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Xu L, Kazezian Z, Pitsillides AA, Bull AMJ. A synoptic literature review of animal models for investigating the biomechanics of knee osteoarthritis. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2024; 12:1408015. [PMID: 39132255 PMCID: PMC11311206 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2024.1408015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common chronic disease largely driven by mechanical factors, causing significant health and economic burdens worldwide. Early detection is challenging, making animal models a key tool for studying its onset and mechanically-relevant pathogenesis. This review evaluate current use of preclinical in vivo models and progressive measurement techniques for analysing biomechanical factors in the specific context of the clinical OA phenotypes. It categorizes preclinical in vivo models into naturally occurring, genetically modified, chemically-induced, surgically-induced, and non-invasive types, linking each to clinical phenotypes like chronic pain, inflammation, and mechanical overload. Specifically, we discriminate between mechanical and biological factors, give a new explanation of the mechanical overload OA phenotype and propose that it should be further subcategorized into two subtypes, post-traumatic and chronic overloading OA. This review then summarises the representative models and tools in biomechanical studies of OA. We highlight and identify how to develop a mechanical model without inflammatory sequelae and how to induce OA without significant experimental trauma and so enable the detection of changes indicative of early-stage OA in the absence of such sequelae. We propose that the most popular post-traumatic OA biomechanical models are not representative of all types of mechanical overloading OA and, in particular, identify a deficiency of current rodent models to represent the chronic overloading OA phenotype without requiring intraarticular surgery. We therefore pinpoint well standardized and reproducible chronic overloading models that are being developed to enable the study of early OA changes in non-trauma related, slowly-progressive OA. In particular, non-invasive models (repetitive small compression loading model and exercise model) and an extra-articular surgical model (osteotomy) are attractive ways to present the chronic natural course of primary OA. Use of these models and quantitative mechanical behaviour tools such as gait analysis and non-invasive imaging techniques show great promise in understanding the mechanical aspects of the onset and progression of OA in the context of chronic knee joint overloading. Further development of these models and the advanced characterisation tools will enable better replication of the human chronic overloading OA phenotype and thus facilitate mechanically-driven clinical questions to be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyang Xu
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Zepur Kazezian
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew A. Pitsillides
- Skeletal Biology Group, Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony M. J. Bull
- Department of Bioengineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Centre for Blast Injury Studies, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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2
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Coveney CR, Samvelyan HJ, Miotla-Zarebska J, Carnegie J, Chang E, Corrin CJ, Coveney T, Stott B, Parisi I, Duarte C, Vincent TL, Staines KA, Wann AK. Ciliary IFT88 Protects Coordinated Adolescent Growth Plate Ossification From Disruptive Physiological Mechanical Forces. J Bone Miner Res 2022; 37:1081-1096. [PMID: 35038201 PMCID: PMC9304194 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Compared with our understanding of endochondral ossification, much less is known about the coordinated arrest of growth defined by the narrowing and fusion of the cartilaginous growth plate. Throughout the musculoskeletal system, appropriate cell and tissue responses to mechanical force delineate morphogenesis and ensure lifelong health. It remains unclear how mechanical cues are integrated into many biological programs, including those coordinating the ossification of the adolescent growth plate at the cessation of growth. Primary cilia are microtubule-based organelles tuning a range of cell activities, including signaling cascades activated or modulated by extracellular biophysical cues. Cilia have been proposed to directly facilitate cell mechanotransduction. To explore the influence of primary cilia in the mouse adolescent limb, we conditionally targeted the ciliary gene Intraflagellar transport protein 88 (Ift88fl/fl ) in the juvenile and adolescent skeleton using a cartilage-specific, inducible Cre (AggrecanCreERT2 Ift88fl/fl ). Deletion of IFT88 in cartilage, which reduced ciliation in the growth plate, disrupted chondrocyte differentiation, cartilage resorption, and mineralization. These effects were largely restricted to peripheral tibial regions beneath the load-bearing