Local delivery of a carbohydrate analog for reducing arthritic inflammation and rebuilding cartilage

Noncoding RNA regulates the expression of Krm1 and Dkk2 to synergistically affect aortic valve lesions

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is becoming an increasingly important global medical problem, but effective pharmacological treatments are lacking. Noncoding RNAs play a pivotal role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases, but their relationship with CAVD remains unclear. Sequencing data revealed differential expression of many noncoding RNAs in normal and calcified aortic valves, with significant differences in circHIPK3 and miR-182-5p expression. Overexpression of circHIPK3 ameliorated aortic valve lesions in a CAVD mouse model. In vitro experiments demonstrated that circHIPK3 inhibits the osteogenic response of aortic valve interstitial cells. Mechanistically, DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) recruits methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) to promote the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of circHIPK3. Furthermore, m6A-modified circHIPK3 increases the stability of Kremen1 (Krm1) mRNA, and Krm1 is a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Additionally, miR-182-5p suppresses the expression of Dickkopf2 (Dkk2), the ligand of Krm1, and attenuates the Krm1-mediated inhibition of Wnt signaling. Activation of the Wnt signaling pathway significantly contributes to the promotion of aortic valve calcification. Our study describes the role of the Krm1-Dkk2 axis in inhibiting Wnt signaling in aortic valves and suggests that noncoding RNAs are upstream regulators of this process.

Targeting WNT signalling pathways as new therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a highly prevalent chronic joint disease and the leading cause of disability. Currently, no drugs are available to control joint damage or ease the associated pain. The wingless-type (WNT) signalling pathway is vital in OA progression. Excessive activation of the WNT signalling pathway is pertinent to OA progression and severity. Therefore, agonists and antagonists of the WNT pathway are considered potential drug candidates for OA treatment. For example, SM04690, a novel small molecule inhibitor of WNT signalling, has demonstrated its potential in a recent phase III clinical trial as a disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD). Therefore, targeting the WNT signalling pathway may be a distinctive approach to developing particular agents helpful in treating OA. This review aims to update the most recent progress in OA drug development by targeting the WNT pathway. In this, we introduce WNT pathways and their crosstalk with other signalling pathways in OA development and highlight the role of the WNT signalling pathway as a key regulator in OA development. Several articles have reviewed the Wnt pathway from different aspects. This candid review provides an introduction to WNT pathways and their crosstalk with other signalling pathways in OA development, highlighting the role of the WNT signalling pathway as a key regulator in OA development with the latest research. Particularly, we emphasise the state-of-the-art in targeting the WNT pathway as a promising therapeutic approach for OA and challenges in their development and the nanocarrier-based delivery of WNT modulators for treating OA.

Identification of 3 key genes as novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets for OA and COVID-19

Background

Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and Osteoarthritis (OA) are diseases that seriously affect the physical and mental health and life quality of patients, particularly elderly patients. However, the association between COVID-19 and osteoarthritis at the genetic level has not been investigated. This study is intended to analyze the pathogenesis shared by OA and COVID-19 and to identify drugs that could be used to treat SARS-CoV-2-infected OA patients.

Methods

The four datasets of OA and COVID-19 (GSE114007, GSE55235, GSE147507, and GSE17111) used for the analysis in this paper were obtained from the GEO database. Common genes of OA and COVID-19 were identified through Weighted Gene Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) and differential gene expression analysis. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm was used to screen key genes, which were analyzed for expression patterns by single-cell analysis. Finally, drug prediction and molecular docking were carried out using the Drug Signatures Database (DSigDB) and AutoDockTools.

Results

Firstly, WGCNA identified a total of 26 genes common between OA and COVID-19, and functional analysis of the common genes revealed the common pathological processes and molecular changes between OA and COVID-19 are mainly related to immune dysfunction. In addition, we screened 3 key genes, DDIT3, MAFF, and PNRC1, and uncovered that key genes are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of OA and COVID-19 through high expression in neutrophils. Finally, we established a regulatory network of common genes between OA and COVID-19, and the free energy of binding estimation was used to identify suitable medicines for the treatment of OA patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusion

In the present study, we succeeded in identifying 3 key genes, DDIT3, MAFF, and PNRC1, which are possibly involved in the development of both OA and COVID-19 and have high diagnostic value for OA and COVID-19. In addition, niclosamide, ciclopirox, and ticlopidine were found to be potentially useful for the treatment of OA patients infected with SARS-CoV-2.

