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Iqbal Z, Xia J, Murtaza G, Shabbir M, Rehman K, Yujie L, Duan L. Targeting WNT signalling pathways as new therapeutic strategies for osteoarthritis. J Drug Target 2023; 31:1027-1049. [PMID: 37969105 DOI: 10.1080/1061186x.2023.2281861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoya Iqbal
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Orthopedic Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiang Xia
- Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Department of Pharmacy, COMSATS University Islamabad, Lahore Campus, Pakistan
| | - Maryam Shabbir
- Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Lahore, Lahore Campus, Pakistan
| | - Khurrum Rehman
- Department of Allied health sciences, The University of Agriculture, D.I.Khan, Pakistan
| | - Liang Yujie
- Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining, Shandong, China
| | - Li Duan
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Orthopedic Technology, Shenzhen Second People's Hospital, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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Anirudhan A, Mattethra GC, Alzahrani KJ, Banjer HJ, Alzahrani FM, Halawani IF, Patil S, Sharma A, Paramasivam P, Ahmed SSSJ. Eleven Crucial Pesticides Appear to Regulate Key Genes That Link MPTP Mechanism to Cause Parkinson's Disease through the Selective Degeneration of Dopamine Neurons. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1003. [PMID: 37508933 PMCID: PMC10377611 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13071003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Pesticides kill neurons, but the mechanism leading to selective dopaminergic loss in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown. Understanding the pesticide's effect on dopaminergic neurons (DA) can help to screen and treat PD. The critical uptake of pesticides by the membrane receptors at DA is hypothesized to activate a signaling cascade and accelerate degeneration. Using MPTP as a reference, we demonstrate the mechanisms of eleven crucial pesticides through molecular docking, protein networks, regulatory pathways, and prioritization of key pesticide-regulating proteins. Participants were recruited and grouped into control and PD based on clinical characteristics as well as pesticide traces in their blood plasma. Then, qPCR was used to measure pesticide-associated gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells between groups. As a result of molecular docking, all eleven pesticides and the MPTP showed high binding efficiency against 274 membrane receptor proteins of DA. Further, the protein interaction networks showed activation of multiple signaling cascades through these receptors. Subsequent analysis revealed 31 biological pathways shared by all 11pesticides and MPTP that were overrepresented by 46 crucial proteins. Among these, CTNNB1, NDUFS6, and CAV1 were prioritized to show a significant change in gene expression in pesticide-exposed PD which guides toward therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athira Anirudhan
- Central Research Laboratory, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Kuttapuzha, Thiruvalla 689103, Kerala, India
| | - George Chandy Mattethra
- Central Research Laboratory, Believers Church Medical College Hospital, Kuttapuzha, Thiruvalla 689103, Kerala, India
| | - Khalid J Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hamsa Jameel Banjer
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Fuad M Alzahrani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ibrahim F Halawani
- Department of Clinical Laboratories Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shankargouda Patil
- College of Dental Medicine, Roseman University of Health Sciences, South Jordan, UT 84095, USA
| | - Ashutosh Sharma
- Regional Department of Bioengineering, NatProLab-Plant Innovation Lab, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Queretaro 76130, Mexico
| | - Prabu Paramasivam
- School of Medicine, Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131, USA
| | - Shiek S S J Ahmed
- Drug Discovery & Omics Lab, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam 603103, Tamil Nadu, India
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Regulatory role of apelin receptor signaling in migration and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived mesoderm cells and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. Hum Cell 2023; 36:612-630. [PMID: 36692671 DOI: 10.1007/s13577-023-00861-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Mesoderm-derived cells, including bone, muscle, and mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), constitute various parts of vertebrate body. Cell therapy with mesoderm specification in vitro may be a promising treatment for diseases affecting organs of mesodermal origin. Repair and regeneration of damaged organs with in vitro generation of mesoderm-derived tissues and MSCs hold a great potential for regenerative therapy. Therefore, understanding the signaling pathways involving mesoderm and mesoderm-derived cellular differentiation is important. Previous findings indicated the importance of Apelin receptor (Aplnr) signaling, during embryonic development, in gastrulation, cell migration, and differentiation. Nevertheless, regulatory role of Aplnr pathway in differentiation of mesoderm and mesoderm-derived MSCs remains unclear. In the current study, we tried to elucidate the role of Aplnr signaling during mesoderm cell migration and differentiation from mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). By activating and suppressing Aplnr signaling pathway via peptide, small molecule, and genetic modifications including siRNA- and shRNA-mediated knockdown and CRISPR-Cas9-mediated knockout (KO), we revealed that Aplnr signaling not only induces migration of cells during germ layer formation but also enhances mesoderm differentiation through FGF/MAPK pathway. Antibody array and LC/MS protein profiling data demonstrated that Apelin-13 treatment enhanced cell cycle, EGFR, FGF, Wnt, and Integrin signaling pathway proteins. Furthermore, Aplelin-13 treatment improved MSC characteristics, with mesenchymal phenotype and high expression of MSC markers, and silencing Aplnr signaling components resulted in significantly reduced expression of MSC markers. Also, Aplnr signaling activity enhanced proliferation and survival of the cells during MSC derivation from mesoderm.
