• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.488-494
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• 2015

A recent report showed that nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFATc) 1 is a member of the NFAT family and is strictly implicated osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Furthermore, the precise expression and function of NFATc1 in periodontal tissue remains unclear. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the function of NFATc1 in osteoblastic differentiation, and the underlying mechanism regulating periodontal regeneration in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). NFATc1 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels were accessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot assay, respectively. Cell proliferation determined using MTT assay. Differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase activity and formation of calcium nodule with alizarin red S staining. The mRNA expression of osteoblastic differentiation related genes were examined by RT-PCR. Marked upregulation of NFATc1 mRNA and protein was observed in cells grown in osteogenic medium (OS). NFATc1 transactivation was detected in hPDLCs that had been incubated in OS for 14 days. Treatment with $10{\mu}M$ cyclosporine A (CsA), a known calcineurin inhibitor, reduced the proliferation of hPDLCs, while $5{\mu}M$ CsA had no effect. Inhibition of the calcineurin/NFATc1 pathway by CsA, attenuated OS-induced osteoblastic differentiation in hPDLCs. In summary, this study demonstrates for the first time that NFATc1 plays a key role in osteoblastic differentiation of hPDLCs and activation of NFATc1 could provide a novel mechanism for periodontal bone regeneration.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.223-230
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• 2015

Regulator of calcineurin 1 (RCAN1) is an endogenous calcineurin inhibitor that plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diseases related to the calcineurin-NFATc1 signaling pathway. The RCAN1-4 isoform is subject to NFATc1-dependent regulation. During receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-stimulated osteoclastogenesis, the calcineurin-NFATc1 pathway is critical. Because there is little information available on the role of RCAN1 in osteoclast differentiation, this study investigated whether changes in RCAN1 expression are related to the calcineurin-NFATc1 pathway and osteoclast differentiation. Mouse bone marrow monocytes (BMMs) were treated with 50 ng/ml of RANKL and M-CSF. Expression levels of NFATc1, calcineurin, and RCAN1 isoforms were determined using RT-PCR and Western blotting. Osteoclast differentiation was examined using tartrate-resistent acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. To evaluate the effect of RCAN1 overexpression on osteoclastogenesis, cells were transfected with a mouse RCAN1-4 cDNA plasmid. After RANKL stimulation of BMMs, expression of NFATc1 and RCAN1 was increased at the mRNA and protein level, while calcineurin expression was unchanged. When the RCAN1-4 gene construct was transfected, the expression of RCAN1 protein was not increased despite several-fold increases in RCAN1-4 mRNA expression. Regardless of RANKL stimulation, over-expression of RCAN1-4 tended to reduce NFATc1 expression and knock-down of RCAN1 increase it. While BMMs transfected with the RCAN1-4 vector were differentiated into distinct osteoclasts, their phenotypes did not vary from those of mock controls. These results suggest that RCAN1 has a limited effect on the calcineurin-NFATc1 pathway during RANKL-stimulated osteoclast differentiation.

• International Journal of Oral Biology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.37-42
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• 2013

Receptor activator of NF-${\kappa}B$ ligand (RANKL) is an essential cytokine for osteoclast differentiation, activation and survival. T lymphocytes such as $T_{17}$ cells, a subset of T helper cells that produce IL-17, play an important role in rheumatoid arthritic bone resorption by producing inflammatory cytokines and RANKL. It has not yet been clearly elucidated how T cell activation induces RANKL expression. T cell receptor activation induces the activation of nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) and expression of its target genes. In this study, we examined the role of NFAT in T cell activation-induced RANKL expression. EL-4, a murine T lymphocytic cell line, was used. When T cell activation was induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and ionomycin, RANKL expression increased in a time-dependent manner. In the presence of cyclosporin, an inhibitor of NFAT activation, this PMA/ionomycin-induced RANKL expression was blocked. Overexpression of either NFATc1 or NFATc3 induced RANKL expression. Chromatin immunoprecipitation results demonstrated that PMA/ionomycin treatment induced the binding of NFATc1 and NFATc3 to the mouse RANKL gene promoter. These results suggest that NFATc1 and NFATc3 mediates T cell receptor activation-induced RANKL expression in T lymphocytes.