Metabolic Glycoengineering: A Promising Strategy to Remodel Microenvironments for Regenerative Therapy

Cell-based regenerative therapy utilizes the differentiation potential of stem cells to rejuvenate tissues. But the dynamic fate of stem cells is calling for precise control to optimize their therapeutic efficiency. Stem cell fate is regulated by specific conditions called "microenvironments." Among the various factors in the microenvironment, the cell-surface glycan acts as a mediator of cell-matrix and cell-cell interactions and manipulates the behavior of cells. Herein, metabolic glycoengineering (MGE) is an easy but powerful technology for remodeling the structure of glycan. By presenting unnatural glycans on the surface, MGE provides us an opportunity to reshape the microenvironment and evoke desired cellular responses. In this review, we firstly focused on the determining role of glycans on cellular activity; then, we introduced how MGE influences glycosylation and subsequently affects cell fate; at last, we outlined the application of MGE in regenerative therapy, especially in the musculoskeletal system, and the future direction of MGE is discussed.

Microcarriers in application for cartilage tissue engineering: Recent progress and challenges

Successful regeneration of cartilage tissue at a clinical scale has been a tremendous challenge in the past decades. Microcarriers (MCs), usually used for cell and drug delivery, have been studied broadly across a wide range of medical fields, especially the cartilage tissue engineering (TE). Notably, microcarrier systems provide an attractive method for regulating cell phenotype and microtissue maturations, they also serve as powerful injectable carriers and are combined with new technologies for cartilage regeneration. In this review, we introduced the typical methods to fabricate various types of microcarriers and discussed the appropriate materials for microcarriers. Furthermore, we highlighted recent progress of applications and general design principle for microcarriers. Finally, we summarized the current challenges and promising prospects of microcarrier-based systems for medical applications. Overall, this review provides comprehensive and systematic guidelines for the rational design and applications of microcarriers in cartilage TE.

The effect of deoxyfluorination and O-acylation on the cytotoxicity of N-acetyl-D-gluco- and D-galactosamine hemiacetals

Fully acetylated deoxyfluorinated hexosamine analogues and non-fluorinated 3,4,6-tri-O-acylated N-acetyl-hexosamine hemiacetals have previously been shown to display moderate anti-proliferative activity. We prepared a set of deoxyfluorinated GlcNAc and GalNAc hemiacetals that comprised both features: O-acylation at the non-anomeric positions with an acetyl, propionyl and butanoyl group, and deoxyfluorination at selected positions. Determination of the in vitro cytotoxicity towards the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer and HEK-293 cell lines showed that deoxyfluorination enhanced cytotoxicity in most analogues. Increasing the ester alkyl chain length had a variable effect on the cytotoxicity of fluoro analogues, which contrasted with non-fluorinated hemiacetals where butanoyl derivatives had always higher cytotoxicity than acetates. Reaction with 2-phenylethanethiol indicated that the recently described S-glyco-modification is an unlikely cause of cytotoxicity.

"Old Drugs, New Tricks" - Local controlled drug release systems for treatment of degenerative joint disease

Osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic low back pain (CLBP) caused by intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration are joint diseases that have become major causes for loss of quality of life worldwide. Despite the unmet need, effective treatments other than invasive, and often ineffective, surgery are lacking. Systemic administration of drugs entails suboptimal local drug exposure in the articular joint and IVD. This review provides an overview of the potency of biomaterial-based drug delivery systems as novel treatment modality, with a focus on the biological effects of drug release systems that have reached translation at the level of in vivo models and relevant ex vivo models. These studies have shown encouraging results of biomaterial-based local delivery of several types of drugs, mostly inhibitors of inflammatory cytokines or other degenerative factors. Prevention of inflammation and degeneration and pain relief was achieved, although mainly in small animal models, with interventions applied at an early disease stage. Less convincing data were obtained with the delivery of regenerative factors. Multidisciplinary efforts towards tackling the discord between in vitro and in vivo release, combined with adaptations in the regulatory landscape may be needed to enhance safe and expeditious introduction of more and more effective controlled release-based treatments with the OA and CLBP patients.

