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Zhang S, Zhang T, Xu Y, Rong G, Jing J. Inhibition of NUCB2 suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts from patients with rheumatoid arthritis in vitro. J Orthop Surg Res 2022; 17:574. [PMID: 36585713 PMCID: PMC9801639 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-022-03453-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune polyarthritis in which synovial fibroblasts (SF) play a major role in cartilage and bone destruction through tumorlike proliferation, migration, and invasion. Nesfatin-1, an 82-amino-acid-long peptide discovered by Oh-I in 2006, is derived from the precursor protein nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2). NUCB2/nesfatin-1 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in various tumors. We have previously shown that increased nesfatin-1 levels in the synovium may be associated with disease severity in patients with RA. However, the effect of NUCB2 on the tumorlike transformation of RASF has not yet been reported. The expression of NUCB2 mRNA in the synovium of RA and non-RA patients was further confirmed using three individual datasets from the NCBI GEO database. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was employed to explore the association between NUCB2 mRNA and RA-related gene signatures or signaling pathways in the GSE77298 dataset. Cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), wound healing, and transwell assays, respectively. The results showed that the levels of NUCB2 mRNA in the synovium were significantly elevated in patients with RA. Moreover, GSEA showed that high expression of NUCB2 mRNA was related to gene signatures, including those involved in the cell cycle, DNA replication, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and focal adhesion. Furthermore, the results of CCK-8 and EdU assays indicated that inhibition of NUCB2 markedly repressed RASF proliferation. Additionally, the results of wound healing and transwell assays demonstrated that inhibition of NUCB2 significantly suppressed the migratory and invasive abilities of RASFs. Our findings are the first to demonstrate that the inhibition of NUCB2 suppresses the proliferation, migration, and invasion of RASFs in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Yayun Xu
- Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Genxiang Rong
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Juehua Jing
- Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 678 Furong Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, People's Republic of China.
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Acid sensor ASIC1a induces synovial fibroblast proliferation via Wnt/β-catenin/c-Myc pathway in rheumatoid arthritis. Int Immunopharmacol 2022; 113:109328. [DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2022.109328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
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Calcium-Permeable Channels Cooperation for Rheumatoid Arthritis: Therapeutic Opportunities. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12101383. [PMID: 36291594 PMCID: PMC9599458 DOI: 10.3390/biom12101383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease that results from the deposition of antibodies–autoantigens in the joints, leading to long-lasting inflammation. The main features of RA include cartilage damage, synovial invasion and flare-ups of intra-articular inflammation, and these pathological processes significantly reduce patients’ quality of life. To date, there is still no drug target that can act in rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, the search for novel drug targets has become urgent. Due to their unique physicochemical properties, calcium ions play an important role in all cellular activities and the body has evolved a rigorous calcium signaling system. Calcium-permeable channels, as the main operators of calcium signaling, are widely distributed in cell membranes, endoplasmic reticulum membranes and mitochondrial membranes, and mediate the efflux and entry of Ca2+. Over the last century, more and more calcium-permeable channels have been identified in human cells, and the role of this large family of calcium-permeable channels in rheumatoid arthritis has gradually become clear. In this review, we briefly introduce the major calcium-permeable channels involved in the pathogenesis of RA (e.g., acid-sensitive ion channel (ASIC), transient receptor potential (TRP) channel and P2X receptor) and explain the specific roles and mechanisms of these calcium-permeable channels in the pathogenesis of RA, providing more comprehensive ideas and targets for the treatment of RA.
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Ding J, Chen Y, Zhao YJ, Chen F, Dong L, Zhang HL, Hu WR, Li SF, Zhou RP, Hu W. Acid-sensitive ion channel 1a mediates osteoarthritis chondrocyte senescence by promoting Lamin B1 degradation. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 202:115107. [PMID: 35643339 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and debilitating chronic joint disease, which is characterized by degeneration of articular cartilage and the aging of chondrocytes. Acid-sensitive ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) is a proton-activated cationic channel abundant in chondrocytes, which senses and regulates joint cavity pH. Our previous study demonstrated that ASIC1a was involved in acid-induced rat articular chondrocyte senescence, but the mechanistic basis remained unclear. In this study, we explored the mechanism of ASIC1a in chondrocyte senescence and OA. The results showed that senescence-related-β-galactosidase, senescence-related markers (p53 and p21) and the autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 were found to be increased, but Lamin B1 was found to be reduced with acid (pH 6.0) treatment. These effects were inhibited by ASIC1a-specific blocker psalmotoxin-1 or ASIC1a-short hairpin RNA respectively in chondrocytes. Moreover, Silencing of Lamin B1 enhanced ASIC1a-mediated chondrocyte senescence, this effect was reversed by overexpression of Lamin B1, indicating that Lamin B1 was involved in ASIC1a-mediated chondrocyte senescence. Further, blockade of ASIC1a inhibits acid-induced autophagosomes and Beclin-1 protein expression, suggesting that ASIC1a is involved in acid-induced chondrocyte autophagy. Blocking autophagy with chloroquine inhibited Beclin-1 and increased Lamin B1 in acid-induced chondrocyte senescence. We further demonstrated that ASIC1a-mediated reduction of Lamin B1 expression was caused by autophagy pathway-dependent protein degradation. Finally, blocking ASIC1a protected cartilage tissue, restored Lamin B1 levels and inhibited chondrocyte senescence in a rat OA model. In summary, these findings suggest that ASIC1a may promote Lamin B1 degradation to mediate osteoarthritis chondrocyte senescence through the autophagy pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Ding
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Ying-Jie Zhao
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Fan Chen
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Lei Dong
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Hai-Lin Zhang
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Wei-Rong Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education, Hefei 230032, China
| | - Shu-Fang Li
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China
| | - Ren-Peng Zhou
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230601, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei 230032, China.
