NFATc1, NF?B, cFOS, PU.1/SPI1 and MITF are transcription factors (TFs) essential for osteoclast differentiation from myeloid precursors. However, large gaps still remain in our understanding of the interplay between these TFs and how this interplay contributes to osteoclast differentiation and function. Importantly, critical questions about how the dynamics of TF regulation contributes to clinical outcome of human bone related diseases are unresolved. During the last cycle of this grant we used newly available functional genomic approaches and new bioinformatics approaches to develop a hierarchical network model that explains the interactions between these factors and their relative roles in osteoclast differentiation. Based on this model our overriding hypothesis is that PU.1 and MITF are at the apex of an osteoclast transcription factor network in osteoclasts and their myeloid precursors that initiates and maintains the differentiated state in response to signals received from the local microenvironment. In the current proposal, we aim to test this model using both in vivo and in vitro experiments and importantly to extend these studies into normal human osteoclasts and circulating osteoclast precursors from rheumatoid arthritis patients. Further we will test the importance of this network and associated factors in a preclinical mouse model for rheumatoid arthritis, using approaches that genetically target Pu.1 or use small molecule inhibitors to target PU.1/MITF-dependent epigenetic changes in pre-osteoclasts. By combining our efforts and expertise, our multidisciplinary team will focus on the task of understanding the mechanisms that govern osteoclast differentiation and function, and the relevance of these factors in human osteoclasts.

Public Health Relevance

Osteoclasts are cells required for normal bone growth and homeostasis, but they often inappropriately destroy bone in human diseases, including in osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and tumor metastasis to bone. Our work has taken advantage of information from genome sequencing projects to study how osteoclasts are formed and regulated in mice. This work has provided paradigm-shifting insights into how osteoclasts are regulating. In the proposed work we will attempt to better understand the mechanisms that regulate osteoclasts implied by our genomic studies and attempt to translate these finding to normal human osteoclasts and rheumatoid arthritis patient osteoclasts.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AR044719-19
Application #
9418020
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Nicks, Kristy
Project Start
2017-09-06
Project End
2020-01-31
Budget Start
2018-02-01
Budget End
2019-01-31
Support Year
19
Fiscal Year
2018
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Medical University of South Carolina
Department
Biochemistry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
183710748
City
Charleston
State
SC
Country
United States
Zip Code
29403
Hawley, Catherine A; Rojo, Rocio; Raper, Anna et al. (2018) Csf1r-mApple Transgene Expression and Ligand Binding In Vivo Reveal Dynamics of CSF1R Expression within the Mononuclear Phagocyte System. J Immunol 200:2209-2223
Peterson, Jennifer M; Wang, David J; Shettigar, Vikram et al. (2018) NF-?B inhibition rescues cardiac function by remodeling calcium genes in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy model. Nat Commun 9:3431
Carey, Heather A; Hildreth 3rd, Blake E; Geisler, Jennifer A et al. (2018) Enhancer variants reveal a conserved transcription factor network governed by PU.1 during osteoclast differentiation. Bone Res 6:8
Carey, Heather A; Bronisz, Agnieszka; Cabrera, Jennifer et al. (2016) Failure to Target RANKL Signaling Through p38-MAPK Results in Defective Osteoclastogenesis in the Microphthalmia Cloudy-Eyed Mutant. J Cell Physiol 231:630-40
Bronisz, Agnieszka; Carey, Heather A; Godlewski, Jakub et al. (2014) The multifunctional protein fused in sarcoma (FUS) is a coactivator of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF). J Biol Chem 289:326-34
Young, Nicholas A; Friedman, Alexandra K; Kaffenberger, Benjamin et al. (2013) Novel estrogen target gene ZAS3 is overexpressed in systemic lupus erythematosus. Mol Immunol 54:23-31
Sharma, Sudarshana M; Sif, Said; Ostrowski, Michael C et al. (2009) Defective co-activator recruitment in osteoclasts from microphthalmia-oak ridge mutant mice. J Cell Physiol 220:230-7
Sharma, Sudarshana M; Hu, Rong; Bronisz, Agnieszka et al. (2006) Genetics and genomics of osteoclast differentiation: integrating cell signaling pathways and gene networks. Crit Rev Eukaryot Gene Expr 16:253-77
So, Hongseob; Rho, Jaerang; Jeong, Daewon et al. (2003) Microphthalmia transcription factor and PU.1 synergistically induce the leukocyte receptor osteoclast-associated receptor gene expression. J Biol Chem 278:24209-16
Mansky, Kim C; Sulzbacher, Sabine; Purdom, Georgia et al. (2002) The microphthalmia transcription factor and the related helix-loop-helix zipper factors TFE-3 and TFE-C collaborate to activate the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase promoter. J Leukoc Biol 71:304-10

Showing the most recent 10 out of 14 publications