Complete abrogation of key osteoclast markers with a membrane-anchored tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase: a novel approach in the prevention of osteoclastogenesis

AIMS: Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are the endogenous inhibitors of the zinc-dependent matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and A disintegrin and metalloproteinases (ADAM) involved in extracellular matrix modulation. The present study aims to develop the TIMPs as biologics for osteoclast-related disorders. METHODS: We examine the inhibitory effect of a high affinity, glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored TIMP variant named ‘T1(PrαTACE)’ on receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation. RESULTS: Osteoclast progenitor cells transduced with T1(PrαTACE) failed to form tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclasts or exhibit bone-resorbing activity following treatment with RANKL. At the messenger RNA level, T1(PrαTACE) strongly attenuated expression of key osteoclast marker genes that included TRAP, cathepsin K, osteoclast stimulatory transmembrane protein (OC-STAMP), dendritic cell-specific transmembrane protein (DC-STAMP), osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), and ATPase H(+)-transporting V0 subunit d2 (ATP6V0D2) by blocking autoamplification of nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1), the osteoclastogenic transcription factor. T1(PrαTACE) selectively extended p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase activation, an action that may have interrupted terminal differentiation of osteoclasts. Inhibition studies with broad-spectrum hydroxamate inhibitors confirmed that the anti-resorptive activity of T1(PrαTACE) was not reliant on its metalloproteinase-inhibitory activity. CONCLUSION: T1(PrαTACE) disrupts the RANKL-NFATc1 signalling pathway, which leads to osteoclast dysfunction. As a novel candidate in the prevention of osteoclastogenesis, the TIMP could potentially be developed for the treatment of osteoclast-related disorders such as osteoporosis. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(11):763–776.