Crucial Role of Lysine-Specific Histone Demethylase 1 in RANKL-Mediated Osteoclast Differentiation

Epigenetic regulators are involved in osteoclast differentiation. This study proposes that the inhibitors of epigenetic regulators could be effective in the treatment of osteoporosis. This study identified GSK2879552, a lysine-specific histone demethylase 1 (LSD1) inhibitor, as a candidate for the treatment of osteoporosis from epigenetic modulator inhibitors. We investigate the function of LSD1 during RANKL-induced osteoclast formation. LSD1 small-molecule inhibitors effectively inhibit the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. LSD1 gene knockout in macrophage cell line Raw 264.7 also inhibits RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis. LSD1-inhibitor-treated primary macrophage cells and LSD1 gene knockout Raw 264.7 cells failed to show actin ring formation. LSD1 inhibitors prevent the expression of RANKL-induced osteoclast-specific genes. They also downregulated the protein expression of osteoclast-related markers in osteoclastogeneses, such as Cathepsin K, c-Src, and NFATc1. Although LSD1 inhibitors were shown to reduce the in vitro demethylation activity of LSD1, they did not modulate the methylation of Histone 3 K4 and K9 during osteoclastogenesis. The ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis model revealed that GSK2879552 slightly restores OVX-induced cortical bone loss. LSD1 can be employed as a positive regulator to promote osteoclast formation. Hence, inhibition of LSD1 activities is a potential target for preventing bone diseases characterized by excessive osteoclast activities.