Cerium ion promotes the osteoclastogenesis through the induction of reactive oxygen species

Cerium and cerium containing materials have been drawing increasing attentions in industrial and biomedical applications in recent decades. The increased applications of cerium have also increased the risk of human body exposed to cerium ions. Due to its similar ionic radius to calcium(II), cerium(III) have found mainly deposited in the skeletal system. However, the effects of cerium(III) on the bone metabolism homeostasis remain poorly understood. In the present study, the effect of cerium(III) on the osteoclastogenesis which plays a pivotal role in bone metabolism homeostasis was investigated. Cerium(III) could enhance the expression and activity of NADPH oxidase1 (Nox1) leading to the elevation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level. The augmentation of ROS level activated the RANKL dependent osteoclasts differentiation pathways resulted in the promotion of osteoclastogenesis, while anions associated with cerium(III) cation have no effects on the differentiation of osteoclasts. The cerium(III) activated osteoclasts exhibited enhanced bone resorption capability. These results provided fundamental information for understanding the potential effects of cerium(III) on the metabolism homeostasis of skeletal system which is of great reference value for future biomedical applications of cerium salts.