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Endocrinology Vol. 140, No. 4 1911-1919
Copyright © 1999 by The Endocrine Society


ARTICLES

Calcium Sensing in Cultured Chondrogenic RCJ3.1C5.18 Cells1

Wenhan Chang, Chialing Tu, Rika Bajra, Laszlo Komuves, Scott Miller, Gordon Strewler and Dolores Shoback

Endocrine Research Unit (W.C., C.T., R.B., D.S.) and the Departments of Dermatology (L.K.) and Medicine, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, University of California, San Francisco, California 94121; and the Department of Radiobiology, University of Utah School of Medicine (S.M.), Salt Lake City, Utah 84112; Department of Medicine (G.S.), Brockton/West Roxbury Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Dolores M. Shoback, 111N, Endocrine Research Unit, 4150 Clement Street, San Francisco, California 94121. E-mail: dolores{at}itsa.ucsf.edu


    Abstract
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
The availability of Ca2+ in the extracellular fluid plays an important role in regulating cartilage and bone formation. We hypothesized that chondrocytes detect changes in the extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]o) and modify their function. The effects of changing [Ca2+]o on the expression of matrix proteins were quantified by staining of cartilage nodules with alcian green and assessing RNA levels of cartilage-specific genes in chondrogenic RCJ3.1C5.18 (C5.18) cells. Alcian green staining in these cells decreased with increasing [Ca2+]o in a dose-dependent and reversible manner (ID50, ~2 mM Ca2+). RNA levels for aggrecan and type II collagen decreased with increasing [Ca2+]o (ID50, ~2.0 and 4.1 mM Ca2+, respectively). RNA levels for type X collagen and alkaline phosphatase were also reduced by high [Ca2+]o with ID50 values of approximately 2.9 and 1.6 mM Ca2+, respectively. These responses were rapid, in that increasing [Ca2+]o from 1.0 to more than 6 mM suppressed aggrecan RNA levels by about 50%, and lowering [Ca2+]o from 2.9 to 1.0 mM increased aggrecan RNA levels by about 300% within 4 h. As Ca2+ receptors (CaRs) mediate extracellular Ca2+ sensing in parathyroid and kidney, we assessed the expression of CaRs in these cells. C5.18 cells stained positively for CaR protein with an anti-CaR antiserum and for CaR RNA by in situ hybridization. An approximately 150-kDa protein was detected by immunoblotting with anti-CaR antiserum. CaR antisense oligonucleotides suppressed the expression of CaR protein and enhanced RNA levels of aggrecan in C5.18 cells. These data support the idea that CaRs are expressed in this cell system and may be involved in regulating chondrogenic gene expression.


    Introduction
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
CHONDROGENESIS and bone formation require the precise, tightly regulated movement of Ca2+ and other minerals from the extracellular fluid and their deposition into the matrix (1, 2, 3). Studies with vitamin D- and Ca2+-deficient animals have demonstrated that the availability of Ca2+ is crucial for normal skeletal development (4, 5, 6). Although Ca2+ and mineral homeostasis is regulated systemically by several hormones, there is a need for control mechanisms at the local tissue level to coordinate the movement of Ca2+ from extracellular fluids and intracellular pools into the matrix during the process of bone formation (2, 3, 7, 8). Thus, there are probably pathways responsible for detecting changes in the availability of Ca2+ and other minerals in the microenvironment and conveying this information to cells involved in bone and cartilage formation.

Many studies have shown that changes in extracellular [Ca2+] ([Ca2+]o) act as a primary signal to regulate crucial cell functions (9). In the parathyroid, high [Ca2+]o activates phospholipase C and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization (10, 11, 12), events that ultimately lead to the suppression of PTH secretion (13). In thyroid parafollicular cells, high [Ca2+]o increases intracellular [Ca2+] and calcitonin release (14). In keratinocytes, increases in [Ca2+]o accelerate cell differentiation (15). Substantive evidence indicates that membrane Ca2+ receptors (CaRs) detect changes in [Ca2+]o and couple them to downstream actions in all of these systems (16). These receptors belong to the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily and couple to the activation of phospholipase C (17, 18), mobilization of intracellular Ca2+, inhibition of cAMP formation (17), and cation influx (10).

