Fluid shear stress inhibits TNF-α-induced osteoblast apoptosis via ERK5 signaling pathway

Fluid shear stress (FSS) is a potent mechanical stimulus and prevents cells from TNF-a-induced apoptosis. Recently, Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) has been found to be involved in regulation of cell survival. However, little is known about the role of ERK5 signaling pathway in FSS-mediated anti-apoptotic effects in osteoblast. In this study, we show that FSS blocks TNF-a-induced apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells via ERK5 signaling pathway. We found that physiological FSS for 1 h significantly decreased TNF-α-induced MC3T3-E1 cells apoptosis. After inhibition of ERK5 activity by XMD8-92, a highly-selective inhibitor of ERK5 activity, the ability of FSS to inhibit TNF-α induced apoptosis was significantly decreased. Analysis of anti-apoptotic mechanisms indicated that exposure of MC3T3-E1 cells to FSS for 1 h increased phosphorylation of Bad and inhibited caspase-3 activity. After treatment with XMD8-92, phosphorylation of Bad by FSS was significantly blocked, but caspase-3 activity was increased. In summary, these findings indicated that FSS inhibits TNF-α-mediated signaling events in osteoblast by a mechanism dependent on activation of ERK5, and Bad is a crucial downstream target for ERK5. Those results implied that ERK5 signaling pathway play a crucial role in FSS-mediated anti-apoptotic effect in osteoblast. Thus, ERK5 signaling pathway may be a new drug treatment target of osteoporosis and related bone-wasting diseases.