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Venkatasubramanian D, Senevirathne G, Capellini TD, Craft AM. Leveraging single cell multiomic analyses to identify factors that drive human chondrocyte cell fate. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.06.12.598666. [PMID: 38915712 PMCID: PMC11195167 DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.12.598666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Cartilage plays a crucial role in skeletal development and function, and abnormal development contributes to genetic and age-related skeletal disease. To better understand how human cartilage develops in vivo , we jointly profiled the transcriptome and open chromatin regions in individual nuclei recovered from distal femurs at 2 fetal timepoints. We used these multiomic data to identify transcription factors expressed in distinct chondrocyte subtypes, link accessible regulatory elements with gene expression, and predict transcription factor-based regulatory networks that are important for growth plate or epiphyseal chondrocyte differentiation. We developed a human pluripotent stem cell platform for interrogating the function of predicted transcription factors during chondrocyte differentiation and used it to test NFATC2 . We expect new regulatory networks we uncovered using multiomic data to be important for promoting cartilage health and treating disease, and our platform to be a useful tool for studying cartilage development in vitro . Statement of Significance The identity and integrity of the articular cartilage lining our joints are crucial to pain-free activities of daily living. Here we identified a gene regulatory landscape of human chondrogenesis at single cell resolution, which is expected to open new avenues of research aimed at mitigating cartilage diseases that affect hundreds of millions of individuals world-wide.
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Pratt SJP, Plunkett CM, Kuzu G, Trinh T, Barbara J, Choconta P, Quackenbush D, Huynh T, Smith A, Barnes SW, New J, Pierce J, Walker JR, Mainquist J, King FJ, Elliott J, Hammack S, Decker RS. A high throughput cell stretch device for investigating mechanobiology in vitro. APL Bioeng 2024; 8:026129. [PMID: 38938688 PMCID: PMC11210978 DOI: 10.1063/5.0206852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Mechanobiology is a rapidly advancing field, with growing evidence that mechanical signaling plays key roles in health and disease. To accelerate mechanobiology-based drug discovery, novel in vitro systems are needed that enable mechanical perturbation of cells in a format amenable to high throughput screening. Here, both a mechanical stretch device and 192-well silicone flexible linear stretch plate were designed and fabricated to meet high throughput technology needs for cell stretch-based applications. To demonstrate the utility of the stretch plate in automation and screening, cell dispensing, liquid handling, high content imaging, and high throughput sequencing platforms were employed. Using this system, an assay was developed as a biological validation and proof-of-concept readout for screening. A mechano-transcriptional stretch response was characterized using focused gene expression profiling measured by RNA-mediated oligonucleotide Annealing, Selection, and Ligation with Next-Gen sequencing. Using articular chondrocytes, a gene expression signature containing stretch responsive genes relevant to cartilage homeostasis and disease was identified. The possibility for integration of other stretch sensitive cell types (e.g., cardiovascular, airway, bladder, gut, and musculoskeletal), in combination with alternative phenotypic readouts (e.g., protein expression, proliferation, or spatial alignment), broadens the scope of high throughput stretch and allows for wider adoption by the research community. This high throughput mechanical stress device fills an unmet need in phenotypic screening technology to support drug discovery in mechanobiology-based disease areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J. P. Pratt
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | | | - Guray Kuzu
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Ton Trinh
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Joshua Barbara
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Paula Choconta
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Doug Quackenbush
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Truc Huynh
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Anders Smith
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - S. Whitney Barnes
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Joel New
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - James Pierce
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - John R. Walker
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - James Mainquist
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Frederick J. King
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Jimmy Elliott
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Scott Hammack
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
| | - Rebekah S. Decker
- Novartis, Biomedical Research 10675 John Jay Hopkins Dr, San Diego, California 92121, USA
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Lv R, Du L, Bai L. RNF125, transcriptionally regulated by NFATC2, alleviates osteoarthritis via inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway through degrading TRIM14. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111191. [PMID: 37951197 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111191] [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: 07/13/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/03/2023] [Indexed: 11/13/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease characterized by the progressive degradation of articular cartilage. In this study, as determined by histological staining, the cartilage surface of the OA rats was damaged, defective and broken, and chondrocytes and proteoglycan were reduced. While moderate physical exercise showed protective effects on the cartilage. Besides, RNA-seq was performed to select a target protein and RNF125 (an E3 ubiquitin ligase) was decreased in the cartilage tissues of OA rats and increased after physiological exercise. However, the precise role of RNF125 in OA is still unknown. This work aimed to investigate the involvement and underlying mechanism of RNF125 in OA pathogenesis. Our results defined that adenovirus-mediated overexpression of RNF125 inhibited the degradation of extracellular matrix of chondrocytes induced by IL-1β, as revealed by increased chondrocyte viability, upregulated COL2A1 and ACAN levels, and downregulated MMP1, MMP13 and ADAMTS5 levels, which was abrogated by NR4A2 knockdown. In vivo, RNF125 relieved OA, manifested as reduced cartilage injury and increased chondrocytes. Mechanically, NFATC2 bound to the RNF125 promoter and directly regulated RNF125 transcription, as illustrated by luciferase reporter, Ch-IP and DNA pull-down assays. Furthermore, RNF125 overexpression inhibited the nuclear translocation of β-catenin, thus suppressing activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Also, RNF125 as E3 ubiquitin ligase led to the ubiquitination and degradation of TRIM14 protein, and TRIM14 overexpression efficiently reversed the effects of RNF125 overexpression on OA progression. Totally, this study provides new insights into OA pathogenesis regulated by RNF125. RNF125 may be a novel biomarker for OA therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runxiao Lv
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Pathophysiology, College of Basic Medical Science, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Lunhao Bai
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China.
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Jiang T, Xia T, Qiao F, Wang N, Jiang Y, Xin H. Role and Regulation of Transcription Factors in Osteoclastogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16175. [PMID: 38003376 PMCID: PMC10671247 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Bones serve mechanical and defensive functions, as well as regulating the balance of calcium ions and housing bone marrow.. The qualities of bones do not remain constant. Instead, they fluctuate throughout life, with functions increasing in some situations while deteriorating in others. The synchronization of osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption is critical for maintaining bone mass and microstructure integrity in a steady state. This equilibrium, however, can be disrupted by a variety of bone pathologies. Excessive osteoclast differentiation can result in osteoporosis, Paget's disease, osteolytic bone metastases, and rheumatoid arthritis, all of which can adversely affect people's health. Osteoclast differentiation is regulated by transcription factors NFATc1, MITF, C/EBPα, PU.1, NF-κB, and c-Fos. The transcriptional activity of osteoclasts is largely influenced by developmental and environmental signals with the involvement of co-factors, RNAs, epigenetics, systemic factors, and the microenvironment. In this paper, we review these themes in regard to transcriptional regulation in osteoclastogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; (T.J.); (T.X.); (F.Q.)
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
| | - Tianshuang Xia
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; (T.J.); (T.X.); (F.Q.)
| | - Fangliang Qiao
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; (T.J.); (T.X.); (F.Q.)
| | - Nani Wang
- Department of Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310007, China;
| | - Yiping Jiang
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; (T.J.); (T.X.); (F.Q.)
| | - Hailiang Xin
- School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China; (T.J.); (T.X.); (F.Q.)
- School of Pharmacy, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou 350122, China
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ZHANG MINGCAI, CAMPBELL TANNER, FALCON SPENCER, WANG JINXI. Regulatory role of NFAT1 signaling in articular chondrocyte activities and osteoarthritis pathogenesis. BIOCELL 2023; 47:2125-2132. [PMID: 37974562 PMCID: PMC10651080 DOI: 10.32604/biocell.2023.030161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of joint disease, is characterized clinically by joint pain, stiffness, and deformity. OA is now considered a whole joint disease; however, the breakdown of the articular cartilage remains the major hallmark of the disease. Current treatments targeting OA symptoms have a limited impact on impeding or reversing the OA progression. Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying OA development is a critical barrier to progress in OA therapy. Recent studies by the current authors' group and others have revealed that the nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFAT1), a member of the NFAT family of transcription factors, regulates the expression of many anabolic and catabolic genes in articular chondrocytes of adult mice. Mice lacking NFAT1 exhibit normal skeletal development but display OA in both appendicular and spinal facet joints as adults. This review mainly focuses on the recent advances in the regulatory role of NFAT1 transcription factor in the activities of articular chondrocytes and its implication in the pathogenesis of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- MINGCAI ZHANG
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
| | - TANNER CAMPBELL
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
| | - SPENCER FALCON
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
| | - JINXI WANG
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, USA
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Rogers N, Meng QJ. Tick tock, the cartilage clock. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2023; 31:1425-1436. [PMID: 37230460 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.05.010] [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: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common age-related joint disease, affecting articular cartilage and other joint structures, causing severe pain and disability. Due to a limited understanding of the underlying disease pathogenesis, there are currently no disease-modifying drugs for OA. Circadian rhythms are generated by cell-intrinsic timekeeping mechanisms which are known to dampen during ageing, increasing disease risks. In this review, we focus on one emerging area of chondrocyte biology, the circadian clocks. We first provide a historical perspective of circadian clock discoveries and the molecular underpinnings. We will then focus on the expression and functions of circadian clocks in articular cartilage, including their rhythmic target genes and pathways, links to ageing, tissue degeneration, and OA, as well as tissue niche-specific entrainment pathways. Further research into cartilage clocks and ageing may have broader implications in the understanding of OA pathogenesis, the standardization of biomarker detection, and the development of novel therapeutic routes for the prevention and management of OA and other musculoskeletal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Rogers
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK; Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK
| | - Qing-Jun Meng
- Wellcome Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK; Centre for Biological Timing, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, UK.
