MCPIP PROTECTION AGAINST OSTEOCLAST PRODUCTION

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods of treating a patient at risk of developing an inflammatory joint disease. In exemplary embodiments, the method involves inhibiting MCPIP levels in a patient in need, wherein said patient in need is exhibiting pre-arthritic or pre-osteoporotic symptoms.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to cellular factors for modulating cellular pathways. More particularly, the invention relates to cellular transcription factors that affect inflammation and the differentiation of osteoclasts, and methods for their therapeutic use.

BACKGROUND

There is strong evidence that osteoclast (OC) is the principal cell type responsible for bone resorption in inflammatory joint diseases (Harris, 1990; Sakiyama et al., 2001; Sato and Takayanagi, 2006; Mundy, 2007). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by the presence of inflammatory synovitis accompanied by the destruction of the joint cartilage and bone (Harris, 1990; Mundy, 2007; Sugimura and Li, 2010). OCs are bone-resorbing cells that differentiate from hematopoietic precursors of the monocyte/macrophage lineage (Sakiyama et al., 2001; Boyce et al., 2007). OCs are multinuclear giant cells that stain positive for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and serine protease cathepsin K (CTSK) (Kiviranta et al., 2001; Boyce et al., 2007).

Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), a CC chemokine commonly found at the site of tooth eruption, RA bone degradation, and bacterially induced bone loss (Wise et al., 2002), is known to induce differentiation of monocytes into TRAP and CTSK-positive precursors of OCs. MCP-1 is expressed by mature OCs and its expression is regulated by nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) (Kim et al., 2005). Several reports showed that MCP-1 is induced by NF-κB ligand RANKL and promotes OC fusion into multinuclear TRAP-positive cells without bone-resorption activity (Kim et al., 2006a,b), which might be called OC precursors. Recently, it has been reported that MCP-1 plays an important role in regulating OC differentiation in an autocrine/paracrine manner under stimulation by RANKL (Miyamoto et al., 2009). How MCP-1 mediates OC differentiation remains unclear.

The cellular effect of MCP-1 is mediated by the CCR2, a G-protein-coupled receptor that is induced by the receptor activator of RANKL (Gerszten et al., 2001; Kim et al., 2005). The signaling process initiated by MCP-1 binding to CCR2 leads to changes in gene expression.

Recently, it was found that this MCP-1 binding leads to the induction of a novel zinc-finger protein called MCPIP in human peripheral blood monocytes (Zhou et al., 2006). The biological functions of MCPIP, however, remain poorly understood.

SUMMARY

The importance of the way in which MCP-1 mediates OC differentiation has been realized, which has been heretofore unclear. The role of MCPIP in biological processes initiated by MCP-1 has also now been discovered. It was previously understood that MCPIP mediates several biological processes initiated by MCP-1. including cardiomyocyte death (Younce and Kolattukudy, 2010; Younce et al., 2010), adipogenesis (Younce et al., 2009), angiogenesis (Niu et al., 2008), and glial differentiation of neuroprogenitor cells (Vrotsos et al., 2009). It has been discovered, as disclosed herein, that MCP-1 induces differentiation of monocytic cells into OC precursors via MCPIP. It is therefore presented that MCPIP mediates differentiation of OC precursors via induction of oxidative stress that causes endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that leads to autophagy involved in osteoclastogenesis. These findings implicate that MCPIP is a novel factor involved in OC precursor differentiation, and thus it serves as a new target for diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis-related disease.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure Legends

FIG. 1. MCP-1 induction of OC precursor differentiation, mediated by MCPIP. (A and B) BMCs were transfected with FLAG-tagged MCPIP (WT-MCPIP) or FLAG-tagged empty vector (MAT-FLAG). TRAP-expressing cells were stained and viewed under the Nikon microscope (A). BMNCs treated with MCP-1 alone or with MCPIP siRNA or Scr siRNA. TRAP-expressing cells were stained and TRAP-positive cell proportion was measured (B). At least three fields (˜500 cells), were chosen. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 versus control; ^#P<0.05 versus Scr. (C) Immunoblotting showing the expression of TRAP, CTSK, and MCPIP induced by MCP-1. Data were mean±SD (n=3). *P<0.05 versus control; ^#P<0.05 versus Scr. (D) Real-time PCR showing the transcription of TRAP, CTSK, and MCPIP induced by MCP-1. *P<0.05 versus control; ^#P<0.05 versus Scr. (E) Real-time PCR showing the transcription of αV integrin, β3 integrin, and MMP9.

FIG. 2. MCPIP overexpression induces OC-related marker TRAP and CTSK expression. (A) Real-time PCR showing the transcription of TRAP, CTSK, and MCPIP (upper panel) and αV integrin, β3 integrin, and MMP9 (lower panel) induced by MCPIP transfection. *P<0.05 and **P<0.01 versus control or GFP; ^#P<0.05 versus day 2 or 6. (B) Immunoblotting showing the expression of TRAP, CTSK, and MCPIP induced by MCPIP transfection. Data were mean±SD (n=3). *P<0.01 versus GFP; ^#P<0.05 versus MCPIP or Scr. (C) Percentage of TRAP-positive cells. *P<0.01 versus GFP; ^#P<0.01 versus none or Scr.

FIG. 3. ROS production involvement in MCPIP/MCP-1-induced OC precursor differentiation. (A) Western blot showed that MCP-1 treatment or MCPIP transfection induces p47^PHOX expression. *P<0.05 versus control or GFP; ^#P<0.05 versus Scr. (B) Immunoblotting showed that MCP-1 or MCPIP overexpression induces an increase in cytoplasmic membrane-associated p47^PHOX. * P<0.05 versus control or GFP; ^#P<0.05 versus Scr. (C)ROS production induced by MCP-1 or MCPIP transfection, or siRNA was detected by using DHR123. *P<0.05 versus control or GFP; ^#P<0.05 versus Scr. (D) MCPIP-induced ROS production was inhibited by ROS, NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors, and p47^PHOX knockdown. *P<0.05 versus GFP, ^#P<0.05 versus MCPIP only. *P<0.05 compared with p47^PHOX non-specific (NS) oligonucleotides transfection cells. (E) The effect of CeO₂ on MCPIP, TRAP, and CTSK expression induced by MCPIP transfection. Data were mean±SD (n=3). *P<0.05 versus GFP; ^#P<0.05 versus MCPIP only. (F) The effect of p47^PHOX AS and apocynin on the expression of related proteins. m-p47, membrane located p47^PHOX; p47, total p47^PHOX; p47/NS, non-specific RNA; p47/AS, antisense RNA. Apo, apocynin.

