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Updated: May 27, 2026

Isolation, Purification, and Differentiation of Osteoclast Precursors from Rat Bone Marrow
Published on: May 19, 2019
Indoxyl sulphate inhibits osteoclast differentiation and function
Anaïs Mozar1, Loïc Louvet, Corinne Godin
1INSERM ERI-12, EA4292, Amiens, France.
Background:
Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) develop various bone abnormalities characterized by impaired bone remodelling. Recent data suggest that accumulation of the uraemic toxin indoxyl sulphate (IS) may be one of the factors involved in bone abnormalities in CKD patients. Indeed, it was recently reported that IS induces skeletal resistance to parathyroid hormone in cultured osteoblastic cells. However, it is not yet known whether IS also affects osteoclast cells.
Methods:
In the present study, we assessed the direct effect of IS at uraemic concentrations and in the presence (to reach the 3 mM concentration) or absence of added inorganic phosphate (Pi) on osteoclast (OCL) differentiation and bone-resorbing activity in two well-established cellular models of monocyte/macrophage (peripheral blood mononuclear cells and the RAW 264.7 cell line).
Results:
We found that IS inhibits both OCL differentiation and bone-resorbing activity in a dose-dependent manner and that these effects were enhanced in the presence of Pi at 3mM concentration. IS induced a gradual inhibition of JNK, Akt, p38, ERK1/2 phosphorylation and AP-1 DNA-binding activity. The effects of IS on OCL differentiation and AP-1 were prevented by probenecid, a competitive inhibitor of organic anion transporters, suggesting that IS's effects occur subsequently to its intake.
Conclusion:
Our findings strongly suggest that IS not only inhibits osteoblast function but also has an inhibitory effect on OCL function and thus could affect bone remodelling in CKD patients.
Insights
Indoxyl sulphate (IS), a toxin accumulating in chronic kidney disease (CKD), inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. This finding suggests IS contributes to impaired bone remodelling in CKD patients.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with impaired bone remodelling.
- Uremic toxins, such as indoxyl sulphate (IS), are implicated in CKD-related bone abnormalities.
- Previous studies showed IS induces skeletal resistance to parathyroid hormone in osteoblasts, but its effect on osteoclasts was unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the direct effect of indoxyl sulphate (IS) on osteoclast (OCL) differentiation and bone-resorbing activity.
- To assess the influence of inorganic phosphate (Pi) on IS-induced effects on osteoclasts.
Main Methods:
- Assessed IS effects on OCL differentiation and bone-resorbing activity using monocyte/macrophage models (PBMCs and RAW 264.7 cells).
- Evaluated IS impact in the presence and absence of 3mM inorganic phosphate (Pi).
- Analyzed IS-mediated changes in signaling pathways (JNK, Akt, p38, ERK1/2) and AP-1 DNA-binding activity.
Main Results:
- Indoxyl sulphate (IS) inhibited osteoclast (OCL) differentiation and bone-resorbing activity in a dose-dependent manner.
- These inhibitory effects were enhanced by the presence of 3mM inorganic phosphate (Pi).
- IS reduced phosphorylation of key signaling molecules and inhibited AP-1 DNA-binding activity; effects were mediated by IS uptake via organic anion transporters.
Conclusions:
- Indoxyl sulphate (IS) directly inhibits osteoclast (OCL) function, including differentiation and bone resorption.
- IS's inhibitory effects on osteoclasts, alongside its known impact on osteoblasts, contribute to impaired bone remodelling in CKD.
- These findings highlight IS as a significant factor in the bone abnormalities observed in CKD patients.
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