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J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 276, Issue 39, 36241-36250, September 28, 2001

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Stimulation of Osteoprotegerin (OPG) Gene Expression by Transforming Growth Factor- (TGF-)

MAPPING OF THE OPG PROMOTER REGION THAT MEDIATES TGF- EFFECTS^*

Kannan Thirunavukkarasu^¶§, Rebecca R. Miles^§¶, David L. Halladay^¶, Xuhao Yang^¶, Rachelle J. S. Galvin^¶, S. Chandrasekhar^¶, T. John Martin, and Jude E. Onyia^¶**

From ^¶ Gene Regulation, Bone and Inflammation Research, Lilly Research Laboratories, Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, Indiana 46285 and  St. Vincent's Institute for Medical Research, Fitzroy, Victoria 3065, Australia

Received for publication, May 11, 2001

	ABSTRACT

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

Transforming growth factor- (TGF-) regulates osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast survival, in part through the induction of osteoprotegerin (OPG), a protein known to inhibit osteoclast formation and function. To explore the molecular basis of TGF- regulation of OPG expression, we evaluated the effects of TGF- on osteoclast formation, OPG protein secretion, mRNA expression, and gene transcription. The marked inhibitory effect of TGF- on osteoclast differentiation was confirmed in a co-culture model utilizing murine stromal/osteoblastic BALC cells and bone marrow hematopoietic precursors. This inhibition in osteoclast differentiation was preceded by a decrease in RANKL mRNA expression (5-fold) and a reciprocal increase in OPG mRNA (6.1-fold) and protein (7.1-fold) expression in BALC cells. At the promoter/transcriptional level, TGF- treatment resulted in a 3-10-fold increase in reporter gene activity directed by a 5.9-kilobase fragment of the human OPG promoter in transfection assays performed in UMR106 cells. The effect of TGF- was mimicked by TGF-2 and -3 but not by BMP-4, suggesting a TGF- signal-specific effect. Deletion analysis revealed that a 183-base pair region (372 to 190) in the promoter was required for TGF- responsiveness, and this region was sufficient to confer TGF- inducibility to a heterologous (osteocalcin) minimal promoter. Substitution mutations that disrupted the Cbfa1- and/or Smad-binding elements present in the 183-base pair region resulted in a decrease in base-line expression and in the responsiveness to TGF- and Cbfa1. Collectively, these studies indicate the involvement and possible interaction of Cbfa1 and Smad proteins in mediating the effects of TGF- on OPG transcription.

	INTRODUCTION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

The interaction of osteoclast precursors with cells of the osteoblast lineage is essential for their differentiation to form mature, bone-resorbing osteoclasts. Molecules mediating this interaction include RANK ligand (RANKL)¹ (also known as osteoclast differentiation factor, tumor necrosis factor-related activation-induced cytokine, and OPG ligand) (1, 2) that is expressed on the osteoblast/stromal cell surface and the cognate receptor, receptor activator of NF-B (RANK) (3, 4), expressed on hematopoietic precursor cells. The interaction of RANKL with RANK initiates a cascade of signaling events (4-7) that result in the differentiation of these precursors to form tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated osteoclasts that are capable of resorbing bone. OPG, a secreted glycoprotein of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, acts as a decoy receptor and blocks the interaction between RANKL and RANK, thus inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. OPG has also been shown to inhibit the activity and survival of osteoclasts in vitro and bone resorption in vivo (8-13).

The effects of a number of hormones, growth factors, and cytokines that modulate osteoclast differentiation are mediated by the osteoblasts. Many of these agents have now been shown to exert their actions by regulating OPG and/or RANKL expression in osteoblasts (1, 14-20). TGF- is one such cytokine that plays a major role in the regulation of bone formation and resorption (21). It has been shown to inhibit the formation of osteoclast-like cells in long term human marrow cultures (22) and to inhibit bone resorption in fetal rat long bone cultures (23). More recently, TGF- has been shown to induce OPG expression in osteoblastic cells and to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and survival (17, 19). However it is not known whether TGF- directly affects the transcriptional activity of the OPG gene. To further investigate the molecular basis of TGF- effects on OPG production, we analyzed the effect of TGF- on osteoclast formation, OPG protein secretion, mRNA expression, and gene transcription. In order to analyze the mechanism by which TGF- stimulates OPG gene transcription, we have characterized the TGF--responsiveness of a 5.9-kb fragment of the human OPG promoter that we recently cloned (24). We provide evidence that TGF- inhibition of osteoclast formation is preceded by reciprocal up-regulation of OPG (mRNA and protein) and down-regulation of RANKL. TGF- effects on OPG expression occurred by direct activation of the OPG promoter as demonstrated in transient and stable transfection analyses. Additionally, we demonstrate that a 183-bp proximal region (372 to 190) of the promoter is necessary and sufficient for mediating TGF- effects. Mutation of a Cbfa1-binding element (OSE₂) (25) and/or a Smad-binding element (SBE) (26) that reside in this promoter region resulted in a reduction in base-line expression and in responsiveness to TGF- and Cbfa1. Taken together, our studies suggest the involvement and possible interaction of Cbfa1 and Smad proteins in mediating the effects of TGF- on the OPG promoter.

	EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

Co-culture of Bone Marrow Cells and BALC Cells

For analyzing the role of TGF- on osteoclast differentiation, co-cultures of bone marrow cells and BALC cells (a murine calvarial-derived cell line) were performed in the presence or absence of TGF- as described previously (27, 28). Bone marrow cells from the femora of male Balb/C mice (aged 10 weeks; Taconic, Germantown, NY) were seeded into 24-well cluster dishes (Costar, Cambridge, MA) at a density of 5 × 10⁴ mononuclear cells/cm² in RPMI 1640 (Life Technologies, Inc., Gaithersburg, MD) containing 5% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum (Hyclone, Logan, UT) and 1% antibiotic/antimycotic solution (Life Technologies). BALC cells (1.5 × 10⁴ cells/cm²) were co-cultured with the bone marrow cells. The cultures were treated either with vehicle or with 10⁸ M 1,25-(OH)₂ vitamin D₃, (Biomol, Plymouth Meeting, PA) in the presence of vehicle or recombinant human TGF- (0.01-10 ng/ml) (R & D Systems, Minneapolis, MN) for 6 days, with fresh medium and reagents added on day 3. At the termination of the experiments, the cultures were fixed with 10% formalin for 10 min and stained for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity as previously described (27). The number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells (containing three or more nuclei) was counted in each well.

Cloning of the Human OPG Promoter

Cloning of the 5.9-kb fragment of the human OPG promoter (pOPG5.9gal) as well as sequential 5'-deletions of the promoter (pOPG3.6gal, pOPG1.9gal, pOPG1.5gal, pOPG0.9gal, pOPG0.4gal, and pOPG0.2gal) linked to the -galactosidase (-gal) reporter gene in pgal-Basic reporter vector (CLONTECH, Palo Alto, CA), were performed using standard cloning procedures, as described previously (24).

Site-directed mutagenesis of the proximal OSE₂ element, the AP1-like element, and the SBE was performed using the two-step PCR strategy (29). The proximal OSE₂ core element (AACCTCA, at positions 309 to 303) in the pOPG0.9gal construct (in the pgal-Basic vector backbone) was substituted with a random sequence of six nucleotides (AGATATC; EcoRV recognition site underlined). The AP1-like element (GGAGACA, at positions 293 to 287) was substituted with a 6-nucleotide random sequence (CTCGAGA; XhoI recognition site underlined), and the SBE element (CAGACA, at positions 230 to 225) was substituted with the 6-nucleotide random sequence (GAATTC; EcoRI recognition site). The mutant primers used for one of the two first-step PCRs were 5'-ctc atc aat gta tct tat gg-3' (pgal-F; vector primer) with either 5'-gct gtc tcc gcg ggg ctc gat atc ttc ccg gcc cct tcc cgc c-3' (OSEmutRev), 5'-gag gaa caa ggc ggc tgc tct cga ggc ggg gct ctg agg ttt cc-3' (OPGAP1mR), or 5'-gag ggg tgg ggc ggt ggg aat tcg ccc ctg gga gag cag ggg aa-3' (SBEmutRev). For the other first step PCR, either 5'-ggc ggg aag ggg ccg gga aga tat cga gcc ccg cgg aga cag cag ccg-3' (OSEmutFor), 5'-cag agc ccc gcc tcg aga gca gcc gcc ttg ttc ctc ag-3' (OPGAP1mF), or 5'-gct ctc cca ggg gcg aat tcc cac cgc ccc acc cct cac gcc-3' (SBEmutFor) was used with 5'-gtc aaa gta aac gac atg-3' (pgal-R; vector primer). The second-step PCR was performed with flanking primers (pgal-F and pgal-R), using the two first step PCR products as template. To generate the OSE₂, AP1-like, and SBE mutant constructs (pOPG0.9OSEmutgal, pOPG0.9AP1mutgal, and pOPG0.9SBEmutgal), the second-step PCR product was digested with Asp718 and BglII and was ligated to pgal-Basic vector containing the same restriction ends. To generate the OSE₂, AP1-like, and SBE mutations in pOPG0.4gal, the 0.4-kb region (372 to +19) containing the mutation was PCR-amplified from pOPG0.9OSEmutgal, pOPG0.9AP1mutgal, and pOPG0.9SBEmutgal, respectively, using the primers, 5'-ata ggt acc gcc cag ccc tcc cac cgc tgg t-3' (OPG392AspF) and pgal-R. The PCR product was digested with Asp718 and BglII and ligated to pgal-Basic vector that was digested with the same enzymes.

In order to link the 183-bp region (372 to 190) upstream of the osteocalcin minimal promoter (34/+13) (25), PCR amplification was performed using OPG392AspF as forward primer and 100OPGOG2 (5'-ata tag atc tga ctt gtc tgt tcc tgc acc ctc cag cat cca gta gca ttt ata tcg ccc agg gag gtg ggg cgt ga-3') as reverse primer (that contains a BglII restriction site and the osteocalcin 34/+13 sequence at the 5'-end). pOPG0.4gal served as template. The resultant PCR products were digested with Asp718 and BglII and ligated to pgal-Basic vector that was digested with the same enzymes to generate the 372 to 190 OCgal construct. Substitution mutations in the OSE2, AP1-like, and SBE elements were created in the 372 to 190 OCgal construct by PCR amplification using the appropriate mutant pOPG0.4gal construct as template and OPG392AspF and 100OPGOG2 as forward and reverse primers, respectively. The 34/+13 OCgal construct was created by annealing OG2For (5'-tat agg tac ccg ata taa atg cta ctg gat gct gga ggg tgc agg aac aga caa gtc aga tct ata t-3') and OG2Rev (5'-ata tag atc tga ctt gtc tgt tcc tgc acc ctc cag cat cca gta gca ttt ata tcg ggt acc tat a-3') oligonucleotides, digesting the double-stranded oligonucleotide with Asp718 and BglII, and ligating them to pgal-Basic digested with the same enzymes. Double mutants (OSE₂ and SBE) were created utilizing the same two-step PCR strategy, with a template containing the OSE₂ mutation and primers containing the SBE mutation.

pEF/myc/cyto (control vector) was purchased from Invitrogen (Carlsbad, CA). pEF-Cbfa1 containing the coding region for the Cbfa1 isoform starting with amino acids MASNS and ending with VWRPY (Osf2Met⁶⁹) (30), was generated as described previously (24).

