LGALS3BP/Gal-3 promotes osteogenic differentiation of human periodontal ligament stem cells

Hepatic Steatosis Aggravates Vascular Calcification via Extracellular Vesicle-Mediated Osteochondrogenic Switch of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

The global incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has risen sharply. This condition is strongly associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but how MAFLD affects the development and progression of CVD, particularly concerning vascular calcification, remains unclear. Herein, extracellular vesicles (EVs) are identified from steatotic hepatocytes as a trigger that accelerated the progression of both vascular intimal and medial calcification. Steatotic hepatocytes are found to release more EVs, which are able to reach the vascular tissue, be taken up by vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs), and promote their osteogenic differentiation. Within these toxic vesicles, a protein cargo is identified called lectin galactoside-binding soluble 3 binding protein (Lgals3bp) that acted as a potent inducer of osteochondrogenic transformation in VSMCs. Both the inhibition of EV release and the liver-specific knockdown of Lgals3bp profoundly attenuated vascular calcification. This work partially explains the reason for the high incidence of vascular calcification in MAFLD and unveils a novel mechanism that may be used to prevent or treat cardiovascular complications in patients with MAFLD.

The role of galectin-3 in bone homeostasis: A review

The skeletal system maintains a delicate balance known as bone homeostasis, which is essential for the lifelong preservation of bone mass, shape, and integrity. This equilibrium relies on a complex interplay between bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), osteoblasts, osteocytes, and osteoclasts. Galectin-3 (Gal-3), a chimeric galectin with a unique N-terminal tail and a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) at its C-terminus, has emerged as a critical regulator in bone homeostasis. The CRD of Gal-3 mediates carbohydrate binding, while its N-terminal tail is implicated in oligomerization and phase separation, which are vital for its functionality. Gal-3's multivalency is central to its role in a range of cellular activities, including inflammation, immune response, apoptosis, cell adhesion, and migration. Imbalances in bone homeostasis often arise from disruptions in osteoblast differentiation and activity, increased osteoclast differentiation and activity. Gal-3's influence on these processes suggests its significant role in the regulation of bone remodeling. This review will examine the molecular mechanisms through which Gal-3 contributes to bone remodeling and discuss its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of bone-related disorders.

Comparison of the ability of exosomes and ectosomes derived from adipose-derived stromal cells to promote cartilage regeneration in a rat osteochondral defect model

BACKGROUND

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) offer promising prospects for stimulating cartilage regeneration. The different formation mechanisms suggest that exosomes and ectosomes possess different biological functions. However, little attention has been paid to the differential effects of EV subsets on cartilage regeneration.

METHODS

Our study compared the effects of the two EVs isolated from adipose-derived MSCs (ASCs) on chondrocytes and bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMSCs) in vitro. Additionally, we loaded the two EVs into type I collagen hydrogels to optimize their application for the treatment of osteochondral defects in vivo.

RESULTS

In vitro experiments demonstrate that ASC-derived exosomes (ASC-Exos) significantly promoted the proliferation and migration of both cells more effectively than ASC-derived ectosomes (ASC-Ectos). Furthermore, ASC-Exos facilitated a stronger differentiation of BMSCs into chondrogenic cells than ASC-Ectos, but both inhibited chondrocyte apoptosis to a similar extent. In the osteochondral defect model of rats, ASC-Exos promoted cartilage regeneration in situ better than ASC-Ectos. At 8 weeks, the hydrogel containing exosomes group (Gel + Exo group) had higher macroscopic and histological scores, a higher value of trabecular bone volume fraction (BV/TV), a lower value of trabecular thickness (Tb.Sp), and a better remodeling of extracellular matrix than the hydrogel containing ectosomes group (Gel + Ecto group). At 4 and 8 weeks, the expression of CD206 and Arginase-1 in the Gel + Exo group was significantly higher than that in the Gel + Ecto group.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that administering ASC-Exos may be a more effective EV strategy for cartilage regeneration than the administration of ASC-Ectos.

Galectin-3 Plays an Important Role in BMP7-Induced Cementoblastic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Cells by Interacting with Extracellular Components

Human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) contain multipotent postnatal stem cells that differentiate into PDL progenitors, osteoblasts, and cementoblasts. Previously, we obtained cementoblast-like cells from hPDLSCs using bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) treatment. Differentiation into appropriate progenitor cells requires interactions and changes between stem or progenitor cells and their so-called environment niches, and cell surface markers play an important role. However, cementoblast-specific cell surface markers have not yet been fully studied. Through decoy immunization with intact cementoblasts, we developed a series of monoclonal antibodies against cementoblast-specific membrane/extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules. One of these antibodies, the anti-CM3 antibody, recognized an approximate 30 kDa protein in a mouse cementoblast cell line, and the CM3 antigenic molecule accumulated in the cementum region of human tooth roots. Using mass spectrometric analysis, we found that the antigenic molecules recognized by the anti-CM3 antibody were galectin-3. As cementoblastic differentiation progressed, the expression of galectin-3 increased, and it localized at the cell surface. Inhibition of galectin-3 via siRNA and a specific inhibitor showed the complete blockage of cementoblastic differentiation and mineralization. In contrast, ectopic expression of galectin-3 induced cementoblastic differentiation. Galectin-3 interacted with laminin α2 and BMP7, and these interactions were diminished by galectin-3 inhibitors. These results suggested that galectin-3 participates in binding to the ECM component and trapping BMP7 to induce, in a sustained fashion, the upregulation of cementoblastic differentiation. Finally, galectin-3 could be a potential cementoblast-specific cell surface marker, with functional importance in cell-to-ECM interactions.