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Richard D, Pregizer S, Venkatasubramanian D, Raftery RM, Muthuirulan P, Liu Z, Capellini TD, Craft AM. Lineage-specific differences and regulatory networks governing human chondrocyte development. eLife 2023; 12:e79925. [PMID: 36920035 PMCID: PMC10069868 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
To address large gaps in our understanding of the molecular regulation of articular and growth plate cartilage development in humans, we used our directed differentiation approach to generate these distinct cartilage tissues from human embryonic stem cells. The resulting transcriptomic profiles of hESC-derived articular and growth plate chondrocytes were similar to fetal epiphyseal and growth plate chondrocytes, with respect to genes both known and previously unknown to cartilage biology. With the goal to characterize the regulatory landscapes accompanying these respective transcriptomes, we mapped chromatin accessibility in hESC-derived chondrocyte lineages, and mouse embryonic chondrocytes, using ATAC-sequencing. Integration of the expression dataset with the differentially accessible genomic regions revealed lineage-specific gene regulatory networks. We validated functional interactions of two transcription factors (TFs) (RUNX2 in growth plate chondrocytes and RELA in articular chondrocytes) with their predicted genomic targets. The maps we provide thus represent a framework for probing regulatory interactions governing chondrocyte differentiation. This work constitutes a substantial step towards comprehensive and comparative molecular characterizations of distinct chondrogenic lineages and sheds new light on human cartilage development and biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Richard
- Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Steven Pregizer
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | - Divya Venkatasubramanian
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Rosanne M Raftery
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
| | | | - Zun Liu
- Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
| | - Terence D Capellini
- Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard UniversityCambridgeUnited States
- Broad Institute of MIT and HarvardCambridgeUnited States
| | - April M Craft
- Department of Orthopedic Research, Boston Children’s HospitalBostonUnited States
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical SchoolBostonUnited States
- Harvard Stem Cell InstituteCambridgeUnited States
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Novakov V, Novakova O, Churnosova M, Sorokina I, Aristova I, Polonikov A, Reshetnikov E, Churnosov M. Intergenic Interactions of SBNO1, NFAT5 and GLT8D1 Determine the Susceptibility to Knee Osteoarthritis among Europeans of Russia. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:life13020405. [PMID: 36836762 PMCID: PMC9960278 DOI: 10.3390/life13020405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
This study was conducted to examine the associations between genome-wide association studies (GWAS)-important single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and knee osteoarthritis (KOA) among Europeans of Russia. The present replicative study ("patient-control" design has been used) was carried out on 1000 DNA samples from KOA (n = 500) and KOA-free (n = 500) participants. Ten GWAS-important for KOA SNPs of eight candidate genes (LYPLAL1, GNL3, GLT8D1, SBNO1, WWP2, NFAT5, TGFA, GDF5) were studied. To assess the link between SNPs and KOA susceptibility, logistic regression (to establish independent SNP effects) and MB-MDR (to identify SNP-SNP interactions) were used. As a result of this genetic analysis, the associations of individual SNPs with KOA have not been proven. Eight loci out of ten tested SNPs interacted with each other (within twelve genetic models) and determined susceptibility to KOA. The greatest contribution to the disease development were made by three polymorphisms/genes such as rs6976 (C>T) GLT8D1, rs56116847 (G>A) SBNO1, rs6499244 (T>A) NFAT5 (each was included in 2/3 [8 out 12] KOA-responsible genetic interaction models). A two-locus epistatic interaction of rs56116847 (G >A) SBNO1 × rs6499244 (T>A) NFAT5 determined the maximum percentage (0.86%) of KOA entropy. KOA-associated SNPs are regulatory polymorphisms that affect the expression/splicing level, epigenetic modification of 72 genes in KOA-pathogenetically significant organs such as skeletal muscles, tibial arteries/nerves, thyroid, adipose tissue, etc. These putative KOA-effector genes are mainly involved in the organization/activity of the exoribonuclease complex and antigen processing/presentation pathways. In conclusion, KOA susceptibility among Europeans of Russia is mediated by intergenic interactions (but not the main effects) of GWAS-important SNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vitaly Novakov
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
| | - Olga Novakova
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
| | - Maria Churnosova
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
| | - Inna Sorokina
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
| | - Inna Aristova
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
| | - Alexey Polonikov
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
- Department of Biology, Medical Genetics and Ecology and Research Institute for Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology, Kursk State Medical University, 305041 Kursk, Russia
| | - Evgeny Reshetnikov
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
| | - Mikhail Churnosov
- Department of Medical Biological Disciplines, Belgorod State National Research University, 308015 Belgorod, Russia
- Correspondence:
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Wang Y, Ren J, Hou G, Ge X. NFATC1 and NFATC2 expression patterns in human osteochondromas. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13018. [PMID: 36747924 PMCID: PMC9898645 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Our previous study in genetic mouse models found that NFATc1 and NFATc2 suppress osteochondroma formation from entheseal progenitors. However, it remains unclear whether NFAT signaling is also involved in human osteochondromagenesis. As the first step in addressing this question, the current study aimed to determine the expression patterns of NFATC1 and NFATC2 in human osteochondroma samples. Methods Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to examine and analyze NFATC1 and NFATC2 expression in human osteochondroma samples. The human periosteum was used to map the expression of NFATC1 under physiological conditions by IHC. Furthermore, human periosteal progenitors were isolated and identified from the periosteal tissues of bone fracture healing patients. The expression of NFATC1 in human periosteal progenitors was characterized by Western blotting compared to human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC). Results The IHC results showed that the expression of NFATC1 was undetectable in most human osteochondromas cells, and only a small proportion of osteochondroma cells, especially clonally grown chondrocytes, showed positive staining of NFATC1. NFATC2 expression was also undetectable in most chondrocytes in human osteochondromas. The mouse and human periosteum showed a comparable ratio of NFATC1 positive cells (9.56 ± 0.80% vs 11.04 ± 2.05%, P = 0.3101). Furthermore, Western blotting analysis revealed that NFATC1 expression was highly enriched in human periosteal progenitors compared to BMSC. Conclusions NFATC1 and NFATC2 are undetectable in most human osteochondroma chondrocytes. The expression pattern of NFATC1 in human osteochondromas and the normal periosteum suggests that NFAT signaling could be suppressed during human osteochondromagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wang
- Department of Stomatology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jiangdong Ren
- Department of Joint Surgery, Center for Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University (Academy of Orthopaedics of Guangdong Province), Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Guojin Hou
- Department of Orthopedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xianpeng Ge
- Department of Stomatology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China,National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Beijing, China,Corresponding author. Department of Stomatology, Xuanwu Hospital Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
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Izda V, Dunn CM, Prinz E, Schlupp L, Nguyen E, Sturdy C, Jeffries MA. A Pilot Analysis of Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Patterns in Mouse Cartilage Reveals Overlapping Epigenetic Signatures of Aging and Osteoarthritis. ACR Open Rheumatol 2022; 4:1004-1012. [PMID: 36253145 PMCID: PMC9746664 DOI: 10.1002/acr2.11506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cartilage epigenetic changes are strongly associated with human osteoarthritis (OA). However, the influence of individual environmental OA risk factors on these epigenetic patterns has not been determined; herein we characterize cartilage DNA methylation patterns associated with aging and OA in a mouse model. METHODS Murine knee cartilage DNA was extracted from healthy young (16-week, n = 6), old (82-week, n = 6), and young 4-week post-destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) OA (n = 6) C57BL6/J mice. Genome-wide DNA methylation patterns were determined via Illumina BeadChip. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. The top seven most differentially methylated positions (DMPs) were confirmed by pyrosequencing in an independent animal set. Results were compared to previously published human OA methylation data. RESULTS Aging was associated with 20,940 DMPs, whereas OA was associated with 761 DMPs. Merging these two conditions revealed 279 shared DMPs. All demonstrated similar directionality and magnitude of change (Δβ 1.0% ± 0.2%, mean methylation change ± SEM). Shared DMPs were enriched in OA-associated pathways, including RhoA signaling (P = 1.57 × 10-4 ), protein kinase A signaling (P = 3.38 × 10-4 ), and NFAT signaling (P = 6.14 × 10-4 ). Upstream regulators, including TET3 (P = 6.15 × 10-4 ), immunoglobulin (P = 6.14 × 10-4 ), and TLR7 (P = 7.53 × 10-4 ), were also enriched. Pyrosequencing confirmed six of the seven top DMPs in an independent cohort. CONCLUSION Aging and early OA following DMM surgery induce similar DNA methylation changes within a murine OA model, suggesting that aging may induce pro-OA epigenetic "poising" within articular cartilage. Future research should focus on confirming and expanding these findings to other environmental OA risk factors, including obesity, as well as determining late OA changes in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vladislav Izda
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma City, and Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai, New York
| | - Christopher M Dunn
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Emmaline Prinz
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Leoni Schlupp
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Emily Nguyen
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Cassandra Sturdy
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
| | - Matlock A Jeffries
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Arthritis & Clinical Immunology Program and University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
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11
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Canalis E, Schilling L, Eller T, Yu J. Role of nuclear factor of activated T cells in chondrogenesis osteogenesis and osteochondroma formation. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:1507-1520. [PMID: 35352320 PMCID: PMC10024159 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-022-01781-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATc) are transcription factors that play a function in the immune response and in osteoclast differentiation. In the present work, we define the function of NFATc2 in chondrogenic and osteogenic cells. METHODS Nfatc2loxP/loxP and Nfatc1loxP/loxP;Nfatc2loxP/loxP conditional mice were crossed with Prx1-Cre transgenics to inactivate Nfatc2 singly and with Nfatc1. Femurs and vertebrae were examined by microcomputed tomography (µCT) X-Ray images and histology and analyzed for the presence of osteochondromas. RESULTS µCT demonstrated that Prx1-Cre;Nfatc2∆/∆ female mice had transient osteopenia and male mice did not have a cancellous or a cortical bone phenotype when compared to control mice. In contrast, the dual inactivation of Nfatc1 and Nfatc2 in Prx1-expressing cells resulted in cancellous osteopenia and small bones at 1 month of age in both sexes. Nfatc1;Nfatc2 deleted mice exhibited a ~ 50% decrease in bone volume and connectivity. Total bone area, periosteal and endocortical bone perimeters and femoral length were reduced indicating smaller bones. As the mice matured, the shortening of the femoral length persisted, but the osteopenic phenotype resolved and cancellous femoral bone of 4-month-old Nfatc1;Nfatc2 deleted mice was not different from controls although male mice had vertebral osteopenia. In addition, Nfatc1;Nfatc2 deleted mice displayed distortion of the distal metaphysis and, as they matured, the articular presence of mineralized tumors with the appearance of osteochondromas. CONCLUSION Our studies reveal that NFATc1 and NFATc2 are necessary for optimal bone homeostasis and the suppression of osteochondroma formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Canalis
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030-4037, USA.
- Departments of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
- The UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
| | - L Schilling
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030-4037, USA
- The UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - T Eller
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030-4037, USA
- The UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
| | - J Yu
- Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030-4037, USA
- The UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA
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12
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Kawata M, Teramura T, Ordoukhanian P, Head SR, Natarajan P, Sundaresan A, Olmer M, Asahara H, Lotz MK. Krüppel-like factor-4 and Krüppel-like factor-2 are important regulators of joint tissue cells and protect against tissue destruction and inflammation in osteoarthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2022; 81:annrheumdis-2021-221867. [PMID: 35534137 PMCID: PMC9643672 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-221867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Analysing expression patterns of Krüppel-like factor (KLF) transcription factors in normal and osteoarthritis (OA) human cartilage, and determining functions and mechanisms of KLF4 and KLF2 in joint homoeostasis and OA pathogenesis. METHODS Experimental approaches included human joint tissues cells, transgenic mice and mouse OA model with viral KLF4 gene delivery to demonstrate therapeutic benefit in structure and pain improvement. Mechanistic studies applied global gene expression analysis and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq). RESULTS Several KLF genes were significantly decreased in OA cartilage. Among them, KLF4 and KLF2 were strong inducers of cartilage collagen genes and Proteoglycan-4. Cartilage-specific deletion of Klf2 in mature mice aggravated severity of experimental OA. Transduction of human chondrocytes with Adenovirus (Ad) expressing KLF4 or KLF2 enhanced expression of major cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) genes and SRY-box transcription factor-9, and suppressed mediators of inflammation and ECM-degrading enzymes. Ad-KLF4 and Ad-KLF2 enhanced similar protective functions in meniscus cells and synoviocytes, and promoted chondrocytic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. Viral KLF4 delivery into mouse knees reduced severity of OA-associated changes in cartilage, meniscus and synovium, and improved pain behaviours. ChIP-seq analysis suggested that KLF4 directly bound cartilage signature genes. Ras-related protein-1 signalling was the most enriched pathway in KLF4-transduced cells, and its signalling axis was involved in upregulating cartilage ECM genes by KLF4 and KLF2. CONCLUSIONS KLF4 and KLF2 may be central transcription factors that increase protective and regenerative functions in joint tissue cells, suggesting that KLF gene transfer or molecules upregulating KLFs are therapeutic candidates for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manabu Kawata
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Takeshi Teramura
- Division of Cell Biology for Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Advanced Clinical Medicine, Kindai University, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan
| | - Philip Ordoukhanian
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics and Genomics Core, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Steven R Head
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics and Genomics Core, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Padmaja Natarajan
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics and Genomics Core, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Aishwarya Sundaresan
- Center for Computational Biology & Bioinformatics and Genomics Core, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Merissa Olmer
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Hiroshi Asahara
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - Martin K Lotz
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California, USA
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13
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Takahata Y, Hagino H, Kimura A, Urushizaki M, Yamamoto S, Wakamori K, Murakami T, Hata K, Nishimura R. Regulatory Mechanisms of Prg4 and Gdf5 Expression in Articular Cartilage and Functions in Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23094672. [PMID: 35563063 PMCID: PMC9105027 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23094672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Owing to the rapid aging of society, the numbers of patients with joint disease continue to increase. Accordingly, a large number of patients require appropriate treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), the most frequent bone and joint disease. Thought to be caused by the degeneration and destruction of articular cartilage following persistent and excessive mechanical stimulation of the joints, OA can significantly impair patient quality of life with symptoms such as knee pain, lower limb muscle weakness, or difficulty walking. Because articular cartilage has a low self-repair ability and an extremely low proliferative capacity, healing of damaged articular cartilage has not been achieved to date. The current pharmaceutical treatment of OA is limited to the slight alleviation of symptoms (e.g., local injection of hyaluronic acid or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs); hence, the development of effective drugs and regenerative therapies for OA is highly desirable. This review article summarizes findings indicating that proteoglycan 4 (Prg4)/lubricin, which is specifically expressed in the superficial zone of articular cartilage and synovium, functions in a protective manner against OA, and covers the transcriptional regulation of Prg4 in articular chondrocytes. We also focused on growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5), which is specifically expressed on the surface layer of articular cartilage, particularly in the developmental stage, describing its regulatory mechanisms and functions in joint formation and OA pathogenesis. Because several genetic studies in humans and mice indicate the involvement of these genes in the maintenance of articular cartilage homeostasis and the presentation of OA, molecular targeting of Prg4 and Gdf5 is expected to provide new insights into the aetiology, pathogenesis, and potential treatment of OA.
