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Huang J, Xue S, Xie YQ, Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Ultrashort-Peptide-Responsive Gene Switches for Regulation of Therapeutic Protein Expression in Mammalian Cells. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024:e2309411. [PMID: 38741284 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Despite the array of mammalian transgene switches available for regulating therapeutic protein expression in response to small molecules or physical stimuli, issues remain, including cytotoxicity of chemical inducers and limited biocompatibility of physical cues. This study introduces gene switches driven by short peptides comprising eight or fewer amino acid residues. Utilizing a competence regulator (ComR) and sigma factor X-inducing peptide (XIP) from Streptococcus vestibularis as the receptor and inducer, respectively, this study develops two strategies for a peptide-activated transgene control system. The first strategy involves fusing ComR with a transactivation domain and utilizes ComR-dependent synthetic promoters to drive expression of the gene-of-interest, activated by XIP, thereby confirming its membrane penetrability and intracellular functionality. The second strategy features an orthogonal synthetic receptor exposing ComR extracellularly (ComREXTRA), greatly increasing sensitivity with exceptional responsiveness to short peptides. In a proof-of-concept study, peptides are administered to type-1 diabetic mice with microencapsulated engineered human cells expressing ComREXTRA for control of insulin expression, restoring normoglycemia. It is envisioned that this system will encourage the development of short peptide drugs and promote the introduction of non-toxic, orthogonal, and highly biocompatible personalized biopharmaceuticals for gene- and cell-based therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinbo Huang
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Klingelbergstrasse 48, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Shuai Xue
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Klingelbergstrasse 48, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
- Key Laboratory of Growth Regulation and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Sciences, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yu-Qing Xie
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Klingelbergstrasse 48, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Ana Palma Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Klingelbergstrasse 48, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Klingelbergstrasse 48, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
- Faculty of Science, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 48, Basel, CH-4056, Switzerland
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Wang X, Kang L, Kong D, Wu X, Zhou Y, Yu G, Dai D, Ye H. A programmable protease-based protein secretion platform for therapeutic applications. Nat Chem Biol 2024; 20:432-442. [PMID: 37872400 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-023-01433-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 09/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Cell-based therapies represent potent enabling technologies in biomedical science. However, current genetic control systems for engineered-cell therapies are predominantly based on the transcription or translation of therapeutic outputs. Here we report a protease-based rapid protein secretion system (PASS) that regulates the secretion of pretranslated proteins retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) owing to an ER-retrieval signal. Upon cleavage by inducible proteases, these proteins are secreted. Three PASS variants (chemPASS, antigenPASS and optoPASS) are developed. With chemPASS, we demonstrate the reversal of hyperglycemia in diabetic mice within minutes via drug-induced insulin secretion. AntigenPASS-equipped cells recognize the tumor antigen and secrete granzyme B and perforin, inducing targeted cell apoptosis. Finally, results from mouse models of diabetes, hypertension and inflammatory pain demonstrate light-induced, optoPASS-mediated therapeutic peptide secretion within minutes, conferring anticipated therapeutic benefits. PASS is a flexible platform for rapid delivery of therapeutic proteins that can facilitate the development and adoption of cell-based precision therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liping Kang
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Deqiang Kong
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xin Wu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Zhou
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
- Wuhu Hospital, Health Science Center, East China Normal University, Wuhu City, China
| | - Guiling Yu
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Di Dai
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Ye
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Genome Editing and Cell Therapy, Biomedical Synthetic Biology Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China.
