Macrophage-to-osteocyte communication: Impact in a 3D in vitro implant-associated infection model

Macrophages and osteocytes are important regulators of inflammation, osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. However, their interactions under adverse conditions, such as biomaterial-associated infection (BAI) are not fully understood. We aimed to elucidate how factors released from macrophages modulate osteocyte responses in an in vitro indirect 3D co-culture model. Human monocyte-derived macrophages were cultured on etched titanium disks and activated with either IL-4 cytokine (anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype) or Staphylococcus aureus secreted virulence factors to simulate BAI (pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype). Primary osteocytes in collagen gels were then stimulated with conditioned media (CM) from these macrophages. The osteocyte response was analyzed by gene expression, protein secretion, and immunostaining. M1 phenotype macrophages were confirmed by IL-1β and TNF-α secretion, and M2 macrophages by ARG-1 and MRC-1.Osteocytes receiving M1 CM revealed bone inhibitory effects, denoted by reduced secretion of bone formation osteocalcin (BGLAP) and increased secretion of the bone inhibitory sclerostin (SOST). These osteocytes also downregulated the pro-mineralization gene PHEX and upregulated the anti-mineralization gene MEPE. Additionally, exhibited pro-osteoclastic potential by upregulating pro-osteoclastic gene RANKL expression. Nonetheless, M1-stimulated osteocytes expressed a higher level of the potent pro-osteogenic factor BMP-2 in parallel with the downregulation of the bone inhibitor genes DKK1 and SOST, suggesting a compensatory feedback mechanisms. Conversely, M2-stimulated osteocytes mainly upregulated anti-osteoclastic gene OPG expression, suggesting an anti-catabolic effect. Altogether, our findings demonstrate a strong communication between M1 macrophages and osteocytes under M1 (BAI)-simulated conditions, suggesting that the BAI adverse effects on osteoblastic and osteoclastic processes in vitro are partly mediated via this communication. Biomaterial-associated infections are major challenges and the underlying mechanisms in the cellular interactions are missing, especially among the major cells from the inflammatory side (macrophages as the key cell in bacterial clearance) and the regenerative side (osteocyte as main regulator of bone). We evaluated the effect of macrophage polarization driven by the stimulation with bacterial virulence factors on the osteocyte function using an indirect co-culture model, hence mimicking the scenario of a biomaterial-associated infection. The results suggest that at least part of the adverse effects of biomaterial associated infection on osteoblastic and osteoclastic processes in vitro are mediated via macrophage-to-osteocyte communication.