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14
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薛 晓, 李 忠, 赵 明. [Metformin and lipopolysaccharide regulate transcription of NFATc2 gene via the transcription factor RUNX2]. NAN FANG YI KE DA XUE XUE BAO = JOURNAL OF SOUTHERN MEDICAL UNIVERSITY 2022; 42:425-431. [PMID: 35426808 PMCID: PMC9010990 DOI: 10.12122/j.issn.1673-4254.2022.03.16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To construct a luciferase reporter gene vector carrying human nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 (NFATc2) gene promoter and examine the effects of metformin and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the transcriptional activity of NFATc2 gene. METHODS The promoter sequence of human NFATc2 gene was acquired from UCSC website for PCR amplification. NFATc2 promoter fragment was inserted into pGL3-basic plasmid double cleaved with Kpn Ⅰ and Hind Ⅲ. The resultant recombinant plasmid pGL3-NFATC2-promoter was co-transfected with the internal reference plasmid pRL-TK in 293F cells, and luciferase activity in the cells was detected. Reporter gene vectors of human NFATc2 gene promoter with different fragment lengths were also constructed and assayed for luciferase activity. The changes in transcription activity of NFATc2 gene were assessed after treatment with different concentrations of metformin and LPS for 24 h. We also examined the effect of mutation in RUNX2-binding site in NFATC2 gene promoter on the regulatory effects of metformin and LPS on NFATc2 transcription. RESULTS We successfully constructed pGL3-NFATc2-promoter plasmids carrying different lengths (2170 bp, 2077 bp, 1802 bp, 1651 bp, 1083 bp, 323 bp) of NFATc2 promoter sequences as verified by enzymatic digestion and sequencing. Transfection of 293F cells with the plasmid carrying a 1651 bp NFATc2 promoter (pGL3-1651 bp) resulted in the highest transcriptional activity of NFATc2 gene, and the luciferase activity was approximately 3.3 times that of pGL3-2170 bp (1.843 ± 0.146 vs 0.547 ± 0.085). Moderate (5 mmol/L) and high (10 mmol/L) concentrations of metformin significantly upregulated the transcriptional activity of pGL3-1651 bp by up to 2.5 and 3 folds, respectively. LPS at different doses also upregulated the transcriptional activity of pGL3-1651 bp by at least 1.6 folds. The mutation in the RUNX2 binding site on pGL3-1651 bp obviously reduced metformin- and LPS-induced enhancement of pGL3-1651bp transcription by 1.7 and 2 folds, respectively. CONCLUSION pGL3-NFATc2-promoter can be transcribed and activated in 293F cells, and LPS and metformin can activate the transcription of pGL3- NFATc2-promoter in a RUNX2-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- 晓阳 薛
- 南方医科大学第二临床医学院,广东 广州 510515Second School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 忠豪 李
- 广东省医学休克微循环重点实验室,南方医科大学基础医学院病理生理学教研室,广东 广州 510515Key Lab of Medical Shock and Microcirculation Research of Guangdong Province, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - 明 赵
- 广东省医学休克微循环重点实验室,南方医科大学基础医学院病理生理学教研室,广东 广州 510515Key Lab of Medical Shock and Microcirculation Research of Guangdong Province, Department of Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
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15
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Andress BD, Irwin RM, Puranam I, Hoffman BD, McNulty AL. A Tale of Two Loads: Modulation of IL-1 Induced Inflammatory Responses of Meniscal Cells in Two Models of Dynamic Physiologic Loading. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:837619. [PMID: 35299636 PMCID: PMC8921261 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.837619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Meniscus injuries are highly prevalent, and both meniscus injury and subsequent surgery are linked to the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Although the pathogenesis of PTOA remains poorly understood, the inflammatory cytokine IL-1 is elevated in synovial fluid following acute knee injuries and causes degradation of meniscus tissue and inhibits meniscus repair. Dynamic mechanical compression of meniscus tissue improves integrative meniscus repair in the presence of IL-1 and dynamic tensile strain modulates the response of meniscus cells to IL-1. Despite the promising observed effects of physiologic mechanical loading on suppressing inflammatory responses of meniscus cells, there is a lack of knowledge on the global effects of loading on meniscus transcriptomic profiles. In this study, we compared two established models of physiologic mechanical stimulation, dynamic compression of tissue explants and cyclic tensile stretch of isolated meniscus cells, to identify conserved responses to mechanical loading. RNA sequencing was performed on loaded and unloaded meniscus tissue or isolated cells from inner and outer zones, with and without IL-1. Overall, results from both models showed significant modulation of inflammation-related pathways with mechanical stimulation. Anti-inflammatory effects of loading were well-conserved between the tissue compression and cell stretch models for inner zone; however, the cell stretch model resulted in a larger number of differentially regulated genes. Our findings on the global transcriptomic profiles of two models of mechanical stimulation lay the groundwork for future mechanistic studies of meniscus mechanotransduction, which may lead to the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of meniscus injuries.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebecca M. Irwin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Ishaan Puranam
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Brenton D. Hoffman
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
| | - Amy L. McNulty
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, United States
- *Correspondence: Amy L. McNulty,
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16
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Xu J, Yan Z, Wu G, Zheng Y, Liao X, Zou F. Identification of key genes and pathways associated with sex difference in osteoarthritis based on bioinformatics analysis. JOURNAL OF MUSCULOSKELETAL & NEURONAL INTERACTIONS 2022; 22:393-400. [PMID: 36046996 PMCID: PMC9438520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to identify different key genes and pathways between postmenopausal females and males by studying differentially expressed genes (DEGs). METHODS GSE32317 and GSE55457 gene expression data were downloaded from the GEO database, and DEGs were discovered using R software to obtain overlapping DEGs. The interaction between overlapping DEGs was further analyzed by establishing the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Finally, GO and KEGG were used for enrichment analysis. RESULTS 924 overlapping DEGs between postmenopausal women and men with osteoarthritis (OA) were identified, including 674 up-regulated genes and 249 down-regulated ones. And 10 hub genes were identified in the PPI network, including BMP4, KDM6A, JMJD1C, NFATC1, PRKX, SRF, ZFX, LAMTOR5, UFD1L and AMBN. The findings of the functional enrichment analysis suggested that these genes were predominantly expressed in MAPK signaling pathway as well as the Thyroid hormone signaling pathway, indicating that those two pathways may be involved in onset and disease progression of OA in postmenopausal patients. CONCLUSION BMP4, KDM6A, JMJD1C, PRKX, ZFX and LAMTOR5 are expected to play crucial roles in disease development in postmenopausal patients and may be ideal targets or prognostic markers for the treatment of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchang Xu
- Department of Orthopeadics, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China,Corresponding author: Junchang Xu, Department of Orthopeadics, Xiangyang No.1 people’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, No. 15 Jiefang Road, Fancheng District, Xiangyang, 441000, Hubei Province, China E-mail:
| | - Zijian Yan
- Department of Orthopeadics, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Guihua Wu
- Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Xiangyang Vocational and Technical College, Xiangyang, China
| | - Yongling Zheng
- Department of Orthopeadics, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Xiaolong Liao
- Department of Orthopeadics, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
| | - Feng Zou
- Department of Orthopeadics, Xiangyang No.1 People’s Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Xiangyang, China
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17
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Nakamoto H, Katanosaka Y, Chijimatsu R, Mori D, Xuan F, Yano F, Omata Y, Maenohara Y, Murahashi Y, Kawaguchi K, Yamagami R, Inui H, Taketomi S, Taniguchi Y, Kanagawa M, Naruse K, Tanaka S, Saito T. Involvement of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Channel 2 in the Induction of Lubricin and Suppression of Ectopic Endochondral Ossification in Mouse Articular Cartilage. Arthritis Rheumatol 2021; 73:1441-1450. [PMID: 33586252 DOI: 10.1002/art.41684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Transient receptor potential vanilloid channel 2 (TRPV2) is a Ca2+ -permeable channel and plays a role in mediating intracellular Ca2+ current via mechanical stimuli. This study was undertaken to examine the expression and role of TRPV2 in adult articular cartilage and the development of osteoarthritis (OA). METHODS We examined TRPV2 expression in mouse and human articular cartilage. We analyzed the development of OA in Col2a1-CreERt2 ;Trpv2fl/fl mice and Trpv2fl/fl littermates in the resection of the medial meniscus and medial collateral ligament model (n = 5 each), the destabilization of the medial meniscus model (n = 5 each), and the aging mouse model (n = 8-9 each). We examined marker protein expression in these joints, Ca2+ influx by mechanical stimuli, and downstream pathways in vitro. RESULTS TRPV2 was expressed in mouse and human articular cartilage and ectopic ossification lesions. In all mouse models of OA examined, Col2a1-CreERt2 ;Trpv2fl/fl mice were observed to have enhanced degradation of articular cartilage accompanied by decreased expression of lubricin/Prg4, and marked formation of periarticular ectopic ossification. Mechanical stress-induced Ca2+ influx was decreased by Trpv2 knockout (KO). Prg4 induction by fluid-flow shear stress was diminished in Trpv2-KO mouse chondrocytes, and this was mediated by the Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase-cyclic AMP response element binding protein axis. Hypertrophic differentiation was enhanced in Trpv2-KO mouse chondrocytes. Increased activity of calcineurin and nuclear translocation of nuclear factor in activated T cells 1 induced by fluid-flow shear stress or TRP agonist treatment was reversed by Trpv2 knockout. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrate regulation of articular cartilage by TRPV2 through Prg4 induction and suppression of ectopic ossification.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Motoi Kanagawa
- Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan, and Ehime University School of Medicine, Toon, Japan
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18
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Song X, Bai H, Meng X, Xiao J, Gao L. Drivers of phenotypic variation in cartilage: Circadian clock genes. J Cell Mol Med 2021; 25:7593-7601. [PMID: 34213828 PMCID: PMC8358851 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endogenous homeostasis and peripheral tissue metabolism are disrupted by irregular fluctuations in activation, movement, feeding and temperature, which can accelerate negative biological processes and lead to immune reactions, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). This review summarizes abnormal phenotypes in articular joint components such as cartilage, bone and the synovium, attributed to the deletion or overexpression of clock genes in cartilage or chondrocytes. Understanding the functional mechanisms of different genes, the differentiation of mouse phenotypes and the prevention of joint ageing and disease will facilitate future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaopeng Song
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Hui Bai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Xinghua Meng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Jianhua Xiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
| | - Li Gao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Key Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, China
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19
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Single-Cell RNA-Seq Reveals Transcriptomic Heterogeneity and Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis-Associated Early Molecular Changes in Mouse Articular Chondrocytes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061462. [PMID: 34200880 PMCID: PMC8230441 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Articular cartilage is a connective tissue lining the surfaces of synovial joints. When the cartilage severely wears down, it leads to osteoarthritis (OA), a debilitating disease that affects millions of people globally. The articular cartilage is composed of a dense extracellular matrix (ECM) with a sparse distribution of chondrocytes with varying morphology and potentially different functions. Elucidating the molecular and functional profiles of various chondrocyte subtypes and understanding the interplay between these chondrocyte subtypes and other cell types in the joint will greatly expand our understanding of joint biology and OA pathology. Although recent advances in high-throughput OMICS technologies have enabled molecular-level characterization of tissues and organs at an unprecedented resolution, thorough molecular profiling of articular chondrocytes has not yet been undertaken, which may be in part due to the technical difficulties in isolating chondrocytes from dense cartilage ECM. In this study, we profiled articular cartilage from healthy and injured mouse knee joints at a single-cell resolution and identified nine chondrocyte subtypes with distinct molecular profiles and injury-induced early molecular changes in these chondrocytes. We also compared mouse chondrocyte subpopulations to human chondrocytes and evaluated the extent of molecular similarity between mice and humans. This work expands our view of chondrocyte heterogeneity and rapid molecular changes in chondrocyte populations in response to joint trauma and highlights potential mechanisms that trigger cartilage degeneration.
