CoCl2 induced hypoxia enhances osteogenesis of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through cannabinoid receptor 2

Recent advancement in vascularized tissue-engineered bone based on materials design and modification

Bone is one of the most vascular network-rich tissues in the body and the vascular system is essential for the development, homeostasis, and regeneration of bone. When segmental irreversible damage occurs to the bone, restoring its vascular system by means other than autogenous bone grafts with vascular pedicles is a therapeutic challenge. By pre-generating the vascular network of the scaffold in vivo or in vitro, the pre-vascularization technique enables an abundant blood supply in the scaffold after implantation. However, pre-vascularization techniques are time-consuming, and in vivo pre-vascularization techniques can be damaging to the body. Critical bone deficiencies may be filled quickly with immediate implantation of a supporting bone tissue engineered scaffold. However, bone tissue engineered scaffolds generally lack vascularization, which requires modification of the scaffold to aid in enhancing internal vascularization. In this review, we summarize the relationship between the vascular system and osteogenesis and use it as a basis to further discuss surgical and cytotechnology-based pre-vascularization strategies and to describe the preparation of vascularized bone tissue engineered scaffolds that can be implanted immediately. We anticipate that this study will serve as inspiration for future vascularized bone tissue engineered scaffold construction and will aid in the achievement of clinical vascularized bone.

Type H blood vessels in coupling angiogenesis-osteogenesis and its application in bone tissue engineering

One specific capillary subtype, termed type H vessel, has been found with unique functional characteristics in coupling angiogenesis with osteogenesis. Researchers have fabricated a variety of tissue engineering scaffolds to enhance bone healing and regeneration through the accumulation of type H vessels. However, only a limited number of reviews discussed the tissue engineering strategies for type H vessel regulation. The object of this review is to summary the current utilizes of bone tissue engineering to regulate type H vessels through various signal pathways including Notch, PDGF-BB, Slit3, HIF-1α, and VEGF signaling. Moreover, we give an insightful overview of recent research progress about the morphological, spatial and age-dependent characteristics of type H blood vessels. Their unique role in tying angiogenesis and osteogenesis together via blood flow, cellular microenvironment, immune system and nervous system are also summarized. This review article would provide an insight into the combination of tissue engineering scaffolds with type H vessels and identify future perspectives for vasculized tissue engineering research.

Hypoxia mimetics restore bone biomineralisation in hyperglycaemic environments

Diabetic patients have an increased risk of fracture and an increased occurrence of impaired fracture healing. Diabetic and hyperglycaemic conditions have been shown to impair the cellular response to hypoxia, via an inhibited hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α pathway. We investigated, using an in vitro hyperglycaemia bone tissue engineering model (and a multidisciplinary bone characterisation approach), the differing effects of glucose levels, hypoxia and chemicals known to stabilise HIF-1α (CoCl₂ and DMOG) on bone formation. Hypoxia (1% O₂) inhibited bone nodule formation and resulted in discrete biomineralisation as opposed to the mineralised extracellular collagen fibres found in normoxia (20% O₂). Unlike hypoxia, the use of hypoxia mimetics did not prevent nodule formation in normal glucose level. Hyperglycaemic conditions (25 mM and 50 mM glucose) inhibited biomineralisation. Interestingly, both hypoxia mimetics (CoCl₂ and DMOG) partly restored hyperglycaemia inhibited bone nodule formation. These results highlight the difference in osteoblast responses between hypoxia mimetics and actual hypoxia and suggests a role of HIF-1α stabilisation in bone biomineralisation that extends that of promoting neovascularisation, or other system effects associated with hypoxia and bone regeneration in vivo. This study demonstrates that targeting the HIF pathway may represent a promising strategy for bone regeneration in diabetic patients.