Previous studies support a regulatory role of [Ca2+]o in the expression of chondrogenic genes. Investigators have found that increasing the medium Ca2+ concentration enhanced type II and X collagen production in cultures of tibio-tarsus chondrocytes isolated from chick embryos (19). In the eggshell-less chicken model, Ca2+ deficiency induced chondrogenesis in the calvaria, a site at which intramembranous bone formation usually occurred (4, 5). Additional studies in this model identified a population of calvarial cells that preferentially differentiated into cartilage when maintained at low [Ca2+]o (4, 20). These studies suggested that chondrogenic cells have the ability to detect and respond to different [Ca2+]o and that these responses may differ according to the specific anatomical site of origin of the cells.

In the present study, we examined whether chondrogenic gene expression is modulated by changes in [Ca2+]o in a nontransformed clonal chondrogenic cell line, RCJ3.1C5.18, abbreviated C5.18 hereafter. These cells, derived from fetal rat calvaria, express several chondrogenic markers and form cartilage nodules in culture (21, 22). Changes in [Ca2+]o modulate the expression of chondrogenic genes in these cells, which express both protein and transcripts homologous to known CaRs. We further found that CaR antisense expression altered aggrecan RNA levels in these cells. Taken together, these studies lend support to the idea that CaRs are present in chondrogenic cells and may be important in regulating cartilage-specific gene expression.


    Materials and Methods
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Materials
The rat aggrecan and {alpha}1(II) complementary DNA (cDNA) probes were provided by Dr. Yoshi Yamada (NIH, Bethesda, MD). The rat alkaline phosphatase (ALP) cDNA probe was provided by Dr. Gideon Rodan (Merck, Sharp, and Dohme Research Laboratories, West Point, PA). The 18S and rat cyclophilin (CP) cDNA probes were obtained from Dr. Mei-Jhy Su (Maxim Biotech, Inc., South San Francisco, CA) and Dr. J. Gregor Sutcliffe (Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA), respectively. Chamber slides were purchased from Becton Dickinson and Co. (Franklin Lakes, NJ). FCS was purchased from Intergen (Purchase, NY), and culture media were obtained from the Cell Culture Facility of the University of California-San Francisco. Digoxigenin (DIG) and RNA polymerase were obtained from Boehringer Mannheim (Indianapolis, IN). Biotinylated tyramide reagent and streptavidin peroxidase were purchased from DAKO Corp. (Carpinteria, CA). All other reagents were obtained from Sigma Chemical Co. (St. Louis, MO), previously noted suppliers (23), or as specified.

Cell culture
The chondrogenic cell line C5.18 was provided by Dr. Jane E. Aubin (University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada) and maintained in standard medium (SM) (21, 22) containing 15% FCS and dexamethasone (DEX; 10-7 M) and studied within 25 passages. Cells were usually replated before reaching confluence using 0.05% (wt/vol) trypsin and 0.5 M EDTA1 to dissociate cell monolayers. For experiments, cells were initially plated at a density of 1.6 x 104 cells/cm2 in 96-well plates for alcian green staining, 10- or 15-cm culture dishes for RNA extraction, or chamber slides for morphological studies. Cells typically reached confluence 48 h after seeding and then the medium was switched to a supplemented medium [SM plus ß-glycerol phosphate (10 mM), and ascorbic acid (50 µg/ml)] to enhance the formation of cartilage nodules (24). When the Ca2+ concentration in the medium was varied, appropriate volumes of 1 M CaCl2 were added to a calcium-free supplemented medium. Ionized Ca2+ was determined at room temperature using a Nova CRT 8 analyzer (Nova Biomedical, Waltham, MA), and values are reported in Table 1Go. All [Ca2+]o values reported in this paper reflect the ionized Ca2+ concentration.


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Table 1. Ionized [Ca2+] measurements in supplemented medium

 
Alcian green staining for glycosaminoglycans
Matrix production by C5.18 cells was assessed in 96-well plates using alcian green 2GX, which stains glycosaminoglycans of acid-sulfated proteoglycans, such as chondroitin-4-sulfate and chondroitin-6-sulfate. For histochemical studies, cells were plated on chamber slides. For alcian green staining, cells were first fixed in formalin (10%, vol/vol) in PBS for 30 min. After two washes with PBS, water, and acetic acid (3%, vol/vol), cells were incubated with alcian green (0.25%, wt/vol) in acetic acid (3%, vol/vol) for 30 min. Cells were then washed twice with acetic acid (3%) and twice with water and counterstained with hematoxylin for morphological studies. For stain quantification, alcian green was eluted in aqueous guanidine HCl (8 M) and quantified by absorbance at 340 nm.

