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Stein M, Elefteriou F, Busse B, Fiedler IA, Kwon RY, Farell E, Ahmad M, Ignatius A, Grover L, Geris L, Tuckermann J. Why Animal Experiments Are Still Indispensable in Bone Research: A Statement by the European Calcified Tissue Society. J Bone Miner Res 2023; 38:1045-1061. [PMID: 37314012 PMCID: PMC10962000 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.4868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Major achievements in bone research have always relied on animal models and in vitro systems derived from patient and animal material. However, the use of animals in research has drawn intense ethical debate and the complete abolition of animal experimentation is demanded by fractions of the population. This phenomenon is enhanced by the reproducibility crisis in science and the advance of in vitro and in silico techniques. 3D culture, organ-on-a-chip, and computer models have improved enormously over the last few years. Nevertheless, the overall complexity of bone tissue cross-talk and the systemic and local regulation of bone physiology can often only be addressed in entire vertebrates. Powerful genetic methods such as conditional mutagenesis, lineage tracing, and modeling of the diseases enhanced the understanding of the entire skeletal system. In this review endorsed by the European Calcified Tissue Society (ECTS), a working group of investigators from Europe and the US provides an overview of the strengths and limitations of experimental animal models, including rodents, fish, and large animals, as well the potential and shortcomings of in vitro and in silico technologies in skeletal research. We propose that the proper combination of the right animal model for a specific hypothesis and state-of-the-art in vitro and/or in silico technology is essential to solving remaining important questions in bone research. This is crucial for executing most efficiently the 3R principles to reduce, refine, and replace animal experimentation, for enhancing our knowledge of skeletal biology, and for the treatment of bone diseases that affect a large part of society. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
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Affiliation(s)
- Merle Stein
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Florent Elefteriou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA and Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Björn Busse
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Imke A.K. Fiedler
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
- Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
| | - Ronald Young Kwon
- Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, USA and Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, USA
| | - Eric Farell
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Mubashir Ahmad
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anita Ignatius
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Liam Grover
- Healthcare Technologies Institute, Institute of Translational MedicineHeritage Building Edgbaston, Birmingham
| | - Liesbet Geris
- Biomechanics Research Unit, GIGA In Silico Medicine, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
- Skeletal Biology & Engineering Research Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Tuckermann
- Institute of Comparative Molecular Endocrinology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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de Wildt BWM, Cramer EEA, de Silva LS, Ito K, Gawlitta D, Hofmann S. Evaluating material-driven regeneration in a tissue engineered human in vitro bone defect model. Bone 2023; 166:116597. [PMID: 36280106 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2022.116597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Advanced in vitro human bone defect models can contribute to the evaluation of materials for in situ bone regeneration, addressing both translational and ethical concerns regarding animal models. In this study, we attempted to develop such a model to study material-driven regeneration, using a tissue engineering approach. By co-culturing human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) with human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (hBMSCs) on silk fibroin scaffolds with in vitro critically sized defects, the growth of vascular-like networks and three-dimensional bone-like tissue was facilitated. After a model build-up phase of 28 days, materials were artificially implanted and HUVEC and hBMSC migration, cell-material interactions, and osteoinduction were evaluated 14 days after implantation. The materials physiologically relevant for bone regeneration included a platelet gel as blood clot mimic, cartilage spheres as soft callus mimics, and a fibrin gel as control. Although the in vitro model was limited in the evaluation of immune responses, hallmarks of physiological bone regeneration were observed in vitro. These included the endothelial cell chemotaxis induced by the blood clot mimic and the mineralization of the soft callus mimic. Therefore, the present in vitro model could contribute to an improved pre-clinical evaluation of biomaterials while reducing the need for animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bregje W M de Wildt
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Esther E A Cramer
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Leanne S de Silva
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Special Dental Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Keita Ito
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands
| | - Debby Gawlitta
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery & Special Dental Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Regenerative Medicine Center Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Sandra Hofmann
- Orthopaedic Biomechanics, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Institute for Complex Molecular Systems (ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven, the Netherlands.
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Wang Y, Zhang S, Yang H, Cao Y, Yu D, Zhao Y, Cao Y. MicroRNA-196a-5p overexpression in Wharton's jelly umbilical cord stem cells promotes their osteogenic differentiation and new bone formation in bone defects in the rat calvarium. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 390:245-260. [PMID: 35925405 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03673-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The peri-tooth root alveolar loss often does not have sufficient space for repair material transplantation and plasticity. Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) sheets have an advantage in providing more extracellular matrix (ECM) and may prove to be a new therapeutic consideration for this bone defect repair. The identification of key regulators that stimulate MSCs' osteogenic potential and sheet-derived ECM deposition is the key to promoting its application. In this study, we found that inhibition or overexpression of miR-196a-5p led to a decline or enhancement, respectively, in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, mineralization, and the levels of osteogenic markers, Osteocalcin (OCN), Dentin Matrix Protein 1 (DMP1), Bone Sialoprotein (BSP), and Dentin Sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) of Wharton's jelly of umbilical cord stem cells (WJCMSCs) in vitro. Moreover, the 5,6-Carboxyfluorescein Diacetate Succinimidyl Ester (CFSE) analysis revealed inhibition of the WJCMSCs' proliferative ability upon miR-196a-5p overexpression. Characterization of the sheet formation by picrosirius red and Masson staining indicated that miR-196a-5p overexpression significantly promoted the collagen content in whole WJCMSC sheet-derived ECM. Furthermore, micro-CT and histopathology results indicated that the miR-196a-5p-overexpressed WJCMSC sheets significantly promoted new bone regeneration and rat calvarial bone defect closure 12 weeks following transplantation. The mRNA microarray analysis of miR-196a-5p-overexpressed WJCMSCs revealed 959 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (34 upregulated and 925 downregulated). Moreover, 241 genes targeted by miR-196a-5p were predicted by using miRNA function websites of which only 19 predicted genes were consistent with the microarray revealed DEGs. Hence, one unrevealed downregulated DEG Serpin Family B Member 2 (SERPINB2) was investigated. And the deletion of SERPINB2 enhanced the ALP activity and mineralization of WJCMSCs in vitro. In conclusion, our study found that miR-196a-5p, as a key regulator, could repress the proliferation tendency, while stimulating osteogenic ability and WJCMSC sheet-derived ECM deposition, thus promoting new bone formation and rat calvarial bone defect closure. Furthermore, SERPINB2 is a key downstream gene involved in the miR-196a-5p-promoted WJCMSC osteogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yantong Wang
- Department of General Dentistry, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, 100050, China.,Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells TherapyKey Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function ReconstructionDongcheng District, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, 4 Tiantanxili, BeijingBeijing, 100050, China
| | - Simin Zhang
- Department of General Dentistry, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Haoqing Yang
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells TherapyKey Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function ReconstructionDongcheng District, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, 4 Tiantanxili, BeijingBeijing, 100050, China
| | - Yangyang Cao
- Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells TherapyKey Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function ReconstructionDongcheng District, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, 4 Tiantanxili, BeijingBeijing, 100050, China
| | - Dianqin Yu
- Department of General Dentistry, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yingchu Zhao
- Department of General Dentistry, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, 100050, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of General Dentistry, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, Beijing, 100050, China. .,Laboratory of Molecular Signaling and Stem Cells TherapyKey Laboratory of Tooth Regeneration and Function ReconstructionDongcheng District, Capital Medical University School of Stomatology, 4 Tiantanxili, BeijingBeijing, 100050, China.
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