Development and characterization of oxaceprol-loaded poly-lactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles for the treatment of osteoarthritis

Oxaceprol is well-defined therapeutic agent as an atypical inhibitor of inflammation in osteoarthritis. In the present study, we aimed to develop and characterize oxaceprol-loaded poly-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles for intra-articular administration in osteoarthritis. PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by double-emulsion solvent evaporation method. Meanwhile, a straightforward and generally applicable high performance liquid chromatography method was developed, and validated for the first time for the quantification of oxaceprol. To examine the drug carrying capacity of nanoparticles, varying amount of oxaceprol was entrapped into a constant amount of polymer matrix. Moreover, the efficacy of drug amount on nanoparticle characteristics such as particle size, zeta potential, morphology, drug entrapment, and in vitro drug release was investigated. Nanoparticle sizes were between 229 and 509 nm for different amount of oxaceprol with spherical smooth morphology. Encapsulation efficiency ranged between 39.73 and 63.83% by decreasing oxaceprol amount. The results of Fourier transform infrared and DSC showed absence of interaction between oxaceprol and PLGA. The in vitro drug release from these nanoparticles showed a sustained release of oxaceprol over 30 days. According to cell culture studies, oxaceprol-loaded nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity with high biocompatibility. This study was the first step of developing an intra-articular system in the treatment of osteoarthritis for the controlled release of oxaceprol. Our findings showed that these nanoparticles can be beneficial for an effective treatment of osteoarthritis avoiding side effects associated with oral administration.

Exploiting metabolic glycoengineering to advance healthcare

Metabolic glycoengineering (MGE) is a technique for manipulating cellular metabolism to modulate glycosylation. MGE is used to increase the levels of natural glycans and, more importantly, to install non-natural monosaccharides into glycoconjugates. In this Review, we summarize the chemistry underlying MGE that has been developed over the past three decades and highlight several recent advances that have set the stage for clinical translation. In anticipation of near-term application to human healthcare, we describe emerging efforts to deploy MGE in diverse applications, ranging from the glycoengineering of biotherapeutic proteins and the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases such as cancer to the development of new immunotherapies.

Wnt signaling: a promising target for osteoarthritis therapy

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease worldwide and a leading cause of disability. Characterized by degradation of articular cartilage, synovial inflammation, and changes in periarticular and subchondral bone, OA can negatively impact an individual's physical and mental well-being. Recent studies have reported several critical signaling pathways as key regulators and activators of cellular and molecular processes during OA development. Wnt signaling is one such pathway whose signaling molecules and regulators were shown to be abnormally activated or suppressed. As such, agonists and antagonists of those molecules are potential candidates for OA treatment. Notably, a recent phase I clinical trial (NCT02095548) demonstrated the potential of SM04690, a small-molecule inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway, as a disease-modifying oseoarthritis drug (DMOAD). This review summarizes the role and mechanism of Wnt signaling and related molecules in regulating OA progression, with a view to accelerating the translation of such evidence into the development of strategies for OA treatment, particularly with respect to potential applications of molecules targeting the Wnt signaling pathway.

Ectopic chondrogenesis of nude mouse induced by nano gene delivery enhanced tissue engineering technology