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20
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Creb5 establishes the competence for Prg4 expression in articular cartilage. Commun Biol 2021; 4:332. [PMID: 33712729 PMCID: PMC7955038 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-01857-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A hallmark of cells comprising the superficial zone of articular cartilage is their expression of lubricin, encoded by the Prg4 gene, that lubricates the joint and protects against the development of arthritis. Here, we identify Creb5 as a transcription factor that is specifically expressed in superficial zone articular chondrocytes and is required for TGF-β and EGFR signaling to induce Prg4 expression. Notably, forced expression of Creb5 in chondrocytes derived from the deep zone of the articular cartilage confers the competence for TGF-β and EGFR signals to induce Prg4 expression. Chromatin-IP and ATAC-Seq analyses have revealed that Creb5 directly binds to two Prg4 promoter-proximal regulatory elements, that display an open chromatin conformation specifically in superficial zone articular chondrocytes; and which work in combination with a more distal regulatory element to drive induction of Prg4 by TGF-β. Our results indicate that Creb5 is a critical regulator of Prg4/lubricin expression in the articular cartilage.
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21
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Ge J, Wang Y, Yan Q, Wu C, Yu H, Yang H, Zou J. FK506 Induces the TGF-β1/Smad 3 Pathway Independently of Calcineurin Inhibition to Prevent Intervertebral Disk Degeneration. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:608308. [PMID: 33363168 PMCID: PMC7758291 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.608308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration is the most common cause of lower back pain. Inhibiting inflammation is a key strategy for delaying IVD degeneration. Tacrolimus (FK506) is a potent immunosuppressive agent that is also beneficial to chondrocytes via alleviating inflammation. However, the potential function of FK506 in IVD and the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The current study is aim at exploring the underlying mechanism of FK506 in preventing IVD degeneration. Methods Cell morphology was imaged using an optical microscope. mRNA levels of nucleus pulposus (NP) matrix components were determined by qRT-PCR, and protein expression NP matrix components was assessed by western blotting. A rat caudal IVD degeneration model was established to test for FK506 in vivo. Results FK506 improved the morphology of NP cells and the cell function at both the mRNA and protein level. FK506 could attenuate NP degeneration induced by IL-1β. Furthermore, FK506 exerted its function via TGFβ/Smad3 activation instead of through calcineurin inhibition. Inhibition of the TGF-β pathway prevented the protective effect of FK506 on IVD degeneration. In an in vivo study, FK506 injection reversed the development of rat caudal IVD degeneration influenced by Smad3. Conclusion Our current study demonstrates the positive effect of FK506 on delaying the degeneration of IVD via the TGFβ/Smad3 pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Ge
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Yingjie Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qi Yan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Cenhao Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jun Zou
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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22
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Perret R, Escuriol J, Velasco V, Mayeur L, Soubeyran I, Delfour C, Aubert S, Polivka M, Karanian M, Meurgey A, Le Guellec S, Weingertner N, Hoeller S, Coindre JM, Larousserie F, Pierron G, Tirode F, Le Loarer F. NFATc2-rearranged sarcomas: clinicopathologic, molecular, and cytogenetic study of 7 cases with evidence of AGGRECAN as a novel diagnostic marker. Mod Pathol 2020; 33:1930-1944. [PMID: 32327700 DOI: 10.1038/s41379-020-0542-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
NFATc2-rearranged sarcomas (NFATc2-Sarcomas) are infrequent round cell tumors characterized by EWSR1-NFATc2 fusions and FUS-NFATc2 fusions. Although our knowledge on these neoplasms has increased recently, novel diagnostic tools and more comprehensive series are still needed. Here, we describe the features of a series of seven molecularly confirmed NFATc2-Sarcomas (EWSR1-NFATc2, n = 4; FUS-NFATc2, n = 3) and demonstrate the utility of AGGRECAN immunohistochemistry for their identification. Patients were four males and three females, ranging in age from 19 to 66 years (median: 33). All were primary bone tumors (femur, n = 4; tibia, n = 2; ilium, n = 1), frequently infiltrating the surrounding soft tissues. Treatment often consisted of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. Follow-up was available for six patients (median 18 months, range 5-102 months), three patients died of disease and four patients are currently alive. Histologically, tumors consisted of monotonous round cells growing in lobules and sheets in variable amounts of fibrous to myxoid stroma. Other findings included spindle cells, corded and trabecular architecture, nuclear pleomorphism, cartilaginous differentiation, and osteoid-like matrix. Histological response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was poor in all resection specimens available for review (n = 4). Tumors were diffusely positive for AGGRECAN and CD99 (7/7), and a subset expressed Pan-Keratin (AE1-AE3; 3/6), S100 (2/6), BCOR (2/6), ETV-4 (2/5), WT1 (2/6), and ERG (2/5). Desmin, NKX3-1, and SATB2 were negative (0/6). Diffuse AGGRECAN staining was also seen in 8/129 round cell sarcomas used for comparison, including mesenchymal chondrosarcoma (7/26) and CIC-sarcoma (1/26). Array-CGH showed complex karyotypes with recurrent deletions of tumor suppressor genes (CDKN2A/B, TUSC7, and DMD) in three FUS-NFATC2 cases and a simpler profile without homozygous losses in one EWSR1-NFATc2 case. Segmental chromosomal gains covering the loci of the fusion genes were detected in both variants. Overall, our study confirms and expands previous observations on NFATc2-sarcomas and supports that AGGRECAN is a useful biomarker of these tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raul Perret
- Department of Biopathology, Bergonie Institute, Bordeaux, France.
| | - Julien Escuriol
- Department of Biopathology, Bergonie Institute, Bordeaux, France.,Bordeaux University, Talence, France
| | - Valérie Velasco
- Department of Biopathology, Bergonie Institute, Bordeaux, France
| | - Laetitia Mayeur
- Department of Biopathology, Bergonie Institute, Bordeaux, France
| | - Isabelle Soubeyran
- Department of Biopathology, Bergonie Institute, Bordeaux, France.,INSERM U1218, ACTION Unit, Bordeaux, France
| | - Christophe Delfour
- Department of Pathology, Montpellier University Hospital, Montpellier, France
| | - Sébastien Aubert
- Department of Pathology, Institut de Pathologie, Univ. Lille, CHU Lille, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Marc Polivka
- Department of Pathology, APHP, Hôpital Cochin, DMU Imagina, Université de Paris, F-75014, Paris, France
| | - Marie Karanian
- Department of Pathology, Leon Berard Center, Lyon, France.,Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | | | - Sophie Le Guellec
- Department of Pathology, Claudius Regaud Institute, Toulouse-Oncopole, Toulouse, France
| | - Noelle Weingertner
- Department of Pathology, Strasbourg Regional University Hospital (Hautepierre Hospital), Strasbourg, France
| | - Sylvia Hoeller
- Department of Pathology, Hospital of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Michel Coindre
- Department of Biopathology, Bergonie Institute, Bordeaux, France.,Bordeaux University, Talence, France
| | | | - Gaëlle Pierron
- Department of Tumor Biology, Curie Institute, Paris, France
| | - Franck Tirode
- Univ Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, INSERM 1052, CNRS 5286, Centre Léon Bérard, Cancer Research Center of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - François Le Loarer
- Department of Biopathology, Bergonie Institute, Bordeaux, France. .,Bordeaux University, Talence, France. .,INSERM U1218, ACTION Unit, Bordeaux, France.
