Effect of interferon-γ on the fusion of mononuclear osteoclasts into bone-resorbing osteoclasts

BMB Rep. 2012 May;45(5):281-6. doi: 10.5483/bmbrep.2012.45.5.281.

Abstract

Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells that are formed by the fusion of pre-fusion osteoclasts (pOCs). The fusion of pOCs is known to be important for osteoclastic bone resorption. Here, we examined the effect of IFN-γ on the fusion of pOCs. IFN-γ greatly increased the fusion of pOCs in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, IFN-γ induced pOC fusion even in hydroxyapatite-coated plates used as a substitute for bone. The resorption area of pOCs stimulated with IFN-γ was significantly higher than that of the control cells. IFN-γ induced the expression of dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), which is responsible for the fusion of pOCs. IFN-γ enhanced DC-STAMP expression in a dose-dependent manner. The mRNA expression of c-Fos and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c1 was enhanced in the pOCs treated with IFN-γ. Taken together, these results provide a new insight into the novel role of IFN-γ on the fusion of pOCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bone Resorption / pathology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Fusion
  • Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Cell Nucleus / pathology
  • Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / genetics
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Giant Cells / drug effects*
  • Giant Cells / pathology*
  • Giant Cells / physiology
  • Interferon-gamma / pharmacology*
  • Interferon-gamma / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects*
  • Osteoclasts / pathology
  • Osteoclasts / physiology
  • Up-Regulation / drug effects

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • bone resorption factor
  • Interferon-gamma