Interferons-α and -γ Inhibit Interleukin-1β-Stimulated Osteoclast-Like Cell Formation in Long-Term Human Marrow Cultures

Immune cell products can have major effects on bone remodeling. Cytokines, such as interleukin-1 (IL-1), are potent stimulators of bone resorption, whereas interferon-γ (IFN-γ) inhibits bone resorption stimulated by these factors. Bone resorption is a result of either increased numbers of osteoclasts, increased activity of individual osteoclasts, or both. Recently, we have shown that human recombinant IFN-γ is a potent inhibitor of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25(OH)₂ D₃)-induced formation of multinucleated cells (MNC) that express the osteoclast phenotype. However, it is unknown if other IFNs share this capacity to inhibit MNC formation. Therefore, we tested the effects of natural IFNs-α and -γ and Escherichia coli-derived recombinant human IFN-γ on MNC formation and on granulocyte-macrophage (CFU-GM) colony formation (an early osteoclast precursor) in human marrow cultures treated with IL-1β or CSF-GM, respectively, to determine their effects on human osteoclast formation. Each type of IFN inhibited CFU-GM colony formation similarly in a dose-dependent fashion, with 50% inhibition seen at 64–250 U/ml. Natural or recombinant IFN-γ inhibited IL-1β-stimulated MNC formation in a dose-dependent manner with an ID₅₀ of 1–16 U/ml. IFN-α was more potent than IFN-γ, with an ID₅₀ of less than 1 U/ml. Furthermore, both IFN-α and -γ inhibited fusion of precursors of these multinucleated cells. These data demonstrate that IFNs-α and -γ inhibit MNC formation by inhibiting the growth of precursors for these cells as well as their subsequent fusion.