FIG. 4. MCPIP induction of ER stress via ROS production involved in OC precursor differentiation. (A) Immunoblotting shown that MCP-1 or MCPIP transfection induces the expression of GRP78 and IRE-1 (ER stress markers) by inducing ROS production. (B) Blockage of ER stress by IRE-1 siRNA abolished MCPIP-induced mRNA and protein expression of TRAP and CTSK. *P<0.05 versus GFP, ^#P<0.05 versus Scr. (C) Blockage of ER stress by TUDC abolished MCPIP-induced mRNA and protein expression of TRAP and CTSK. *P<0.05 versus GFP, ^#P<0.05 versus MCPIP alone. (D) Real-time PCR showing the expression of TRAP, CTSK, GRP78, and IRE-1 by ER stress inducer. *P<0.05 versus control. (E) Immunoblotting showing the expression of TRAP, CTSK, GRP78, and IRE-1 by ER stress inducer. TU, tunicamycin; TH, thapsigargin.

FIG. 5. MCPIP induction of autophagy via ROS production and ER stress involved in OC precursor differentiation. (A) Immunoblotting shown that MCPIP induces autophagy characterized with the marker Beclin-1 expression and ROS/ER stress inhibitor inhibited MCPIP-induced expression of Beclin-1. (B and C) Immunoblotting shown that autophagy blocker 3′-MA and LY294002 blocked MCPIP-induced OC-related gene TRAP and CTSK expression but not GRP78. (D) Real-time PCR shown that autophagy blocker 3′-MA and LY294002 blocked MCPIP-induced expression of TRAP and CTSK but not GRP78. *P<0.05 versus GFP, ^#P<0.05 versus MCPIP alone. (E) Blocking autophagy by Beclin-1 siRNA inhibited MCPIP-induced mRNA and protein expression of TRAP and CTSK but not GRP78. *P<0.05 versus MCPIP alone.

FIG. 6. MCPIP-induced OC precursor differentiation inhibited by PI3K inhibitor, wortmannin. (A) qRT-PCR showing induction of Beclin-1 and TRAP and CTSK at the transcript level by MCPIP transfection, and the inhibition effect of wortmannin on MCPIP. *P<0.05 versus MCPIP alone. (B) Immunoblotting show that MCPIP induced Beclin-1, and TRAP and CTSK, and that their induction was suppressed by wortmannin. (C) The intensities of immunoblots were measured and normalized to (3-actin of the corresponding group. *P<0.05 compared with MCPIP alone.

Supplementary Figure S1. MCPIP induced production of cellular ROS in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BBMN). Cells were transfected with empty vector (MAT-FLAG) or MCPIP-expression vector (WT-MCPIP) and after 24 hr stained with DHR123 that is a cell permeable nonfluorescent reagent that generates a fluorescent product (red) when oxidized by cellular ROS.

Supplementary Figure S2. ROS production involvement in MCPIP/MCP-1 induced OC precursor differentiation. Bone marrow monocytes were pretreated with CeO2 or apocynin for 6 h or p47PHOXantisense oligonucleotides for 24 h and then cells were transfected with MCPIP or GFP for 4 days. Cell lysate was collected and analysed using immunoblot with appropriate antibody and results were quantified against (3-actin. A, Effect of CeO2 on MCPIP-induced TRAP and CTSK expression [* P<0.05 compared to CeO2-untreated cells (“None”)]. B, Effect of p47 PHOX antisense oligonucleotides on expression of p47 PHOX and its translocation from cytoplasm to membrane [* P<0.05 compared to non-sense oligonucleotides treated cells (“p47/NS”)]. C, Effect of p47 PHOX antisense oligonucleotides on MCPIP-induced TRAP and CTSK expression [* P<0.05 compared to non-sense oligonucleotides treated cells (“p47/NS”)]. D, Effect of apocynin on expression of p47PHOX and its translocation from cytoplasm to membrane [* P<0.05 compared to apocynin-untreated cells (“None”)]. E, Effect of apocynin on MCPIPinduced TRAP and CTSK expression [* P<0.05 compared to apoicynin-untreated cells (“None”)].

Supplementary Figure S3. MCPIP induces ER stress via ROS production which involvement in OC precursor differentiation. After treatment, cell lysate was collected and analysed using immunoblot with appropriate antibody and results were quantified against (3-actin. A, MCP-1 induces ER stress marker GRP78 and IRE-1 expression via MCPIP (* P<0.05). B, Effect of p47PHOX antisense oligonucleotides, CeO2 and apocynin on MCPIP-induced expression of GRP78 and IRE-1 (* P<0.05). C, inhibition of ER stress by using knock-down of IRE-1 attenuates MCPIP-induced expression of TRAP and CTSK (* P<0.05). D, pretreatment of TUDC inhibits MCPIP-induced expression of TRAP and CTSK and ER stress marker IRE-1 and GRP78 (* P<0.05). E, ER stress inducer tunicamycin and thapsigargin induce expression of TRAP and CTSK (* P<0.05).

Supplementary Figure S4. MCPIP induces autophagy via ROS production and ER stress which involvement in OC precursor differentiation. After treatment, cell lysate was collected and analysed using immunoblot with appropriate antibody and results were quantified against (3-actin. A, MCPIP induces autophagy characterized with the marker beclin-1 expression and ROS inhibitor or ER stress inhibitor inhibited MCPIP-induced expression of beclin-1. (* P<0.05). B, autophagy blocker 3′-MA blocked MCPIP-induced osteoclast-related gene TRAP and CTSK expression but not GRP78 (* P<0.05). C, autophagy blocker LY-294002 blocked MCPIP induced osteoclast-related gene TRAP and CTSK expression but not GRP78. (* P<0.05). D, blockage of autophagy by beclin-1 specific siRNA inhibited MCPIP-induced osteoclast-related gene TRAP and CTSK expression but not GRP78 both in protein and mRNA level. * P<0.05.