Oligonucleotide transfection
The antisense oligonucleotide sequence was from the region flanking the putative translation start site of the rat brain CaR (25). C5.18 cells were transfected with CaR sense (5'-GAGAAGGCAACGCTATGGCATCG-3') or antisense (5'-CGATGCCATAGCGTTGCCTTCTC-3') phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (Cruachem, Inc., Dulles, VA). Cells that were 50–70% confluent were transfected with oligonucleotides (100 nM) using Lipofectamine reagent (8 µg/ml) according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Life Technologies, Gaithersburg, MD). Five hours after transfection, media were replaced with supplemented media containing 1.8 mM Ca2+. After 48- to 72-h incubation, membrane protein and total RNA were purified for Western and Northern analyses, respectively.

Northern blotting
Total RNA was extracted from cultured C5.18 cells using RNA Stat-60 (Tel-Test, Inc., Friendswood, TX). RNA (25 µg/sample) was electrophoresed on agarose gels and transferred to Hybond-N+ nylon membranes (Amersham Corp., Arlington Heights, IL). cDNA probes were labeled with [{alpha}-32P]deoxy-CTP (Amersham Corp.) using the Prime-It II DNA labeling kit (Stratagene, La Jolla, CA). Membranes were hybridized with labeled probes and washed sequentially with 2, 1, and 0.1 x SSC (standard saline citrate) at 65 C for 15 min. Thereafter, each membrane was hybridized with CP and/or 18S cDNA probes after stripping the membranes. Hybridization signals were detected on film and quantified densitometrically using NIH image 1.5.2 software (NIH) on a microcomputer. In all cases, the ratio of signals from the RNA of interest compared with either CP or 18S RNA was determined. The ratio of signals at 0.4 mM Ca2+ is defined as 100% in each experiment unless otherwise stated. The data presented are representative of at least two independent experiments unless otherwise specified.

Immunocytochemistry
For immunocytochemistry, C5.18 cells were cultured in chamber slides, fixed for 30 min, and then stained. Fixed cells were treated with H2O2 (0.6%, vol/vol) in methanol (80%, vol/vol) to reduce endogenous peroxidase activity and blocked with PBS containing nonfat dry milk (1%, wt/vol), fish skin gelatin (0.3%, wt/vol), goat serum (3%, vol/vol), and Tween-20 (0.01%, vol/vol). Cells were then incubated with anti-CaR antiserum 21825A (500 nM) (17). This antiserum was raised in a rabbit against a peptide epitope (amino acids 215–236) in the extracellular domain of the bovine parathyroid CaR, which is completely conserved in rat and human CaRs. To assess specificity, sections were treated with either antiserum preincubated with excess peptide (1000-fold) or nonimmune rabbit serum. After several washes, cells were incubated with peroxidase-conjugated goat antirabbit IgG (1:100) at room temperature for 60 min, followed by diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining using SigmaFast DAB tablets and counterstaining with aqueous hematoxylin.

In situ hybridization
C5.18 cell monolayers were fixed, embedded in paraffin, and sectioned. Sections were hybridized to a DIG-labeled sense or antisense RNA probes (26) prepared from the human keratinocyte CaR cDNA template (nucleotides 2442–2746) (15). Probes were diluted in hybridization solution [2 x SSC, 12.5 x Denhardt’s solution, formamide (50%), SDS (0.5%), salmon sperm DNA (0.25 µg/ml), sodium pyrophosphate (0.5%), and Tris-HCl (10 mM, pH 7.4)] and then applied to sections, which were incubated overnight at 42 C. Sections were washed and incubated first with ribonuclease A (20 µg/ml) and then with a series of solutions of increasing stringency. Sections were exposed for 1 h to anti-DIG-horseradish peroxidase antibody (1:500) in buffer [BSA (2%), fish skin gelatin (0.5%), NaCl (500 mM), Tween-20 (0.1%), and Tris-HCl (10 mM, pH 7.6)], then incubated with biotinylated tyramide reagent for 15 min, followed by streptavidin-peroxidase for 15 min. Signals were visualized with DAB chromogen substrate for 5 min. Sections were counterstained with methyl green.

Immunoblotting
Crude membrane protein fractions were prepared from C5.18 cells cultured in supplemented medium for 10 days and human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK-293) cells expressing wild-type bovine parathyroid CaR (17). Immunoblotting was performed with affinity-purified rabbit anti-CaR peptide antiserum (21825A; 50 nM) as previously described (17) after electrophoresis on 6% SDS-PAGE gels and transfer to nitrocellulose membranes. Immunoreactivity was developed by incubating blots with peroxidase-conjugated goat antirabbit IgG (Vector Laboratories, Inc., Burlingame, CA; 1:4000), ECL assay kits were used for signal detection (Amersham Corp.).


