[Effect of zoledronate on the osteoclast adhesion and gene expression of integrin α(v) and β3].

Objective: To explore the effect of zoledronate (ZOL) on the osteoclast adhesion and expression of integrin α(v) and β3 in vitro.

Methods: Mice RAW264.7 cells were used for osteoclast differentiation in vitro, and osteoclastogenesis was examined by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and dentin resorption lacunae examination. The cells were then divided into 2 groups, the control group and ZOL treatment group (treated with 1 x 10(-6) mol · L(-1) ZOL for 2 d). The adhesion ability of osteoclasts and mRNA and the protein expressions of integrin α(v) and β3 were examined by crystal violet staining, real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescent chemistry.

Results: TRAP staining and dentin resorption lacunae examination revealed the formation of multi-nuclear osteoclasts. ZOL treatment significantly decreased the adhesion ability of osteoclasts (P < 0.01). In the ZOL-treated group, the mRNA levels of integrin α(v) and β3 were 0.66 ± 0.05 and 0.59 ± 0.08, respectively. In the control group, the mRNA levels of integrin α(v) and β3, were 1.01 ± 0.01 and 1.01 ± 0.02, respectively; these values were higher than those in the ZOL-treated group (P < 0.01). The protein level of integrin α(v) and β3 in the ZOL-treated group (31,934.84 ± 112.91 and 18,812.79 ± 194.13) was downregulated by approximately 39.19% and 40.17%, respectively, compared with those in the control group (52,517.81 ± 211.72 and 31,441.93 ± 456.87) (P < 0.01). Immunofluorescent examination showed that the fluorescent intensities of integrin α(v) and β3 in the ZOL-treated group (9.491 ± 0.748 and 4.744 ± 0.759) were also significantly decreased compared with those in the control group (15.159 ± 1.143 and 11.418 ± 1.095) (P < 0.01).

Conclusion: ZOL significantly inhibits osteoclast adhesion and downregulates integrin α(v) and β3, expression, thus contributing to the ZOL-induced inhibition of osteoclast- mediated bone resorption.