Critical role of MKP-1 in lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclast formation through CXCL1 and CXCL2

Osteoclast (OC) progenitors (OCP) have been defined in the bone marrow (BM) as CD3(-)CD45R(B220)(-)GR1(-)CD11b(lo/)(-)CD115(+) (dOCP) and more recently in the peripheral blood (PB) as Lym(-)Ly6G(-)CD11b(+)Ly6C(+). These progenitors respond to stimuli, including LPS from periopathogenic Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, activating MAPK signaling, resulting in cytokine/chemokine-mediated osteoclastogenesis. Intracellular negative signaling pathways, including MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1, gene Dusp1) deactivate MAPK pathways (p-p38 and p-JNK) and reduce inflammatory cytokines/chemokines.

To delineate the role of MKP-1 in chemokine-mediated OC formation using defined OC progenitor populations. Given its role in innate immune inflammatory signaling, we hypothesize that MKP-1 regulates LPS-induced OC formation from BM OCP through deregulated chemokines.

BM and PB from WT and Dusp1(-/-) female mice (8-12weeks) was obtained and sorted into defined progenitor populations. BM sorted dOCP were primed with MCSF and RANKL (48h), blocked with vehicle or chemokine blocking antibodies and stimulated with LPS (48-96h). TRAP assay and OC activity were measured for OC formation and activity following treatments. NanoString Array and qPCR were utilized for gene expression analysis.

Dusp1(-/-) dOCPs formed more and larger osteoclasts from CD11b(hi) and dOCP compared to matched WT (P<0.05 each). PB-derived dOCP produced larger and more functional osteoclasts from Dusp1(-/-) mice compared to WT controls. NanoString array data revealed significant deregulation in chemokine expression from Dusp1(-/-) versus WT cells. qPCR validation of target genes revealed that Dusp1 deficient CD11b(+) populations display 1.5-3.5-fold greater expression of CXCL1 and 2-3-fold greater expression of CXCL2 compared to WT in CD11b(hi) and dOCP (P<0.05 each). Antibody blocking studies using anti-CXCL1 and CXCL2 antibodies blunted osteoclastogenesis in Dusp1(-/-) cells.

MKP-1 negatively regulates chemokine-driven OC formation and subsequent bone resorption in response to LPS stimulation. Collectively, these data provide useful insight into mechanisms potentially leading to the development of therapeutic treatment of periodontal disease.