ca2+in and cAMP can influence pHi in osteoblasts by altering the activities of pHi regulatory mechanisms and 2) the effect of Ca2+in is probably mediated by calmodulin.

N-Terminal analogs of PTH-related protein (PTHrP) and PTH bind to a common receptor and exhibit similar biological properties. However, recent studies suggest that certain midregion and C-terminal PTHrP peptides have activities distinct from those of PTH in the placenta and in osteoclasts, respectively. In this study we determined the biological activities of full-length recombinant PTHrP-(1-141) and several synthetic N-terminal, midregion, and C-terminal PTHrP fragments in two PTHrP-producing cell types. Peptides were tested for their ability to stimulate cAMP production and raise intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in primary rat aortic smooth muscle cells (VSMC) and UMR-106 rat osteoblast-like (UMR) cells. In UMR cells PTHrP-(1-34)NH2, PTHrP-(1-141), and bovine PTH-(1-34) all increased cAMP (approximately 50 fold) and [Ca2+]i (180 nM). By contrast, in VSMC, these N-terminal peptides increased cAMP (3-fold) but had no detectable effect on [Ca2+]i. PTHrP-(1-34) and PTHrP-(1-141) significantly blunted the angiotensin II-induced rise in cAMP (but not the calcium signal) consistent with the concept that PTHrP opposes angiotensin II activity in VSMC. PTHrP-(67-86)NH2, PTHrP-(107-138)NH2, and PTHrP-(107-111)NH2 had no effect on either cAMP or [Ca2+]i in either cell type. VSMC and UMR-106 cells both expressed a 2.5-kilobase PTH/PTHrP receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) transcript. However, high affinity specific binding of 125I-labeled [Tyr36] PTHrP-(1-36)NH2 was detected in UMR cells but not in VSMC. We conclude that the PTH-like, N terminus of the PTHrP molecule is critical in induction of cAMP and [Ca2+]i pathways in UMR cells, and for cAMP stimulation in VSMC. In addition, PTHrP, like other established vasodilators, signals in VSMC mainly (if not exclusively) by increasing the production of cAMP.

Cytosolic free calcium ([Ca2+]i) is an important regulator of bone cell physiology. We studied the interaction of vitamin D metabolites on the hormonal-activated Ca message system in the osteoblastic cell line UMR-106. The acute rise in [Ca2+]i induced by different calciotropic hormones [parathyroid hormone, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)] was dose dependently blunted by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D3; half-maximal inhibitory concn approximately 5 x 10(-11) M] and was initially observed after 8 h of preincubation. The 1,25(OH)2D3 metabolite of vitamin D was two orders of magnitude more potent than 24,25(OH)2D3 and 25(OH)D3. To discern between an effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on hormonal-induced Ca2+ entry through the plasma membrane channel vs. release of Ca2+ from internal stores, we suspended fura-2-loaded cells in Mn2+ rather than Ca2+ buffers. In cells preincubated with 1,25(OH)2D3, [Ca2+]i release (indicated by [Ca2+]i transient) was significantly blunted, whereas Mn2+ influx (indicating Ca2+ flux across the plasma membrane) was unaltered, suggesting a selective effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on hormonal-activated release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores. 1,25(OH)2D3 also inhibited the PGE2-induced production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. We conclude that, in osteoblasts, chronic (hours) incubation with 1,25(OH)2D3 leads to attenuated stimulation of the [Ca2+]i transduction pathway by calciotropic hormones. This effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 may provide a cellular basis for the synergism between the effects of vitamin D and calciotropic hormones at the bone level.

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