compartments of the knee. These regions were typified by an enlarged population of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Although normal patterns of hedgehog signaling were maintained, targeting IFT88 inhibited hypertrophic chondrocyte VEGF expression and downstream vascular recruitment, osteoclastic activity, and the replacement of cartilage with bone. In control mice, increases to physiological loading also impair ossification in the peripheral growth plate, mimicking the effects of IFT88 deletion. Limb immobilization inhibited changes to VEGF expression and epiphyseal morphology in Ift88cKO mice, indicating the effects of depletion of IFT88 in the adolescent growth plate are mechano-dependent. We propose that during this pivotal phase in adolescent skeletal maturation, ciliary IFT88 protects uniform, coordinated ossification of the growth plate from an otherwise disruptive heterogeneity of physiological mechanical forces. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa R Coveney
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hasmik J Samvelyan
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Jadwiga Miotla-Zarebska
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Josephine Carnegie
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Emer Chang
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - C Jonty Corrin
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Trystan Coveney
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Bryony Stott
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Ida Parisi
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Claudia Duarte
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Tonia L Vincent
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Katherine A Staines
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, UK
| | - Angus Kt Wann
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, The Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
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3
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Ferreira E, Gatrell LB, Childress L, Wu H, Porter RM. A Transgenic Rat for Noninvasive Assessment of Chondrogenesis in Vivo. Cartilage 2021; 13:1720S-1733S. [PMID: 34809478 PMCID: PMC8804729 DOI: 10.1177/19476035211057243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To support the preclinical evaluation of therapeutics that target chondrogenesis, our goal was to generate a rat strain that can noninvasively report endogenous chondrogenic activity. DESIGN A transgene was constructed in which the dual expression of bioluminescent (firefly luciferase) and fluorescent (mCherry) reporters is controlled by regulatory sequences from rat Col2a1. Candidate lines were established on a Lewis background and characterized by serial bioluminescence imaging as well as ex vivo measurement of molecular reporter levels in several tissues. The sensitivity and specificity of the reporter strain were assessed in models of orthotopic and ectopic chondrogenesis. RESULTS Substantial bioluminescence signal was detected from cartilaginous regions, including the appendicular synovial joints, spine, sternum, nose, and pinnae. Bioluminescent radiance was intense at 1 month of age, rapidly declined with continued development, yet remained detectable in 2-year-old animals. Explant imaging and immunohistochemistry confirmed that both molecular reporters were localized to cartilage. Implantation of wild-type bone marrow stromal cells into osteochondral defects made in both young adult and aged reporter rats led to a time-dependent elevation of intra-articular reporter activity concurrent with cartilaginous tissue repair. To stimulate ectopic, endochondral bone formation, bone morphogenetic protein 2 was overexpressed in the gastrocnemius muscle, which led to bioluminescent signal that closely preceded heterotopic ossification. CONCLUSIONS This strain can help develop strategies to stimulate cartilage repair and endochondral bone formation or to inhibit chondrogenesis associated with heterotopic ossification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Ferreira
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease
Research, Departments of Internal Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Landon B. Gatrell
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease
Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Luke Childress
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease
Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Hong Wu
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease
Research, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA
| | - Ryan M. Porter
- Center for Musculoskeletal Disease
Research, Departments of Internal Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, University of
Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR, USA,Ryan M. Porter, Center for Musculoskeletal
Disease Research, Departments of Internal Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery,
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham Street, Mail Slot
#587, Little Rock, AR 72202, USA.
