金黄色葡萄球菌外囊泡通过调控Toll 样受体通路激活破骨细胞驱动感染性骨破坏的研究

Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles drive infectious bone destruction by activating osteoclasts via modulation of toll-like receptor pathways

  • 摘要: 背景 金黄色葡萄球菌是骨感染的常见病原体之一,可通过多种途径过度激活破骨细胞,导致骨破坏,然而其外囊泡能否发挥关键致病作用尚未明确。目的 明确金黄色葡萄球菌外囊泡对破骨细胞的激活效应及具体表型变化,深入探索金葡菌外囊泡浓度与骨破坏的关联及潜在生物学机制。方法 本研究通过切向流过滤系统结合超速离心法提取金黄色葡萄球菌外囊泡,透射电子显微镜及纳米颗粒追踪分析表征其形态、粒径分布及Zeta 电位。分离小鼠骨髓来源单核/巨噬细胞,在巨噬细胞集落刺激因子(macrophage colony-stimulating factor,M-CSF)与核因子κB受体活化因子配体(receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand,RANKL)诱导下建立破骨细胞分化模型,设置不同浓度金黄色葡萄球菌外囊泡处理组(0、0.6、6、60 μg/mL)及对照组。通过TRAP染色和CCK-8 细胞毒性实验评估破骨细胞分化及活力变化,采用实时荧光定量PCR检测破骨细胞功能相关基因的表达。选取6 μg/mL 外囊泡处理组与对照组进行转录组测序分析,解析相关信号通路。进一步通过小鼠股骨髓腔注射建立体内模型,设置外囊泡处理组与PBS对照组,采用Micro-CT 及CTSK免疫荧光染色评估破骨细胞激活及骨破坏情况。结果 本研究成功分离获得具有典型囊泡结构的金黄色葡萄球菌外囊泡,其粒径主要分布于100 ~ 400 nm,Zeta 电位介于-30 ~ -10 mV,提示其具备良好胶体稳定性。体外实验显示,与对照组相比外囊泡处理显著促进破骨细胞分化和多核融合,TRAP阳性细胞数量及面积随外囊泡浓度升高而增加,在6 μg/mL组达到峰值(P<0.01)。CCK-8 结果表明,0.6 ~ 6 μg/mL 外囊泡可显著提高破骨细胞活力(P<0.01),而60 μg/mL 时该促进作用减弱。RT-qPCR 分析显示,Acp5、Dc-stamp、Ctsk 和Mmp9 mRNA水平均在外囊泡干预后显著上调,其中6 μg/mL组表达最高均(P<0.01)。转录组学分析鉴定出161 个差异表达基因,上调基因主要富集于炎症反应、Toll 样受体信号通路及破骨细胞分化相关通路。体内实验结果显示,与对照组相比,外囊泡处理组股骨骨密度降低约23%,骨小梁数量和厚度分别减少约30%和20%(均P<0.001),同时骨组织中CTSK阳性信号显著增强(P<0.001),提示破骨细胞活性明显升高。结论 金黄色葡萄球菌外囊泡可通过激活Toll样受体通路,驱动破骨细胞的激活与分化,导致感染性骨破坏。

     

    Abstract: Background Staphylococcus aureus, a common pathogen in bone infections, can excessively activate osteoclasts through various pathways, leading to osteolytic destruction. However, whether its secreted outer membrane vesicles play a pivotal pathogenic role in this process remains unclear, and the underlying mechanisms warrant further investigation. Objective To systematically define the osteoclast-activating effects and phenotypic remodeling induced by Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles, and to explore the dose-dependent association between extracellular vesicle burden and bone destruction, together with the underlying biological mechanisms. Methods Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles were isolated using a tangential flow filtration system combined with ultracentrifugation, and their morphology, size distribution, and zeta potential were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Bone marrow–derived monocytes/macrophages were isolated from mice and induced to differentiate into osteoclasts in the presence of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Cells were treated with different concentrations of Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles (0, 0.6, 6, and 60 μg/mL) or vehicle control. Osteoclast differentiation and cellular viability were evaluated by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and CCK-8 assays, respectively, while the expression of osteoclast-related functional genes was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Transcriptomic profiling was performed to compare the 6 μg/mL extracellular vesicle-treated group with the control group, followed by pathway enrichment analysis. Furthermore, an in vivo mouse model was established by intramedullary injection of extracellular vesicles into the femur, with phosphate-buffered saline as a control. Bone destruction and osteoclast activation were evaluated using micro-computed tomography and cathepsin K (CTSK) immunofluorescence staining. Results Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles with typical vesicular morphology were successfully isolated, exhibiting a size distribution predominantly ranging from 100 to 400 nm and a zeta potential between -30 and -10 mV, indicating good colloidal stability. In vitro experiments demonstrated that, compared with the control group, extracellular vesicle treatment significantly promoted osteoclast differentiation and multinucleation, with the number and area of TRAP–positive cells increasing in a concentration-dependent manner and peaking at 6 μg/mL (P<0.01). CCK-8 assays revealed that extracellular vesicles at concentrations of 0.6 - 6 μg/mL significantly enhanced osteoclast viability (P<0.01), whereas this stimulatory effect was attenuated at 60 μg/mL. RT-qPCR analysis showed that the mRNA expression levels of Acp5, Dc-stamp, Ctsk, and Mmp9 were significantly upregulated following extracellular vesicle treatment, with the highest expression observed in the 6 μg/mL group (all P <0.01). Transcriptomic analysis identified 161 differentially expressed genes, with upregulated genes predominantly enriched in inflammatory responses, Toll-like receptor signaling pathways, and osteoclast differentiation-related pathways. In vivo, extracellular vesicle-treated mice exhibited a significant reduction in femoral bone mineral density (~23%), accompanied by decreases in trabecular number (~30%) and trabecular thickness (~20%) compared with controls (all P<0.001). Consistently, CTSK-positive signals in bone tissue were markedly increased in the extracellular vesicle-treated group (P<0.001), indicating markedly elevated osteoclast activity. Conclusion Staphylococcus aureus extracellular vesicles can establish a localized pro-inflammatory microenvironment by activating the Toll-like receptor pathway, thereby driving the activation and differentiation of osteoclasts and leading to the development of infectious bone destruction.

     

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