Background: Many techniques and methods have been used clinically to relieve pain from cartilage repair, but the long-term effect is still unsatisfactory. Purpose: The objective of this study was to form an artificial chondroid tissue gene enhanced tissue engineering system to repair cartilage defects via nanosized liposomes. Methods: Cationic nanosized liposomes were prepared and characterized using transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic laser light scattering (DLS). The rat mesenchymal stem cells (rMSCs) were isolated, cultivated, and induced by SRY (Sex-Determining Region Y)-Box 9 (Sox9) via cationic nanosized liposomes. The induced rMSCs were mixed with a thermo-sensitive chitosan hydrogel and subcutaneously injected into the nude mice. Finally, the newly-formed chondroid tissue obtained in the injection parts, and the transparent parts were detected by HE, collagen II, and safranin O. Results: It was found that the presently prepared cationic nanosized liposomes had the diameter of 85.76±3.48 nm and the zeta potential of 15.76±2.1 mV. The isolated rMSCs proliferation was fibroblast-like, with a cultivated confluence of 90% confluence in 5-8 days, and stained positive for CD29 and CD44 while negative for CD34 and CD45. After transfection with cationic nanosized liposomes, we observed changes of cellular morphology and a higher expression of SOX9 compared with control groups, which indicated that rMSCs could differentiate into chondrocyte in vitro. By mixing transfected rMSCs with the thermo-sensitive hydrogel of chitosan in nude mice, chondroid tissue was successfully obtained, demonstrating that rMSCs can differentiate into chondrogenic cells in vivo. Conclusion: This study explored new ways to improve the quality of tissue engineered cartilage, thus accelerating clinical transformation and reducing patient pain.

Functional Biomolecule Delivery Systems and Bioengineering in Cartilage Regeneration

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease which involves articular cartilage, and leads to total joint disability in the advanced stages. Due to its avascular and aneural nature, damaged cartilage cannot regenerate itself. Stem cell therapy and tissue engineering represent a promising route in OA therapy, in which cooperation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds contribute to cartilage regeneration. However, this approach still presents some limits such as poor mechanical properties of the engineered cartilage. The natural dynamic environment of the tissue repair process involves a collaboration of several signals expressed in the biological system in response to injury. For this reason, tissue engineering involving exogenous "influencers" such as mechanostimulation and functional biomolecule delivery systems (BDS), represent a promising innovative approach to improve the regeneration process. BDS provide a controlled release of biomolecules able to interact between them and with the injured tissue. Nano-dimensional BDS is the future hope for the design of personalized scaffolds, able to overcome the delivery problems. MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent an attractive alternative to BDS, due to their innate targeting abilities, immunomodulatory potential and biocompatibility. Future advances in cartilage regeneration should focus on multidisciplinary strategies such as modular assembly strategies, EVs, nanotechnology, 3D biomaterials, BDS, mechanobiology aimed at constructing the functional scaffolds for actively targeted biomolecule delivery. The aim of this review is to run through the different approaches adopted for cartilage regeneration, with a special focus on biomaterials, BDS and EVs explored in terms of their delivery potential, healing capabilities and mechanical features.

Intra-articular biomaterials-assisted delivery to treat temporomandibular joint disorders

The temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as myofascial pain syndrome, is considered one of the prevalent chronic pain diseases caused by muscle inflammation and cartilage degradation in head and neck, and thus influences even biopsychosocial conditions in a lifetime. There are several current treatment methodologies relieving inflammation and preventing degradation of the joint complex. One of the promising non-surgical treatment methods is an intra-articular injection of drugs such as corticosteroids, analgesics, and anti-depressants. However, the side effects of drugs due to frequent injections and over-doses, including dizziness, dry mouth, and possible drug dependency are considered limitations. Thus, the delivery of therapeutic molecules through the use of nano/microparticles is currently considered as a promising strategy primarily due to the controlled release. This review highlights the nano/microparticle systems for effective intra-articular therapeutics delivery to prevent cartilage degradation and protect subchondral bone in a temporomandibular joint.

[Effect of bone morphogenetic protein 7/poly (lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres on the in vitro proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells]

Objective

To evaluate the effect of bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP-7)/poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres on in vitro proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

Methods

BMP-7/PLGA microspheres were fabricated by double emulsion-drying in liquid method. After mixing BMP-7/PLGA microspheres with the chondrogenic differentiation medium, the supernatant was collected on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st day as the releasing solution. The BMSCs were isolated from the bilateral femurs and tibias of 3-5 days old New Zealand rabbits, and the 3rd generation BMSCs were divided into 2 groups: microspheres group and control group. The BMSCs in microspheres group were cultured by 200 μL BMP-7/PLGA microspheres releasing solution in the process of changing liquid every 2-3 days, while in control group were cultured by chondrogenic medium. The cell proliferation (by MTT assay) and the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents (by Alician blue staining) were detected after chondrogenic cultured for 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days. The chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs was observed by safranine O staining, toluidine blue staining, and collagen type Ⅱ immunohistochemistry staining at 21 days.

