Osteoclasts (OCLs) are key players in controlling bone remodeling. Modifications in their differentiation or bone resorbing activity are associated with a number of pathologies ranging from osteopetrosis to osteoporosis, chronic inflammation and cancer, that are all characterized by immunological alterations. Therefore, the 2000s were marked by the emergence of osteoimmunology and by a growing number of studies focused on the control of OCL differentiation and function by the immune system. At the same time, it was discovered that OCLs are much more than bone resorbing cells. As monocytic lineage-derived cells, they belong to a family of cells that displays a wide heterogeneity and plasticity and that is involved in phagocytosis and innate immune responses. However, while OCLs have been extensively studied for their bone resorption capacity, their implication as immune cells was neglected for a long time. In recent years, new evidence pointed out that OCLs play important roles in the modulation of immune responses toward immune suppression or inflammation. They unlocked their capacity to modulate T cell activation, to efficiently process and present antigens as well as their ability to activate T cell responses in an antigen-dependent manner. Moreover, similar to other monocytic lineage cells such as macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells, OCLs display a phenotypic and functional plasticity participating to their anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory effect depending on their cell origin and environment. This review will address this novel vision of the OCL, not only as a phagocyte specialized in bone resorption, but also as innate immune cell participating in the control of immune responses.

Objective: Under both physiological and pathological conditions, bone volume is determined by the rate of bone formation by osteoblasts and bone resorption by osteoclasts. Excessive bone loss is a common complication of human IBD whose mechanisms are not yet completely understood. Despite the role of activated CD4 ⁺ T cells in inflammatory bone loss, the nature of the T cell subsets involved in this process in vivo remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify the CD4 ⁺ T cell subsets involved in the process of osteoclastogenesis in vivo , as well as their mechanism of action. Design: CD4 ⁺ T cells were studied in IL10−/− mice and Rag1−/− mice adoptively transferred with naive CD4 ⁺ CD45RB ^high T cells, representing two well-characterised animal models of IBD and in patients with Crohn's disease. They were phenotypically and functionally characterised by flow cytometric and gene expression analysis, as well as in in vitro cocultures with osteoclast precursors. Results: In mice, we identified bone marrow (BM) CD4 ⁺ T cells producing interleukin (IL)-17 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α as an osteoclastogenic T cell subset referred to as Th17 TNF-α ⁺ cells. During chronic inflammation, these cells migrate to the BM where they survive in an IL-7-dependent manner and where they promote the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes, the main osteoclast progenitors. A population equivalent to the Th17 TNF-α ⁺ cells was also detected in patients with Crohn's disease. Conclusions: Our results highlight the osteoclastogenic function of the Th17 TNF-α ⁺ cells that contribute to bone loss in vivo in IBD.

Bone destruction is a hallmark of chronic rheumatic diseases. Although the role of osteoclasts in bone loss is clearly established, their implication in the inflammatory response has not been investigated despite their monocytic origin. Moreover, specific markers are lacking to characterize osteoclasts generated in inflammatory conditions. Here, we have explored the phenotype of inflammatory osteoclasts and their effect on CD4⁺ T cell responses in the context of bone destruction associated with inflammatory bowel disease. We used the well‐characterized model of colitis induced by transfer of naive CD4⁺ T cells into Rag1^–/– mice, which is associated with severe bone destruction. We set up a novel procedure to sort pure osteoclasts generated in vitro to analyze their phenotype and specific immune responses by FACS and qPCR. We demonstrated that osteoclasts generated from colitic mice induced the emergence of TNFα‐producing CD4⁺ T cells, whereas those generated from healthy mice induced CD4⁺FoxP3⁺ regulatory T cells, in an antigen‐dependent manner. This difference is related to the osteoclast origin from monocytes or dendritic cells, to their cytokine expression pattern, and their environment. We identified CX₃CR1 as a marker of inflammatory osteoclasts and we demonstrated that the differentiation of CX₃CR1⁺ osteoclasts is controlled by IL‐17 in vitro. This work is the first demonstration that, in addition to participating to bone destruction, osteoclasts also induce immunogenic CD4⁺ T cell responses upon inflammation. They highlight CX₃CR1 as a novel dual target for antiresorptive and anti‐inflammatory treatment in inflammatory chronic diseases. © 2016 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Objective. Redox imbalance contributes to bone fragility. We have evaluated the in vivo role of nuclear factor erythroid derived 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), an important regulator of cellular responses to oxidative stress, in bone metabolism using a model of postmenopausal osteoporosis.Methods. Ovariectomy was performed in both wild-type and mice deficient in Nrf2 (Nrf2^−/−). Bone microarchitecture was analyzed byμCT. Serum markers of bone metabolism were also measured. Reactive oxygen species production was determined using dihydrorhodamine 123.Results. Sham-operated or ovariectomized Nrf2^−/−mice exhibit a loss in trabecular bone mineral density in femur, accompanied by a reduction in cortical area in vertebrae. Nrf2 deficiency tended to increase osteoblastic markers and significantly enhanced osteoclastic markers in sham-operated animals indicating an increased bone turnover with a main effect on bone resorption. We have also shown an increased production of oxidative stress in bone marrow-derived cells from sham-operated or ovariectomized Nrf2^−/−mice and a higher responsiveness of bone marrow-derived cells to osteoclastogenic stimuli in vitro.Conclusion. We have demonstrated in vivo a key role of Nrf2 in the maintenance of bone microarchitecture.

Aims: Although oxidative stress participates in the etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, its importance in this inflammatory disease has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we analyzed the relevance of the transcription factor Nrf2, master regulator of redox homeostasis, in the effector phase of an animal model of rheumatoid arthritis, using the transfer of serum from K/BxN transgenic mice to Nrf2 ^−/− mice. Results: Nrf2 deficiency accelerated the incidence of arthritis, and animals showed a widespread disease affecting both front and hind paws. Therefore, the inflammatory response was enhanced, with increased migration of leukocytes and joint destruction in front paws. We observed an increased production of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and CXCL-1 in the joint, with small changes in eicosanoid levels. Serum levels of CXCL-1 and receptor activator for nuclear factor κB ligand were enhanced and osteocalcin decreased in arthritic Nrf2 ^−/− mice. The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and peroxynitrite in the joints was higher in Nrf2 deficiency, whereas heme oxygenase-1 was downregulated. Innovation: Nrf2 may be a therapeutic target for arthritis. Conclusion: Our results support a protective role of Nrf2 against joint inflammation and degeneration in arthritis. Antioxid. Redox Signal. 15, 889–901.