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4
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Coveney CR, Zhu L, Miotla-Zarebska J, Stott B, Parisi I, Batchelor V, Duarte C, Chang E, McSorley E, Vincent TL, Wann AK. The ciliary protein IFT88 controls post-natal cartilage thickness and influences development of osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 74:49-59. [PMID: 34105311 DOI: 10.1002/art.41894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mechanical and biological cues drive cellular signalling in cartilage development, health, and disease. Proteins of the primary cilium, implicated in transduction of biophysiochemical signals, control cartilage formation during skeletal development, but their influence in post-natal cartilage remains unknown. METHODS Ift88fl/fl and AggrecanCreERT2 mice were crossed to create a cartilage-specific, inducible knockout mouse AggrecanCreERT2 ;Ift88fl/fl . Tibial articular cartilage (AC) thickness was assessed, through adolescence and adulthood, by histomorphometry and integrity by OARSI score. In situ mechanisms were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC), RNA scope and qPCR of micro-dissected cartilage. OA was induced by surgical destabilisation (DMM). Mice voluntarily exercised using wheels. RESULTS Deletion of IFT88 resulted in progressive reductions in medial AC thickness during adolescence, and marked atrophy in adulthood. At 34 weeks of age, medial thickness was reduced from 104.00μm, [100.30-110.50, 95% CI] in Ift88fl/fl to 89.42μm [84.00-93.49, 95% CI] in AggrecanCreERT2 ;Ift88fl/fl (p<0.0001), associated with reductions in calcified cartilage. Occasionally, atrophy was associated with complete, spontaneous, medial cartilage degradation. Following DMM, AggrecanCreERT2 ;Ift88fl/fl mice had increased OA scores. Atrophy in mature AC was not associated with obvious increases in aggrecanase-mediated destruction or chondrocyte hypertrophy. Of 44 candidate genes analysed, only Tcf7l2 correlated with Ift88 expression in micro-dissected cartilage. However, RNA scope revealed increased hedgehog (Hh) signalling (Gli1), associated with reductions in Ift88, in AggrecanCreERT2 ;Ift88fl/fl cartilage. Wheel exercise restored both AC thickness and levels of Hh signalling in AggrecanCreERT2 ;Ift88fl/fl . CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate that IFT88 is chondroprotective, regulating AC thickness, potentially by thresholding a Hh response to physiological loading that controls cartilage calcification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarissa R Coveney
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Linyi Zhu
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Jadwiga Miotla-Zarebska
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Bryony Stott
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ida Parisi
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Vicky Batchelor
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Claudia Duarte
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Emer Chang
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Eleanor McSorley
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Tonia L Vincent
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Angus Kt Wann
- Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, NDORMS, Roosevelt Drive, Oxford, Oxford, OX3 7FY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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Kanakis I, Alhashmi M, Liu K, Keenan C, Ramos Mucci L, Poulet B, Bou-Gharios G. Cartilage-Specific Cre Recombinase Transgenes/Alleles in the Mouse. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2245:23-38. [PMID: 33315193 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1119-7_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cartilage is a specialized skeletal tissue with a unique extracellular matrix elaborated by its resident cells, chondrocytes. The tissue presents in several forms, including growth plate and articular cartilage, wherein chondrocytes follow a differential differentiation program and have different fates. The induction of gene modifications in cartilage specifically relies on mouse transgenes and knockin alleles taking advantages of transcriptional elements primarily active in chondrocytes at a specific differentiation stage or in a specific cartilage type. These transgenes/alleles have been widely used to study the roles of specific genes in cartilage development, adult homeostasis, and pathology. As cartilage formation is critical for postnatal life, the inactivation or significant alteration of key cartilaginous genes is often neonatally lethal and therefore hampers postnatal studies. Gold standard approaches to induce postnatal chondrocyte-specific gene modifications include the Cre-loxP and Tet-ON/OFF systems. Selecting the appropriate promoter/enhancer sequences to drive Cre expression is of crucial importance and determines the specificity of conditional gain- or loss-of-function models. In this chapter, we discuss a series of transgenes and knockin alleles that have been developed for gene manipulation in cartilage and we compare their expression patterns and efficiencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kanakis
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Mohammad Alhashmi
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Ke Liu
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Craig Keenan
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Lorenzo Ramos Mucci
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Blandine Poulet
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - George Bou-Gharios
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
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6
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Keenan CM, Ramos-Mucci L, Kanakis I, Milner PI, Leask A, Abraham D, Bou-Gharios G, Poulet B. Post-traumatic osteoarthritis development is not modified by postnatal chondrocyte deletion of Ccn2. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm044719. [PMID: 32616521 PMCID: PMC7375478 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.044719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