    Results
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Nodule formation and chondrogenic gene expression in cultured C5.18 cells
C5.18 cells spontaneously differentiate to produce cartilage-like nodules over 3–12 days of culture by a process that is enhanced by DEX (21). At subconfluence, these cells displayed polygonal shapes resembling isolated chondrocytes (Fig. 1aGo). Nodules containing alcian green-stainable material generally appeared 2 days postconfluence in the supplemented medium (Fig. 1bGo). The sizes of the nodules increased with time in culture, as did the amount of alcian green staining within the nodules (Fig. 1cGo).



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Figure 1. Formation of cartilage-like nodules in C5.18 cells. C5.18 cells were initially maintained in SM (a) and then grown in a supplemented medium after reaching confluence. b and c show cultures at 2 and 8 days postconfluence. Cells in all panels were stained with alcian green and counterstained with hematoxylin as described in Materials and Methods.

 
Aggrecan RNA in these cultures was detected by Northern blotting as early as 1 day postconfluence, and its levels remained unchanged for up to 12 days (Fig. 2aGo). RNA transcripts for the {alpha}1-subunit of type II collagen [{alpha}1-(II)] were detectable in day 1 cultures and increased with the duration of culture (Fig. 2bGo). RNA encoding the {alpha}1-subunit of type X collagen [{alpha}1-(X)], however, could barely be detected in the first 3 days of culture, but its level profoundly increased thereafter (Fig. 2cGo). Levels of ALP RNA did not change significantly throughout the culture period (Fig. 2dGo).



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Figure 2. Temporal expression of chondrogenic genes in C5.18 cells. Total RNA extracted from 1-, 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-day postconfluent cell cultures was analyzed by Northern blotting, using cDNA probes for aggrecan (Agg; a), {alpha}1(II) (b), {alpha}1(X) (c), and ALP (d). All blots were subsequently probed with a CP cDNA probe after stripping as described in Materials and Methods.

 
In previous studies with chick limb bud cultures (27), Ca2+ was shown to be an important factor in cell condensation and aggregation (3), early steps in chondrogenesis. To determine whether [Ca2+]o might influence nodule formation in C5.18 cells, we tested the effects of different [Ca2+]o on alcian green staining in postconfluent cultures. Cells were grown in supplemented medium with ionized [Ca2+] ranging from 0.4–5.2 mM. The highest [Ca2+]o studied was more than 6 mM, which was prepared by adding 10 mM CaCl2 to supplemented medium. This level of ionized Ca2+ was outside the effective range of the Ca2+ electrode (up to 6 mM) and is designated as more than 6 mM in these experiments. In cells grown at different [Ca2+]o for 12 days postconfluence, we found that increasing [Ca2+]o dose dependently reduced both the number and the size of the nodules as well as the alcian green staining of the culture, with an ID50 of approximately 2 mM (Fig. 3Go and data not shown). At a [Ca2+]o of 4 mM or more, staining was reduced to about 40% of maximum at 0.4 mM Ca2+.



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Figure 3. Alcian green staining of C5.18 cells cultured at different [Ca2+]0. Postconfluent C5.18 cells grown in supplemented medium were exposed to different [Ca2+]o (from 0.4 to >6 mM) for 12 days. a and b show alcian green staining of C5.18 cells grown in 1 mM and 2.9 mM Ca2+, respectively. Eluted stain from cultures exposed to different [Ca2+]o was quantified by A340 readings and is shown in c. Results are from six experiments performed in triplicate.

 
To determine whether these effects of high [Ca2+]o were reversible, cells were grown at either 2.9 or >6 mM Ca2+ for 7 days and then switched to different [Ca2+]o, ranging from 0.4 to more than 6 mM for 7 more days. Cultures were then stained with alcian green. High [Ca2+]o-induced inhibition of nodule formation, reflected by alcian green staining of the cultures, was reversible, as demonstrated in Fig. 4Go. In C5.18 cells that were initially grown at 2.9 mM Ca2+ for 7 days, the subsequent reduction of [Ca2+]o to less than 2.9 mM for 7 days produced a concentration-dependent increase in alcian green staining (Fig. 4Go). On the other hand, if these same cultures, grown at 2.9 mM Ca2+ for 7 days, were switched to a [Ca2+]o more than 2.9 mM for 7 days, this further decreased alcian green staining compared with the levels seen in cultures continuously exposed to 2.9 mM Ca2+ for 14 days (Fig. 4Go1). The inhibitory effects of culturing cells for 7 days at more than 6 mM Ca2+ were also reversible (Fig. 4Go). Thus, high [Ca2+]o did not appear to have nonspecific toxic effects on matrix production by these cells.



