Profilin-1 negatively controls osteoclast migration by suppressing the protrusive structures based on branched actin filaments

Background: Profilin-1 (Pfn1), an evolutionarily conserved actin-binding protein, is an important regulator of the cytoskeleton. We previously reported the osteoclast-specific Pfn1-conditional knockout (cKO) mice had postnatal osteolytic phenotype with craniofacial and long-bone deformities associated with increased migration of cultured osteoclasts. We hypothesized the increased cellular processes structured with branched actin filaments may underlies the mechanism of increased bone resorption in these mutant mice.

Materials and methods: The morphological structure and cell migration of the cultured osteoclasts were analyzed using fluorescent microscopy and time-lapse image capturing. Fractional migration distances, as well as the index of protrusive structures (%-PB) that evaluates relative border length of the protrusion were compared between the cells from control and Pfn1-cKO mice.

Results: Time-lapse image analysis showed that %-PB was significantly larger in Pfn1-cKO osteoclasts. In addition, the fractional migration distance was positively correlated with the index. When the branched actin filament organization was suppressed by chemical inhibitors, the osteoclast migration was declined. Importantly, the suppression was more extensive in Pfn1-cKO than in control osteoclasts.

Conclusion: Our results indicated the causative involvement of the increased branched actin filament formation at least in part for their excessive migration. Our findings provide a mechanistic rationale for testing novel therapeutic approaches targeting branched actin filaments in osteolytic disorders.