Supplementary Figure S5 MCPIP—induced autophagy marker Atg7 is necessary for induction of OC precursor differentiation. (A) qRT-PCR shows that transfection of MCPIP expression vector resulted in significantly increased mRNA levels of Atg7, Beclin-1, TRAP, and CTSK. Atg7-specific siRNA abolished MCPIP-induced expression of these genes. * P<0.05 compared with MCPIP alone. (B) Immunoblot shows that transfection with MCPIP expression vector caused induction of beclin-1, TRAP, and CTSK at the protein levels. Upregulation of these marker genes were inhibited by Atg7-specific siRNA but were not affected by scrambled siRNA. (C) The intensity of each protein was measured and normalized to (3-actin of the corresponding group. * P<0.05 compared with MCPIP alone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventors previously identified the novel transcription factor designated as MCPIP (MCP-1-induced protein). MCPIP was initially isolated from human monocytes after stimulation with MCP-1. The nucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 1) and amino acid (SEQ ID NO: 2) sequences of isolated human MCPIP were deposited with GenBank under accession number AY920403 and the nucleotide (SEQ ID NO: 3) and amino acid (SEQ ID NO: 4) sequences of isolated mouse MCPIP were deposited with GenBank under accession number AY920404.

The inventors have continued to study the biological relevance of these genes/proteins, and to develop new therapies based on this research. This invention is based on the discovery that MCP-1 induces MCPIP in human peripheral blood monocytes which induces differentiation of monocytes into osteoclast cells (OC) or OC precursors. NF_KB is a master controller of inflammation in the body. Agonists of MCPIP would enhance its anti-inflammatory potentcy; it is herein discovered that inhibition of the activation of NF_KB by MCPIP provides a significant potential as an anti-inflammatory agent. Therefore, inhibition of the activation of NF_KB by inhibiting MCPIP has a significant use as an anti-inflammatory agent. Inhibition of MCPIP inhibits inflammation, which plays a critical role in diseases including angiogenesis, i.e., the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels, adipogenesis, the process of cell differentiation by which preadipocytes become adipocytes, and osteoclastogenesis, i.e., the development of osteoclasts. Furthermore, MCPIP plays a critical role in the differentiation of osteoclasts involved in inflammatory bone loss that occurs in many inflammatory diseases such as, for example, rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, elevated MCP-1 levels have been identified as a direct cause of insulin resistance. MCPIP has been discovered to mediate insulin resistance, and thus, MCPIP inhibitors enhance insulin sensitivity. Additional research has led to the identification of MCPIP as a novel factor involved in OC precursor differentiation, as provided herein, identifies MCPIP as a new target for diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis-related disease.

Discovered herein is the effect of inhibition of MCPIP in reducing osteoclast precursor differentiation. MCPIP plays a critical role in differentiation of osteoclasts involved in inflammatory bone loss that occurs in many inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is disclosed herein that differentiation of monocytes to OC precursors is mediated by MCPIP. Therefore, the blocking or inhibition of MCPIP provides a promising therapeutic strategy for preventing differentiation of monocytes to OC precursors, and ultimately the prevention of bone resorption. Bone resorption is a process by which osteoclasts break down bone and release minerals, resulting in a transfer of calcium from bone fluid to the blood. This discovery provides a particular benefit in inflammatory joint diseases.

Ultimately, inflammatory bone erosion is involved in many pathological conditions (Lu et al., 2007; Ha et al., 2010). The novel inventive features described and contemplated herein provide a new insight into the mechanism by which MCP-1 induces differentiation of monocytic cells into TRAP- and CTSK-expressing cells that can proceed to differentiate into functional OCs in the presence of RANKL, and demonstrate that MCPIP is a novel target for therapy of inflammatory bone erosion, in one exemplary embodiment.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of treating a condition in a patient in need includes administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that inhibits the expression or action of MCPIP. The patient in need may be exhibiting pre-arthritic symptoms including but not limited to pain or tenderness in a joint which is aggravated by movement or activity, inflammation indicated by joint swelling, stiffness, redness, and/or warmth, joint deformity, loss of range of motion or flexibility in a joint, or unexplained weight loss. Additional pre-arthritic symptoms include extreme fatigue, lack of energy, weakness or a feeling of malaise, a non-specific fever, or crepitus, i.e., creaky, popping or snapping joints.

In another embodiment, the patient in need may be exhibiting pre-osteoporotic symptoms, including but not limited to back pain caused by a fractured or collapsed vertebra, loss of height over time, a stooped posture, or a bone fracture that occurs much more easily than expected. The patient in need may also be exhibiting symptoms of an existing arthritic or osteoporotic disease, or both. Furthermore, the patient in need may be exhibiting symptoms of any arthritic or osteoporotic related-diseases, any inflammatory joint diseases, or any pre-disease symptoms of these related diseases. In a further embodiment, the condition may include an osteoporosis-related condition, and in a particular embodiment, rheumatoid arthritis.

As used herein, therapeutically effective amount refers to an amount sufficient to elicit the desired biological response. In the present invention the desired biological response can be an overall improvement in the condition being treated. The overall improvement can be associated with improvement in individual symptoms.

Subject or patient, as used herein, refers to animals such as mammals, including, but not limited to, primates (e.g., humans), cows, sheep, goats, horses, pigs, dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice or other bovine, ovine, equine, canine, feline, rodent or murine species. In one embodiment, the subject is a human.

Modes of Administration

The compounds for use in the method of the invention can be formulated for oral, transdermal, sublingual, buccal, parenteral, rectal, intranasal, intrabronchial, intrapulmonary, or ocular administration. Oral administration is preferred. For oral administration, the compounds can be of the form of tablets or capsules prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients such as binding agents (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone, hydroxypropylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose); fillers (e.g., cornstarch, lactose, microcrystalline cellulose or calcium phosphate); lubricants (e.g., magnesium stearate, talc, or silica); disintegrates (e.g., sodium starch glycollate); or wetting agents (e.g., sodium lauryl sulphate). If desired, the tablets can be coated using suitable methods and coating materials such as OPADRY film coating systems available from Colorcon, West Point, Pa. (e.g., OPADRY, OY Type, OY—C Type, Organic Enteric OY—P Type, Aqueous Enteric OY-A Type, OY-PM Type and OPADRY™ White, 32K18400).

