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Chawla P, Gau D, Chen F, Welling N, Boone D, Taboas J, Lee AV, Galson DL, Roy P. Breast cancer cells promote osteoclast differentiation in an MRTF-dependent paracrine manner. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.12.06.570453. [PMID: 38106226 PMCID: PMC10723471 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.06.570453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Bone is a frequent site for breast cancer metastasis. Conditioning of the local tumor microenvironment (TME) through crosstalk between tumor cells and bone resident cells in the metastatic niche is a major driving force for bone colonization of breast cancer cells. The vast majority of breast cancer-associated metastasis is osteolytic in nature, and RANKL-induced differentiation of bone marrow-derived macrophages to osteoclasts (OCLs) is a key requirement for osteolytic metastatic growth of cancer cells. In this study, we demonstrate that breast cancer cell-secreted factors stimulate RANKL-induced OCL differentiation of BMDMs requiring the function of Myocardin-related transcription factor (MRTF) in tumor cells. This is partly attributed to the critical role of MRTF in maintaining the basal cellular expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), a pro-osteoclastogenic matricellular factor known to promote bone metastasis in human breast cancer. Supporting these in vitro findings, bioinformatics analyses of multiple human breast cancer transcriptome datasets reveal a strong positive correlation between CTGF expression and MRTF gene signature further establishing the relevance of our findings in a human disease context. By Luminex analyses, we show that MRTF depletion in breast cancer cells has a broad impact on OCL-regulatory cell-secreted factors that extends beyond CTGF. These findings, taken together with demonstration of MRTF-dependence for bone colonization breast cancer cells in vivo, suggest that MRTF inhibition could be an effective strategy to diminish OCL formation and skeletal involvement in breast cancer. In summary, this study highlights a novel tumor-extrinsic function of MRTF relevant to breast cancer metastasis.
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Cai Z, Luo Q, Yang X, Pu L, Zong H, Shi R, He P, Xu Y, Li Y, Zhang J. Overloaded axial stress activates the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway in nucleus pulposus cells of adult degenerative scoliosis combined with intervertebral disc degeneration. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:4791-4798. [PMID: 37031322 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08390-9] [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: 02/04/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the initiating factor of adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS), and ADS further accelerates IVDD, creating a vicious cycle. Nevertheless, the role of the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway in ADS combined with IVDD (ADS-IVDD) remains a mystery. Accordingly, this study was proposed to investigate the effect of axial stress on the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) isolated from DS-IVDD patients. METHODS Normal NPCs (N-NPC) were purchased and the NPCs of young (25-30 years; Y-NPC) and old (65-70 years; O-NPC) from ADS-IVDD patients were primary cultured. After treatment of NPC with overloaded axial pressure, CCK-8 and Annexin V-FITC kits were applied for detecting proliferation and apoptosis of N-NPC, Y-NPC and O-NPC, and western blotting was performed to assess the expression of Wnt 3a, β-Catenin, NPC markers and apoptosis markers (Bax, Bcl2 and Caspase 3). RESULTS N-NPC, Y-NPC and O-NPC were mainly oval, polygonal and spindle-shaped with pseudopods, and the cell morphology tended to be flattened with age. N-NPC, Y-NPC and O-NPC were capable of synthesizing proteoglycans and expressing the NPC markers (Collagen II and Aggrecan). Notably, the expression of Wnt 3a, β-Catenin, Collagen II and Aggrecan was reduced in N-NPC, Y-NPC and O-NPC in that order. After overload axial stress treatment, cell viability of N-NPC and Y-NPC was significantly reduced, and the percentage of apoptosis and expression of Wnt 3a and β-Catenin were significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS Overloaded axial pressure activates the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway to suppress proliferation and facilitate apoptosis of NPC in ADS-IVDD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijun Cai
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Qibiao Luo
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Xi Yang
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Luqiao Pu
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Haiyang Zong
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Rongmao Shi
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Pengju He
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Yongqing Xu
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China.
| | - Jianping Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force 920th Hospital, No. 212 Daguan Rd, Kunming, Yunnan, 650032, China.