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Deng R, Wang Y, Bu Y, Wu H. BNIP3 mediates the different adaptive responses of fibroblast-like synovial cells to hypoxia in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Mol Med 2022; 28:64. [PMID: 35690741 PMCID: PMC9188199 DOI: 10.1186/s10020-022-00490-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Hypoxia is one of the important characteristics of synovial microenvironment in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and plays an important role in synovial hyperplasia. In terms of cell survival, fibroblast-like synovial cells (FLSs) are relatively affected by hypoxia. In contrast, fibroblast-like synovial cells from patients with RA (RA-FLSs) are particularly resistant to hypoxia-induced cell death. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether fibroblast-like synovial cells in patients with osteoarthritis (OA-FLSs) and RA-FLSs have the same adaptation to hypoxia. Methods CCK-8, flow cytometry and BrdU were used to detect the proliferation of OA-FLSs and RA-FLSs under different oxygen concentrations. Apoptosis was detected by AV/PI, TUNEL and Western blot, mitophagy was observed by electron microscope, laser confocal microscope and Western blot, the state of mitochondria was detected by ROS and mitochondrial membrane potential by flow cytometry, BNIP3 and HIF-1α were detected by Western blot and RT-qPCR. The silencing of BNIP3 was achieved by stealth RNA system technology. Results After hypoxia, the survival rate of OA-FLSs decreased, while the proliferation activity of RA-FLSs further increased. Hypoxia induced an increase in apoptosis and inhibition of mitophagy in OA-FLSs, but not in RA-FLSs. Hypoxia led to a more lasting adaptive response. RA-FLSs displayed a more significant increase in the expression of genes transcriptionally regulated by HIF-1α. Interestingly, they showed higher BNIP3 expression than OA-FLSs, and showed stronger mitophagy and proliferation activities. BNIP3 siRNA experiment confirmed the potential role of BNIP3 in the survival of RA-FLSs. Inhibition of BNIP3 resulted in the decrease of cell proliferation, mitophagy and the increase of apoptosis. Conclusion In summary, RA-FLSs maintained intracellular redox balance through mitophagy to promote cell survival under hypoxia. The mitophagy of OA-FLSs was too little to maintain the redox balance of mitochondria, resulting in apoptosis. The difference of mitophagy between OA-FLSs and RA-FLSs under hypoxia is mediated by the level of BNIP3 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Deng
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Qian Jiang Road 1, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research &, Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Qian Jiang Road 1, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research &, Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Yanhong Bu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Qian Jiang Road 1, Hefei, 230012, China.,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research &, Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Xin'an Medicine, Ministry of Education, Hefei, 230012, China. .,Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Qian Jiang Road 1, Hefei, 230012, China. .,Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Research &, Development of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China. .,College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China.
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Zhang L, Yao LN, Liu W, Chen AQ, He SM, Wei ML, Fan ZX, Ren DL. N-acetylcholine receptors regulate cytokines expression and neutrophils recruitment via MAPK/ERK signaling in zebrafish. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2022; 128:104328. [PMID: 34883109 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2021.104328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
N-acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) are mainly distributed in the postsynaptic membrane and have been widely studied for their control of muscle contraction by regulating neural action potentials. However, the influences of AChRs on immune responses and potential mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we used the advantages of live imaging of zebrafish to explore the regulation process of AChRs on inflammatory responses. Pharmacologically activating of the receptor, we found that the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines il-1β, il-6, tnf-α and il-8 was significantly up-regulated and neutrophil migration to injury sites was also significantly increased. However, these phenomena were reversed under antagonism of the receptor activity. Results showed that interfering with nAChRs functions did not significantly affect zebrafish motion behavior. Results also showed that activation and antagonism of nAChRs function could regulate the phosphorylation of ERK protein respectively. We further demonstrated that ERK participated in the regulation of AChRs in cytokines expression and neutrophils migration in zebrafish. This study preliminarily revealed the roles of AChRs in inflammatory processes and their potential mechanism, providing additional evidence of peripheral immune regulation by cholinergic receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling Zhang
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Li-Na Yao
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - An-Qi Chen
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Shi-Min He
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Mei-Li Wei
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Zi-Xuan Fan
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China
| | - Da-Long Ren
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry Genetic Resource Conservation and Bio-breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, 230036, China.
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José Alcaraz M. New potential therapeutic approaches targeting synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis. Biochem Pharmacol 2021; 194:114815. [PMID: 34715065 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2021.114815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Synovial cells play a key role in joint destruction during chronic inflammation. In particular, activated synovial fibroblasts (SFs) undergo intrinsic alterations leading to an aggressive phenotype mediating cartilage destruction and bone erosion in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recent research has revealed a number of targets to control arthritogenic changes in SFs. Therefore, identification of SF phenotypes, control of epigenetic changes, modulation of cellular functions, or regulation of the activity of cation channels and different signaling pathways has been investigated. Although many of these approaches have shown efficacy in vitro and in animal models of RA, further research is needed to select the most relevant targets for drug development. This review is focused on the role of SFs as a potential strategy to discover novel therapeutic targets in RA aimed at preserving joint architecture and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- María José Alcaraz
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Valencia, and Interuniversity Research Institute for Molecular Recognition and Technological Development (IDM), Polytechnic University of Valencia, University of Valencia, Av. Vicent A. Estellés s/n, 46100 Burjasot, Valencia, Spain.
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