CCN2 is a matricellular protein involved in several crucial biological processes. In particular, CCN2 is involved in cartilage development and in osteoarthritis. Ccn2 null mice exhibit a range of skeletal dysmorphisms, highlighting its importance in regulating matrix formation during development; however, its role in adult cartilage remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the role of CCN2 in postnatal chondrocytes in models of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Ccn2 deletion was induced in articular chondrocytes of male transgenic mice at 8 weeks of age. PTOA was induced in knees either surgically or non-invasively by repetitive mechanical loading at 10 weeks of age. Knee joints were harvested, scanned with micro-computed tomography and processed for histology. Sections were stained with Toluidine Blue and scored using the Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) grading system. In the non-invasive model, cartilage lesions were present in the lateral femur, but no significant differences were observed between wild-type (WT) and Ccn2 knockout (KO) mice 6 weeks post-loading. In the surgical model, severe cartilage degeneration was observed in the medial compartments, but no significant differences were observed between WT and Ccn2 KO mice at 2, 4 and 8 weeks post-surgery. We conclude that Ccn2 deletion in chondrocytes does not modify the development of PTOA in mice, suggesting that chondrocyte expression of CCN2 in adults is not a crucial factor in protecting cartilage from the degeneration associated with PTOA.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Craig M Keenan
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Lorenzo Ramos-Mucci
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Ioannis Kanakis
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Peter I Milner
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Andrew Leask
- College of Dentistry, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E4, Canada
| | - David Abraham
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Diseases, University College London, London NW3 2PF, UK
| | - George Bou-Gharios
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Blandine Poulet
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
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7
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Lim N, Wen C, Vincent T. Molecular and structural imaging in surgically induced murine osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2020; 28:874-884. [PMID: 32305526 PMCID: PMC7327515 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2020.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Preclinical imaging in osteoarthritis is a rapidly growing area with three principal objectives: to provide rapid, sensitive tools to monitor the course of experimental OA longitudinally; to describe the temporal relationship between tissue-specific pathologies over the course of disease; and to use molecular probes to measure disease activity in vivo. Research in this area can be broadly divided into those techniques that monitor structural changes in tissues (microCT, microMRI, ultrasound) and those that detect molecular disease activity (positron emission tomography (PET), optical and optoacoustic imaging). The former techniques have largely evolved from experience in human joint imaging and have been refined for small animal use. Some of the latter tools, such as optical imaging, have been developed in preclinical models and may have translational benefit in the future for patient stratification and for monitoring disease progression and response to treatment. In this narrative review we describe these methodologies and discuss the benefits to animal research, understanding OA pathogenesis, and in the development of human biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
- N.H. Lim
- Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, UK,Address correspondence and reprint requests to: N.H. Lim, Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, UK.
| | - C. Wen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - T.L. Vincent
- Centre for Osteoarthritis Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, UK
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8
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Cornelis FMF, de Roover A, Storms L, Hens A, Lories RJ, Monteagudo S. Increased susceptibility to develop spontaneous and post-traumatic osteoarthritis in Dot1l-deficient mice. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2019; 27:513-525. [PMID: 30513362 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2018.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We earlier identified that the histone methyltransferase Disruptor of telomeric silencing 1-like (DOT1L) is as a master protector of cartilage health via limiting excessive activation of the Wnt pathway. However, cartilage-specific homozygous Dot1l knockout mice exhibited a severe growth phenotype and perinatal death, which hampered their use in induced or ageing models of osteoarthritis (OA). The aim of this study was to generate and examine haploinsufficient and inducible conditional Dot1l-deficient mouse models to evaluate the importance of DOT1L during post-traumatic or ageing-associated OA onset and progression. METHOD We used cartilage-specific heterozygous and postnatal tamoxifen-inducible Dot1l knockout mice and performed destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) and ageing as OA models. Mice were examined histologically using X-rays and micro-computed tomography (μCT), and cartilage damage and osteophyte formation were assessed based on OARSI guidelines. Immunohistochemistry of DOT1L, H3K79me2, TCF1 and COLX was performed. RESULTS Both Dot1l-deficient strains exhibit a phenotype characterized by joint remodeling with extensive osteophyte formation and ectopic ossification upon ageing, indicating accelerated development of spontaneous osteoarthritis. In the DMM-induced OA mouse model, absence of Dot1l resulted in increased cartilage damage. Wnt signalling hyper-activation and ectopic chondrocyte hypertrophy were observed in the articular cartilage of both Dot1l-deficient mice. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated the functional relevance of DOT1L in vivo during the development of OA using genetically modified mice. Thus, maintaining or enhancing DOT1L activity during ageing or after trauma might prevent OA onset and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M F Cornelis