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23
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Chen G, Tang Q, Yu S, Xie Y, Sun J, Li S, Chen L. The biological function of BMAL1 in skeleton development and disorders. Life Sci 2020; 253:117636. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2020.117636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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24
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Canalis E, Schilling L, Eller T, Yu J. Nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 and 2 are required for vertebral homeostasis. J Cell Physiol 2020; 235:8520-8532. [PMID: 32329053 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.29696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The present study defines the function of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT)c1 and NFATc2 in osteoblast function in vivo and in vitro. Nfatc1loxP/loxP , Nfatc2loxP/loxP , and Nfatc1loxP/loxP ;Nfatc2loxP/loxP conditional mice were mated with BGLAP-Cre transgenics to inactivate Nfatc1 and Nfatc2 singly and in combination in osteoblasts. Microcomputed tomography demonstrated that male and female conditionally inactivated Nfatc1, Nfatc2 and dual Nfatc1;Nfatc2 mice had osteopenia at Lumbar 3 (L3) sites when compared to littermate controls. However, the Nfatc1 and Nfatc2 inactivation singly and in combination in Bglap-expressing osteoblasts did not result in an appreciable phenotype at femoral sites. Bone histomorphometry of L3 confirmed the osteopenic phenotype and demonstrated that Nfatc1;Nfatc2 inactivated male mice had a significant decrease in osteoblast number and in osteoblast surface and osteoid surface. The dual downregulation of Nfatc1 and Nfatc2 in bone marrow stromal cells caused a decrease in Alpl and Bglap expression, confirming a role of these transcription factors in osteoblast function. In conclusion, our studies reveal that NFATc1 and NFATc2 are necessary for optimal vertebral, but not femoral, bone homeostasis in vivo and osteoblast differentiation in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ernesto Canalis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut.,Department of Medicine, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut.,UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Lauren Schilling
- UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Tabitha Eller
- UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Jungeun Yu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut.,UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
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25
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Role of Signal Transduction Pathways and Transcription Factors in Cartilage and Joint Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21041340. [PMID: 32079226 PMCID: PMC7072930 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21041340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 02/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are common cartilage and joint diseases that globally affect more than 200 million and 20 million people, respectively. Several transcription factors have been implicated in the onset and progression of osteoarthritis, including Runx2, C/EBPβ, HIF2α, Sox4, and Sox11. Interleukin-1 β (IL-1β) leads to osteoarthritis through NF-ĸB, IκBζ, and the Zn2+-ZIP8-MTF1 axis. IL-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) play a major pathological role in rheumatoid arthritis through NF-ĸB and JAK/STAT pathways. Indeed, inhibitory reagents for IL-1, IL-6, and TNFα provide clinical benefits for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Several growth factors, such as bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), and Indian hedgehog, play roles in regulating chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Disruption and excess of these signaling pathways cause genetic disorders in cartilage and skeletal tissues. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressive, an autosomal genetic disorder characterized by ectopic ossification, is induced by mutant ACVR1. Mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase (mTOR) inhibitors can prevent ectopic ossification induced by ACVR1 mutations. C-type natriuretic peptide is currently the most promising therapy for achondroplasia and related autosomal genetic diseases that manifest severe dwarfism. In these ways, investigation of cartilage and chondrocyte diseases at molecular and cellular levels has enlightened the development of effective therapies. Thus, identification of signaling pathways and transcription factors implicated in these diseases is important.
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26
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Li C, Ha P, Jiang W, Haveles CS, Zheng Z, Zou M. Fibromodulin - A New Target of Osteoarthritis Management? Front Pharmacol 2019; 10:1475. [PMID: 31920661 PMCID: PMC6927287 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2019.01475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chenshuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States.,Department of Orthodontics, School of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Pin Ha
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Wenlu Jiang
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christos S Haveles
- David Geffen School of Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Min Zou
- Key Laboratory of Shaanxi Province for Craniofacial Precision Medicine Research, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.,Department of Orthodontics, College of Stomatology, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China
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27
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Li C, Zheng Z, Ha P, Jiang W, Berthiaume EA, Lee S, Mills Z, Pan H, Chen EC, Jiang J, Culiat CT, Zhang X, Ting K, Soo C. Neural EGFL like 1 as a potential pro-chondrogenic, anti-inflammatory dual-functional disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug. Biomaterials 2019; 226:119541. [PMID: 31634652 DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2019.119541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Arthritis, an inflammatory condition that causes pain and cartilage destruction in joints, affects over 54.4 million people in the US alone. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated the emerging role of neural EGFL like 1 (NELL-1) in arthritis pathogenesis by showing that Nell-1-haploinsufficient (Nell-1+/6R) mice had accelerated and aggravated osteoarthritis (OA) progression with elevated inflammatory markers in both spontaneous primary OA and chemical-induced secondary OA models. In the chemical-induced OA model, intra-articular injection of interleukin (IL)1β induced more severe inflammation and cartilage degradation in the knee joints of Nell-1+/6R mice than in wildtype animals. Mechanistically, in addition to its pro-chondrogenic potency, NELL-1 also effectively suppressed the expression of inflammatory cytokines and their downstream cartilage catabolic enzymes by upregulating runt-related transcription factor (RUNX)1 in mouse and human articular cartilage chondrocytes. Notably, NELL-1 significantly reduced IL1β-stimulated inflammation and damage to articular cartilage in vivo. In particular, NELL-1 administration markedly reduced the symptoms of antalgic gait observed in IL1β-challenged Nell-1+/6R mice. Therefore, NELL-1 is a promising pro-chondrogenic, anti-inflammatory dual-functional disease-modifying osteoarthritis drug (DMOAD) candidate for preventing and suppressing arthritis-related cartilage damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshuang Li
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Pin Ha
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Wenlu Jiang
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Emily A Berthiaume
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Seungjun Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, School of Letters and Science, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Zane Mills
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Hsinchuan Pan
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Eric C Chen
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Jie Jiang
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | | | - Xinli Zhang
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Kang Ting
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
| | - Chia Soo
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA.
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28
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Zhang M, Theleman JL, Lygrisse KA, Wang J. Epigenetic Mechanisms Underlying the Aging of Articular Cartilage and Osteoarthritis. Gerontology 2019; 65:387-396. [PMID: 30970348 PMCID: PMC9150844 DOI: 10.1159/000496688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Aging is a progressive and complicated bioprocess with overall decline in physiological function. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in middle-aged and older populations. Since the prevalence of OA increases with age and breakdown of articular cartilage is its major hallmark, OA has long been thought of as "wear and tear" of joint cartilage. Nevertheless, recent studies have revealed that changes in the chondrocyte function and matrix components may reduce the material properties of articular cartilage and predispose the joint to OA. The aberrant gene expression in aging articular cartilage that is regulated by various epigenetic mechanisms plays an important role in age-related OA pathogenesis. This review begins with an introduction to the current understanding of epigenetic mechanisms, followed by mechanistic studies on the aging of joint tissues, epigenetic regulation of age-dependent gene expression in articular cartilage, and the significance of epigenetic mechanisms in OA pathogenesis. Our recent findings on age-dependent expression of 2 transcription factors, nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFAT1) and SOX9, and their roles in the formation and aging of articular cartilage are summarized in the review. Chondrocyte dysfunction in aged mice, which is mediated by epigenetically regulated spontaneous reduction of NFAT1 expression in articular cartilage, is highlighted as an important advance in epigenetics and cartilage aging. Potential therapeutic strategies for age-related cartilage degeneration and OA using epigenetic molecular tools are discussed at the end.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingcai Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Justin L Theleman
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Katherine A Lygrisse
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Jinxi Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Kansas City, Kansas, USA,
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA,
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29
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Rice SJ, Aubourg G, Sorial AK, Almarza D, Tselepi M, Deehan DJ, Reynard LN, Loughlin J. Identification of a novel, methylation-dependent, RUNX2 regulatory region associated with osteoarthritis risk. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:3464-3474. [PMID: 30010910 PMCID: PMC6140783 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2018] [Accepted: 07/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, multifactorial and polygenic skeletal disease that, in its severest form, requires joint replacement surgery to restore mobility and to relieve chronic pain. Using tissues from the articulating joints of 260 patients with OA and a range of in vitro experiments, including CRISPR-Cas9, we have characterized an intergenic regulatory element. Here, genotype at an OA risk locus correlates with differential DNA methylation, with altered gene expression of both a transcriptional regulator (RUNX2), and a chromatin remodelling protein (SUPT3H). RUNX2 is a strong candidate for OA susceptibility, with its encoded protein being essential for skeletogenesis and healthy joint function. The OA risk locus includes single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within and flanking the differentially methylated region (DMR). The OA association SNP, rs10948172, demonstrates particularly strong correlation with methylation, and two intergenic SNPs falling within the DMR (rs62435998 and rs62435999) demonstrate genetic and epigenetic effects on the regulatory activity of this region. We therefore posit that the OA signal mediates its effect by modulating the methylation of the regulatory element, which then impacts on gene expression, with RUNX2 being the principal target. Our study highlights the interplay between DNA methylation, OA genetic risk and the downstream regulation of genes critical to normal joint function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Rice
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Guillaume Aubourg
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Antony K Sorial
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - David Almarza
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - Maria Tselepi
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - David J Deehan
- Newcastle University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Freeman Hospital, High Heaton, NE1 7DN, UK
| | - Louise N Reynard
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, NE1 3BZ, UK
| | - John Loughlin
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, International Centre for Life, NE1 3BZ, UK
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30
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Zhang M, Lu Q, Budden T, Wang J. NFAT1 protects articular cartilage against osteoarthritic degradation by directly regulating transcription of specific anabolic and catabolic genes. Bone Joint Res 2019; 8:90-100. [PMID: 30915215 PMCID: PMC6397328 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.82.bjr-2018-0114.r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Adult mice lacking the transcription factor NFAT1 exhibit osteoarthritis (OA). The precise molecular mechanism for NFAT1 deficiency-induced osteoarthritic cartilage degradation remains to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate if NFAT1 protects articular cartilage (AC) against OA by directly regulating the transcription of specific catabolic and anabolic genes in articular chondrocytes. Methods Through a combined approach of gene expression analysis and web-based searching of NFAT1 binding sequences, 25 candidate target genes that displayed aberrant expression in Nfat1 -/- AC at the initiation stage of OA, and possessed at least four NFAT1 binding sites in the promoter of each gene, were selected and tested for NFAT1 transcriptional activities by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and promoter luciferase reporter assays using chondrocytes isolated from the AC of three- to four-month-old wild-type mice or Nfat1 -/- mice with early OA phenotype. Results Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays revealed that NFAT1 bound directly to the promoter of 21 of the 25 tested genes encoding cartilage-matrix proteins, growth factors, inflammatory cytokines, matrix-degrading proteinases, and specific transcription factors. Promoter luciferase reporter assays of representative anabolic and catabolic genes demonstrated that NFAT1-DNA binding functionally regulated the luciferase activity of specific target genes in wild-type chondrocytes, but not in Nfat1 -/- chondrocytes or in wild-type chondrocytes transfected with plasmids containing mutated NFAT1 binding sequences. Conclusion NFAT1 protects AC against degradation by directly regulating the transcription of target genes in articular chondrocytes. NFAT1 deficiency causes defective transcription of specific anabolic and catabolic genes in articular chondrocytes, leading to increased matrix catabolism and osteoarthritic cartilage degradation.Cite this article: M. Zhang, Q. Lu, T. Budden, J. Wang. NFAT1 protects articular cartilage against osteoarthritic degradation by directly regulating transcription of specific anabolic and catabolic genes. Bone Joint Res 2019;8:90-100. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.82.BJR-2018-0114.R1.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zhang
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery; The Division of Allergy, Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Q Lu
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of KansasMedical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - T Budden
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of KansasMedical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - J Wang
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery; and Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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31
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Gong M, Liang T, Zhang H, Chen S, Hu Y, Zhou J, Zhang X, Zhang W, Geng X, Zou X. Gene expression profiling: identification of gene expression in human MSC chondrogenic differentiation. Am J Transl Res 2018; 10:3555-3566. [PMID: 30662607 PMCID: PMC6291687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms that govern cell fate will lead to the development of techniques for the induction of human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into desired cell outcomes and the production of an autologous source of tissue for regenerative medicine. Here, we demonstrate that stem cells derived from adult bone marrow grown with 3D pellets take on characteristics similar to human cartilage. The NFAT signaling pathway is primarily linked to cell differentiation and influences chondrogenic differentiation. Based on our previous results that alterations in the expression of the NFATc1 gene affect chondrogenesis, we screened a microarray and identified 29 genes with altered expression, including 13 up-regulated (fold change ≥ 2) and 16 down-regulated (fold change ≤ 2) genes, compared with the control group. We then used RT-PCR to validate the chip data. Gene ontology and pathway analyses were performed on these altered genes. We found that these altered genes function in the complement and coagulation cascades, metabolism, biosynthesis, transcriptional regulation, proteolysis, and intracellular signaling pathways, such as the cytoplasmic calcineurin-dependent signaling pathway, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2C signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, and the insulin signaling pathway. Our study suggests that these pathways may play important roles in chondrogenesis, which could be useful in the design of biomaterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Gong