Results

MTT test showed that BMSCs proliferated rapidly in 2 groups at 1, 3, and 7 days; after 7 days, the proliferation of BMSCs in the control group was slow and the BMSCs in microspheres group continued to proliferate rapidly. There was no significant difference of the absorbance ( A) value at 1, 3, and 7 days between 2 groups ( P>0.05), but the A value at 14 and 21 days in microspheres group was significantly higher than that in control group ( P<0.05). Compared with control group at 21 days, in microsphere group, almost all nuclei were dyed bright red by safranine O staining, almost all the nuclei appeared metachromatic purple red by toluidine blue staining, and the most nuclei were yellow or brown by immunohistochemical staining of collagen type Ⅱ. Alcian blue staining showed that the content of GAG in 2 groups increased continuously at different time points; after 7 days, the increasing trend of the control group was slow and the microspheres group continued hypersecretion. There was no significant difference of the GAG content at 1, 3, and 7 days between 2 groups ( P>0.05), but the GAG content at 14 and 21 days in microspheres group was significantly higher than that in control group ( P<0.05).

Conclusion

BMP-7/PLGA microspheres prepared by double emulsion-drying in liquid method in vitro can promote proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of rabbit BMSCs.

Pharmacological, Physiochemical, and Drug-Relevant Biological Properties of Short Chain Fatty Acid Hexosamine Analogues Used in Metabolic Glycoengineering

In this study, we catalog structure activity relationships (SAR) of several short chain fatty acid (SCFA)-modified hexosamine analogues used in metabolic glycoengineering (MGE) by comparing in silico and experimental measurements of physiochemical properties important in drug design. We then describe the impact of these compounds on selected biological parameters that influence the pharmacological properties and safety of drug candidates by monitoring P-glycoprotein (Pgp) efflux, inhibition of cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), hERG channel inhibition, and cardiomyocyte cytotoxicity. These parameters are influenced by length of the SCFAs (e.g., acetate vs n-butyrate), which are added to MGE analogues to increase the efficiency of cellular uptake, the regioisomeric arrangement of the SCFAs on the core sugar, the structure of the core sugar itself, and by the type of N-acyl modification (e.g., N-acetyl vs N-azido). By cataloging the influence of these SAR on pharmacological properties of MGE analogues, this study outlines design considerations for tuning the pharmacological, physiochemical, and the toxicological parameters of this emerging class of small molecule drug candidates.

Microspheres containing decellularized cartilage induce chondrogenesis in vitro and remain functional after incorporation within a poly(caprolactone) filament useful for fabricating a 3D scaffold

In this study, articular cartilage was decellularized preserving a majority of the inherent proteins, cytokines, growth factors and sGAGs. The decellularized cartilage matrix (dCM) was then encapsulated in poly(lactic acid) microspheres (MS + dCM) via double emulsion. Blank microspheres without dCM, MS(-), were also produced. The microspheres were spherical in shape and protein encapsulation efficiency within MS + dCM was 63.4%. The sustained release of proteins from MS + dCM was observed over 4 weeks in vitro. Both MS + dCM and MS(-) were cytocompatible. The sustained delivery of retained growth factors and cytokines from MS + dCM promoted cell migration in contrast to MS(-). Subsequently, chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells was upregulated in presence of MS + dCM as evidenced from immunohistochemistry, biochemical quantification and qPCR studies. Specifically, collagen II, aggrecan and SOX 9 gene expression were increased in the presence of MS + dCM by an order or more in magnitude compared to MS(-) with concomitant downregulation of hypertrophic genes (COL X) despite being cultured in the absence of chondrogenic media, (p < 0.05). Lastly, microspheres containing alkaline phosphatase (MS + ALP), a surrogate to assess the thermal stability of dCM proteins, incorporated within poly(caprolactone) filaments showed that the enzyme remained functional after filament production by melt extrusion. The establishment of a novel, thermally stable process for producing filaments containing chondroinductive microspheres provides evidence supporting subsequent development of a clinically-relevant, 3D scaffold fabricated from them for osteochondral regeneration and repair.