MyD88 but not TRIF is essential for osteoclastogenesis induced by lipopolysaccharide, diacyl lipopeptide, and IL-1α

Myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) plays essential roles in the signaling of the Toll/ interleukin (IL)-1 receptor family. Toll-IL-1 receptor domain-containing adaptor inducing interferon-β (TRIF)-mediated signals are involved in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced MyD88-independent pathways. Using MyD88-deficient (MyD88 ^-/-) mice and TRIF-deficient (TRIF ^-/-) mice, we examined roles of MyD88 and TRIF in osteoclast differentiation and function. LPS, diacyl lipopeptide, and IL-1α stimulated osteoclastogenesis in cocultures of osteoblasts and hemopoietic cells obtained from TRIF ^-/- mice, but not MyD88 ^-/- mice. These factors stimulated receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand mRNA expression in TRIF ^-/- osteoblasts, but not MyD88 ^-/- osteoblasts. LPS stimulated IL-6 production in TRIF ^-/- osteoblasts, but not TRIF ^-/- macrophages. LPS and IL-1α enhanced the survival of TRIF ^-/- osteoclasts, but not MyD88 ^-/- osteoclasts. Diacyl lipopeptide did not support the survival of osteoclasts because of the lack of Toll-like receptor (TLR)6 in osteoclasts. Macrophages expressed both TRIF and TRIF-related adaptor molecule (TRAM) mRNA, whereas osteoblasts and osteoclasts expressed only TRIF mRNA. Bone histomorphometry showed that MyD88 ^-/- mice exhibited osteopenia with reduced bone resorption and formation. These results suggest that the MyD88-mediated signal is essential for the osteoclastogenesis and function induced by IL-1 and TLR ligands, and that MyD88 is physiologically involved in bone turnover.