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, P. R. China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Tangzhao Liang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, P. R. China
| | - Shaochu Chen
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, P. R. China
| | - Yawei Hu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, P. R. China
| | - Jianhua Zhou
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, P. R. China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, P. R. China
| | - Wang Zhang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, P. R. China
| | - Xiaojing Geng
- Department of Aging Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityZhuhai 519000, P. R. China
| | - Xuenong Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
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32
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Yu J, Zanotti S, Schilling L, Canalis E. Nuclear factor of activated T cells 2 is required for osteoclast differentiation and function in vitro but not in vivo. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:9334-9345. [PMID: 30010214 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.27212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 05/30/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) c2 is important for the immune response and it compensates for NFATc1 for its effects on osteoclastogenesis, but its role in this process is not established. To study the function of NFATc2 in the skeleton, Nfatc2loxP/loxP mice, where the Nfact2 exon 2 is flanked by loxP sequences, were created and mated with mice expressing the Cre recombinase under the control of the Lyz2 promoter. Bone marrow-derived macrophage (BMM) from Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice cultured in the presence of macrophage-colony stimulating factor and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand exhibited a decrease in the number and size of osteoclasts and a smaller sealing zone when compared to BMMs from Nfatc2loxP/loxP littermate controls. Bone resorption was decreased in osteoclasts from Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice. This demonstrates that NFATc2 is necessary for optimal osteoclast maturation and function in vitro. Male and female Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice did not exhibit an obvious skeletal phenotype by microcomputed tomography (μCT) at either 1 or 4 months of age when compared to Nfatc2loxP/loxP sex-matched littermates. Bone histomorphometry confirmed the μCT results, and conditional 4-month-old Lyz2Cre/WT ;Nfatc2Δ/Δ mice did not exhibit changes in parameters of bone histomorphometry. In conclusion, NFATc2 is necessary for optimal osteoclastogenesis in vitro, but its downregulation in the myeloid lineage has no consequences in skeletal remodeling in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jungeun Yu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Stefano Zanotti
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
- Department of Medicine, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Lauren Schilling
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
| | - Ernesto Canalis
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
- Department of Medicine, UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, UConn Health, Farmington, Connecticut
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33
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Nishimura R, Hata K, Nakamura E, Murakami T, Takahata Y. Transcriptional network systems in cartilage development and disease. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 149:353-363. [PMID: 29308531 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-017-1628-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Transcription factors play important roles in the regulation of cartilage development by controlling the expression of chondrogenic genes. Genetic studies have revealed that Sox9/Sox5/Sox6, Runx2/Runx3 and Osterix in particular are essential for the sequential steps of cartilage development. Importantly, these transcription factors form network systems that are also required for appropriate cartilage development. Molecular cloning approaches have largely contributed to the identification of several transcriptional partners for Sox9 and Runx2 during cartilage development. Although the importance of a negative-feedback loop between Indian hedgehog (Ihh) and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) in chondrocyte hypertrophy has been well established, recent studies indicate that several transcription factors interact with the Ihh-PTHrP loop and demonstrated that Ihh has multiple functions in the regulation of cartilage development. The most common cartilage disorder, osteoarthritis, has been reported to result from the pathological action of several transcription factors, including Runx2, C/EBPβ and HIF-2α. On the other hand, NFAT family members appear to play roles in the protection of cartilage from osteoarthritis. It is also becoming important to understand the homeostasis and regulation of articular chondrocytes, because they have different cellular and molecular features from chondrocytes of the growth plate. This review summarizes the regulation and roles of transcriptional network systems in cartilage development and their pathological roles in osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riko Nishimura
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
| | - Kenji Hata
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Eriko Nakamura
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Murakami
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Takahata
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
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Li C, Zheng Z, Zhang X, Asatrian G, Chen E, Song R, Culiat C, Ting K, Soo C. Nfatc1 Is a Functional Transcriptional Factor Mediating Nell-1-Induced Runx3 Upregulation in Chondrocytes. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19010168. [PMID: 29316655 PMCID: PMC5796117 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19010168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2017] [Revised: 12/19/2017] [Accepted: 01/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neural EGFL like 1 (Nell-1) is essential for chondrogenic differentiation, maturation, and regeneration. Our previous studies have demonstrated that Nell-1's pro-chondrogenic activities are predominantly reliant upon runt-related transcription factor 3 (Runx3)-mediated Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signaling. Here, we identify the nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1 (Nfatc1) as the key transcriptional factor mediating the Nell-1 → Runx3 signal transduction in chondrocytes. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we were able to determine that Nfatc1 binds to the -833--810 region of the Runx3-promoter in response to Nell-1 treatment. By revealing the Nell-1 → Nfatc1 → Runx3 → Ihh cascade, we demonstrate the involvement of Nfatc1, a nuclear factor of activated T-cells, in chondrogenesis, while providing innovative insights into developing a novel therapeutic strategy for cartilage regeneration and other chondrogenesis-related conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenshuang Li
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Zhong Zheng
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Xinli Zhang
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Greg Asatrian
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Eric Chen
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Richard Song
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Cymbeline Culiat
- NellOne Therapeutics, Inc., 99 Midway Ln # E, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, USA.
| | - Kang Ting
- Division of Growth and Development, Section of Orthodontics, School of Dentistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Chia Soo
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, the Orthopaedic Hospital Research Center, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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35
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Soul J, Dunn SL, Anand S, Serracino-Inglott F, Schwartz JM, Boot-Handford RP, Hardingham TE. Stratification of knee osteoarthritis: two major patient subgroups identified by genome-wide expression analysis of articular cartilage. Ann Rheum Dis 2017; 77:423. [PMID: 29273645 PMCID: PMC5867416 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-212603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction Osteoarthritis (OA) is a heterogeneous and complex disease. We have used a network biology approach based on genome-wide analysis of gene expression in OA knee cartilage to seek evidence for pathogenic mechanisms that may distinguish different patient subgroups. Methods Results from RNA-Sequencing (RNA-Seq) were collected from intact knee cartilage at total knee replacement from 44 patients with OA, from 16 additional patients with OA and 10 control patients with non-OA. Results were analysed to identify patient subsets and compare major active pathways. Results The RNA-Seq results showed 2692 differentially expressed genes between OA and non-OA. Analysis by unsupervised clustering identified two distinct OA groups: Group A with 24 patients (55%) and Group B with 18 patients (41%). A 10 gene subgroup classifier was validated by RT-qPCR in 16 further patients with OA. Pathway analysis showed increased protein expression in both groups. PhenomeExpress analysis revealed group differences in complement activation, innate immune responses and altered Wnt and TGFβ signalling, but no activation of inflammatory cytokine expression. Both groups showed suppressed circadian regulators and whereas matrix changes in Group A were chondrogenic, in Group B they were non-chondrogenic with changes in mechanoreceptors, calcium signalling, ion channels and in cytoskeletal organisers. The gene expression changes predicted 478 potential biomarkers for detection in synovial fluid to distinguish patients from the two groups. Conclusions Two subgroups of knee OA were identified by network analysis of RNA-Seq data with evidence for the presence of two major pathogenic pathways. This has potential importance as a new basis for the stratification of patients with OA for drug trials and for the development of new targeted treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Soul
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sara L Dunn
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Sanjay Anand
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Stockport, UK
| | | | - Jean-Marc Schwartz
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ray P Boot-Handford
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Tim E Hardingham
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell-Matrix Research, Division of Cell-Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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36
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Gong M, Liang T, Jin S, Dai X, Zhou Z, Gao M, Huang S, Luo J, Zou L, Zou X. Methylation-mediated silencing of miR-124 facilitates chondrogenesis by targeting NFATc1 under hypoxic conditions. Am J Transl Res 2017; 9:4111-4124. [PMID: 28979686 PMCID: PMC5622255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells is regulated by many different pathways. Recent studies have established that hypoxia and epigenetic alterations potently affect expression of chondrogenesis marker genes. Sox9 is generally regarded as a master regulator of chondrogenesis and microRNA-124 (miRNA-124) regulates gene expression in murine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Therefore, in this study we investigated whether epigenetic regulation of miRNA-124 could affect the expression of Sox9 and thereby regulate chondrogenesis. A cell pellet culture model was used to induce chondrogenesis in C3H10T1/2 cells under hypoxic conditions (2% O2) to determine the effects of hypoxia on miR-124 expression and DNA methylation. The expression of miR-124 was significantly downregulated under hypoxic conditions compared to normoxic conditions (21% O2). The expression of chondrogenesis marker genes was significantly increased under hypoxic conditions. Bisulfite sequencing of the CpG islands in the promoter region of miR-124-3 showed that CpG methylation was significantly increased under hypoxic conditions. Treating the cells with the DNA demethylating agent 5'-AZA significantly increased miR-124 expression and decreased expression of markers of chondrogenesis. Overexpressing miR-124 under hypoxic conditions inhibited NFATc1 reporter activity. NFATc1 was shown to bind to the promoter region of Sox9. Taken together, our data provide evidence that miR-124 acts as an inhibitor of NFATc1. Under hypoxic conditions when miR-124 is downregulated by methylation of CpG islands in the promoter, NFATc1 can bind to the Sox9 promoter and induce the expression of Sox9 leading to chondrogenesis. These results support the role of epigenetic regulation in establishing and maintaining a chondrogenic phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Gong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
- Department of Spinal Surgery, People’s Hospital of LonghuaShenzhen 518109, R.P. China
| | - Tangzhao Liang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Song Jin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Eighth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityShenzhen 518000, P. R. China
| | - Xuejun Dai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Zhiyu Zhou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Manman Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Sheng Huang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Jiaquan Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
| | - Lijin Zou
- Department of Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang UniversityNanchang 330006, P. R. China
| | - Xuenong Zou
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Orthopaedic Research Institute/Department of Spinal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen UniversityGuangzhou 510080, P. R. China
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Alvarez-Garcia O, Fisch KM, Wineinger NE, Akagi R, Saito M, Sasho T, Su AI, Lotz MK. Increased DNA Methylation and Reduced Expression of Transcription Factors in Human Osteoarthritis Cartilage. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 68:1876-86. [PMID: 26881698 DOI: 10.1002/art.39643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2015] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze the methylome of normal and osteoarthritic (OA) knee articular cartilage and to determine the role of DNA methylation in the regulation of gene expression in vitro. METHODS DNA was isolated from human normal (n = 11) and OA (n = 12) knee articular cartilage and analyzed using the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip array. To integrate methylation and transcription, RNA sequencing was performed on normal and OA cartilage and validated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Functional validation was performed in the human TC28 cell line and primary chondrocytes that were treated with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC). RESULTS DNA methylation profiling revealed 929 differentially methylated sites between normal and OA cartilage, comprising a total of 500 individual genes. Among these, 45 transcription factors that harbored differentially methylated sites were identified. Integrative analysis and subsequent validation showed a subset of 6 transcription factors that were significantly hypermethylated and down-regulated in OA cartilage (ATOH8, MAFF, NCOR2, TBX4, ZBTB16, and ZHX2). Upon 5-aza-dC treatment, TC28 cells showed a significant increase in gene expression for all 6 transcription factors. In primary chondrocytes, ATOH8 and TBX4 were increased after 5-aza-dC treatment. CONCLUSION Our findings reveal that normal and OA knee articular cartilage have significantly different methylomes. The identification of a subset of epigenetically regulated transcription factors with reduced expression in OA may represent an important mechanism to explain changes in the chondrocyte transcriptome and function during OA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ryuichiro Akagi
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, and Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | | | | | - Andrew I Su
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
| | - Martin K Lotz
- The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California
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38
