The antimicrobial peptide, LL-37, inhibits in vitro osteoclastogenesis

J Dent Res. 2012 Nov;91(11):1071-7. doi: 10.1177/0022034512460402. Epub 2012 Sep 13.

Abstract

Uncoupled bone resorption leads to net alveolar bone loss in periodontitis. The deficiency of LL-37, the only human antimicrobial peptide in the cathelicidin family, in patients with aggressive periodontitis suggests that LL-37 may play a pivotal role in the inhibition of alveolar bone destruction in periodontitis. We aimed to investigate a novel function of LL-37 in osteoimmunity by blocking osteoclastogenesis in vitro. Human osteoclast progenitor cells were isolated from a buffy coat of blood samples. The cells were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of LL-37 during an in vitro induction of osteoclastogenesis. Non-toxic doses of LL-37 could block multinuclear formation of the progenitor cells and significantly diminish the number of tartrate-resistant acid-phosphatase-positive cells and the formation of resorption pits (p < 0.05), whereas these concentrations induced cellular proliferation, as demonstrated by increased expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen. Expression of several osteoclast genes was down-regulated by LL-37 treatment. It was demonstrated that nuclear translocation of nuclear-factor-activated T-cells 2 (NFAT2) was blocked by LL-37 treatment, consistent with a significant reduction in the calcineurin activity (p < 0.005). Collectively, our findings demonstrate that LL-37 inhibits the in vitro osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting the calcineurin activity, thus preventing nuclear translocation of NFAT2.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alveolar Bone Loss / prevention & control*
  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors*
  • Cathelicidins
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor / biosynthesis
  • NFATC Transcription Factors / physiology
  • Osteoclasts / drug effects*
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / biosynthesis

Substances

  • Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides
  • Calcineurin Inhibitors
  • NFATC Transcription Factors
  • Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen
  • Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Cathelicidins