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - A de Roover
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - L Storms
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - A Hens
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - R J Lories
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Division of Rheumatology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - S Monteagudo
- Laboratory of Tissue Homeostasis and Disease, Skeletal Biology and Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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9
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Lee KJ, Clegg PD, Comerford EJ, Canty-Laird EG. A comparison of the stem cell characteristics of murine tenocytes and tendon-derived stem cells. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2018; 19:116. [PMID: 29650048 PMCID: PMC5897930 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-018-2038-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tendon is a commonly injured soft musculoskeletal tissue, however, poor healing potential and ineffective treatment strategies result in persistent injuries and tissue that is unable to perform its normal physiological function. The identification of a stem cell population within tendon tissue holds therapeutic potential for treatment of tendon injuries. This study aimed, for the first time, to characterise and compare tenocyte and tendon-derived stem cell (TDSC) populations in murine tendon. Tenocytes and TDSCs were isolated from murine tail tendon. The cells were characterised for morphology, clonogenicity, proliferation, stem cell and tenogenic marker expression and multipotency. TDSCs demonstrated a rounded morphology, compared with a more fibroblastic morphology for tenocytes. Tenocytes had greater clonogenic potential and a smaller population doubling time compared with TDSCs. Stem cell and early tenogenic markers were more highly expressed in TDSCs, whereas late tenogenic markers were more highly expressed in tenocytes. Multipotency was increased in TDSCs with the presence of adipogenic differentiation which was absent in tenocytes. The differences in morphology, clonogenicity, stem cell marker expression and multipotency observed between tenocytes and TDSCs indicate that at least two cell populations are present in murine tail tendon. Determination of the most effective cell population for tendon repair is required in future studies, which in turn may aid in tendon repair strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Joanna Lee
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.
| | - Peter David Clegg
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.,School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpoo, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.,The MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA), Liverpool, UK
| | - Eithne Josephine Comerford
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.,School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpoo, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Elizabeth Gail Canty-Laird
- Department of Musculoskeletal Biology, Institute of Ageing and Chronic Disease, University of Liverpool, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.,The MRC-Arthritis Research UK Centre for Integrated research into Musculoskeletal Ageing (CIMA), Liverpool, UK
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10
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Stiers PJ, van Gastel N, Moermans K, Stockmans I, Carmeliet G. Regulatory elements driving the expression of skeletal lineage reporters differ during bone development and adulthood. Bone 2017; 105:154-162. [PMID: 28863946 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2017.08.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2017] [Revised: 08/28/2017] [Accepted: 08/28/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
To improve bone healing or regeneration more insight in the fate and role of the different skeletal cell types is required. Mouse models for fate mapping and lineage tracing of skeletal cells, using stage-specific promoters, have advanced our understanding of bone development, a process that is largely recapitulated during bone repair. However, validation of these models is often only performed during development, whereas proof of the activity and specificity of the used promoters during the bone regenerative process is limited. Here, we show that the regulatory elements of the 6kb collagen type II promoter are not adequate to drive gene expression during bone repair. Similarly, the 2.3kb promoter of collagen type I lacks activity in adult mice, but the 3.2kb promoter is suitable. Furthermore, Cre-mediated fate mapping allows the visualization of progeny, but this label retention may hinder to distinguish these cells from ones with active expression of the marker at later time points. Together, our results show that the lineage-specific regulatory elements driving gene expression during bone development differ from those required later in life and during bone repair, and justify validation of lineage-specific cell tracing and gene silencing strategies during fracture healing and bone regenerative applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pieter-Jan Stiers
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Nick van Gastel
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Karen Moermans
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ingrid Stockmans
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geert Carmeliet
