Caspase-3/7 inhibition alters cell morphology in mitomycin-c treated chondrocytes

Liquiritin reduces chondrocyte apoptosis through P53/PUMA signaling pathway to alleviate osteoarthritis

AIMS

The main pathological features of osteoarthritis (OA) include the degeneration of articular cartilage and a decrease in matrix synthesis. Chondrocytes, which contribute to matrix synthesis, play a crucial role in the development of OA. Liquiritin, an effective ingredient extracted from Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., has been used for over 1000 years to treat OA. This study aims to investigate the impact of liquiritin on OA and its underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Gait and hot plate tests assessed mouse behavior, while Micro-CT and ABH/OG staining observed joint morphological changes. The TUNEL kit detected chondrocyte apoptosis. Western blot and immunofluorescence techniques determined the expression levels of cartilage metabolism markers COL2 and MMP13, as well as apoptosis markers caspase3, bcl2, P53, and PUMA. KEGG analysis and molecular docking technology were used to verify the relationship between liquiritin and P53.

KEY FINDINGS

Liquiritin alleviated pain sensitivity and improved gait impairment in OA mice. Additionally, we found that liquiritin could increase COL2 levels and decrease MMP13 levels both in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, liquiritin reduced chondrocyte apoptosis induced by OA, through decreased expression of caspase3 expression and increased expression of bcl2 expression. Molecular docking revealed a strong binding affinity between liquiritin and P53. Both in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that liquiritin suppressed the expression of P53 and PUMA in cartilage.

SIGNIFICANCE

This indicated that liquiritin may alleviate OA progression by inhibiting the P53/PUMA signaling pathway, suggesting that liquiritin is a potential strategy for the treatment of OA.

Modulation of cartilage's response to injury: Can chondrocyte apoptosis be reversed?

Osteoarthritis is characterized by a chronic, progressive and irreversible degradation of the articular cartilage associated with joint inflammation and a reparative bone response. More than 100 million people are affected by this condition worldwide with significant health and welfare costs. Our available treatment options in osteoarthritis are extremely limited. Chondral or osteochondral grafts have shown some promising results but joint replacement surgery is by far the most common therapeutic approach. The difficulty lies on the limited regeneration capacity of the articular cartilage, poor blood supply and the paucity of resident progenitor stem cells. In addition, our poor understanding of the molecular signalling pathways involved in the senescence and apoptosis of chondrocytes is a major factor restricting further progress in the area. This review focuses on molecules and approaches that can be implemented to delay or even rescue chondrocyte apoptosis. Ways of modulating the physiologic response to trauma preventing chondrocyte death are proposed. The use of several cytokines, growth factors and advances made in altering several of the degenerative genetic pathways involved in chondrocyte apoptosis and degradation are also presented. The suggested approaches can help clinicians to improve cartilage tissue regeneration.

A novel kind of nitrogen heterocycle compound induces apoptosis of human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells

The effects of a novel kind of nitrogen heterocycle compound, which was synthesized in our laboratory previously, on human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 cells were investigated. The morphological changes were observed by Acridine orange (AO) staining. The screened results through DNA fragmentation and the Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assay showed that compound 8 blocked cell cycles at G(1) phase which led to apoptosis. The increase of caspase-3, 8, and 9 was detected, indicating that both of death-receptor and mitochondria-pathways were activated. Compound 8 induced a biphasic alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential of K562 cells. A dramatic elevation of Ca(2+) was also observed. In addition, a transient increase of ROS was also involved in the process. This study showed that compound 8 might be a potential chemopreventive agent for chronic myelogenous leukemia. It would guide our future work to synthesize more compounds derived from compound 8, which might have better effect, and to determine the target protein. Moreover, it might also provide a background mechanism for the introduction of this new type of promising therapeutic agent.