Alterations of RNA Modification in Mouse Germ Cell-2 Spermatids Under Hypoxic Stress

Hypoxia is a known stress factor in mammals and has been shown to potentially impair male fertility, which manifests as spermatogenic dysfunction and decreased semen quality. Studies have shown that RNA modifications, the novel post-transcriptional regulators, are involved in spermatogenesis, and hypoxia-induced alterations in RNA modification in testes and sperm cells may be associated with impaired spermatogenesis in mice. However, the molecular mechanisms via which RNA modifications influence spermatogenesis under hypoxic stress conditions are unclear. In this study, we generated a mouse Germ Cell-2 spermatid (GC-2spd) hypoxia model by culturing cells in a 1% O2 incubator for 48 h or treating them with CoCl2 for 24 h. The hypoxia treatment significantly inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in GC-2spd cells. The RNA modification signatures of total RNAs (2 types) and differentially sized RNA fragments (7 types of approximately 80 nt-sized tRNAs; 9 types of 17–50 nt-sized sncRNAs) were altered, and tRNA stability was partially affected. Moreover, the expression profiles of sncRNAs, such as microRNAs, tsRNAs, rsRNAs, and ysRNAs, were significantly regulated, and this might be related to the alterations in RNA modification and subsequent transcriptomic changes. We comprehensively analyzed alterations in RNA modification signatures in total RNAs, tRNAs (approximately 80 nt), and small RNAs (17–50 nt) as well as the expression profiles of sncRNAs and transcriptomes in hypoxia-treated GC-2spd cells; our data suggested that RNA modifications may be involved in cellular responses under hypoxic stress conditions and could provide a basis for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying male infertility.

HIF-1α Regulates Osteogenesis of Periosteum-Derived Stem Cells Under Hypoxia Conditions via Modulating POSTN Expression

Periosteum is indispensable in bone repair and is an important source of skeletal stem cells (SSCs) for endogenous bone regeneration. However, there are only a few studies about SSCs in periosteum. The craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration is done under the hypoxia microenvironment, in which HIF-1α plays an important role. The effect of HIF-1α on periosteum-derived stem cells (PDSCs) and the mechanisms of PDSCs activation under hypoxia conditions are unknown. In this study, the calvarial bone defect was established, with the periosteum removed or retained. Results show that the bone regeneration was severely impaired in the periosteum removed group. Moreover, pluripotent PDSCs isolated from the periosteum were positive for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers. To determine the role of HIF-1α, the expression of HIF-1α was knocked down in vivo and in vitro, impairing the bone regeneration or osteogenesis of PDSCs. Furthermore, the knockdown of HIF-1α expression also reduced periostin (POSTN) expression, and recombinant POSTN addition partly rescued the osteogenic inhibition. Finally, to explore the mechanism under POSTN activation, the phosphorylation level of the PI3K/AKT pathway was assessed in transfected PDSCs. The phosphorylation level of PI3K and AKT was enhanced with HIF-1α overexpression and inhibited with HIF-1α knockdown, and the addition of PI3K activator or AKT activator could partly rescue POSTN expression. In conclusion, as a potential target to promote bone repair under the hypoxia microenvironment, HIF-1α can regulate the osteogenic differentiation of PDSCs via the PI3K/AKT/POSTN pathway, which lay a solid foundation for periosteum-based craniomaxillofacial bone regeneration.

Components of the Endocannabinoid System and Effects of Cannabinoids Against Bone Diseases: A Mini-Review

Background: The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is involved in multiple physiological processes, including appetite regulation, pain perception, motor function development, and immune response regulation. Cannabinoids have been approved for the clinical treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by cytostatic therapy or cancer chemotherapy, loss of appetite in HIV/AIDS-associated cachexia, refractory spasms induced by multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, and urinary incontinence.

Methods: Check out the research on ECS and bone diseases in the past 20 years.

Results: Many studies have demonstrated that endocannabinoids (eCBs) and cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) are expressed in bone and synovial tissues, playing important roles in bone metabolism. Preclinical studies using cannabis-based therapies in animal models have shown that cannabinoids (CBs) can alleviate the development of osteoarthritis (OA), prevent osteoporosis (OP), reduce cancer-induced osteolytic destruction, and improve fracture healing, highlighting the therapeutic potential of CBs for human bone diseases.

Conclusions: The present review summarizes various components of the ECS in bone diseases and their potential as a therapeutic target.