In a particular embodiment, the oral form is a tablet containing MCPIP and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, such as, but not limited to mannitol, corn starch, microcrystalline cellulose, colloidal silicon dioxide, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, talc, magnesium stearate, and the like which are optionally coated with an OPADRY film coating.

Liquid preparation for oral administration can be in the form of solutions, syrups or suspensions. The liquid preparations can be prepared by conventional means with pharmaceutically acceptable additives such as suspending agents (e.g., sorbitol syrup, methyl cellulose or hydrogenated edible fats); emulsifying agent (e.g., lecithin or acacia); non-aqueous vehicles (e.g., almond oil, oily esters or ethyl alcohol); and preservatives (e.g., methyl or propyl p-hydroxy benzoates or sorbic acid).

For buccal administration, the compounds for use in the method of the invention can be in the form of tablets or lozenges formulated in a conventional manner.

For parenteral administration, the compounds for use in the method of the invention can be formulated for injection or infusion, for example, intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injection or infusion, or for administration in a bolus dose and/or continuous infusion. Suspensions, solutions or emulsions in an oily or aqueous vehicle, optionally containing other formulatory agents such as suspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents can be used.

For rectal administration, the compounds for use in the method of the invention can be in the form of suppositories or enemas. For sublingual administration, tablets can be formulated in conventional manner.

For intranasal, intrabronchial or intrapulmonary administration, conventional formulations can be employed.

Further, the compounds (e.g. protein or delivery vehicle) for use in the method of the invention can be formulated in a sustained release preparation. For example, the compounds can be formulated with a suitable polymer or hydrophobic material which provides sustained and/or controlled release properties to the active agent compound. As such, the compounds for use the method of the invention can be administered in the form of microparticles for example, by injection or in the form of wafers or discs by implantation.

In accordance with the method of the invention, an expression vector is a viral or a non-viral expression vector. Viral expression vectors which may be used advantageously in the method of the invention include, but are not limited to, an adeno associated virus (AAV) vector, a lentivirus vector, an adenovirus vector, and a herpes simplex virus (HSV) vector.

In additional embodiments, the composition comprises siRNA or miRNA specific for MCPIP, an antisense nucleotide specific for MCPIP, and/or shRNA. In an alternative embodiment, the composition comprises an antibody specific to MCPIP.

In another embodiment, a method of inhibiting osteoclast production (or a method of reducing osteoclast precursor cells) in a patient in need is provided. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that inhibits the expression or action of MCPIP in the patient. The patient in need, in an embodiment, may be exhibiting symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and/or osteoporosis.

In another embodiment, administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition includes a composition comprising: a composition that inhibits the expression or action of MCPIP, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

In further embodiments, the composition includes an MCPIP siRNA, an shRNA, an antibody specific to MCPIP, and/or an antisense nucleotide specific for MCPIP.

Many of the embodiments of the subject invention make reference to particular methods of inhibiting expression. The subject invention is not to be limited to any of the particular methods described. One such method includes siRNA (small interfering/short interfering/silencing RNA). SiRNA most often is involved in the RNA interference pathway where it interferes with the expression of a specific gene. In addition to its role in the RNA interference pathway, siRNA also act in RNA interference-related pathways, e.g., as an antiviral mechanism or in shaping the chromatin structure of a genome.

Another method by which to inhibit expression and to inhibit the expression of MCPIP in particular is shRNA. ShRNA (short hairpin or small hairpin RNA) refers to a sequence of RNA that makes a tight hairpin turn and is used to silence gene expression via RNA interference. It uses a vector introduced into cells and a U6 or H1 promoter to ensure that the shRNA is always expressed. The shRNA hairpin structure is cleaved by cellular machinery into siRNA which is then bound to the RNA-induced silencing complex. This complex binds to and cleaves mRNAs which match the siRNA that is bound to it.

MCPIP can also be blocked by subjecting procured cells to an antibody specific to MCP-1. An antisense nucleotide may also be used to block or inhibit expression, in particular, the expression of MCP-1. Expression may also be inhibited with the use of a morpholino oligomer or phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO). PMOs are an antisense technology used to block access of other molecules to specific sequences within nucleic acid. PMOs are often used as a research tool for reverse genetics, and function by knocking down gene function. This is achieved by preventing cells from making a targeted protein or by modifying splicing of pre-mRNA.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

MCP-1 Induces OC-Related Gene Expression Via MCPIP in Human Bone Marrow Monocytes

It has been demonstrated that MCP-1 induces TRAP-positive OC precursor formation from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (Kim et al., 2006a). Here, we found that 50 ng/ml MCP-1 induced TRAP-positive OC precursor cell formation from human bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) (FIG. 1B). Immunoblotting (FIG. 1C) and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (FIG. 1D) showed that MCP-1 treatment induced expression of OC markers TRAP and CTSK. However, MCP-1 did not affect the expression of the OC functional markers aV integrin, (33 integrin, and MMP9 (FIG. 1E). We also found that 50 ng/ml MCP-1 induced up-regulation of MCPIP protein and mRNA levels, which can be suppressed by treatment with MCPIP small interfering RNA (siRNA) (FIGS. 1C and D). Compared with FLAG-tagged empty vector (MAT-FLAG), expression of FLAG-tagged MCPIP (WT-FLAG) induced TRAP-positive OC precursor cell formation (FIG. 1A). MCPIP siRNA also significantly inhibited the formation of OC precursor cells that expressed TRAP and CTSK but showed no effects on expression of aV integrin, (33 integrin, and MMP9 (FIG. 1C-E). These results suggest that induction of the TRAP-positive OC precursor cells by MCP-1 treatment of BMCs was mediated via MCPIP.

Example 2

Forced Expression of MCPIP Induces Differentiation of Monocytes into OC Precursors

If MCP-1-induced differentiation of OC precursors is mediated by MCPIP, forced expression of MCPIP in monocytes might be expected to induce the formation of TRAP-positive OC precursor cells without MCP-1. BMCs were transfected to test this concept, as can be seen in FIG. 2, with MCPIP-GFP expression vector. Increased expression of MCPIP was found 24 h after transfection at mRNA levels as measured by real-time PCR and its expression reached the peak at 4 days after transfection (see FIG. 2A, upper panel). The expression of TRAP and CTSK was induced at 2 days after MCPIP transfection and reached the peak at 4 days. However, the expression of aV integrin, (33 integrin, and MMP9 showed no significant changes after MCPIP transfection (see FIG. 2A, bottom panel). Immunoblot analysis showed that MCPIP overexpression induced expression of TRAP and CTSK (see FIG. 2B), and TRAP staining showed that MCPIP expression significantly elevated formation of TRAP-positive cells (FIG. 2C). When MCPIP siRNA was transfected into BMCs for 24 h prior to MCPIP transfection, MCPIP expression was knocked down and the expression of OC-related genes TRAP and CTSK also were down-regulated (FIG. 2B). Moreover, the percentage of TRAP-positive cells was lowered by treatment with MCPIP siRNA (FIG. 2C). These results suggest that MCPIP transfection causes induction of OC-related genes and formation of TRAP-positive OC precursor cells.

