Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R Activation

<b>Background/Objective:</b> Osteocytes are the most abundant cell type in the skeleton, with key endocrine functions, particularly in regulating osteoblast and osteoclast activity to maintain bone quality. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a critical component of the renin–angiotensin–aldosteron...

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Main Authors: Jiayi Ren, Aseel Marahleh, Jinghan Ma, Fumitoshi Ohori, Takahiro Noguchi, Ziqiu Fan, Jin Hu, Kohei Narita, Angyi Lin, Hideki Kitaura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/2/426
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author Jiayi Ren
Aseel Marahleh
Jinghan Ma
Fumitoshi Ohori
Takahiro Noguchi
Ziqiu Fan
Jin Hu
Kohei Narita
Angyi Lin
Hideki Kitaura
author_facet Jiayi Ren
Aseel Marahleh
Jinghan Ma
Fumitoshi Ohori
Takahiro Noguchi
Ziqiu Fan
Jin Hu
Kohei Narita
Angyi Lin
Hideki Kitaura
author_sort Jiayi Ren
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objective:</b> Osteocytes are the most abundant cell type in the skeleton, with key endocrine functions, particularly in regulating osteoblast and osteoclast activity to maintain bone quality. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a critical component of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, is well-known for its role in vasoconstriction during hypertension. Beyond its cardiovascular functions, Ang II participates in various biological processes, including bone metabolism. While its influence on osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and osteoclastogenesis has been documented, its effects on osteocytes remain unexplored. This study hypothesized that Ang II enhances the osteoclastogenic activity of osteocytes. <b>Methods:</b> Mouse calvariae were cultured ex vivo in an Ang II-containing medium, analyzed via immunohistochemistry, and evaluated for osteoclastogenic gene expression through real-time PCR. Western blotting was employed to assess protein levels and signaling pathway activation in the MLO-Y4 osteocytic cell line in vitro. <b>Results:</b> Ang II significantly increased the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). These effects were abrogated by azilsartan, a blocker targeting Ang II type 1 receptors (AT1R). p38 and ERK1/2 in the MAPK pathway were also activated by Ang II. <b>Conclusions:</b> Ang II enhances osteocyte-mediated osteoclastogenesis via AT1R activation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for bone diseases.
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publisher MDPI AG
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spelling doaj-art-fd97c44fc8cc4083bbed39ac0bbeea082025-08-20T03:12:16ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592025-02-0113242610.3390/biomedicines13020426Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R ActivationJiayi Ren0Aseel Marahleh1Jinghan Ma2Fumitoshi Ohori3Takahiro Noguchi4Ziqiu Fan5Jin Hu6Kohei Narita7Angyi Lin8Hideki Kitaura9Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, JapanDepartment of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8575, Miyagi, Japan<b>Background/Objective:</b> Osteocytes are the most abundant cell type in the skeleton, with key endocrine functions, particularly in regulating osteoblast and osteoclast activity to maintain bone quality. Angiotensin II (Ang II), a critical component of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system, is well-known for its role in vasoconstriction during hypertension. Beyond its cardiovascular functions, Ang II participates in various biological processes, including bone metabolism. While its influence on osteoblast proliferation, differentiation, and osteoclastogenesis has been documented, its effects on osteocytes remain unexplored. This study hypothesized that Ang II enhances the osteoclastogenic activity of osteocytes. <b>Methods:</b> Mouse calvariae were cultured ex vivo in an Ang II-containing medium, analyzed via immunohistochemistry, and evaluated for osteoclastogenic gene expression through real-time PCR. Western blotting was employed to assess protein levels and signaling pathway activation in the MLO-Y4 osteocytic cell line in vitro. <b>Results:</b> Ang II significantly increased the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) and macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF). These effects were abrogated by azilsartan, a blocker targeting Ang II type 1 receptors (AT1R). p38 and ERK1/2 in the MAPK pathway were also activated by Ang II. <b>Conclusions:</b> Ang II enhances osteocyte-mediated osteoclastogenesis via AT1R activation, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for bone diseases.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/2/426angiotensin IIosteocyteMLO-Y4osteoclastogenesis
spellingShingle Jiayi Ren
Aseel Marahleh
Jinghan Ma
Fumitoshi Ohori
Takahiro Noguchi
Ziqiu Fan
Jin Hu
Kohei Narita
Angyi Lin
Hideki Kitaura
Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R Activation
Biomedicines
angiotensin II
osteocyte
MLO-Y4
osteoclastogenesis
title Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R Activation
title_full Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R Activation
title_fullStr Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R Activation
title_full_unstemmed Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R Activation
title_short Angiotensin II Promotes Osteocyte RANKL Expression via AT1R Activation
title_sort angiotensin ii promotes osteocyte rankl expression via at1r activation
topic angiotensin II
osteocyte
MLO-Y4
osteoclastogenesis
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/13/2/426
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