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Mechanobiology of the Human Intervertebral Disc: Systematic Review of the Literature and Future Perspectives. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032728. [PMID: 36769050 PMCID: PMC9917554 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Low back pain is an extremely common condition with severe consequences. Among its potential specific causes, degenerative disc disease (DDD) is one of the most frequently observed. Mechanobiology is an emerging science studying the interplay between mechanical stimuli and the biological behavior of cells and tissues. The aim of the presented study is to review, with a systematic approach, the existing literature regarding the mechanobiology of the human intervertebral disc (IVD), define the main pathways involved in DDD and identify novel potential therapeutic targets. The review was carried out in accordance with the Preferential Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they described biological responses of human IVD cells under mechanical stimulation or alterations of mechanical properties of the IVD determined by different gene expression. Fifteen studies were included and showed promising results confirming the mechanobiology of the human IVD as a key element in DDD. The technical advances of the last decade have allowed us to increase our understanding of this topic, enabling us to identify possible therapeutic targets to treat and to prevent DDD. Further research and technological innovations will shed light on the interactions between the mechanics and biology of the human IVD.
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Inguito KL, Schofield MM, Faghri AD, Bloom ET, Heino M, West VC, Ebron KMM, Elliott DM, Parreno J. Stress deprivation of tendon explants or Tpm3.1 inhibition in tendon cells reduces F-actin to promote a tendinosis-like phenotype. Mol Biol Cell 2022; 33:ar141. [PMID: 36129771 PMCID: PMC9727789 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e22-02-0067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Actin is a central mediator between mechanical force and cellular phenotype. In tendons, it is speculated that mechanical stress deprivation regulates gene expression by reducing filamentous (F)-actin. However, the mechanisms regulating tenocyte F-actin remain unclear. Tropomyosins (Tpms) are master regulators of F-actin. There are more than 40 Tpm isoforms, each having the unique capability to stabilize F-actin subpopulations. We investigated F-actin polymerization in stress-deprived tendons and tested the hypothesis that stress fiber-associated Tpm(s) stabilize F-actin to regulate cellular phenotype. Stress deprivation of mouse tail tendon down-regulated tenogenic and up-regulated protease (matrix metalloproteinase-3) mRNA levels. Concomitant with mRNA modulation were increases in G/F-actin, confirming reduced F-actin by tendon stress deprivation. To investigate the molecular regulation of F-actin, we identified that tail, Achilles, and plantaris tendons express three isoforms in common: Tpm1.6, 3.1, and 4.2. Tpm3.1 associates with F-actin in native and primary tenocytes. Tpm3.1 inhibition reduces F-actin, leading to decreases in tenogenic expression, increases in chondrogenic expression, and enhancement of protease expression in mouse and human tenocytes. These expression changes by Tpm3.1 inhibition are consistent with tendinosis progression. A further understanding of F-actin regulation in musculoskeletal cells could lead to new therapeutic interventions to prevent alterations in cellular phenotype during disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kameron L. Inguito
- Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Mandy M. Schofield
- Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Arya D. Faghri
- Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Ellen T. Bloom
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Marissa Heino
- Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716,Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Valerie C. West
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | | | - Dawn M. Elliott
- Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716
| | - Justin Parreno
- Departments of Biological Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716,Biomedical Engineering, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716,*Address correspondence to: Justin Parreno ()
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Current Perspectives on Nucleus Pulposus Fibrosis in Disc Degeneration and Repair. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23126612. [PMID: 35743056 PMCID: PMC9223673 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence in humans and animal models indicates an association between intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and increased fibrotic elements in the nucleus pulposus (NP). These include enhanced matrix turnover along with the abnormal deposition of collagens and other fibrous matrices, the emergence of fibrosis effector cells, such as macrophages and active fibroblasts, and the upregulation of the fibroinflammatory factors TGF-β1 and IL-1/-13. Studies have suggested a role for NP cells in fibroblastic differentiation through the TGF-βR1-Smad2/3 pathway, inflammatory activation and mechanosensing machineries. Moreover, NP fibrosis is linked to abnormal MMP activity, consistent with the role of matrix proteases in regulating tissue fibrosis. MMP-2 and MMP-12 are the two main profibrogenic markers of myofibroblastic NP cells. This review revisits studies in the literature relevant to NP fibrosis in an attempt to stratify its biochemical features and the molecular identity of fibroblastic cells in the context of IDD. Given the role of fibrosis in tissue healing and diseases, the perspective may provide new insights into the pathomechanism of IDD and its management.
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Lewis KJ. Musculoskeletal mechanobiology. Connect Tissue Res 2022; 63:1-2. [PMID: 34781792 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2021.2005172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Karl J Lewis
- Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University Weill Hall, 237 Tower Road Ithaca NY 14853
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