Example 3

MCPIP-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species Production is Involved in OC Precursor Differentiation

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) derived from NADPH oxidase have been suggested to regulate OC differentiation and prolong the survival of OC precursors (Yamasaki et al., 2009). p47^PHOX, a regulatory subunit of NADPH oxidase, has been implicated in ROS generation (Decoursey and Ligeti, 2005). Herein, it was tested whether forced expression of MCPIP could induce expression and activation of NADPH oxidase by translocation of p47^PHOX into the membrane and produce ROS. Dihydrorhodamine 123 (DHR123) staining revealed ROS production by MCPIP transfected cells but not MAT-FLAG controls (Supplementary Figure S1). Immunoblot analysis shows that MCP-1 treatment and MCPIP expression increased the expression of p47^PHOX (FIG. 3A) and its translocation from the cytoplasm into the membrane (FIG. 3B). ROS production caused by MCP-1 treatment and MCPIP expression was assessed by DHR123 staining and results showed that MCP-1 treatment and MCPIP transfection remarkably increased ROS generation. Moreover, the effects of MCP-1 treatment or forced MCPIP expression on the expression and translocation of p47^PHOX and ROS generation were inhibited by MCPIP siRNA (FIG. 3A-C).

To understand the involvement of ROS production in MCPIP-mediated formation of TRAP-positive OC precursor cells, BMCs were treated with CeO₂ nanoparticles, an inhibitor of ROS (Tsai et al., 2007) prior to MCPIP transfection. It was found that MCPIP-induced ROS production was significantly inhibited by CeO₂ (FIG. 3D). Immunoblot and real-time PCR analysis showed that CeO₂ inhibited MCPIP-induced TRAP and CTSK expression both at protein and mRNA levels (FIG. 3E and Supplementary Figure S2A). The effect of apocynin, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase on MCPIP-induced induction of OC-related genes TRAP and CTSK was further tested herein. It was found that apocynin suppressed MCPIP-induced ROS production (FIG. 3D) and expression of TRAP and CTSK (FIG. 3F and Supplementary Figure S2E). Moreover, apocynin inhibited MCPIP-induced expression and membrane translocation of p47^PHOX (FIG. 3F and Supplementary Figure S2D). Furthermore, knock-down of p47^PHOX, by its specific antisense oligonucleotides (p47/AS) also decreased ROS production, expression and translocation of p47^PHOX, and expression of OC-related genes TRAP and CTSK (FIG. 3F and Supplementary Figure S2B and C). These results suggest that MCPIP causes ROS production by up-regulating p47^PHOX expression and its membrane translocation, and that ROS generation is involved in MCP-1-induced OC precursor differentiation.

Example 4

MCPIP-Induced ROS Production Causes an ER Stress Response that is Involved in OC Precursor Differentiation

It has been reported that oxidative stress can induce ER stress (Xue et al., 2005; Malhotra et al., 2008). Therefore, it was tested herein whether MCP-1 treatment induces ER stress in BMCs. Immunoblot analysis showed that MCP-1 treatment induced expression of the ER stress markers 78 kDa glucose regulated protein (GRP78) and inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE-1) (FIG. 4A, left panel, and Supplementary Figure S3A). This induction was inhibited by MCPIP siRNA (FIG. 4A, left panel, and Supplementary Figure S3A), indicating that MCP-1 induced ER stress via MCPIP. It was also found that forced expression of MCPIP induced ER stress with up-regulation of GRP78 and IRE-1 as indicated by immunoblot (FIG. 4A and Supplementary Figure S3B). To test whether MCPIP induces ER stress through oxidative stress, ROS production was suppressed by CeO₂, apocynin, and p47/AS, and then immunoblotting was performed. Results showed that MCPIP-induced expression of GRP78 and IRE-1 was attenuated by CeO₂, apocynin, and p47/AS (FIG. 4A and Supplementary Figure S3B). These results suggest that MCP-1 mediated ER stress via MCPIP-induced ROS production.

To understand whether ER stress is involved in MCPIP-induced expression of OC-related genes TRAP and CTSK, MCPIP-induced ER stress was inhibited by IRE-1 siRNA (FIG. 4B and Supplementary Figure S3C) and the ER stress-specific inhibitor tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDC) (FIG. 4C and Supplementary Figure S3D). Immunoblot and real-time PCR analysis showed that MCPIP-induced expression of TRAP and CTSK was significantly inhibited by IRE-1 siRNA and by TUDC at both protein and mRNA levels but did not affect the expression of MCPIP (FIGS. 4B and C).

If ER stress is critically important for OC differentiation, the inventors identified that ER stress inducers might induce differentiation of OC precursors without other inducers. In fact, two ER stress inducers, tunicamycin (TU) and thapsigargin (TH), induced expression of GRP78, IRE-1, TRAP, and CTSK at both protein and mRNA levels (FIGS. 4D and E and Supplementary Figure S3E). This result discovered by the inventors suggests that induction of ER stress alone could induce OC precursor differentiation. These results strongly support the conclusion that MCPIP-induced ER stress is involved in MCP-1-mediated OC precursor differentiation.

Example 5

MCPIP-Induced Oxidative and ER Stress Leads to Autophagy Involved in OC Precursor Differentiation

Increased expression of Beclin-1 is a commonly used marker of autophagy (Wang, 2008). Autophagy has been implicated in differentiation in some cellular contexts (Baerga et al., 2009; Singh et al., 2009). However, it was heretofore unclear whether autophagy has involvement in OC differentiation. Here it was found that forced expression of MCPIP increased expression of Beclin-1; this effect was suppressed by MCPIP siRNA, but not by non-specific scramble (Scr) siRNA (FIG. 5A, left panel and Supplementary Figure S4A). This result revealed that MCPIP induced autophagy in BMCs during differentiation into OC precursor cells.