The integrity of all plasmid constructs was confirmed by restriction mapping and automated DNA sequencing.

Sequence Analysis

The GCG Wisconsin Package (Genetics Computer Group, Inc., Madison, WI) was used to analyze the 5.9-kb OPG promoter for the presence of consensus transcription factor binding sites, including AP1 sites, SBEs, OSE₂ (Cbfa1-binding element), and other elements.

Cell Culture and DNA Transfection

BALC cells were grown as described above (27). The UMR106 rat osteosarcoma cell line was maintained in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/Ham's F-12 medium (3:1) (Life Technologies), supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum, 50 mM Hepes, and 2 mM glutamine. All cultures were maintained at 37 °C in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO₂. Experiments were initiated when cells were ~70-80% confluent.

Transient Transfection-- For studies on TGF- induction, UMR106 cells (2 × 10⁵ cells/well) were plated in six-well plates and incubated for 24 h. Cells were then serum-starved for 12-16 h (in medium containing 0.1% serum) and then transfected with 1 µg of either the OPG promoter-gal construct(s) or the negative control promoterless plasmid pgal-Basic, using Fugene^TM 6 transfection reagent (Roche Molecular Biochemicals) as recommended by the manufacturer. Approximately 5.5 h after transfection, the medium was removed and replaced with complete medium. Four hours later, the cells were subjected to serum starvation (in medium containing 0.1% serum) overnight. Cells were then treated with either vehicle or TGF- (10 ng/ml) for the indicated times. After the treatments, cells were lysed in 100 µl of lysis buffer, and -gal activity was assayed in a fixed amount of the extracts (one-fifth of total) using the -gal reporter gene assay kit (Roche Molecular Biochemicals). -gal enzyme activity was determined and expressed as relative light units or as the percentage change over control activity (serum-free controls, with no TGF- addition). The results from a representative experiment are shown as the mean ± S.E. of 4-12 separate wells.

As a positive control and to verify transfection efficiency, separate plates were transfected with a -gal expression plasmid (pgal-Promoter; CLONTECH, Palo Alto, CA), that has the -gal reporter gene coding region under the control of the SV40 early promoter. This was done to avoid possible squelching of factors that could arise when cotransfecting multiple plasmids (31, 32). -gal expression was quantified either by histochemical staining or by -gal enzymatic assay. The transfection efficiency was 85-90% and comparable across plates. Additionally, all of our experiments were repeated many times (~2-6 times) using multiple clones of the same construct and different preparations of the plasmids. The results obtained under these conditions were similar or identical in nature. Furthermore, the luciferase reporter vector was not used to normalize for transfection efficiency because of our recent finding that cryptic enhancer elements in the promoterless luciferase reporter vector pGL3-Basic could mediate transactivation by Cbfa1, leading to spurious background luciferase expression (33).

For Cbfa1 transactivation studies, 2 × 10⁵ cells were plated per well in six-well plates and incubated for 24 h. Cells were transfected with 1 µg each of the reporter plasmid (OPG promoter-gal constructs or the negative control promoterless plasmid pgal-Basic) and the effector plasmid (pEF-Cbfa1 or the control expression vector, pEF/myc/cyto) and incubated for an additional 48 h.

Stable Transfection-- The OPG promoter construct pOPG5.9gal (5917 to +19), was stably transfected into UMR106 cells using Fugene^TM 6 reagent (Roche Molecular Biochemicals) as recommended by the manufacturer. A second plasmid, pRc/CMV (Invitrogen, San Diego, CA), encoding the neomycin gene was cotransfected for selection. Forty-eighty hours after transfection in T25 flasks (Corning Glass), cells were reseeded (1:10) into T75 flasks (Corning Glass) and selected in medium containing 1 mg/ml G418 for 10 days. Regular medium changes were made at 3-4-day intervals. On day 10, randomly selected G418-resistant colonies (containing more than 50 cells) were picked and expanded in fresh medium containing 1 mg/ml G418. For analysis of gene expression, selected colonies were plated in 96-well plates (50,000 cells/well) for 24 h, and experiments were initiated following serum withdrawal for 12-16 h. Cells were stimulated with TGF-1, -2, -3, or BMP-4 (R & D Systems), as indicated and analyzed as described above for transient transfection assays.

-gal Assays

Cell extracts were assayed for -gal activity using the -gal reporter gene assay kit (Roche Molecular Biochemicals) as recommended by the manufacturer. Luminescence was measured in a Dynatech MLX luminometer, and light integration was measured at 2 s (relative luminescence units summed). Results were analyzed using Student's t test, and probability (p) values of less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

mRNA Isolation and Northern Blot Analysis

BALC and UMR106 cells were plated in T150 flasks, allowed to grow to 70-80% confluence, transferred to medium containing 0.1% serum for 12-16 h, and then treated with TGF- (10 ng/ml) for the indicated periods of time. Total RNA was extracted using Ultraspec-II^TM reagent, as recommended by the manufacturer (Biotecx, Houston, TX). Poly(A)⁺ RNA was isolated from total RNA using Oligotex resin (Qiagen, Santa Clarita, CA) according to the manufacturer's protocol and quantified by spectrophotometry. OPG, RANKL, Cbfa1, and GAPDH cDNAs were used to generate radioactive probes using the Random Primer DNA labeling kit (Life Technologies). 25 ng of cDNA were labeled using [-³²P]dCTP (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech), and free nucleotides were removed by centrifugation through a Centricon-50 column (Amicon). OPG and RANKL mRNA expression was analyzed by Northern blot. GAPDH was used as a control for RNA integrity and to normalize for variations in loading and transfer efficiency. Prehybridization and hybridization were carried out at 48 °C in NorthernMax buffers (Ambion, Inc., Austin, TX). After hybridization, the membranes were washed for 30 min at room temperature in buffer containing 2× SSC and 0.1% SDS and then for 30 min at 48 °C in 0.2× SSC and exposed to Biomax MS x-ray film (Eastman Kodak Co.) at 70 °C. Autoradiograms were quantified by scanning laser densitometry (LKB 2400 Gel Scan XL; Amersham Pharmacia Biotech).

