TLR4 and EGFR signaling differentially regulate inflammatory bone loss
induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice
Abstract
Background and purpose: Chronic inflammation may affect bone metabolism,
leading to consequent bone loss and increased fracture risk.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a major component of Gram-negative bacteria
from an infection or leaky gut, may cause chronic inflammatory bone
loss. This study aims to enrich the mechanism by which LPS promotes the
pathogenesis of bone loss. Experimental approach: C57BL/6 mice were
treated with 1.5 mg•kg-1 of LPS or vehicle by intraperitoneal injection
3 times a week. The pharmacological effect of disulfiram, resatorvid,
erlotinib were assessed in mice models of chronic inflammatory bone loss
induced by LPS. Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were
used to evaluate the roles of toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 and epidermal
growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling in pyroptosis. Key results: We
demonstrated that TLR4 and EGFR signaling differentially regulated
pyroptosis in BMDMs, mediating LPS-induced low proliferation of
osteoprogenitors and inflammatory bone destruction. Pharmacological
treatment of LPS-treated mice with pyroptosis inhibitor by disulfiram,
TLR4 signaling inhibitor by resatorvid, or EGFR signaling inhibitor by
erlotinib protected mice against loss of osteoblasts and
osteoprogenitors, and rescued inflammatory bone destruction as well.
Mechanistically, we found that LPS suppressed the proliferation of
osteoprogenitors by activating pyroptosis in BMDMs. Further, EGFR
signaling mediated the mRNA expression of IL-1β and IL-18 while TLR4
signaling mediated LPS-induced pyroptosis and release of IL-1β and
IL-18. Conclusion and implications: These findings have identified TLR4
and EGFR signaling in BMDMs as a co-regulator of pyroptosis and
inflammatory bone destruction, highlighting the importance of targeting
pyroptosis against LPS-induced bone loss.