ER stress is known to induce autophagy. To test whether MCPIP-induced ROS production and ER stress are involved directly in MCPIP-mediated autophagy, MCPIP-expressing cells were treated with CeO₂ nanoparticles that can trap free radicals, NADPH inhibitor apocynin, p47/AS, ER stress inhibitor TUDC, or IRE-1 siRNA. Immunoblot analysis showed that MCPIP-induced expression of Beclin-1 was inhibited significantly by inhibition of oxidative stress and ER stress and knockdown of genes involved in these stresses (FIG. 5A, right panel, and Supplementary Figure S4A). These results suggested that MCPIP-mediated autophagy was caused by oxidative stress and ER stress during differentiation of BMCs into OC precursor cells.

Recently, it has been shown that the PI3K inhibitors LY294002 and 3′-methyladenine (MA) stop the macroautophagic pathway at the sequestration step in rat hepatocytes (Blommaart et al., 1997; Petiot et al., 2000). In order to investigate whether autophagy is involved in MCPIP-mediated OC precursor differentiation, the effect of LY294002 and 3′-MA on expression of autophagy marker Beclin-1, lipidation of LC3 and expression of OC-related genes, TRAP and CTSK was tested. Real-time PCR analysis showed that 3′-MA and LY294002 significantly inhibited MCPIP-induced expression of Beclin-1, TRAP, and CTSK (FIG. 5D). Immunoblot assay demonstrated that 3′-MA and LY294002 inhibited the expression of Beclin-1, TRAP, and CTSK and lipidation of LC-3 (FIGS. 5B and C and Supplementary Figure S4B and C). However, no effect on expression of GRP78 induced by MCPIP was found revealing that inhibition of autophagy does not affect ER stress that is proposed to cause autophagy (FIGS. 5B and C and Supplementary Figure S4B and C). Furthermore, upon inhibition of autophagy by knockdown of Beclin-1 with specific siRNA, MCPIP-induced expression of OC-related markers TRAP and CTSK was markedly suppressed, but scrambled siRNA showed little effects (FIG. 5E and Supplementary Figure S4D). The chemical inhibitors of autophagy and knockdown of Beclin-1 did not affect MCPIP-induced expression of GRP78, a marker of ER stress, which father leads to autophagy. These results strongly suggested that OC precursor cell differentiation induced by MCPIP expression is mediated via induction of ROS production that causes ER stress, which further leads to autophagy.

To further confirm the involvement of autophagy in OC precursor differentiation, a selective inhibitor of PI3K, wortmannin, was tested (Blommaart et al., 2007) on MCPIP-induced differentiation. Wortmannin severely inhibited MCPIP-induced OC precursor differentiation as indicated by the expression of OC markers at mRNA level by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and protein level by immunoblot analysis (FIG. 6A-C); inhibition of autophagy was reflected by changes in the Beclin-1 levels. In support of the involvement of autophagy in OC precursor differentiation, knockdown of Atg7 by specific siRNA severely inhibited expression of the OC markers TRAP and CTSK both at mRNA and protein level as measured by qRT-PCR and immunoblot analysis, respectively (Supplementary Figure S5B and C), whereas scrambled siRNA did not significantly affect induction of these proteins.

Discussion for Examples 1-5

The role of MCP-1 in differentiation of human bone marrow monocytes to OC precursors has been discovered for the first time herein. Furthermore, it has also been discovered herein that this process is mediated via the induction of MCPIP. MCP-1 induces the differentiation of monocytic cells into TRAP and CTSK-positive cells that do not express other OC functional markers such as aV integrin, (33 integrin, and MMP9 and do not exhibit bone resorption (Kim et al., 2006b). The differentiation into functional OCs requires RANKL in addition to MCP-1. Thus, the MCP-1 induced differentiation yields what might be considered osteoclastogenic cells or OC precursors.

It has been demonstrated that MCPIP mediates MCP-1-induced adipogenesis (Younce et al., 2009), glial differentiation of neuroprogenitor cells (Vrotsos et al., 2009), and angiogenesis (Niu et al., 2008). Here, it was found that forced expression of MCPIP resulted in high expression NADPH oxidase subunit p47^PHOX and an increased level of membrane-associated p47^PHOX, causing ROS production. It is discovered herein that this oxidative stress causes ER stress that leads to autophagy involved in OC differentiation. The involvement of this sequence of processes in OC precursor differentiation is supported by the finding that inhibition of p47^PHOX expression, NADPH oxidase activity, ROS production, ER stress, or autophagy by chemical inhibitors or by gene knockdown markedly suppressed MCPIP-induced expression of OC-related genes, TRAP and CTSK.

ROS are associated with multiple cellular functions such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis (Wolf, 2005). Many reports revealed that high level of intracellular ROS also contributes to angiogenesis (Xia et al., 2007), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (Zhang et al., 2009), survival, and differentiation of OCs (Steinbeck et al., 1998; Yamasaki et al., 2009). The present results demonstrate that MCP-1 treatment and forced expression of MCPIP induce ROS generation during MCPIP-induced OC precursor differentiation. It has been reported that CeO₂ nanoparticles function as a free radical scavenger (Niu et al., 2007; Tsai et al., 2007; Younce and Kolattukudy, 2010). It has also been identified herein that CeO₂ inhibits the MCP-1- or MCPIP-induced ROS production and expression of OC-related genes.

