Globo-series Gb4 activates ERK and promotes the proliferation of osteoblasts

Globo-series Gb4 (globoside) is involved in the immune system and disease pathogenesis. We recently reported that systemic Gb4 deficiency in mice led to decreased bone formation due to a reduction in osteoblast number. However, it remains unclear whether Gb4 expressed in osteoblasts promotes their proliferation. Therefore, we investigated the role of Gb4 in osteoblast proliferation in vitro.

We examined osteoblast proliferation in Gb3 synthase knockout mice lacking Gb4. We investigated the effects of Gb4 synthase knockdown in the mouse osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 on its proliferation. Furthermore, we administered Gb4 to MC3T3-E1 cells in which Gb4 was suppressed by a glucosylceramide synthase (GCS) inhibitor and evaluated its effects on their proliferation. To elucidate the mechanisms by which Gb4 promotes osteoblast proliferation, the phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) levels were measured in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Osteoblast proliferation was lower in Gb3 synthase knockout mice lacking Gb4 than in wild-type mice. Proliferation was inhibited by Gb4 synthase knockdown in MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, the administration of Gb4 to MC3T3-E1 cells, in which a GCS inhibitor suppressed Gb4, promoted their proliferation. Moreover, it increased the phosphorylated ERK1/2 levels in MC3T3-E1 cells.

Our results suggest that Gb4 expressed in osteoblasts promotes their proliferation through ERK1/2 activation.