OPG Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay

In order to quantify the amount of OPG secreted into the cell culture medium, BALC cells (4800 cells/well) were plated in 96-well plates, treated with TGF- (10 ng/ml), and incubated for 72 h. The amount of OPG secreted into the culture medium was analyzed using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay procedure, utilizing rabbit polyclonal antiserum directed against recombinant human OPG, as described previously (18, 24).

	RESULTS

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

TGF- Stimulates the Expression of Endogenous OPG in Stromal (BALC) and Osteoblastic (UMR106) Cell Lines-- We reported earlier that co-culture of the murine calvaria-derived stromal/osteoblastic cell line BALC along with murine bone marrow cells in the presence of 1,25-(OH)₂ vitamin D₃ resulted in the differentiation of hematopoietic osteoclast progenitors in the bone marrow to form tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive, multinucleated osteoclasts (27, 34). These osteoclasts expressed calcitonin receptor and were fully capable of resorbing bone in pit formation assays performed on bovine cortical bone slices. The addition of TGF- to these co-cultures resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in the number of osteoclasts formed (Fig. 1A). At a concentration of 10 ng/ml, TGF- completely inhibited the differentiation of osteoclast precursors.

View larger version (30K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 1.   TGF- stimulates endogenous OPG gene expression in BALC stromal/osteoblastic cells and UMR106 osteosarcoma cells. A, TGF- treatment results in a dose-dependent inhibition of osteoclast differentiation in co-culture assays. Co-culture of mouse bone marrow cells and BALC stromal cells was performed in the presence of 108 M 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D3 and different amounts of recombinant human TGF- as described under "Experimental Procedures." The number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive multinucleated cells formed in the cultures was determined on day 6, and the data (mean of osteoclast number ± S.E.) from a representative experiment are shown. The dashed line at the top represents the number of osteoclasts formed in a control culture to which no TGF- was added. B, BALC cells were treated with 10 ng/ml TGF- for the designated periods of time. Northern blot analysis was performed using 2 µg of poly(A)+ RNA in each lane that was probed with OPG-, or RANKL-specific probes. GAPDH was used as a control for RNA integrity and to normalize for variations in loading and transfer efficiency. Densitometrically quantified band intensities are shown as -fold induction (OPG) or -fold inhibition (RANKL) over untreated control cells (zero time point). C, reciprocal regulation of OPG and RANKL by TGF- in BALC cells. For the sake of comparison, the normalized band intensities shown in the Northern blot are depicted graphically. OPG levels are indicated as percentage of maximum expression (observed at 12 h), and the RANKL levels are indicated as percentage of control (0 h). D, stimulation of OPG protein secretion by TGF- in BALC cells. BALC cells were treated with vehicle or TGF- (10 ng/ml) for a period of 72 h, and the amount of OPG protein secreted into the culture medium was quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay as described under "Experimental Procedures." E, Northern blot analysis of endogenous OPG gene expression in UMR106 cells that were treated with vehicle or TGF- (10 ng/ml) for the indicated times. The normalized -fold induction values are shown at the bottom.

Since a reciprocal expression of OPG and RANKL in osteoblasts/stromal cells is essential for supporting osteoclast formation (35), we analyzed the effect of TGF- on OPG and RANKL expression in BALC cells. As shown in Fig. 1, B and C, treatment of BALC cells with TGF- (10 ng/ml) led to a time-dependent increase in the steady state levels of OPG mRNA, with a maximum of 6.1-fold stimulation observed after 12 h of treatment, and a parallel decrease (~5-fold) in RANKL mRNA levels. Consistent with the increase in OPG mRNA levels, treatment of BALC cells with TGF- led to a 7.1-fold increase in the amount of OPG protein secreted into the culture medium (Fig. 1D). TGF- had a very similar effect in stimulating OPG mRNA (3.7-fold increase at 24 h) (Fig. 1E) and protein levels (data not shown) in the rat osteosarcoma cell line UMR106.

TGF- Stimulates OPG Promoter Activity in Vitro-- To better understand the mechanism by which TGF- regulates OPG expression, we investigated its effect on OPG gene transcription. We analyzed the human OPG promoter (5917 to +19) fused to the -gal reporter gene (24) in both transient and stable transfections in UMR106 cells. UMR106 cells were chosen for these studies because of their clonal stability and their receptiveness to transfection. To demonstrate that the promoter is functional, we first analyzed its ability to drive -gal expression in transient transfection assays. The 5.9-kb promoter resulted in a 3.7-fold increase in -gal expression compared with the promoterless reporter vector (pgal-Basic) (Fig. 2A), and treatment with TGF- led to a 3.6-fold increase in promoter activity directed by the 5.9-kb promoter (Fig. 2A). To further confirm the functionality and TGF--responsiveness of the promoter, we generated stable transfectants. We isolated three randomly picked clones that either had a low, medium, or high basal expression of -gal activity. Treatment of these clones with TGF- led to a dose-dependent (optimal 10 ng/ml) and time-dependent (optimal 24-48 h) increase in OPG promoter activity in all three clones. The data from a representative clone that showed a 5-fold increase in promoter activity upon treatment with varying concentrations of TGF- for 48 h is depicted in Fig. 2B. In the time course assay (Fig. 2C), TGF- treatment points beyond 48 h were not tested because the cells do not tolerate low serum conditions (0.1% serum) for prolonged periods.