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Zheng S, Zhang Q, Wu R, Shi X, Peng J, Tan W, Huang W, Wu K, Liu C. Behavioral changes and transcriptomic effects at embryonic and post-embryonic stages reveal the toxic effects of 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether on neurodevelopment in zebrafish (Danio rerio). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 248:114310. [PMID: 36423367 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are new persistent pollutants that are widely exist in the environment and have many toxic effects. However, their toxicity mechanisms on neurodevelopment are still unclear. In this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to 2, 2', 4, 4'-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47) (control, 10, 50 and 100 μg/L) at 2 h postfertilization (hpf) - 7 dpf. Locomotion analysis indicated that BDE-47 increased spontaneous coiling activity in zebrafish embryos under high-intensity light stimuli and decreased locomotor in zebrafish larvae. RNA-Seq analysis revealed that most of the up-regulated pathways were related to the metabolism of cells and tissues, while the down-regulated pathways were related to neurodevelopment. Consistent with the locomotion and KEGG results, BDE-47 affected the expression of genes for central nervous system (gfap, mbpa, bdnf & pomcb), early neurogenesis (neurog1 & elavl3), and axonal development (tuba1a, tuba1b, tuba1c, syn2a, gap43 & shha). Furthermore, BDE-47 interfered with gene expression of the Wnt signaling pathway, especially during embryonic stages, suggesting that the mechanisms of BDE-47 toxicity to zebrafish at various stages of neurodevelopment may be different. In summary, early neurodevelopment effects and metabolic disturbances may have contributed to the abnormal neurobehavioral changes induced by BDE-47 in zebrafish embryos/larvae, suggesting the neurodevelopmental toxicity of BDE-47.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shukai Zheng
- Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Ruotong Wu
- School of Life Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoling Shi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiajun Peng
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenlong Huang
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Kusheng Wu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
| | - Caixia Liu
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong, China
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Modeling Movement Disorders via Generation of hiPSC-Derived Motor Neurons. Cells 2022; 11:cells11233796. [PMID: 36497056 PMCID: PMC9737271 DOI: 10.3390/cells11233796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Generation of motor neurons (MNs) from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) overcomes the limited access to human brain tissues and provides an unprecedent approach for modeling MN-related diseases. In this review, we discuss the recent progression in understanding the regulatory mechanisms of MN differentiation and their applications in the generation of MNs from hiPSCs, with a particular focus on two approaches: induction by small molecules and induction by lentiviral delivery of transcription factors. At each induction stage, different culture media and supplements, typical growth conditions and cellular morphology, and specific markers for validation of cell identity and quality control are specifically discussed. Both approaches can generate functional MNs. Currently, the major challenges in modeling neurological diseases using iPSC-derived neurons are: obtaining neurons with high purity and yield; long-term neuron culture to reach full maturation; and how to culture neurons more physiologically to maximize relevance to in vivo conditions.
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Son JH, Gerenza AK, Bingener GM, Bonkowsky JL. Hypoplasia of dopaminergic neurons by hypoxia-induced neurotoxicity is associated with disrupted swimming development of larval zebrafish. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:963037. [PMID: 36212692 PMCID: PMC9540391 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.963037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic injury to the developing brain increases the risk of permanent behavioral deficits, but the precise mechanisms of hypoxic injury to the developing nervous system are poorly understood. In this study, we characterized the effects of developmental hypoxia (1% pO2 from 24 to 48 h post-fertilization, hpf) on diencephalic dopaminergic (DA) neurons in larval zebrafish and the consequences on the development of swimming behavior. Hypoxia reduced the number of diencephalic DA neurons at 48 hpf. Returning zebrafish larvae to normoxia after the hypoxia (i.e., hypoxia-recovery, HR) induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Real-time qPCR results showed that HR caused upregulation of proapoptotic genes, including p53 and caspase3, suggesting the potential for ROS-induced cell death. With HR, we also found an increase in TUNEL-positive DA neurons, a persistent reduction in the number of diencephalic DA neurons, and disrupted swimming development and behavior. Interestingly, post-hypoxia (HR) with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine partially restored the number of DA neurons and spontaneous swimming behavior, demonstrating potential recovery from hypoxic injury. The present study provides new insights for understanding the mechanisms responsible for motor disability due to developmental hypoxic injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jong-Hyun Son
- Department of Biology, Neuroscience Program, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: Jong-Hyun Son,
| | - Amanda K. Gerenza
- Department of Biology, Neuroscience Program, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, United States
| | - Gabrielle M. Bingener
- Department of Biology, Neuroscience Program, University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, United States
| | - Joshua L. Bonkowsky
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Brain and Spine Center, Primary Children’s Hospital, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Probiotics Enhance Bone Growth and Rescue BMP Inhibition: New Transgenic Zebrafish Lines to Study Bone Health. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094748. [PMID: 35563140 PMCID: PMC9102566 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish larvae, especially gene-specific mutants and transgenic lines, are increasingly used to study vertebrate skeletal development and human pathologies such as osteoporosis, osteopetrosis and osteoarthritis. Probiotics have been recognized in recent years as a prophylactic treatment for various bone health issues in humans. Here, we present two new zebrafish transgenic lines containing the coding sequences for fluorescent proteins inserted into the endogenous genes for sp7 and col10a1a with larvae displaying fluorescence in developing osteoblasts and the bone extracellular matrix (mineralized or non-mineralized), respectively. Furthermore, we use these transgenic lines to show that exposure to two different probiotics, Bacillus subtilis and Lactococcus lactis, leads to an increase in osteoblast formation and bone matrix growth and mineralization. Gene expression analysis revealed the effect of the probiotics, particularly Bacillus subtilis, in modulating several skeletal development genes, such as runx2, sp7, spp1 and col10a1a, further supporting their ability to improve bone health. Bacillus subtilis was the more potent probiotic able to significantly reverse the inhibition of bone matrix formation when larvae were exposed to a BMP inhibitor (LDN212854).
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