Bindarit Reduces Bone Loss in Ovariectomized Mice by Inhibiting CCL2 and CCL7 Expression via the NF‐κB Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes in proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, namely, C‐C motif ligand (CCL) 2 and CCL7, in postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) and to develop a new drug, bindarit (Bnd), for PMOP in an ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model. Methods Bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) from the femurs of five women with PMOP and five premenopausal women without osteoporosis were detected by RNA sequencing. BMMs from mice were differentiated into osteoclasts and treated with a synthetic inhibitor of CCL2 and CCL7, Bnd, or 17 beta estradiol (E2). Mouse BMMs were differentiated into osteoclasts with or without Bnd for 7 days and analyzed by RNA sequencing. Osteoblasts of mice were induced to undergo osteoblastogenesis and treated with Bnd. OVX mice were treated with E2 or Bnd after surgery. The protein and mRNA expression of CCL2 and CCL7 was detected using immunostaining and qPCR, respectively, in OVX and aged mice and in cells cultured in vitro. Osteoclast formation was detected using a tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) assay in vitro and in vivo. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected using immunostaining to evaluate osteogenesis. Microcomputed tomography was conducted to analyze trabecular bone parameters, the structure model index, bone mineral density and other variables. Nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) signaling pathway‐related protein phosphorylation of IKKα/β (p‐IKKα/β) and p‐NFκB p65 was examined using western blotting. Results CCL2, CCL7 and their receptor of C‐C chemokine receptor‐2 (CCR2), and the NF‐κB signaling pathway, were significantly increased in women with PMOP. CCL2 and CCL7 protein and mRNA expression was increased in OVX mice and aged female mice, but the increases were attenuated by E2 and Bnd. E2 and Bnd effectively inhibited osteoclastogenesis and the protein expression of CCL2 and CCL7 both in vitro and in vivo and reduced bone loss in OVX mice. Bnd did not affect the mineralization of osteoblasts directly in vitro but reduced bone turnover in vivo. p‐IKKα/β and p‐NFκB p65 levels were increased in BMMs of mice after differentiation into osteoclasts but were significantly decreased by Bnd. Conclusion The proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines CCL2, CCL7 and CCR2 were correlated with PMOP. Bnd attenuated the increases in CCL2 and CCL7 levels to affect osteoporosis in OVX mice via the NFκB signaling pathway. Thus, Bnd may be useful as a new therapeutic for the prevention of PMOP.

SOXC are critical regulators of adult bone mass

“…Production of chemokines from osteoblastic cells is generally inhibited by estrogens. Ccl2 expression is increased in ovariectomized and aged mice, and 17β-estradiol administration lessens this effect 98 . Likewise, the serum level of CCL2 is elevated in postmenopausal osteoporotic women 99 .…”

Transcriptomic characterization of classical monocytes highlights the involvement of immuno-inflammation in bone erosion in Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…Recently, it has been shown that CCL7 levels are higher in serum and synovial fluid of RA patients compared to patients with osteoarthritis (25). Moreover, CCL7 levels have been positively correlated with anti-CCP antibodies in synovial fluid (25), and have also been involved in promoting local bone resorption through osteoclast migrating and differentiation (26).…”

Análise da expressão gênica de monócitos clássicos (CD14++CD16-) de pacientes com artrite reumatoide

“…Reforçando essa hipótese, dados de RNA-seq de macrófagos da medula óssea de mulheres na pós menopausa com osteoporose demonstraram um aumento da expressão de CCL7 e da via de sinalização NF-κ , em comparação a mulheres sem osteoporose (Yuan et al, 2022).…”