View larger version (15K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 2.   TGF- stimulates OPG promoter activity in UMR 106 cells. The 5.9-kb human OPG promoter that was linked to the -gal reporter gene (in pgal-Basic reporter vector) was used for functional studies. A, basal and TGF--stimulated expression (mean ± S.E.) of the OPG promoter in UMR106 cells transiently transfected with pOPG5.9gal and subsequently treated with 10 ng/ml TGF- for 48 h. B, TGF- results in a dose-dependent increase in OPG promoter activity in a randomly selected stable clone of UMR106 cells that harbor the pOPG5.9gal construct. -gal activity (mean ± S.E.) directed by the OPG promoter was measured after 48 h of TGF- treatment and is expressed as relative light units. C, time course of TGF- responsiveness of the OPG promoter. -gal activity is expressed as percentage change over control activity (serum-free control, with no TGF- addition). The results represent the mean ± S.E. of 4-8 separate treatments.

Effect of TGF- Isoforms and Members of the TGF- Superfamily on OPG Promoter Activity-- Members of the TGF- superfamily exert their influences on cell growth, development, and differentiation by binding to their cognate receptors on the cell surface, followed by the utilization of related, yet distinct signaling pathways involving various members of the Smad protein family (36, 37). In order to distinguish the putative signal transduction pathway(s) involved, we tested the effects of different isoforms of TGF- (TGF-1, -2, and -3) as well as BMP-4 on OPG promoter activity in the UMR106 stable clone. As shown in Fig. 3, all three isoforms of TGF- led to an almost identical level of stimulation of the promoter. However, BMP-4 did not stimulate promoter activity even at the highest concentration tested (100 ng/ml).

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 3.   TGF-1, -2, and -3 but not BMP-4 stimulate OPG promoter activity. UMR106 cells that were stably transfected with the OPG promoter were treated with increasing amounts of TGF-1, -2, -3, or BMP-4 and incubated for 48 h. The -gal activity (mean ± S.E.) measured in cell extracts from a representative experiment (of three experiments done in triplicate) is shown.

Identification of the Region in the OPG Promoter That Is Responsible for Mediating TGF- Effects-- In order to map the region of the OPG promoter that confers responsiveness to TGF-, we made sequential 5'-deletions of the promoter in the context of the gal reporter construct pOPG5.9gal (24) and obtained seven different deletion constructs that are shown schematically in Fig. 4A. These constructs were transiently transfected into UMR106 cells that were then treated with vehicle or TGF- (10 ng/ml) for 48 h. Assay for -gal activity in cell extracts showed that sequential deletions of the promoter up to the 0.4-kb region resulted in a slight increase in base-line expression. However, deletion of the region between 0.4 and 0.2 kb (372 to 190) resulted in a substantial drop in base-line promoter activity, and the removal of the entire proximal promoter region (pgal-Basic) resulted in an almost complete loss of base-line activity. The SV40 promoter-driven gal construct (SV40-gal) was used as a positive control, and it directed high levels of gal expression compared with all of the OPG promoter-gal constructs (Fig. 4A).

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 4.   Mapping the region of the OPG promoter that is responsible for mediating TGF- effects. A, schematic representation of the OPG promoter deletion constructs. Deletions were made using suitable restriction sites and subcloned into pgal-Basic vector. The basal levels of -gal expression (mean ± S.E.) directed by the constructs are shown as percentage of activity directed by the 5.9-kb promoter fragment. The SV40-gal construct served as a positive control and also enabled us to compare the relative strength of the OPG promoter. B, analysis of OPG deletion constructs for responsiveness to TGF-. The deletion constructs were transiently transfected into UMR106 cells, followed by treatment with vehicle or TGF- (10 ng/ml) for 48 h. The -gal activity (mean ± S.E.) in TGF--treated cell extracts (open circles) is expressed as percentage increase over its own control (no TGF- added; shaded circles). As an additional control, cells were also transfected with the promoterless -gal vector (pgal-Basic).

In terms of TGF- responsiveness, the longer promoter sequences (5.9-1.9 kb) gave the greatest response to TGF- (300-400% of control) (Fig. 4B). Deletion of the sequence between 1.9 and 1.5 kb (1855 to 1455) resulted in a strong decline in TGF- responsiveness. Further 5' deletions up to 0.9 and 0.4 kb did not significantly decrease TGF- responsiveness, while deletion of the region between 0.4 and 0.2 kb (372 to 190) completely abolished the response to TGF- (Fig. 4B). Thus, there are proximal (372 to 190) and distal (1855 to 1455) regions in the 5.9-kb OPG promoter that contribute to majority of the TGF- responsiveness, and the proximal region is required for responsiveness.

The 372 to 190 Nucleotide Region of the OPG Promoter Confers TGF- Responsiveness to a Heterologous Minimal Promoter-- Since the deletion of the 183-bp region between 372 and 190 led to a complete loss of response to TGF-, we focused on this region and tested whether this fragment could function as a TGF- response region in the context of a heterologous minimal promoter. We generated a reporter construct containing the 183-bp region linked to the 34/+13 fragment of osteocalcin minimal promoter (25) upstream of the -gal reporter gene in pgal-Basic (Fig. 5) and performed transient transfection assays. The osteocalcin minimal promoter by itself directed very low base-line -gal expression and did not respond significantly to TGF- treatment (Fig. 5). In contrast, the construct containing the 183-bp fragment had a high base-line expression. Furthermore, treatment with TGF- resulted in a 5-fold increase in -gal activity directed by this construct (Fig. 5), suggesting that the 183-bp region is sufficient to confer TGF- responsiveness to an otherwise unresponsive heterologous minimal promoter.