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Prometheus, Division of Skeletal Tissue Engineering, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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Ismail HM, Didangelos A, Vincent TL, Saklatvala J. Rapid Activation of Transforming Growth Factor β-Activated Kinase 1 in Chondrocytes by Phosphorylation and K 63 -Linked Polyubiquitination Upon Injury to Animal Articular Cartilage. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 69:565-575. [PMID: 27768832 PMCID: PMC5347887 DOI: 10.1002/art.39965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Objective Mechanical injury to cartilage predisposes to osteoarthritis (OA). Wounding of the articular cartilage surface causes rapid activation of MAP kinases and NF‐κB, mimicking the response to inflammatory cytokines. This study was undertaken to identify the upstream signaling mechanisms involved. Methods Cartilage was injured by dissecting it from the articular surface of porcine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints or by avulsing murine proximal femoral epiphyses. Protein phosphorylation was assayed by Western blotting of cartilage lysates. Immunolocalization of phosphorylated activating transcription factor 2 (ATF‐2) and NF‐κB/p65 was detected by confocal microscopy. Messenger RNA (mRNA) was measured by quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). Receptor associated protein 80 (RAP‐80) ubiquitin interacting motif agarose was used in a pull‐down assay to obtain K63‐polyubiquitinated proteins. Ubiquitin linkages on immunoprecipitated transforming growth factor β–activated kinase 1 (TAK‐1) were analyzed with deubiquitinases. Results Sharp injury to porcine cartilage caused rapid activation of JNK and NF‐κB pathways and the upstream kinases MKK‐4, IKK, and TAK‐1. Pharmacologic inhibition of TAK‐1 in porcine cartilage abolished JNK and NF‐κB activation and reduced the injury‐dependent inflammatory gene response. High molecular weight species of phosphorylated TAK‐1 were induced by injury, indicating its ubiquitination. An overall increase in K63‐linked polyubiquitination was detected upon injury, and TAK‐1 was specifically linked to K63‐ but not K48‐polyubiquitin chains. In mice, avulsion of wild‐type femoral epiphyses caused similar intracellular signaling that was reduced in cartilage‐specific TAK‐1–null mice. Epiphyseal cartilage of MyD88‐null and TRAF‐6–null mice responded to injury, suggesting the involvement of a ubiquitin E3 ligase other than TRAF‐6. Conclusion Activation of TAK‐1 by phosphorylation and K63‐linked polyubiquitination by injury indicates its role in driving cell activation. Further studies are needed to identify the upstream ubiquitination mechanisms, including the E3 ligase involved.
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Zhang H, Wang H, Zeng C, Yan B, Ouyang J, Liu X, Sun Q, Zhao C, Fang H, Pan J, Xie D, Yang J, Zhang T, Bai X, Cai D. mTORC1 activation downregulates FGFR3 and PTH/PTHrP receptor in articular chondrocytes to initiate osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2017; 25:952-963. [PMID: 28043938 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2016.12.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Revised: 11/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Articular chondrocyte activation, involving aberrant proliferation and prehypertrophic differentiation, is essential for osteoarthritis (OA) initiation and progression. Disruption of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) promotes chondrocyte autophagy and survival, and decreases the severity of experimental OA. However, the role of cartilage mTORC1 activation in OA initiation is unknown. In this study, we elucidated the specific role of mTORC1 activation in OA initiation, and identify the underlying mechanisms. METHOD Expression of mTORC1 in articular cartilage of OA patients and OA mice was assessed by immunostaining. Cartilage-specific tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1, mTORC1 upstream inhibitor) knockout (TSC1CKO) and inducible Tsc1 KO (TSC1CKOER) mice were generated. The functional effects of mTORC1 in OA initiation and development on its downstream targets were examined by immunostaining, western blotting and qPCR. RESULTS Articular chondrocyte mTORC1 was activated in early-stage OA and in aged mice. TSC1CKO mice exhibited spontaneous OA, and TSC1CKOER mice (from 2 months) exhibited accelerated age-related and DMM-induced OA phenotypes, with aberrant chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation. This was associated with hyperactivation of mTORC1 and dramatic downregulation of FGFR3 and PPR, two receptors critical for preventing chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Rapamycin treatment reversed these phenotypes in KO mice. Furthermore, in vitro rescue experiments demonstrated that p73 and ERK1/2 may mediate the negative regulation of FGFR3 and PPR by mTORC1. CONCLUSION mTORC1 activation stimulates articular chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation to initiate OA, in part by downregulating FGFR3 and PPR.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Zhang
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - H Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Translational Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical College, Haikou, China.
| | - C Zeng
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - B Yan
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - J Ouyang
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - X Liu
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Q Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - C Zhao
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - H Fang
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - J Pan
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - D Xie
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - J Yang
- Academy of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA, Guangzhou, China.
| | - T Zhang
- Academy of Orthopedics, General Hospital of Guangzhou Military Command of PLA, Guangzhou, China.
| | - X Bai
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China; State Key Laboratory of Organ Failure Research, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - D Cai
- Academy of Orthopedics, Guangdong Province, Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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