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Figure 4. Reversibility of the effects of high [Ca2+]o on alcian green staining. Postconfluent C5.18 cells were initially grown in supplemented medium with either 2.9 mM Ca2+ ({blacktriangleup}) or >6 mM Ca2+ ({triangleup}) for 7 days. Media were then changed to those containing different [Ca2+]o as shown (0.4 to >6 mM) for 7 more days. On day 14, cultures were stained with alcian green, and stain was eluted and quantified. Symbols * and + depict results from cells that were continuously grown in 1 mM or more than 6 mM Ca2+, respectively, for 14 days.

 
Effects of changing [Ca2+]o on chondrogenic gene expression
We next examined the possibility that Ca2+ could regulate the expression of aggrecan, type II and X collagen, and ALP RNA. Aggrecan, a major proteoglycan component of cartilage nodules (8), was assessed in cells cultured for 12 days at high [Ca2+]o. These conditions suppressed steady state aggrecan RNA levels by more than 95% in a concentration-dependent manner (ID50, ~2 mM Ca2+). Suppression was evident when RNA levels were normalized to either CP or 18S RNA levels (Fig. 5aGo and Table 2Go). The latter two RNA levels were not affected by changing [Ca2+]o (Fig. 5aGo and data not shown). RNA levels for {alpha}1(II), an early cartilage marker, were also decreased by high [Ca2+]o in a dose-dependent manner (Fig. 5bGo and Table 2Go). The higher ID50 of about 4.1 mM indicated that this marker was less sensitive to [Ca2+]o. Suppression was maximal at more than 6 mM Ca2+, to less than 10% of the levels at 0.4 mM Ca2+.



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Figure 5. Effects of increasing [Ca2+]o on RNA levels of aggrecan, type II and type X collagen, and ALP in C5.18 cells. Total RNA extracted from cultures maintained at various [Ca2+]o for 12 days postconfluence was analyzed by Northern blotting. Autoradiograms for aggrecan, {alpha}1(II), {alpha}1(X), and ALP are shown in a, b, c, and d, respectively.

 

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Table 2. Suppression of mRNA levels for chondrogenic genes in C5.18 cells by [Ca2+]0

 
We next looked at the expression of RNA levels of {alpha}1(X) and ALP. These genes are considered markers of the chondrocyte phenotype that appear later in differentiation (8). Total RNA levels for {alpha}1(X) and ALP were reduced by increases in [Ca2+]o with ID50 values of about 2.9 and 1.6 mM, respectively (Fig. 5cGo and Table 2Go). The densitometric ratio of {alpha}1(X) RNA and CP RNA fell at [Ca2+]o of more than 5.2 mM to less than 10% of the maximum ratio at 0.4 mM Ca2+ (see Table 2Go). In contrast, ALP RNA levels were maximally suppressed by about 50% when [Ca2+]o was increased to more than 6 mM (Fig. 5dGo and Table 2Go).

As these results were obtained after 12 days in culture, we next determined whether responses to different [Ca2+]o could occur more rapidly. In these studies, postconfluent cells were grown at 1.0 mM Ca2+ for 7 days to confluence, and then [Ca2+]o was increased to more than 6 mM for between 0.25–72 h. We found that high [Ca2+]o suppressed aggrecan RNA levels by 50% within 4 h and by more than 90% within 72 h, compared with control levels at 1.0 mM Ca2+ (Fig. 6aGo). In the reverse experiment, when cells grown at 2.9 mM Ca2+ for 7 days were switched to 1.0 mM Ca2+ for 0.25–72 h, aggrecan RNA levels rose 3-fold within 4 h and about 8-fold in 72 h compared with control levels at 2.9 mM Ca2+ (Fig. 6bGo).



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Figure 6. Time course of the effects of increasing or decreasing [Ca2+]0 on aggrecan RNA levels in C5.18 cells. Cells were initially grown in medium containing either 1.0 mM (a) or 2.9 mM (b) Ca2+ for 7 days and then switched to medium containing either more than 6 mM (a) or 1.0 mM (b) Ca2+ for different time periods (0.25–72 h). The asterisk depicts cells continuously grown in either 1 (a) or 2.9 (b) mM Ca2+ for 10 days. Total RNA extracted from the cultures at different time points was analyzed using Northern blotting for the expression of aggrecan. Densitometric ratios for aggrecan compared with 18S ribosomal RNA were calculated as shown.

