MKP-1 signaling events are required for early osteoclastogenesis in lineage defined progenitor populations by disrupting RANKL-induced NFATc1 nuclear translocation

Cytokine-directed osteoclastogenesis is initiated in response to macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) to drive formation of osteoclasts (OC), large bone resorptive cells of hematopoietic origin. RANKL-induced signaling activates the MAPK pathways, which initiates nuclear translocation of the master regulator of osteoclast formation, transcription factor NFATc1. Proper control over these signaling events is essential to normal OC formation response to stimuli. MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP-1), a serine and tyrosine phosphatase encoded by the gene Dusp1, functions to dephosphorylate and subsequently inactivate MAPK (p38 and JNK) signaling essential in osteoclastogenesis. Here, we explored the role of MKP-1 during RANKL-driven osteoclastogenesis from defined (B220/CD45−GR1−CD11blo/−CD115+) OC progenitor (dOCP) populations using WT and Dusp1−/− global knockout mice. Sorted cells were driven to OC by M-CSF pre-treatment followed by RANKL stimulation for 3 days. OC formation and qPCR products were analyzed for maturation. Results indicate that Dusp1−/− dOCP form less numerous, significantly smaller and less functional OC compared to WT controls. These data were corroborated by mRNA expression of the key OC genes, Nfatc1 and Tm7sf4 (DC-STAMP), which were significantly reduced in early osteoclastogenesis in OC progenitor from Dusp1−/− mice. Intriguingly, our data reveals that MKP-1 may positively control OC formation in response to RANKL by regulating NFATc1 nuclear translocation. Collectively, this report supports the idea that MKP-1 signaling is essential in early osteoclastogenesis in response to RANKL-induced signaling.