View larger version (10K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 5.   The region of the OPG promoter between 372 and 190 nucleotides (183-bp fragment) imparts TGF- responsiveness to a heterologous (osteocalcin) minimal promoter. The 183-bp fragment of the OPG promoter was linked to the 34/+13 fragment of the osteocalcin minimal promoter using PCR and ligated upstream of the -gal coding sequence (372 to 190 OCgal). This construct was transiently transfected into UMR106 cells that were subsequently treated with vehicle or TGF- (10 ng/ml) for 48 h. As a control, a construct containing the osteocalcin minimal promoter (34/+13 OCgal) linked to -gal was used. The -fold induction in -gal activity (mean ± S.E.) from a representative experiment, done in triplicate wells, is shown.

Identification of the TGF- Response Element(s) in the Proximal (183-bp) Region of the OPG Promoter-- In order to delineate the DNA element(s) in the 183-bp region (372 to 190) that may be involved in mediating TGF- effects, we analyzed the sequence of this region for the presence of consensus transcription factor binding sites. In addition to the Cbfa1-binding element (OSE₂) (the deletion or mutation of which leads to a ~50% decrease in Cbfa1-mediated transactivation (24)), we have noted the presence of an AP1-like element and a consensus SBE (Fig. 6A) in this region of the promoter. An AP1 element has been shown to mediate TGF- induction of the TGF-1 and c-jun gene promoters (38), and the Smad binding element has been shown to mediate TGF- effects on the jun-B promoter (26) via inducible binding of the Smad3 and Smad4 proteins. The SBE sequence (CAGACA) (26) as well as artificial elements containing this sequence (39, 40) have been shown to function as Smad-binding sites using both gel shift and transfection assays. However, it should be noted that the AP1-like element (GGAGACA) in the human OPG promoter does not match the consensus (TGAg/cTCA) as well as nonconsensus binding site sequences that are known to mediate AP1 effects on various genes (41).

View larger version (22K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 6.   Functional analysis of the role of consensus DNA elements (OSE2, AP1-like, and SBE) in mediating TGF- effects on the OPG promoter. A, mutational analysis of the role of the OSE2 (AACCTCA), AP1-like (GGAGACA), and SBE (CAGACA) elements in the context of the native (OPG) promoter. The spatial arrangement of OSE2, AP1-like element, and SBE in the region between 372 and 190 nucleotides in the OPG promoter are shown. The nucleotide numbers represent the location of the elements corresponding to the transcription start site (+1) (50). Substitution mutations were made to disrupt the sequence of one or more of the DNA elements (either individually or in combination) (OSE2, AACCTCA  AGATATC; AP1-like, GGAGACA  CTCGAGA; SBE, CAGACA  GAATTC). The wild type and mutant constructs were transiently transfected into UMR106 cells that were then treated with TGF- (10 ng/ml) for 48 h. Three independent transfection experiments were performed in triplicate, and the -gal activities (mean ± S.E.) from a representative experiment are shown. B, mutational analysis of the role of the elements in the context of a heterologous (osteocalcin) promoter. To assess the function of the elements in the context of the osteocalcin minimal promoter, the same substitution mutations were created in (372 to 190 OCgal) construct. The constructs were transfected into UMR106 cells that were then treated with TGF- (10 ng/ml) for 48 h. The -gal activity (mean ± S.E.) in cell extracts from one of three independent experiments done in triplicate is shown. C, stimulation of Cbfa1 mRNA expression by TGF-. UMR106 cells were treated with either vehicle or 10 ng/ml TGF- for 24 h, and poly(A)+ RNA was isolated. Northern blot analysis was performed with 2 µg of RNA and probed with Cbfa1 and GAPDH probes. The Cbfa1 band intensities were quantified and then normalized to GAPDH levels. The -fold induction in Cbfa1 expression in TGF--treated cells compared with untreated control cells is shown. Two independent analyses were performed, and identical results were obtained.

To assess the role of these DNA elements in mediating TGF- responsiveness of the 183-bp sequence, we performed substitution mutagenesis of the elements (either alone or in combination) in the context of the native (OPG) promoter (Fig. 6A) and in the context of the heterologous (osteocalcin) minimal promoter (Fig. 6B). These constructs were then transiently transfected into UMR106 cells that were subsequently treated with either vehicle or TGF-. Mutations in the native promoter that disrupted the OSE₂ or SBE resulted in a ~25-35% decrease in base-line expression and a 35-50% decrease in TGF- responsiveness, whereas disruption of both the elements resulted in a further decrease in both base-line expression and TGF- responsiveness (Fig. 6A). However, disruption of the AP1-like element had no significant effect on either base-line expression or TGF- responsiveness, suggesting that it is not a functional AP1-binding site. Consistent with the transactivation studies, we were not able to detect a specific DNA-binding complex using the AP1-like element as a probe in electrophoretic mobility shift assays. In contrast, a specific DNA-binding complex was observed with the OSE2 or SBE, but binding intensity or pattern was not altered by TGF- (24, 26, 39, 40) (data not shown).

In the context of the heterologous promoter (Fig. 6B), mutation of the OSE₂ and SBE elements either alone or in combination resulted in a similar decrease in TGF- responsiveness, although the OSE₂ mutation resulted in an increase in base-line expression. Furthermore, mutation of the AP1-like element did not significantly affect either base-line expression or TGF- responsiveness, thus providing additional confirmation that this site does not serve as a functional AP1-binding element.

Based on our observation that a mutation in the OSE2 element results in a significant decrease in TGF--mediated stimulation of OPG promoter activity, we asked whether TGF- treatment would result in an induction of Cbfa1 gene expression in UMR106 cells. Indeed, a Northern blot of RNA isolated from TGF--treated UMR106 cells showed a consistent 2.5-fold increase in Cbfa1 mRNA levels compared with untreated cells (Fig. 6C). This observation is suggestive of the functional relevance of the proximal OSE2 element in mediating TGF- effects on OPG promoter activity.