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Jeffries MA, Donica M, Baker LW, Stevenson ME, Annan AC, Beth Humphrey M, James JA, Sawalha AH. Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Study Identifies Significant Epigenomic Changes in Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone and Similarity to Overlying Cartilage. Arthritis Rheumatol 2017; 68:1403-14. [PMID: 26713865 DOI: 10.1002/art.39555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To perform a genome-wide DNA methylation study to identify differential DNA methylation patterns in subchondral bone underlying eroded and intact cartilage from patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and to compare these with DNA methylation patterns in overlying cartilage. METHODS Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling using Illumina HumanMethylation 450 arrays was performed on eroded and intact cartilage and subchondral bone from within the same joint of 12 patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. Genes with differentially methylated CpG sites were analyzed to identify shared pathways, upstream regulators, and overrepresented gene ontologies, and these patterns were compared with those of the overlying cartilage. Histopathology was graded by modified Mankin score and assessed for correlation with DNA methylation. RESULTS We identified 7,316 differentially methylated CpG sites in subchondral bone underlying eroded cartilage, most of which (∼75%) were hypomethylated, and 1,397 sites in overlying eroded cartilage, 126 of which were shared. Samples clustered into 3 groups with distinct histopathologic scores. We observed differential DNA methylation of genes including the RNA interference-processing gene AGO2, the growth factor TGFB3, the OA suppressor NFATC1, and the epigenetic effector HDAC4. Among known susceptibility genes in OA, 32 were differentially methylated in subchondral bone, 8 were differentially methylated in cartilage, and 5 were shared. Upstream regulator analysis using differentially methylated genes in OA subchondral bone showed a strong transforming growth factor β1 signature (P = 1 × 10(-40) ) and a tumor necrosis factor family signature (P = 3.2 × 10(-28) ), among others. CONCLUSION Our data suggest the presence of an epigenetic phenotype associated with eroded OA subchondral bone that is similar to that of overlying eroded OA cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matlock A Jeffries
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City
| | | | | | | | - Anand C Annan
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Mary Beth Humphrey
- MPH: University of Oklahoma Medical Research Center and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City
| | - Judith A James
- University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City
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Zhang X, Wang C, Zhao J, Xu J, Geng Y, Dai L, Huang Y, Fu SC, Dai K, Zhang X. miR-146a facilitates osteoarthritis by regulating cartilage homeostasis via targeting Camk2d and Ppp3r2. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e2734. [PMID: 28383548 PMCID: PMC5477577 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Revised: 01/25/2017] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA), characterized by insufficient extracellular matrix synthesis and cartilage degeneration, is known as an incurable disease because its pathogenesis is poorly elucidated. Thus far, limited information is available regarding the pathophysiological role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OA. In this study, we investigated the specific function of miR-146a in OA pathophysiology using mouse OA models. We found that the articular cartilage degeneration of miR-146a knockout (KO) mice was alleviated compared with that of the wild-type (WT) mice in spontaneous and instability-induced OA models. We demonstrate that miR-146a aggravated pro-inflammatory cytokines induced suppressing the expression of cartilage matrix-associated genes. We further identified calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II delta (Camk2d) and protein phosphatase 3, regulatory subunit B, beta isoform (Ppp3r2, also known as calcineurin B, type II) were essential targets of miR-146a in regulating cartilage homeostasis. Moreover, we found that surgical-induced OA mice treated with a miR-146a inhibitor significantly alleviated the destruction of articular cartilage via targeting Camk2d and Ppp3r2. These results suggested that miR-146a has a crucial role in maintaining cartilage homeostasis. MiR-146a inhibition in chondrocytes can be a potential therapeutic strategy to ameliorate OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xudong Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chuandong Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingyu Zhao
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiajia Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyun Geng
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Liming Dai
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Huang
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Sai-Chuen Fu
- Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong kong, China
| | - Kerong Dai
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Biology, Institute of Health Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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40
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Gibson AL, Hui Mingalone CK, Foote AT, Uchimura T, Zhang M, Zeng L. Wnt7a Inhibits IL-1β Induced Catabolic Gene Expression and Prevents Articular Cartilage Damage in Experimental Osteoarthritis. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41823. [PMID: 28165497 PMCID: PMC5292965 DOI: 10.1038/srep41823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Wnt7a is a protein that plays a critical role in skeletal development. However, its effect on cartilage homeostasis under pathological conditions is not known. In this study, we found a unique inverse correlation between Wnt7a gene expression and that of MMP and IL-1β in individual human OA cartilage specimens. Upon ectopic expression in primary human articular chondrocytes, Wnt7a inhibited IL-1β-induced MMP and iNOS gene expression. Western blot analysis indicated that Wnt7a induced both canonical Wnt signaling and NFAT and Akt non-canonical signaling. Interestingly, inhibiting the canonical and Akt pathway did not affect Wnt7a activity. However, inhibiting the NFAT pathway impaired Wnt7a’s ability to inhibit MMP expression, suggesting that Wnt7a requires NFAT signaling to exert this function. In vivo, intraarticular injection of lentiviral Wnt7a strongly attenuated articular cartilage damage induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) OA-inducing surgery in mice. Consistently, Wnt7a also inhibited the progressive increase of joint MMP activity in DMM animals. These results indicate that Wnt7a signaling inhibits inflammatory stimuli-induced catabolic gene expression in human articular chondrocytes and is sufficient to attenuate MMP activities and promote joint cartilage integrity in mouse experimental OA, demonstrating a novel effect of Wnt7a on regulating OA pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Averi L Gibson
- Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Carrie K Hui Mingalone
- Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Andrea T Foote
- Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Tomoya Uchimura
- Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA
| | - Li Zeng
- Program in Cellular, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111, USA.,Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02111, USA.,Department of Orthopedics, Tufts Medical Center, 800 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA
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41
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Liu CF, Samsa WE, Zhou G, Lefebvre V. Transcriptional control of chondrocyte specification and differentiation. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 62:34-49. [PMID: 27771362 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
A milestone in the evolutionary emergence of vertebrates was the invention of cartilage, a tissue that has key roles in modeling, protecting and complementing the bony skeleton. Cartilage is elaborated and maintained by chondrocytes. These cells derive from multipotent skeletal progenitors and they perform highly specialized functions as they proceed through sequential lineage commitment and differentiation steps. They form cartilage primordia, the primary skeleton of the embryo. They then transform these primordia either into cartilage growth plates, temporary drivers of skeletal elongation and endochondral ossification, or into permanent tissues, namely articular cartilage. Chondrocyte fate decisions and differentiated activities are controlled by numerous extrinsic and intrinsic cues, and they are implemented at the gene expression level by transcription factors. The latter are the focus of this review. Meritorious efforts from many research groups have led over the last two decades to the identification of dozens of key chondrogenic transcription factors. These regulators belong to all types of transcription factor families. Some have master roles at one or several differentiation steps. They include SOX9 and RUNX2/3. Others decisively assist or antagonize the activities of these masters. They include TWIST1, SOX5/6, and MEF2C/D. Many more have tissue-patterning roles and regulate cell survival, proliferation and the pace of cell differentiation. They include, but are not limited to, homeodomain-containing proteins and growth factor signaling mediators. We here review current knowledge of all these factors, one superclass, class, and family at a time. We then compile all knowledge into transcriptional networks. We also identify remaining gaps in knowledge and directions for future research to fill these gaps and thereby provide novel insights into cartilage disease mechanisms and treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Feng Liu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
| | - William E Samsa
- Department of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Guang Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Véronique Lefebvre
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland, OH, 44195, USA.
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Karlsen TA, de Souza GA, Ødegaard B, Engebretsen L, Brinchmann JE. microRNA-140 Inhibits Inflammation and Stimulates Chondrogenesis in a Model of Interleukin 1β-induced Osteoarthritis. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2016; 5:e373. [PMID: 27727249 PMCID: PMC5095680 DOI: 10.1038/mtna.2016.64] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 07/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is a serious disease of articular cartilage. The pathogenic factors contributing to this disorder are inflammation, extracellular matrix degradation and failure to rebuild the articular cartilage. Preclinical studies suggest that microRNA-140 may play a protective role in osteoarthritis development, but little is known about the mechanism by which this occurs. Here we present the results of forced expression of microRNA-140 in an in vitro model of osteoarthritis, evaluated by global proteomics analysis. We show that inflammation was reduced through the altered levels of multiple proteins involved in the nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cells 1 pathway. microRNA-140 upregulated many of the components involved in the synthesis of hyaline extracellular matrix and reduced the levels of aggrecanases and syndecan 4, thus potentially both increasing cartilage repair and reducing cartilage breakdown. These results show how forced expression of microRNA-140 is likely to counteract all three pathogenic processes, and support the idea that intra-articular injection of microRNA-140 may benefit patients suffering from early osteoarthritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tommy A Karlsen
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Bjørn Ødegaard
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Lovisenberg Diakonale Hospital, Oslo, Norway
| | - Lars Engebretsen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jan E Brinchmann
- Department of Immunology, Oslo University Hospital Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Abstract
Temporally coordinated resorption and synthesis is the key to maintaining healthy bones. Articular cartilage is a highly specialized connective tissue within the joints that lines the surface of a long bone. Emerging evidence has suggested a critical role of the circadian system in controlling cartilage and bone biology. Articular cartilage is sparsely populated with chondrocytes, surrounded by abundant extracellular matrices that are synthesized and maintained solely by chondrocytes. Once damaged, the articular cartilage tissue has poor capacity for endogenous repair, leaving the joints prone to osteoarthritis, an age-related painful condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. An important question is how articular cartilage has evolved its remarkable capacity to maintain homeostasis and withstand daily biomechanical challenges associated with resting/activity cycles. Equally important is how this avascular and aneural tissue senses time and uses this information to coordinate daily phases of metabolic activity and tissue remodeling/repair. Bone tissue derived from cartilage has similarly sparse populations of resident cells living in dense and largely mineralized matrices. We discuss recent progress on circadian clocks in these matrix-rich skeletal tissues and highlight avenues for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Yang
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, University of Manchester, UK
| | - Qing-Jun Meng
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, University of Manchester, UK
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44
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Ge X, Ritter SY, Tsang K, Shi R, Takei K, Aliprantis AO. Sex-Specific Protection of Osteoarthritis by Deleting Cartilage Acid Protein 1. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159157. [PMID: 27415616 PMCID: PMC4945026 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2016] [Accepted: 06/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cartilage acidic protein 1 (CRTAC1) was recently identified as an elevated protein in the synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) by a proteomic analysis. This gene is also upregulated in both human and mouse OA by transcriptomic analysis. The objective of this study was to characterize the expression and function of CRTAC1 in OA. Here, we first confirm the increase of CRTAC1 in cartilage biopsies from OA patients undergoing joint replacement by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we report that proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1beta and tumor necrosis factor alpha upregulate CRTAC1 expression in primary human articular chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. Genetic deletion of Crtac1 in mice significantly inhibited cartilage degradation, osteophyte formation and gait abnormalities of post-traumatic OA in female, but not male, animals undergoing the destabilization of medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. Taken together, CRTAC1 is upregulated in the osteoarthritic joint and directly induced in chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts by pro-inflammatory cytokines. This molecule is necessary for the progression of OA in female mice after DMM surgery and thus represents a potential therapy for this prevalent disease, especially for women who demonstrate higher rates and more severe OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianpeng Ge
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Susan Y. Ritter
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kelly Tsang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ruirui Shi
- Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
- Department of Developmental Biology, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Kohtaro Takei
- Molecular Medical Bioscience Laboratory, Department of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Antonios O. Aliprantis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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45
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Zhang M, Lu Q, Egan B, Zhong XB, Brandt K, Wang J. Epigenetically mediated spontaneous reduction of NFAT1 expression causes imbalanced metabolic activities of articular chondrocytes in aged mice. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2016; 24:1274-83. [PMID: 26903200 PMCID: PMC4907852 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2016.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Revised: 01/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/12/2016] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Abnormal metabolic activities of chondrocytes may cause articular cartilage (AC) degradation, but key transcription factors regulating metabolic activities in AC of aging individuals remain unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of transcription factor NFAT1 in regulating the expression of anabolic and catabolic molecules in AC of aged mice. METHODS The hip, knee, and shoulder joints of BALB/c mice were harvested at 6, 12, 15, 18, and 24 months of age for histopathological and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses. Total RNA was isolated from AC for gene expression. Genomic DNA and chromatin were prepared from AC for methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays. RESULTS NFAT1 expression in AC of mice was significantly decreased after 12 months of age, which was associated with reduced proteoglycan staining, decreased expression of chondrocyte markers, and increased expression of interleukin-1β. Forced Nfat1 expression in chondrocytes from aged mice significantly reversed the abnormal metabolic activities. ChIP assays confirmed that NFAT1 bound to the promoter of the Acan, Col2a1, Col9a1, Col11a1, Il1b, Mmp13 and Tnfa genes in articular chondrocytes of aged mice. ChIP and MeDIP assays revealed that reduced NFAT1 expression in AC of aged mice was regulated by epigenetic histone methylation at the promoter region and was correlated with increased DNA methylation at introns 1 and 10 of the Nfat1 gene. CONCLUSION NFAT1 is a transcriptional regulator of multiple anabolic and catabolic genes in AC of aged mice. Epigenetically mediated reduction of NFAT1 expression causes imbalanced metabolic activities of articular chondrocytes in aged mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Zhang
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - Q Lu
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - B Egan
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - X-B Zhong
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA.