NADPH oxidase is considered the most important source of ROS by respiratory burst in a monocyte/macrophage system (Decoursey and Ligeti, 2005; Bedard and Krause, 2007). NAD(P)H oxidase is a multiple subunit enzyme complex. Assembly of transmembrane subunits and cytosolic subunits of enzyme complex is the first important step for its activation. In this step, p47^PHOX is the most important component which is phosphorylated, translocated from cytoplasm to the membrane to interact with gp91^PHOX (Decoursey and Ligeti, 2005; Bedard and Krause 2007; Leto et al., 2009). Herein, it has been found that MCP-1 treatment or forced expression of MCPIP resulted in expression of p47^PHOX and increased the membrane-associated p47^PHOX level, and knockdown of MCPIP in MCP-1-treated cells decreased the expression and translocation of p47^PHOX. Moreover, NADPH oxidase activity inhibitor apocynin and knockdown of p47^PHOX with antisense oligonucleotides inhibited membrane translocation of p47^PHOX, ROS production, and expression of OC-related genes CTSK and TRAP. Thus, MCPIP increases ROS production and induces expression of OC-related genes by increasing expression and translocation of p47^PHOX. As a zinc-finger protein with a nuclear localization sequence (Zhou et al., 2006) and RNase activity (Matsushita et al., 2009; Skalniak et al., 2009), MCPIP may serve as a novel regulator for several genes at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional level because of its DNA and RNA binding property. Therefore, MCPIP may regulate directly the expression of p47^PHOX as a transcriptional factor. Secondly, it has been reported that MCPIP activates MAPK signal pathway (Younce and Kolattukudy, 2010). Activation of MAPK may be an important reason for the MCPIP-induced expression and translocation of p47^PHOX oxidase.

ER stress results from the accumulation of misfolded proteins which leads to the induction of the unfolded protein response (UPR) (Malhotra and Kaufman, 2007). ROS production is known to cause proteins to aggregate and misfold. Here, it has been demostrated that MCP-1 treatment and forced expression of MCPIP induced ER stress via generation of ROS in the monocytes during induction of OC differentiation. The important role of ER stress in monocyte differentiation into OC precursors was demonstrated by the findings that inhibition of ER stress inhibited differentiation and known ER stress inducers caused differentiation. ER stress inhibitor TUDC and knockdown of IRE-1 showed that inhibition of ER stress leads to inhibition of MCPIP-induced OC precursor differentiation. It has also been demonstrated herein that thapsgargin and tunicamycin that are known important inducers of UPR/ER stress induce differentiation of monocytes into OC precursors without MCP-1 or any other inducers. Thapsgargin, an inhibitor of ER-specific Ca-ATPase, has previously been shown to induce OC differentiation from RAW264.7 macrophage cells and mouse bone marrow cells (Takami et al., 1997; Yip et al., 2005).

Autophagy is generally thought of as a survival mechanism, although its dysregulation has been linked to non-apoptotic cell death (Wang, 2008; Glick et al., 2010). Since differentiation involves disappearance of one set of proteins and appearance of a new set of proteins, a self-digestion process such as autophagy could be involved in this process. In fact, autophagy has been reported to be an important event for differentiation of the chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells (Colosetti et al., 2009), adipocytes (Malhotra and Kaufman, 2007; Singh et al., 2009; Goldman et al., 2010), paneth cells (Stappenbeck, 2010), and neuronal differentiation (Zeng and Zhou, 2008). Beclin-1 is a critical component in the class III PI3K complex (PI3KC3) that induces the formation of autophagosomes in mammalian systems (Wang, 2008). It has been demonstrated that Beclin-1 bridges autophagy and differentiation, and the process of autophagy and differentiation requires up-regulation of Beclin-1 (Wang, 2008). Inhibition of differentiation by PI3K inhibitors and knockdown of Beclin-1 and Atg7 strongly suggest that MCPIP induced OC precursor differentiation via autophagy. Emerging data now indicate that ER stress is a potent inducer of autophagy (Sakaki and Kaufman, 2008). Herein, the inventors have discovered that MCPIP induces OC precursor differentiation via autophagy which depends on MCPIP-induced ROS production and ER stress. It has been reported that ER stress can activate p38 MAPK signal pathway to induce autophagy (Kim et al., 2008). Moreover, ER stress activates phosphorylation of protein kinase-like ERK (PERK), an ER-localized transmembrane protein, and induction of IRE-1 is necessary for radiation-induced autophagy in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (Kim et al., 2010). Activation of NF-κB and MAPK signal pathway is necessary for OC differentiation (Huang et al., 2006). However, it was reported that MCPIP inhibits activation of NF-κB induced by IL-β (Skalniak et al., 2009) and lipopolysaccharide stimulation (Liang et al., 2008) while over-expression of MCPIP can cause activation of JNK and p38 (Younce and Kolattukudy, 2010). Thus, activation of p38 instead of NF-κB signaling is probably involved in MCPIP-mediated differentiation of monocytes into OC precursors. The overall pathway involved in the MCP-1/MCPIP-mediated OC precursor differentiation is shown in Supplementary Scheme 51.

Inflammatory bone erosion is involved in many pathological conditions (Lu et al., 2007; Ha et al., 2010). The novel inventive features recited herein provide a new insight into the mechanism by which MCP-1 induces differentiation of monocytic cells into TRAP- and CTSK-expressing cells that can proceed to differentiate into functional OCs in the presence of RANKL, and suggest that MCPIP is a novel target for therapy of inflammatory bone erosion.

Materials and Methods Related to Examples 1-5:

Reagents and Antibodies

Human BMCs were from Stemcell Technologies. α-MEM, FBS, HBSS, trypsin, recombinant human M-CSF (300-25), human MCP-1, and Trizol reagent were purchased from Invitrogen. Anti-β-actin, CTSK monoclonal antibodies, CeO₂ nanoparticles, apocynin, TUDC, 3′-MA, and LY294002 were from Sigma-Aldrich. Anti-TRAP, p47^PHOX, Fas, IRE-1, GRP78, Beclin-1, LC3 polyclonal antibodies, goat anti-rabbit and mouse secondary antibodies, and specific siRNA for IRE-1 and Beclin-1 were purchased from Santa Cruz Biotechnology. Specific siRNA for MCPIP and negative control siRNA were obtained from Ambion. Anti-MCPIP polyclonal antibody was prepared as indicated before (Zhou et al., 2006; Younce and Kolattukudy, 2010).

Cell Culture and Treatment

BMCs were cultured in α-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS containing 30 ng/ml M-CSF, 100 U/ml penicillin, and 100 μg/ml streptomycin in 5% CO₂ at 37° C. OC precursor cells were induced after 3-day culture as Ha et al. (2010). At this point, cells were treated with 50 ng/ml MCP-1, inhibitors, or gene transfection. For inhibitor treatment, CeO₂ (10 μM), apocynin (100 μg/ml), TUDC (100 μM), 3′-MA (50 μM), and LY294002 (20 μM) were added 6 h before gene transfection.