• BMB Reports
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• v.54 no.9
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• pp.482-487
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• 2021

Interferon regulatory factors (IRFs) play roles in various biological processes including cytokine signaling, cell growth regulation and hematopoietic development. Although it has been reported that several IRFs are involved in bone metabolism, the role of IRF2 in bone cells has not been elucidated. Here, we investigated the involvement of IRF2 in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. IRF2 overexpression in osteoclast precursor cells enhanced osteoclast differentiation by regulating the expression of NFATc1, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis. Conversely, IRF2 knockdown inhibited osteoclast differentiation and decreased the NFATc1 expression. Moreover, IRF2 increased the translocation of NF-κB subunit p65 to the nucleus in response to RANKL and subsequently induced the expression of NFATc1. IRF2 plays an important role in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation by regulating NF-κB/NFATc1 signaling pathway. Taken together, we demonstrated the molecular mechanism of IRF2 in osteoclast differentiation, and provide a molecular basis for potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of bone diseases characterized by excessive bone resorption.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.891-895
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• 2008

Natural substances have recently received much attention as therapeutic drugs to prevent many diseases in humans because they avoid the many side effects of treatment with chemical compounds. We examined the effect of water extract of deer antler in RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation. The effects of water extract of deer antler in osteoclast differentiation were determined by culture of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). The mRNA expression levels of c-Fos, NFATc1, TRAP, and GAPDH in BMMs were analyzed by RT-PCR. Cell lysates were obtained from the treated cells, the expression levels of c-Fos and NFATc1 were determined by western blotting with antibodies for c-Fos and NFATc1. Water extract of deer antler greatly inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation in osteoclast precursors without cytotoxicity. Water extract of deer antler inhibited the expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 in BMMs treated with RANKL. Our findings suggest that water extract of deer antler inhibited osteoclast differentiation by suppressing c-Fos and NFATc1 expression in response to RANKL. These results demonstrate that water extract of deer antler may be a useful the treatment of bone-related disease such as osteoporosis.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.142-149
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the changes of osteoclast differentiation inhibition according to the period of precipitation when titanium disks were immersed in Modified simulated body fluid (mSBF). Materials and methods: Titanium alloy (Ti grade III) disks with machined surfaces and anodized surfaces were immersed in distilled water and mSBF, respectively. The immersion periods were 7 days, 14 days, 21 days and 28 days, and the control group was immersed in distilled water for each period. RAW 264.7 cells capable of differentiating into osteoclasts were used to measure the number of adherent cells, the measurement of TRAP activity, and the expression pattern of NFATc1 by western blotting. Results: The degree of inhibition of osteoclast differentiation was found to be statistically significant when the disks were immersed in mSBF for more than 14 days on both machined surfaces and anodized surfaces. There was no correlation between immersion time and cell attachment. When the disks were immersed for more than 14 days, TRAP activity was decreased and NFATc1 expression was inhibited. Futhermore, the decrease in TRAP activity and the inhibition of NFATc1 expression remained unchanged. Conclusion: Immersion of titanium disks in mSBF for more than 14 days can prevent RAW 264.7 cells from differentiating into osteoclasts. Inhibition activity does not change even if the immersion period is for more than 14 days.

• BMB Reports
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• v.47 no.8
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• pp.451-456
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• 2014