Leptin attenuates hypoxia-induced apoptosis in human periodontal ligament cells via the reactive oxygen species-hypoxia-inducible factor-1α pathway

NEW FINDINGS

What is the central question of this study? Does leptin have an effect on hypoxia-induced apoptosis in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), and what is the potential underlying mechanism? What is the main finding and its importance? Hypoxia induces cell apoptosis and leptin expression in hPDLCs through the induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Leptin shows feedback inhibition on hypoxia-induced ROS-mediated apoptosis in hPDLCs, suggesting a new application of leptin for hypoxic damage in periodontal diseases.

ABSTRACT

Hypoxia-induced apoptosis of human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) is an important contributor to the progression of various periodontal diseases. Although leptin has been shown to protect connective tissue cells against hypoxia-induced injury, whether it might do so by attenuating hypoxia-induced apoptosis in hPDLCs remains unclear. Here, using CoCl₂ treatment, we simulated hypoxic conditions in hPDLCs and explored whether apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were related to hypoxia. After small interfering RNA (siRNA) inhibition of leptin and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), the levels of apoptosis, ROS and leptin expression were measured. We showed that in CoCl₂ -treated hPDLCs, significantly higher cell apoptosis rates and ROS accumulation were observed. Cobalt chloride also increased leptin and HIF-1α expression in hPDLCs. Further investigation of the pathway demonstrated that inhibition of ROS attenuated hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis and leptin expression, whereas siRNA inhibition of leptin aggravated hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis and ROS accumulation. Hypoxia induces cell apoptosis and leptin expression in hPDLCs through the induction of ROS and HIF-1α pathways, and leptin shows feedback inhibition on ROS-mediated apoptosis in hPDLCs. These findings suggest a new application of leptin for hypoxic damage in periodontal diseases.

Serum Insufficiency Induces RANKL-Independent Osteoclast Formation during Developing Ischemic ONFH

Blood supply interruption induces hypoxia and reduces serum provision to cause ischemia-induced osteonecrosis, including avascular osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). Oxygen deficiency (hypoxia) is known to induce different expression patterns in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which have been extensively studied. However, the effects of serum insufficiency in nutrients, growth factors, and hormones on osteoblast and osteoclast activity in the damaged area and nearby regions remain poorly understood. In this study, the expression of osteoblast and osteoclast marker proteins was elucidated through in vitro and ex vivo studies. The results indicate that serum insufficiency accelerates the formation of monocyte-derived osteoclasts. The combined effect of serum insufficiency and hypoxia (mimicking ischemia) suppressed the activity of alkaline phosphatase and calcification in osteoblasts after the stimulation of osteogenic growth factors. Serum insufficiency increased the activity of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases, and production of reactive oxygen species in monocyte-derived osteoclasts in the absence of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-Β ligand stimulation. The findings indicate that changes in the expression of osteoblast and osteoclast markers in necrotic bone extracts were similar to those observed during an in vitro study. These results also suggest that serum insufficiency may be involved in the regulation of osteoclast formation in patients with ONFH.

Cobalt chloride, a chemical hypoxia-mimicking agent, suppresses myoblast differentiation by downregulating myogenin expression

Cobalt chloride can create hypoxia-like state in vitro (referred to as chemical hypoxia). Several studies have suggested that chemical hypoxia may cause deleterious effects on myogenesis. The intrinsic underlying mechanisms of myoblast differentiation, however, are not fully understood. Here, we show that cobalt chloride strongly suppresses myoblast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. The impaired myoblast differentiation is accompanied by downregulation of myogenic regulatory factor myogenin. Under chemical hypoxia, myogenin stability is decreased at mRNA and protein levels. A muscle-specific E3 ubiquitin ligase MAFbx, which can target myogenin protein for proteasomal degradation, is upregulated along with changes in Akt/Foxo and AMPK/Foxo signaling pathways. A proteasome inhibitor completely prevents cobalt chloride-mediated decrease in myogenin protein. These results suggest that cobalt chloride might modulate myogenin expression at post-transcriptional and post-translational levels, resulting in the failure of the myoblasts to differentiate into myotubes.