Mutation of the Smad-binding Element Results in a 40-45% Decrease in Cbfa1-mediated Transactivation of the OPG Promoter-- Recent studies have shown that there is a physical and functional cooperation between Smad proteins and Cbfa homologs and that they synergistically confer TGF- responsiveness to the human and mouse germ line IgA genes (42-44). In addition, a region containing two copies of the core-binding element (identical to OSE2, to which all Cbfa homologs are capable of binding) has been shown to function as a TGF- response element in the mouse IgA promoter (42).

Prompted by the decrease in TGF- responsiveness in constructs containing either the SBE or OSE₂ mutation, we next tested whether there is any functional interaction between the cognate factors binding to these elements (Smad proteins and Cbfa1, respectively) in the regulation of OPG promoter. For these experiments, we examined the effect of SBE mutation on Cbfa1 transactivation of the proximal OPG promoter (372 to +19, pOPG0.4gal). The proximal OPG promoter construct (with a mutation in the SBE, OSE₂, or both) was co-transfected with a Cbfa1 expression construct (pEF-Cbfa1) into UMR106 cells. As reported previously in other osteoblastic cell lines (24), mutation of the OSE₂ element (proximal OSE₂) resulted in a ~40% decrease in Cbfa1-mediated transactivation. Interestingly, disruption of the SBE also resulted in a 45% decrease, and disruption of both the OSE₂ and SBE resulted in a 75% decrease in Cbfa1 transactivation of the promoter. This suggests the possible functional interaction between factors binding to the OSE₂ and SBE in the regulation of OPG promoter activity mediated by Cbfa1 and TGF-.

	DISCUSSION

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES

Osteoclast differentiation involves the interaction between adherent stromal cells and nonadherent hematopoietic progenitor cells via specific cell surface molecules. Proteins involved in this interaction include RANKL, a membrane-bound ligand that is expressed on the surface of stromal/osteoblastic cells, and the cognate receptor RANK, found on the surface of hematopoietic cells. OPG, a soluble factor that is secreted by a variety of cell types, functions as a decoy receptor for RANKL, thereby competing for the interaction between RANKL and RANK and leading to the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation. Cytokines and hormones that regulate osteoclast differentiation exert their effects by modulating the expression and/or activity of one or more of these molecules.

In the present study, we evaluated the effect of TGF- on osteoclast formation and OPG expression. Our results confirm that TGF- inhibits osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner in co-culture assays involving mouse bone marrow cells and BALC stromal/osteoblastic cells. Further, concentrations of TGF- that inhibit osteoclast formation resulted in an increase in steady state levels of OPG mRNA and a concomitant decrease in the levels of RANKL mRNA in BALC cells. The expression of mRNA for OPG and RANKL was reciprocal and temporally preceded TGF- effects on osteoclast formation, reminiscent of the established roles of OPG and RANKL in regulating osteoclast formation. These results are in agreement with previous observations showing that TGF- regulates OPG and RANKL expression in ST2 stromal cells (19) and mouse calvaria-derived primary osteoblasts (17). We have shown that TGF- treatment increases secretion of OPG protein in BALC cells and provide evidence that TGF- directly stimulates OPG promoter activity in experiments using the UMR106 osteosarcoma cells. TGF- treatment resulted in a dose- and time-dependent stimulation of OPG promoter activity. The effects were mimicked by two of the isoforms of TGF- (TGF-2 and TGF-3) but not by BMP-4. Even at a 10-fold higher concentration (100 ng/ml), BMP-4 could not induce OPG promoter activity, suggesting a TGF- signal-specific effect. These results suggest that TGF- signal-specific Smad proteins (Smad2 and -3), along with the common Smad (Smad4) are involved in mediating TGF- induction of the OPG promoter. It has recently been reported that BMPs stimulate OPG promoter expression (45) based on the evidence that overexpression of Smad1 and a constitutively active type IA BMP receptor (ALK3) in C3H10T1/2 cells results in an increase in OPG promoter activity. Two Hox binding sites in the OPG promoter have been shown to mediate this effect. However, this conclusion is based only on transient overexpression studies, and the authors have not directly shown that treatment with BMPs results in an increase in OPG promoter construct activity in the cell lines that were studied.

Extensive deletion analysis of the 5.9-kb OPG promoter allowed us to delimit a proximal 183-bp region (372 to 190) that is required for imparting TGF- responsiveness to the promoter. This region of the promoter, when linked to the osteocalcin minimal promoter, resulted in an increase in base-line expression, consistent with the loss in base-line expression observed upon deletion of the region from the native promoter (Fig. 4A; compare the activities of the 0.4- and 0.2-kb fragments). Furthermore, the 183-bp region was sufficient to confer TGF- responsiveness to the otherwise nonresponsive osteocalcin minimal promoter. This region includes, among other binding sites, a Cbfa1-binding element (OSE₂), an AP1-like binding element (an AP1 element has been shown to mediate TGF- effects on the TGF- and c-jun gene promoters (38)), and an SBE that mediates TGF- stimulation of the Jun-B promoter (26). Mutational analyses of these elements revealed that the SBE and OSE2 elements are involved in directing base-line expression, but the AP1-like element had no effect on base-line expression. The data also show that in addition to the SBE, the OSE₂ element is also needed for maximal TGF- inducibility, but the AP1-like element is dispensable (Fig. 6A). Similar results were observed with constructs containing the heterologous osteocalcin minimal promoter (Fig. 6B), except that the OSE₂ mutation resulted in an increase in base-line expression, the reason for which is not clear. Consistent with these functional results, use of the AP1-like element as a probe did not result in a specific DNA-protein complex in gel shift assays, suggesting that the AP1-like element is not a functional binding site for AP1 (data not shown). In contrast, a specific DNA-binding complex was observed for the OSE or SBE (24, 26, 39, 40). We have not been able to show an increase in Cbfa1 or Smad binding intensity upon TGF- treatment, suggestive of the moderate effects of the OSE2 and SBE in mediating TGF- responsiveness of the OPG promoter (data not shown). However, we could detect a consistent 2.5-fold increase in Cbfa1 mRNA levels upon TGF- treatment (Fig. 6C).