Gene Transfection and siRNA Knockdown

OC precursor cells were transfected with 1 μg GFP or MCPIP-GFP eukaryotic expression plasmids for gene-gain-function assay by using Fugene 6. For gene silencing, chemically synthesized siRNA duplex (100 nM) targeting MCPIP, IRE-1, or Beclin-1 was transfected into OC precursor cells using DharmaFECT (Dharmacon) for 24 h prior to transfection with MCPIP-GFP or GFP plasmid. A scrambled siRNA was used as a negative control. For knockdown expression of p47^PHOX, specific antisense (AS) (5′-CCAGCAGGGCGATGTGACGGATGAA-3′) and sense (5′-ATGGGGGACACCTTCATCCGTCAC-3′) oligonucleotides were designed and synthesized by phosphorothioate modification by Integrated DNA Technologies. The oligonucleotides were transfected into OC precursor cells using Lipofectamine 2000 for 24 h before MCPIP—GFP plasmid transfection.

TRAP Staining

Three days after MCP-1 treatment or 4 days after MCPIP transfection, cells were fixed for histological staining for TRAP as described previously (Kim et al., 2006a). Briefly, following fixation, cells were stained with freshly prepared TRAP staining solution (naphthol AS-MX phosphate, fast red violet LB salt, and potassium sodium tartrate). On each coverslip, totally at least 500 cells were examined and the TRAP-positive cells were counted in 3-5 fields (20× objective), and the percentage of TRAP-positive cells was calculated.

Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

Cells were centrifuged after wash with PBS for twice. Cell pellet was resuspended in 1 ml Trizol reagent and the total RNA was extracted with chloroform and isopropanol, purified on Qiagen Mini-Prep column, and treated with DNase. High Capacity cDNA Reverse Transcription kit (Applied Biosystems) was used for cDNA preparation from 1 μg total RNA. qRT-PCR was done in triplicate in an ABI PRISM 7900HT Sequence Detection System with 5% cDNA product, primers (Supplementary Table 51) at 125 nM, and Fast SYBR Green Master Mix (Applied Biosystems). Relative quantitation of PCR products was done by the 2^−ΔΔCTmethod, CT=cycles to threshold, and ^ΔΔCT=(target gene CT)−(β-actin reference gene CT). Final data were described as fold changes against control cells.

ROS Production

Oxidant production in OC precursor cells was assessed by measuring the oxidation of intracellular DHR123 (Molecular Probes) as described previously (Younce et al., 2010). ROS production was expressed as folds compared with control cells expressing GFP alone.

Membrane Isolation

OC precursor cells were harvested, sonicated on ice in a buffer containing 100 mM KCl, 3 mM NaCl, 3.5 mM MgCl₂, 10 mM HEPES, 1 mM EGTA, 10 μg/ml pepstatin, 10 μg/ml leupeptin, and 0.5 mM PMSF; lysates were centrifuged at 600 g for 10 min at 4° C. to remove nuclei and unbroken cells. The supernatant was then ultracentrifuged at 100000 g for 1 h at 4° C. Membranes were washed in the same buffer, quantified (Lemarie), and resuspended in Laemmli sample buffer, before western blot analysis.

Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis and Western Blotting

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and western blotting were performed as described elsewhere. Samples (30 μg of protein) were subjected to 12% SDS-PAGE for most of target protein and 18% SDS-PAGE for LC3-II and LC3, transferred onto PVDF membranes (Millipore), and assayed for MCPIP, p47^PHOX, TRAP, CTSK, GRP78, IRE-1, Beclin-1, LC3-II, and β-actin or Fas (loading control) protein expression by chemiluminescence detection (Pierce ECL kit) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The specific protein bands were quantified by densitometric analysis with GS-690 Image Densitometer (Bio-Rad).

Statistical Analysis

Data are represented as mean±SD of experiments performed on at least three separate occasions. Student's t-test was used to compare the means of normally distributed continuous variables. P<0.05 indicated statistical significance.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art of molecular biology. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described herein. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and are not intended to be limiting.

Reference is made to standard textbooks of molecular biology that contain definitions and methods and means for carrying out basic techniques, encompassed by the present invention. See, for example, Maniatis et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1982) and Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning: A Laboratory Manual, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1989); Methods in Plant Molecular Biology, Maliga et al, Eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1995); Arabidopsis, Meyerowitz et al, Eds., Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York (1994) and the various references cited therein.

Finally, while various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The teachings of all patents and other references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety to the extent they are not inconsistent with the teachings herein.

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Claims

1. A method of treating a condition in a patient in need, the method comprising administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that inhibits the expression or action of MCPIP, wherein said condition comprises abnormal osteoclast-induced bone resorption.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient in need is exhibiting pre-arthritic symptoms.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patient in need is exhibiting pre-osteoporotic symptoms.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises siRNA specific for MCPIP.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises an antisense nucleotide specific for MCPIP.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises shRNA.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the composition comprises an antibody specific to MCPIP.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition is administered to the patient via intrabuccal, oral, rectal, pulmonary, ocular, or transdermal administration.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition comprises an osteoporosis-related condition.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition comprises Rheumatoid Arthritis.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein inhibiting MCPIP levels comprises directly administering the composition to the patient in need.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein administering the composition comprises administering a composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of the composition that inhibits the expression or action of MCPIP and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

13. A method of inhibiting osteoclast production in a patient in need, comprising:

administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition that inhibits the expression or action of MCPIP in the patient.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the patient in need is exhibiting symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and/or osteoporosis.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition includes a composition comprising: a composition that inhibits the expression or action of MCPIP, and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the composition includes an MCPIP siRNA, an shRNA, an antibody specific to MCPIP, and/or an antisense nucleotide specific for MCPIP.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the condition is an inflammatory joint disease.

18. A method of treating an inflammatory disease in a patient in need thereof, said method comprising:

procuring human bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMCs) from said patient to obtain procured BMC's;

treating said procured BMC's, ex vivo, by blocking expression of MCPIP in said cells to obtain treated BMC's;

administering said treated BMC's to said patient.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein said treating comprises subjecting said procured BMC's to an antisense nucleotide specific to an mRNA sequence encoding MCPIP, an antibody specific to MCPIP, siRNA specific to MCPIP, or shRNA specific to MCPIP.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)

22. The method of claim 18, wherein said inflammatory disease comprises osteoporosis, or arthritis.