Parthenolide, a natural product derived from Feverfew, prevents septic shock and inflammation. We aimed to identify the effects of parthenolide on the RANKL (receptor activator of $NF-{\kappa}B$ ligand)-induced differentiation and bone resorbing activity of osteoclasts. In this study, parthenolide dose-dependently inhibited RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation in BMMs, without any evidence of cytotoxicity and the phosphorylation of p38, ERK, and $I{\kappa}B$, as well as $I{\kappa}B$ degradation by RANKL treatment. Parthenolide suppressed the expression of NFATc1, OSCAR, TRAP, DC-STAMP, and cathepsin K in RANKL-treated BMMs. Furthermore, parthenolide down-regulated the stability of c-Fos protein, but could not suppress the expression of c-Fos. Overexpression of NFATc1 and c-Fos in BMMs reversed the inhibitory effect of parthenolide on RANKL-mediated osteoclast differentiation. Parthenolide also inhibited the bone resorbing activity of mature osteoclasts. Parthenolide inhibits the differentiation and bone-resolving activity of osteoclast by RANKL, suggesting its potential therapeutic value for bone destructive disorders associated with osteoclast-mediated bone resorption.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.27-40
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the effects of water extract of Cervi Parvum Cornu(CPC), Aconiti Lateralis Radix Preparata(ALR), and Yongbu-tang(YBT) on suppression of the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption. Methods : The effects of CPC, ALR, YBT extracts on osteoclast differentiation were determined by culture of bone marrow macrophage(BMM). The mRNA expression levels of the nuclear factor of activated T-cells cytoplasmic 1(NFATc1), c-Fos and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP) in BMMs were analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). Similarly, the protein expression levels of NFATc1, c-Fos, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)s and ${\beta}$-actin in cell lysates were measured by western blotting. In addition, effects of CPC, ALR and YBT extracts were determined by means of Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced bone-loss with mice. Results : CPC, ALR and YBT extracts showed remarkable inhibition on RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation without cytotoxicity. CPC and ALR extracts significantly reduced the protein expression level of NFATc1. YBT extract significantly reduced the mRNA expression levels of c-Fos, NFATc1 and the protein expression levels of c-Fos, NFATc1, AKT, p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK). Further, YBT extract suppressed degradation of$ I-{\kappa}B$. And ALR extract significantly restored the bone erosion by LPS treatment in mice. Conclusions : YBT extract showed more remarkable inhibition on osteoclast differentiation than CPC and ALR extracts in vitro. ALR extract showed remarkable inhibition on bone resorption in vivo. Thus, YBT extract can be a useful treatment for bone-loss diseases such as osteoporosis.

• BMB Reports
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.218-222
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• 2020

Excessive and hyperactive osteoclast activity causes bone diseases such as osteoporosis and periodontitis. Thus, the regulation of osteoclast differentiation has clinical implications. We recently reported that dehydrocostus lactone (DL) inhibits osteoclast differentiation by regulating a nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), but the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated. Here we demonstrated that DL inhibits NFATc1 by regulating nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), activator protein-1 (AP-1), and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). DL attenuated IκBα phosphorylation and p65 nuclear translocation as well as decreased the expression of NF-κB target genes and c-Fos. It also inhibited c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) but not p38 or extracellular signal-regulated kinase. The reporter assay revealed that DL inhibits NF-κB and AP-1 activation. In addition, DL reduced reactive oxygen species either by scavenging them or by activating Nrf2. The DL inhibition of NFATc1 expression and osteoclast differentiation was less effective in Nrf2-deficient cells. Collectively, these results suggest that DL regulates NFATc1 by inhibiting NF-κB and AP-1 via down-regulation of IκB kinase and JNK as well as by activating Nrf2, and thereby attenuates osteoclast differentiation.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.753-760
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• 2015

Although nuclear factor of activated T cell (NFAT) plays a key role in inflammation, its anti-inflammatory effects and mechanism of action in periodontitis are still unknown. This study aimed to identify the effects of NFAT on the proinflammatory mediators activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) plus nicotine stimulation in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). The production of nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin $E_2(PGE_2)$ was evaluated using Griess reagent and an enzyme immunoassay, respectively. The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and NFAT proteins was evaluated by Western blot analysis. LPS plus nicotine synergistically induced the production of NO and $PGE_2$ and increased the protein expression of iNOS, COX-2 and NFAT. Treatment with an NFAT inhibitor blocked the LPS plus nicotine-stimulated NO and $PGE_2$ release as well as the expression of iNOS and COX-2. Our data suggest that the LPS plus nicotine-induced inflammatory effects on hPDLCs may act through a novel mechanism involving the action of NFAT. Thus, NFAT may provide a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of periodontal disease associated with smoking and dental plaque.