| | - K Brandt
- Department of Internal Medicine (Rheumatology), University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
| | - J Wang
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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46
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Ge X, Tsang K, He L, Garcia RA, Ermann J, Mizoguchi F, Zhang M, Zhou B, Zhou B, Aliprantis AO. NFAT restricts osteochondroma formation from entheseal progenitors. JCI Insight 2016; 1:e86254. [PMID: 27158674 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.86254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteochondromas are common benign osteocartilaginous tumors in children and adolescents characterized by cartilage-capped bony projections on the surface of bones. These tumors often cause pain, deformity, fracture, and musculoskeletal dysfunction, and they occasionally undergo malignant transformation. The pathogenesis of osteochondromas remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 and c2 (NFATc1 and NFATc2) suppress osteochondromagenesis through individual and combinatorial mechanisms. In mice, conditional deletion of NFATc1 in mesenchymal limb progenitors, Scleraxis-expressing (Scx-expressing) tendoligamentous cells, or postnatally in Aggrecan-expressing cells resulted in osteochondroma formation at entheses, the insertion sites of ligaments and tendons onto bone. Combinatorial deletion of NFATc1 and NFATc2 gave rise to larger and more numerous osteochondromas in inverse proportion to gene dosage. A population of entheseal NFATc1- and Aggrecan-expressing cells was identified as the osteochondroma precursor, previously believed to be growth plate derived or perichondrium derived. Mechanistically, we show that NFATc1 restricts the proliferation and chondrogenesis of osteochondroma precursors. In contrast, NFATc2 preferentially inhibits chondrocyte hypertrophy and osteogenesis. Together, our findings identify and characterize a mechanism of osteochondroma formation and suggest that regulating NFAT activity is a new therapeutic approach for skeletal diseases characterized by defective or exaggerated osteochondral growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianpeng Ge
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Central Laboratory, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Kelly Tsang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Lizhi He
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Roberto A Garcia
- Department of Pathology, Bone and Soft Tissue Pathology Division, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA
| | - Joerg Ermann
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Fumitaka Mizoguchi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Minjie Zhang
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Genetics, Pediatrics, and Medicine (Cardiology), Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, New York, USA
| | - Bin Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Nutrition and Metabolism, Institute for Nutritional Sciences, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Antonios O Aliprantis
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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47
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Peters MJ, Ramos YFM, den Hollander W, Schiphof D, Hofman A, Uitterlinden AG, Oei EHG, Slagboom PE, Kloppenburg M, Bloem JL, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, Meulenbelt I, van Meurs JBJ. Associations between joint effusion in the knee and gene expression levels in the circulation: a meta-analysis. F1000Res 2016; 5:109. [PMID: 27134727 PMCID: PMC4837985 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.7763.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: To identify molecular biomarkers for early knee osteoarthritis (OA), we examined whether joint effusion in the knee associated with different gene expression levels in the circulation. Materials and Methods: Joint effusion grades measured with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and gene expression levels in blood were determined in women of the Rotterdam Study (N=135) and GARP (N=98). Associations were examined using linear regression analyses, adjusted for age, fasting status, RNA quality, technical batch effects, blood cell counts, and BMI. To investigate enriched pathways and protein-protein interactions, we used the DAVID and STRING webtools. Results: In a meta-analysis, we identified 257 probes mapping to 189 unique genes in blood that were nominally significantly associated with joint effusion grades in the knee. Several compelling genes were identified such as
C1orf38 and
NFATC1. Significantly enriched biological pathways were: response to stress, gene expression, negative regulation of intracellular signal transduction, and antigen processing and presentation of exogenous pathways. Conclusion: Meta-analyses and subsequent enriched biological pathways resulted in interesting candidate genes associated with joint effusion that require further characterization. Associations were not transcriptome-wide significant most likely due to limited power. Additional studies are required to replicate our findings in more samples, which will greatly help in understanding the pathophysiology of OA and its relation to inflammation, and may result in biomarkers urgently needed to diagnose OA at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yolande F M Ramos
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Wouter den Hollander
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Dieuwke Schiphof
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Albert Hofman
- Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - André G Uitterlinden
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Edwin H G Oei
- Department of Radiology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - P Eline Slagboom
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Margreet Kloppenburg
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Johan L Bloem
- Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Sita M A Bierma-Zeinstra
- Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands; Department of Orthopedics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ingrid Meulenbelt
- Department of Molecular Epidemiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
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48
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Zhang M, Lu Q, Miller AH, Barnthouse NC, Wang J. Dynamic epigenetic mechanisms regulate age-dependent SOX9 expression in mouse articular cartilage. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2016; 72:125-134. [PMID: 26806292 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2016.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2015] [Revised: 12/16/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
While the developmental role of the SOX9 transcription factor in chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage formation is well documented, age-dependent SOX9 expression in articular chondrocytes (ACs) and its regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to explore epigenetic regulatory mechanisms for age-related changes in SOX9 expression in ACs of mice, spanning from the developmental stage to 18 months of age. Sox9 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in ACs during joint development but significantly decreased after 2 months of age. Histopathological features of osteoarthritis were not observed in examined hip and shoulder joints by 18 months of age. Epigenetic studies revealed that DNA methylation levels were increased at specific CpG islands of the Sox9 gene at 6 and 12 months; treatment of cultured ACs from 6-month-old mice with 5-azacytidine (an inhibitor of DNA methylation) elevated the level of Sox9 expression in ACs by lowering DNA methylation levels in the Sox9 promoter region. Histone 3 lysine 4 dimethylation (H3K4me2, a histone modification for transcriptional activation) in the Sox9 promoter region was decreased with age, which was associated with the age-dependent decrease in SOX9 expression in ACs. Knockdown of lysine-specific demethylase-1 up-regulated SOX9 expression in ACs of adult mice through increased recruitment of H3K4me2 in the Sox9 promoter region. Our results suggest that SOX9 expression in mouse ACs is significantly decreased after the completion of joint development. These age-dependent changes in SOX9 expression are dynamically regulated by DNA methylation and histone methylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingcai Zhang
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - Qinghua Lu
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - Andrew H Miller
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - Nicholas C Barnthouse
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - Jinxi Wang
- Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States.
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49
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Dudek M, Gossan N, Yang N, Im HJ, Ruckshanthi JP, Yoshitane H, Li X, Jin D, Wang P, Boudiffa M, Bellantuono I, Fukada Y, Boot-Handford RP, Meng QJ. The chondrocyte clock gene Bmal1 controls cartilage homeostasis and integrity. J Clin Invest 2016; 126:365-76. [PMID: 26657859 PMCID: PMC4701559 DOI: 10.1172/jci82755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 135] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent and debilitating joint disease, and there are currently no effective disease-modifying treatments available. Multiple risk factors for OA, such as aging, result in progressive damage and loss of articular cartilage. Autonomous circadian clocks have been identified in mouse cartilage, and environmental disruption of circadian rhythms in mice predisposes animals to OA-like damage. However, the contribution of the cartilage clock mechanisms to the maintenance of tissue homeostasis is still unclear. Here, we have shown that expression of the core clock transcription factor BMAL1 is disrupted in human OA cartilage and in aged mouse cartilage. Furthermore, targeted Bmal1 ablation in mouse chondrocytes abolished their circadian rhythm and caused progressive degeneration of articular cartilage. We determined that BMAL1 directs the circadian expression of many genes implicated in cartilage homeostasis, including those involved in catabolic, anabolic, and apoptotic pathways. Loss of BMAL1 reduced the levels of phosphorylated SMAD2/3 (p-SMAD2/3) and NFATC2 and decreased expression of the major matrix-related genes Sox9, Acan, and Col2a1, but increased p-SMAD1/5 levels. Together, these results define a regulatory mechanism that links chondrocyte BMAL1 to the maintenance and repair of cartilage and suggest that circadian rhythm disruption is a risk factor for joint diseases such as OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Dudek
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nicole Gossan
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Nan Yang
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Hee-Jeong Im
- Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Hikari Yoshitane
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Xin Li
- Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Jesse Brown VA Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Ding Jin
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ping Wang
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Maya Boudiffa
- The Mellanby Centre, Department of Human Metabolism, The Medical School, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Ilaria Bellantuono
- The Mellanby Centre, Department of Human Metabolism, The Medical School, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Yoshitaka Fukada
- Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ray P. Boot-Handford
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Qing-Jun Meng
- Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
- Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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50
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Abstract
Circadian rhythms mediated by both central and tissue-specific peripheral clocks allow for the synchronization of biological processes with diurnal cycles such as activity and rest. Disruption of these rhythms can be caused by altered sleep-awake patterns or by pathological conditions and can initiate or exacerbate human disease through mechanisms that are only partially understood. In this issue, Dudek et al. identify a chondrocyte-autonomous cartilage clock and demonstrate that expression of an important circadian pacemaker, BMAL1, decreases during osteoarthritis progression. They show that chondrocyte-specific deletion of BMAL1 leads to cartilage degradation and disruption of key pathways, shifting cartilage homeostasis toward a catabolic state. These findings provide insight into the interplay between circadian rhythm and cartilage in osteoarthritis.
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