title: Osteoclasts are important for bone angiogenesis.
abstract: Increased osteoclastogenesis and angiogenesis occur in physiologic and pathologic conditions. However, it is unclear if or how these processes are linked. To test the hypothesis that osteoclasts stimulate angiogenesis, we modulated osteoclast formation in fetal mouse metatarsal explants or in adult mice and determined the effect on angiogenesis. Suppression of osteoclast formation with osteoprotegerin dose-dependently inhibited angiogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in metatarsal explants. Conversely, treatment with parathyroid hormone related protein (PTHrP) increased explant angiogenesis, which was completely blocked by osteoprotegerin. Further, treatment of mice with receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) or PTHrP in vivo increased calvarial vessel density and osteoclast number. We next determined whether matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an angiogenic factor predominantly produced by osteoclasts in bone, was important for osteoclast-stimulated angiogenesis. The pro-angiogenic effects of PTHrP or RANKL were absent in metatarsal explants or calvaria in vivo, respectively, from Mmp9(-/-) mice, demonstrating the importance of MMP-9 for osteoclast-stimulated angiogenesis. Lack of MMP-9 decreased osteoclast numbers and abrogated angiogenesis in response to PTHrP or RANKL in explants and in vivo but did not decrease osteoclast differentiation in vitro. Thus, MMP-9 modulates osteoclast-stimulated angiogenesis primarily by affecting osteoclasts, most probably by previously reported migratory effects on osteoclasts. These results clearly demonstrate that osteoclasts stimulate angiogenesis in vivo through MMP-9.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Center for Bone Biology, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Frank C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Cackowski
authors.forename: Judith L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Kenneth D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Patrene
authors.forename: Rushir J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Choksi
authors.forename: Steven D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Shapiro
authors.forename: Jolene J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Windle
authors.forename: Harry C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Blair
authors.forename: G David
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Roodman
mesh_terms: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000196:embryology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008954:Models, Biological; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000187:drug effects; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein / Q000494:pharmacology; D053245:RANK Ligand / Q000494:pharmacology; D012886:Skull / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D043925:Angiogenesis Inducing Agents; D044162:Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein; D053245:RANK Ligand; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9