Bipartite regulation of cellular communication network factor 2 and fibroblast growth factor 1 genes by fibroblast growth factor 1 through histone deacetylase 1 and fork head box protein A1

Identification of novel potential drugs for the treatment and prevention of osteoarthritis

Objectives

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by a high prevalence, poor prognosis, and a propensity to lead to disability. Despite the availability of standard therapies, they are associated with potential side effects and don't provide a complete cure for patients. Consequently, there is an urgent demand for the development of novel drugs.

Method

The gene expression profiles (GSE64394, GSE178557 and GSE215039) of normal and OA chondrocytes samples were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by the "LIMMA" R package. Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment were conducted using the R package clusterProfiler. A protein-protein (PPI) interaction network was performed to identify hub genes by using the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and Cytoscape. Small molecule compounds linked to OA were predicted through the NetworkAnalyst platform. Finally, molecular docking was conducted using AutoDock and Pymol software.

Results

We identified 98 DEGs primarily implicated in endochondral ossification, extracellular matrix degradation, and Wnt signaling pathways. 23 DEGs were closely associated with OA, and 10 hub genes were found to be potential drug targets for OA. Two new targeted compounds, tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (TCDD) and valproic acid (VPA), were screened. And they both exhibited strong binding affinity to their respective targets.

Conclusions

Reducing exposure to TCDD could be a crucial strategy in preventing OA, and VPA has gained recognition as a novel drug candidate for OA treatment.

Utilizing Public Molecular Biological Databases for CCN Family Research

Classically, scientific research has been driven by hypotheses based on personal inspiration and intuition against the background of personal knowledge. In contrast, scientists have recently proposed that scientific research should basically be driven by data, meaning big data yielded by preliminary omic analyses in this context. A genuine hypothesis-driven strategy is usually exciting but occasionally ends up with negative conclusions, whereas a data-driven approach is less exciting and cost-consuming but produces significant outcomes in most cases. Here, we should be aware that a number of bioscientific resources provide a variety of big data free of charge. Therefore, one of the most effective research strategies is to construct a research question based on comprehensive knowledge derived not only from inside information, but also from the analysis of data available to everybody. However, a classical scientist without a sufficient bioinformatic background may hesitate in dealing with information supplied through the Internet. This chapter is aimed at CCN family researchers who do not possess specific bioinformatic knowledge and/or huge grants-in-aid, in order to assist them in developing their research by taking advantage of the scientific treasury open to the public.

Fibroblast Growth Factors and Cellular Communication Network Factors: Intimate Interplay by the Founding Members in Cartilage

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) constitute a large family of signaling molecules that act in an autocrine/paracrine, endocrine, or intracrine manner, whereas the cellular communication network factors (CCN) family is composed of six members that manipulate extracellular signaling networks. FGFs and CCNs are structurally and functionally distinct, except for the common characteristics as matricellular proteins. Both play significant roles in the development of a variety of tissues and organs, including the skeletal system. In vertebrates, most of the skeletal parts are formed and grow through a process designated endochondral ossification, in which chondrocytes play the central role. The growth plate cartilage is the place where endochondral ossification occurs, and articular cartilage is left to support the locomotive function of joints. Several FGFs, including FGF-2, one of the founding members of this family, and all of the CCNs represented by CCN2, which is required for proper skeletal development, can be found therein. Research over a decade has revealed direct binding of CCN2 to FGFs and FGF receptors (FGFRs), which occasionally affect the biological outcome via FGF signaling. Moreover, a recent study uncovered an integrated regulation of FGF and CCN genes by FGF signaling. In this review, after a brief introduction of these two families, molecular and genetic interactions between CCN and FGF family members in cartilage, and their biological effects, are summarized. The molecular interplay represents the mutual involvement of the other in their molecular functions, leading to collaboration between CCN2 and FGFs during skeletal development.