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    Phosphorylation of Runx2, induced by cyclic mechanical tension via ERK1/2 pathway, contributes to osteodifferentiation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts
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    Abstract:
    Occlusal force is an important stimulus for maintaining periodontal homeostasis. This is attributed to the quality of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) that could transfer occlusal force into biological signals modulating osteoblst differentiation. However, few studies investigated the mechanism of occlusal force‐induced osteodifferentiation of hPDLFs. In our study, we used the cyclic mechanical tension (CMT) at 10% elongation with 0.5 Hz to mimic occlusal force, and explored its effects on osteogenesis of hPDLFs. Firstly, elevated expressions of several osteoblast marker genes (Runx2, ATF4, SP7, OCN, and BSP), as well as activated ERK1/2 pathway were detected during CMT loading for 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 h. To gain further insight into how CMT contributed to those effects, we focused on the classic ERK1/2‐Runx2 pathway by inhibiting ERK1/2 and overexpressing Runx2. Our results reflected that Runx2 overexpression alone could induce osteodifferentiation of hPDLFs. Meanwhile, CMT loading could intensify while combined ERK1/2 blockage could weaken this process. Furthermore, we found that CMT promoted Runx2 transcription and phosphorylation via ERK1/2; protein level of phospho‐Runx2 (p‐Runx2), rather than Runx2, was in parallel with mRNA expressions of SP7, OCN, and BSP. Taken together, our study proved that p‐Runx2, elevated by CMT via ERK1/2 pathway, is the predominate factor in promoting osteoblast differentiation of hPDLFs. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 2426–2436, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
    Keywords:
    RUNX2
    Periodontal fiber
    Runx2 and Sp7 are essential transcription factors for osteoblast differentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the proliferation of osteoblast progenitors remain unclear. The early onset of Runx2 expression caused limb defects through the Fgfr1-3 regulation by Runx2. To investigate the physiological role of Runx2 in the regulation of Fgfr1-3, we compared osteoblast progenitors in Sp7-/- and Runx2-/- mice. Osteoblast progenitors accumulated and actively proliferated in calvariae and mandibles of Sp7-/- but not of Runx2-/- mice, and the number of osteoblast progenitors and their proliferation were dependent on the gene dosage of Runx2 in Sp7-/- background. The expression of Fgfr2 and Fgfr3, which were responsible for the proliferation of osteoblast progenitors, was severely reduced in Runx2-/- but not in Sp7-/- calvariae. Runx2 directly regulated Fgfr2 and Fgfr3, increased the proliferation of osteoblast progenitors, and augmented the FGF2-induced proliferation. The proliferation of Sp7-/- osteoblast progenitors was enhanced and strongly augmented by FGF2, and Runx2 knockdown reduced the FGF2-induced proliferation. Fgfr inhibitor AZD4547 abrogated all of the enhanced proliferation. These results indicate that Runx2 is required for the proliferation of osteoblast progenitors and induces proliferation, at least partly, by regulating Fgfr2 and Fgfr3 expression.
    RUNX2
    Citations (163)
    The LIM-homeodomain transcription factor Lmx1b plays a key role in body pattern formation during development. Although Lmx1b is essential for the normal development of multiple tissues, its regulatory mechanism in bone cells remains unclear. Here, we demonstrated that Lmx1b negatively regulates bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2)-induced osteoblast differentiation. Overexpressed Lmx1b in the osteoblast precursor cells inhibited alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and nodule formation, as well as the expression of osteoblast maker genes, including runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), alkaline phosphatase (Alpl), bone sialoprotein (Ibsp), and osteocalcin (Bglap). Conversely, the knockdown of Lmx1b in the osteoblast precursors enhanced the osteoblast differentiation and function. Lmx1b physically interacted with and repressed the transcriptional activity of Runx2 by reducing the recruitment of Runx2 to the promoter region of its target genes. In vivo analysis of BMP2-induced ectopic bone formation revealed that the knockdown of Lmx1b promoted osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration. Our data demonstrate that Lmx1b negatively regulates osteoblast differentiation and function through regulation of Runx2 and provides a molecular basis for therapeutic targets for bone diseases.
    RUNX2
    Bone sialoprotein
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    RUNX2
    Cleidocranial Dysplasia
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    Osteoblasts are specialized mesenchymal cells that are responsible for bone formation. In this study, we examine the role of GATA4 in osteoblast differentiation. GATA4 was abundantly expressed in preosteoblast cells and gradually down-regulated during osteoblast differentiation. Overexpression of GATA4 in osteoblastic cells inhibited alkaline phosphatase activity and nodule formation in osteogenic conditioned cell culture system. In addition, overexpression of GATA4 attenuated expression of osteogenic marker genes, including Runx2, alkaline phosphatase, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin, all of which are important for osteoblast differentiation and function. Overexpression of GATA4 attenuated Runx2 promoter activity, whereas silencing of GATA4 increased Runx2 induction. We found that GATA4 interacted with Dlx5 and subsequently decreased Dlx5 binding activity to Runx2 promoter region. Our data suggest that GATA4 acts as a negative regulator in osteoblast differentiation by downregulation of Runx2.
    RUNX2
    GATA4
    Bone sialoprotein