 
Expression of CaRs in C5.18 cells
As the G protein-coupled CaR mediates Ca2+ sensing in many systems (9), we next assessed whether C5.18 cells expressed protein and transcripts homologous to known CaRs. Immunocytochemistry with anti-CaR antisera raised against a peptide in the extracellular domain of the CaR (17) produced diffuse staining of C5.18 cells (Fig. 7aGo). Staining intensity was slightly increased in areas of nodule formation, which are localized by alcian green staining (Fig. 7aGo). There were no qualitative differences in CaR staining at any time points examined during culture (1–12 days) either with or without DEX (data not shown). Similarly, there were no significant changes in CaR protein expression by Western blotting during this time in culture (data not shown). At higher magnification, CaR staining localized to the cell membrane and the perinuclear regions (Fig. 7bGo). This pattern is comparable to that of HEK-293 cells stably transfected with bovine parathyroid CaR (data not shown). Immunoreactivity appeared to be specific, as staining was absent when cells were treated with antiserum preincubated with the immunizing peptide or with nonimmune antisera (data not shown).



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Figure 7. Expression of CaR protein and transcripts in C5.18 cells. Cultured C5.18 cells were stained using anti-CaR peptide antiserum 21825A as described in Materials and Methods and as shown in a (x100) and b (x200). In situ hybridization on sections of C5.18 cells with antisense (c) and sense (d) CaR complementary RNA probes was performed as described in Materials and Methods. Immunoblotting was performed on crude membranes prepared from C5.18 cells and HEK-293 cells stably expressing the bovine parathyroid CaR with an anti-CaR antisera (e) and anti-CaR antisera and a 1000-fold excess of peptide (f) as described in Materials and Methods.

 
To assess expression of CaR transcripts, we performed in situ hybridization with CaR probes. An antisense complementary RNA probe from the human keratinocyte CaR localized a positive signal in C5.18 cells (Fig. 7cGo). Hybridization with a CaR sense probe was negative (Fig. 7dGo), confirming the specificity of the signal for CaR transcripts.

To assess the molecular weight of bands reacting with anti-CaR antiserum, we blotted crude membrane fractions from C5.18 cells and HEK-293 cells stably expressing the bovine parathyroid CaR (17). Our antisera detected three major protein bands of about 140, about 160, and more than 205 kDa in membranes prepared from these HEK-293 cells (17) (see Fig. 7eGo). In C5.18 cells, there was a predominant band with a molecular mass of approximately 150 kDa and two less intense but specific higher molecular mass bands (>205 kDa; Fig. 7eGo). We also consistently observed two fainter bands of 180–190 kDa molecular mass in these cells. This immunoreactivity was judged to be specific, as it was absent when preimmune sera was substituted for anti-CaR antisera (data not shown) and was abolished by preincubation of anti-CaR antisera with excess peptide (Fig. 7fGo).

To determine whether there was a link between expression of CaRs and chondrogenic gene expression, we transfected CaR antisense oligonucleotides into C5.18 cells and examined aggrecan RNA levels. Transfection of cells with antisense oligonucleotides reduced CaR protein expression by 46.3 ± 5.5% compared with that of cells transfected with sense oligonucleotides (P < 0.05; n = 3; Fig. 8Go, a and c). Steady state aggrecan RNA levels, however, increased by 77.2 ± 18.1% compared with levels in sense DNA-transfected control cells (P < 0.02; n = 3; Fig. 8Go, b and c). These findings suggested that interruption of CaR expression correlated with changes in aggrecan RNA expression.



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Figure 8. Effects of CaR-specific antisense and sense oligonucleotides on CaR protein expression and aggrecan RNA levels. a, Western blotting was performed on membrane proteins from C5.18 cells transfected with either sense (S) or antisense (AS) oligonucleotides for 48–72 h using anti-CaR peptide antiserum 21825A as described in Materials and Methods. b, Northern analysis was performed on RNA isolated from cells transfected with sense or antisense CaR oligonucleotides with aggrecan (Agg) and cyclophilin (CP) cDNA probes. c, CaR protein and aggrecan RNA levels were compared in cells transfected with either antisense or sense oligonucleotides and expressed as the percent increase () or the percent reduction ({downarrow}). These results represent data from three transfections.