We have shown previously (24) that deletion of this 183-bp region resulted in a complete loss of transactivation of the OPG promoter by Cbfa1, with the proximal OSE₂ element being necessary for maximal induction. Interestingly, disruption of the SBE also resulted in a ~45% decrease in Cbfa1 mediated transactivation, while deletion of both of the elements resulted in a 75% decrease (Fig. 7). This suggests that there may be an interaction between Cbfa1 and Smad proteins in mediating the stimulatory effects of Cbfa1 and TGF- on the OPG promoter. There is precedence for a synergistic interaction between Smad and AML proteins (Cbfa homologs) in mediating TGF- stimulation of the human (44) and mouse (42) germ line IgA gene promoters, and it has recently been shown that a truncated Cbfa1 protein that displays impaired transactivation and Smad interaction results in cleidocranial dysplasia (46). In addition, a region containing two copies of the core-binding element (to which all Cbfa homologs are capable of binding) also functions as a TGF- response element in the mouse IgA promoter (42). Furthermore, Cbfa1 has recently been shown to be a major TGF-1-responsive element-binding protein that is induced by TGF-1 and BMP-2 in C2C12 mesenchymal precursor cells (47).

View larger version (18K): [in this window] [in a new window]   Fig. 7.   Mutation of the Smad-binding element results in a 40-45% decrease in Cbfa1-mediated transactivation of the OPG promoter. Wild type and mutated OPG promoter-gal constructs were transfected into UMR106 cells along with either pEF-Cbfa1 or pEF/myc/cyto, and the -gal activity was measured in cell extracts 48 h after transfection. The -fold induction in -gal activity (mean ± S.E.) directed by each of the constructs in Cbfa1-transfected cells, compared with that in empty vector transfected cells, is shown on the right.

It is important to note that the deletion of both elements does not completely abolish TGF- effects. Since TGF- has been shown to regulate the expression of various target genes through a variety of different response elements (48), it is possible that other known or novel elements in the 183-bp region, either alone or in combination with factors binding to the OSE₂ and SBE sites, could also be involved in mediating TGF- effects on the promoter. Also, in the context of the 5.9-kb promoter, elements in the region between 1855 and 1455 are expected to play a role in mediating TGF- effects, since the deletion of the region leads to a decrease in TGF- responsiveness. Further studies are needed to get a more complete understanding of the molecular interactions involved in mediating TGF- stimulation of OPG promoter activity.

TGF- is produced by a number of cell types, including osteoblasts and stromal cells and plays a major role in the regulation of bone formation and resorption (21). It is stored in abundant amounts in bone and is released from the bone matrix during osteoclastic bone resorption. The released TGF- could then induce OPG expression by osteoblasts in the local bone microenvironment and thereby inhibit osteoclast formation/activity and stop bone resorption. However, in vitro studies have shown that anti-OPG antibodies only partially reverse the inhibitory effects of TGF- on osteoclast differentiation in co-culture assays (17, 19). Furthermore, in co-cultures established from mice rendered null for the OPG gene, TGF- retains the ability to inhibit osteoclast formation (49). This suggests that the stimulation of OPG expression is only one of the mechanisms by which TGF- inhibits osteoclast differentiation. Inhibition of RANKL expression could also contribute to the decrease in osteoclast differentiation (17, 19).

In summary, our data provide evidence that TGF- directly stimulates OPG promoter activity in the osteoblast-like osteosarcoma cell line, UMR106, and that the proximal 183-bp region in the promoter (between 372 and 190) is necessary and sufficient for mediating TGF- effects. Consensus DNA-binding sites for Cbfa1, Smad proteins, and possibly other elements present in this region could potentially mediate the full complement of TGF- effects on the OPG promoter. Identification of factors that modulate OPG promoter activity and the cognate elements that mediate the effects may enable us to devise novel strategies to regulate bone resorption in pathological conditions characterized by high bone turnover.

	ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We thank Drs. Venkatesh Krishnan, Andrew Geiser, and Charles Frolik (Lilly) for critical review of the manuscript and for valuable suggestions.

	FOOTNOTES

^* The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked "advertisement" in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.

^§ These authors contributed equally to this work.

^** To whom correspondence should be addressed: Gene Regulation, Bone and Inflammation Research, Drop Code 0403, Lilly Research Labs, Indianapolis, IN 46285. Tel.: 317-277-1267; Fax: 317-276-9722; E-mail: JEO@lilly.com.

Published, JBC Papers in Press, July 12, 2001, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M104319200

	ABBREVIATIONS

The abbreviations used are: RANKL, receptor activator of NF-B ligand; AP1, activator protein-1; BMP, bone morphogenetic protein; bp, base pair(s); Cbfa1, core binding factor a1; kb, kilobase(s); NF-B, nuclear factor-B; OPG, osteoprotegerin; OSE₂, osteoblast-specific element 2; PCR, polymerase chain reaction; RANK, receptor activator of NF-B; SBE, Smad-binding element; TGF-, transforming growth factor-; GAPDH, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase.

	REFERENCES

TOP ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES RESULTS DISCUSSION REFERENCES