Histone Demethylase Jmjd7 Negatively Regulates Differentiation of Osteoclast

To identify and verify the histone modifier during osteoclastogenesis.

Murine macrophage-like cell line, RAW 264.7 cells, or murine bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were treated with a receptor activator of nuclear factor B ligand (RANKL) alone or RANKL with macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), respectively, to induce differentiation of osteoclast. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to screen different arrays of histone demethylases. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay was used to examine occupancy of jumonji domain containing 7 (Jmjd7) in the promoter regions of different osteoclast-related genes. Jmjd7 was knocked down using siRNA. Dentine slice assay was used to evaluate bone-resorptive functions.

Among the screened histone demethylases, Jmjd7 was significantly downregulated during differentiation of osteoclast. The occupancy of Jmjd7 at the promoter regions of osteoclast-related genes was also decreased. Knockdown of Jmjd7 in RAW 264.7 cells and BMMs enhanced differentiation of osteoclast and increased the expression of osteoclast-related genes, such as c-fos, Dc-stamp, CtsK, Acp5, and Nfatc1. Bone resorptive functions of the cells were also increased.

Our study shows that Jmjd7, a histone demethylase, functions as a negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis, and may be a therapeutic target of bone-related diseases.