 

    Discussion
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 
Normal development of cartilage and bone requires the deposition of Ca2+ and other minerals into the extracellular matrix (1, 2, 8, 28). Whether chondrocytes can detect changes in Ca2+ availability and modify their function is unknown. To determine a potential role for extracellular Ca2+ in cartilage, we used a chondrogenic cell line derived from fetal rat calvaria (21). The order of expression of cartilage markers in C5.18 cells resembles the differentiation sequence of chondrocytes in intact cartilage with the early appearance of aggrecan and type II collagen followed by the expression of type X collagen (8). We found that increasing [Ca2+]o dose dependently suppressed nodule formation and steady state RNA levels encoding aggrecan, type II and type X collagen, and ALP. The modulation of aggrecan RNA levels with changing [Ca2+]o was rapid (within 4 h) and reversible. An anti-CaR antiserum detected expression of CaR protein by Western blotting and immunocytochemistry. CaR probes (15) localized transcripts in these cells by in situ hybridization, and expression of CaR antisense oligonucleotides reduced steady state RNA levels for the matrix protein aggrecan. These findings underscore the importance of Ca2+ and potentially of CaRs in chondrogenic function.

Ca2+ is critical at several points in cartilage development. In early stages of chondrogenesis, mesenchymal cells interact and form condensed aggregates from which chondrocytes are derived (3). In vitro studies using limb-bud cells show that cell-cell interactions in the condensation and aggregation steps are modulated by extracellular Ca2+ (3). After condensation and aggregation, chondrocytes progress through stages of proliferation, maturation, and hypertrophy. To study the effects of [Ca2+]o on steps beyond cell aggregation, we used postconfluent C5.18 cells. At 1–3 days postconfluence, C5.18 cells resemble maturing chondrocytes in that they express aggrecan and type II collagen. At 6 days postconfluence, these cells express type X collagen, which is a feature of hypertrophic chondrocytes (8). Our results show that changes in [Ca2+]o modulate levels of matrix protein synthesis in both early and late postconfluent cultures, suggesting that [Ca2+]o may be able to regulate chondrogenic function in cells beyond aggregation.

The [Ca2+]o we observed to have significant effects on chondrogenic gene expression in C5.18 cells were within the 1.0–4.0 mM range. Although some of these [Ca2+]o appear high compared with serum ionized [Ca2+] measured in vivo, these [Ca2+]o are well within the range over which Ca2+-sensing receptors are active (16). It is also important to note that [Ca2+] in the cartilage microenvironment in vivo may be higher than that in serum due to the active mobilization of Ca2+ from serum to the matrix (8).

Our studies showed that increases in [Ca2+]o suppressed the expression of chondrogenic genes with varying ID50 values and maximal responses. The RNA levels for aggrecan and type II and type X collagen were profoundly affected, with more than 90% suppression by high [Ca2+]o. Only about 50% of ALP expression, however, was sensitive to changes in [Ca2+]o. The ID50 values for extracellular Ca2+-induced suppression of steady state messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of ALP, aggrecan, type X collagen, and type II collagen were about 1.6, 2.0, 2.9, and 4.1 mM Ca2+, respectively. This range of sensitivities to Ca2+ could reflect differences in the sensitivity of regulatory events beyond membrane CaRs that are triggered in response to a change in [Ca2+]o and that ultimately lead to changes in gene transcription rates and RNA stability. Although we found that steady state RNA levels decrease in response to high [Ca2+]o for all of these genes, different mechanisms could readily be involved depending on the gene in question.

It is well known that cells possess many signaling pathways that are responsive to changes in [Ca2+]o. In parathyroid cells, for example, high [Ca2+]o increases InsP production, elevates [Ca2+]i, and suppresses cAMP accumulation. Different levels of ligand (i.e. Ca2+) are required for activating these pathways. Changes in [Ca2+]i are detectable at 1 mM Ca2+, increases in InsPs production typically require at least 2 mM Ca2+, and cAMP levels are decreased by 1.5 mM Ca2+ or more (10). In terms of cell function, PTH secretion is rapidly suppressed (within minutes) by [Ca2+]o greater than 1.0 mM (10, 13, 29). In contrast, changes in prepro-PTH mRNA levels require more than 12 h, and higher [Ca2+]o (2 or 3 mM) are needed to achieve significant suppression (30). These differences in the sensitivity of important physiological responses in the parathyroid to Ca2+ could be directly relevant to our findings in C5.18 cells. Levels of receptor expression could also explain the greater ID50 values in C5.18 cells compared with parathyroid cells. Finally, in addition to extracellular Ca2+, there are many other regulators that impact on steady state mRNA levels for the genes we studied. Clearly, changes in a given mRNA level reflects an integration of all the regulatory factors that control expression of that gene.

The effects of high [Ca2+]o on the parameters we studied are likely to be specific. Cartilage nodule formation was assessed by staining with alcian green, which interacts with matrix proteoglycans. Alcian green was concentrated specifically in the nodules, and the intensity of staining correlated with both the number and size of the nodules. It is unlikely that differences in staining intensity at different [Ca2+]o were due to nonspecific effects of Ca2+ during the procedure. After fixation, cells were extensively washed with PBS, water, and acetic acid solutions to remove any residual Ca2+ before the addition of alcian green, which was followed by further washing with acetic acid and water. We confirmed that this procedure removed Ca2+ deposits in the cultures by alizarin red staining (data not shown). Therefore, the reduction in alcian green staining in these cultures was probably due to the suppression of matrix synthesis by high [Ca2+]o and not to nonspecific effects of Ca2+ in the medium. In addition, the effects of changing [Ca2+]o on aggrecan RNA levels were promptly reversible, also arguing against nonspecific or toxic effects of high Ca2+.

How do our studies relate to previous work on the role of Ca2+ in chondrogenic gene expression? The observation that high [Ca2+]o suppresses RNA levels of chondrogenic genes in C5.18 cells differs from findings in other systems. Bonen and Schmid (19) reported that raising [Ca2+]o increased type II and X collagen production in cultures of tibio-tarsus chondrocytes isolated from chick embryos. Reginato et al. (6) showed that Ca2+ deficiency, due to the absence of the eggshell, decreased type X collagen synthesis, cell hypertrophy, and mineralization in the embryonic sternal cartilage (6). These defects were corrected by supplementation of the embryo cultures with Ca2+ (6).

There are several explanations for differences between C5.18 cells and other cartilage-based systems. 1) The model systems are different. Many previous studies used embryonic chondrocytes (3), which include cells at all points in differentiation, including condensation and aggregation. Ca2+ stimulates condensation and aggregation (3). C5.18 cells are thought to represent a later stage in differentiation at which Ca2+ could have different effects. Bonen and Schmid (19) used primary chondrocytes, which are heterogeneous populations. Reginato et al. (6) studied whole chick embryos. C5.18 cells are a clonal chondrogenic cell line, highly synchronized in their stage of differentiation (21). 2) The cells of origin for the different models could be relevant. C5.18 cells were derived from fetal calvaria, a site of intramembranous bone formation. Tibio-tarsus and sternal cartilage, in contrast, are sites where endochondral bone forms. Differences in the effects of [Ca2+]o may be due to phenotypic features of the cells of origin. This idea is supported by the observation that Ca2+ deficiency in eggshell-less chick embryo reduced type X collagen synthesis, hypertrophy, and mineralization in sternal cartilage but enhanced cartilage nodule formation in calvaria (4). This latter result is similar to our findings in C5.18 cells. Despite differing effects of [Ca2+]o among these model systems, these in vitro studies are in agreement that [Ca2+]o affects chondrocyte function.

Findings from immunoblotting, immunocytochemistry, and in situ hybridization support the idea that a CaR, similar to those already identified in parathyroid (16), kidney (31), and brain (25), is expressed in C5.18 cells. The sizes of the protein bands in C5.18 cell membranes detected by the anti-CaR antiserum differ modestly from those in parathyroid (16), kidney (31), and CaR-expressing HEK-293 cells (17, 18). Different posttranslational processing (e.g. glycosylation) could account for these differences (32).

Our studies with CaR-specific antisense oligonucleotides suggest that changes in CaR expression impact on aggrecan expression. When CaR protein levels were reduced by about 50%, aggrecan RNA levels increased by 70–80%. The cor- relation between CaR expression and aggrecan RNA levels supports a potential causal link between these parameters. Further studies are required to test this hypothesis, uncover the underlying mechanism, and determine its physiological importance in chondrogenesis.


    Footnotes
 
1 This work was supported by a V.A. Merit Review, NIH Grant DK-43400, and a grant from Northern California Chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. Back

Received May 20, 1998.


    References
 Top
 Abstract
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
 Results
 Discussion
 References
 

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