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Teixeira AP, Fussenegger M. Synthetic Gene Circuits for Regulation of Next-Generation Cell-Based Therapeutics. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2309088. [PMID: 38126677 PMCID: PMC10885662 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202309088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Arming human cells with synthetic gene circuits enables to expand their capacity to execute superior sensing and response actions, offering tremendous potential for innovative cellular therapeutics. This can be achieved by assembling components from an ever-expanding molecular toolkit, incorporating switches based on transcriptional, translational, or post-translational control mechanisms. This review provides examples from the three classes of switches, and discusses their advantages and limitations to regulate the activity of therapeutic cells in vivo. Genetic switches designed to recognize internal disease-associated signals often encode intricate actuation programs that orchestrate a reduction in the sensed signal, establishing a closed-loop architecture. Conversely, switches engineered to detect external molecular or physical cues operate in an open-loop fashion, switching on or off upon signal exposure. The integration of such synthetic gene circuits into the next generation of chimeric antigen receptor T-cells is already enabling precise calibration of immune responses in terms of magnitude and timing, thereby improving the potency and safety of therapeutic cells. Furthermore, pre-clinical engineered cells targeting other chronic diseases are gathering increasing attention, and this review discusses the path forward for achieving clinical success. With synthetic biology at the forefront, cellular therapeutics holds great promise for groundbreaking treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P. Teixeira
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
| | - Martin Fussenegger
- Department of Biosystems Science and EngineeringETH ZurichKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
- Faculty of ScienceUniversity of BaselKlingelbergstrasse 48BaselCH‐4056Switzerland
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Zhu Z, Chen R, Zhang L. Simple phenylpropanoids: recent advances in biological activities, biosynthetic pathways, and microbial production. Nat Prod Rep 2024; 41:6-24. [PMID: 37807808 DOI: 10.1039/d3np00012e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Covering: 2000 to 2023Simple phenylpropanoids are a large group of natural products with primary C6-C3 skeletons. They are not only important biomolecules for plant growth but also crucial chemicals for high-value industries, including fragrances, nutraceuticals, biomaterials, and pharmaceuticals. However, with the growing global demand for simple phenylpropanoids, direct plant extraction or chemical synthesis often struggles to meet current needs in terms of yield, titre, cost, and environmental impact. Benefiting from the rapid development of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology, microbial production of natural products from inexpensive and renewable sources provides a feasible solution for sustainable supply. This review outlines the biological activities of simple phenylpropanoids, compares their biosynthetic pathways in different species (plants, bacteria, and fungi), and summarises key research on the microbial production of simple phenylpropanoids over the last decade, with a focus on engineering strategies that seem to hold most potential for further development. Moreover, constructive solutions to the current challenges and future perspectives for industrial production of phenylpropanoids are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhanpin Zhu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Ruibing Chen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
| | - Lei Zhang
- Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, School of Pharmacy, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
- Institute of Interdisciplinary Integrative Medicine Research, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
- Innovative Drug R&D Centre, College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei 235000, China
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Wang X, Zhou X, Kang L, Lai Y, Ye H. Engineering natural molecule-triggered genetic control systems for tunable gene- and cell-based therapies. Synth Syst Biotechnol 2023; 8:416-426. [PMID: 37384125 PMCID: PMC10293594 DOI: 10.1016/j.synbio.2023.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The ability to precisely control activities of engineered designer cells provides a novel strategy for modern precision medicine. Dynamically adjustable gene- and cell-based precision therapies are recognized as next generation medicines. However, the translation of these controllable therapeutics into clinical practice is severely hampered by the lack of safe and highly specific genetic switches controlled by triggers that are nontoxic and side-effect free. Recently, natural products derived from plants have been extensively explored as trigger molecules to control genetic switches and synthetic gene networks for multiple applications. These controlled genetic switches could be further introduced into mammalian cells to obtain synthetic designer cells for adjustable and fine tunable cell-based precision therapy. In this review, we introduce various available natural molecules that were engineered to control genetic switches for controllable transgene expression, complex logic computation, and therapeutic drug delivery to achieve precision therapy. We also discuss current challenges and prospects in translating these natural molecule-controlled genetic switches developed for biomedical applications from the laboratory to the clinic.
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Li S, Tang H, Li C, Ma J, Ali M, Dong Q, Wu J, Hui Y, Sun C. Synthetic Biology Technologies And Genetically Engineering Strategies For Enhanced Cell Therapeutics. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2023; 19:309-321. [PMID: 36166137 PMCID: PMC9514184 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10454-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Stem cell therapy mainly uses natural stem cells for transplantation, and the use of genetic engineering to optimize stem cell products is a very important process. This article reviews successful gene modification methods in the field of immune cell therapy and summarizes some attempts at stem cell gene editing in current research. Cell bridging is an innovative cutting-edge strategy that includes the specific recognition and signal transduction of artificial receptors. The "off-the-shelf" cell strategies mainly introduce the advantages of allogeneic cell therapy and how to overcome issues such as immunogenicity. Gene regulatory systems allow us to manipulate cells with small molecules to control cellular phenotypes. In addition, we also summarize some important genes that can provide a reference for cell genetic engineering. In conclusion, we summarize a variety of technical strategies for gene editing cells to provide useful ideas and experiences for future stem cell therapy research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Tang
- Department of Neurology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Ma
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Maqsood Ali
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Qi Dong
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiajia Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Hui
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Harbin Medical University, 157 BaoJian Road Nangang Dist, Harbin, 150086, People's Republic of China.
- Basic Medical Institute of Heilongjiang Medical Science Academy, Harbin, China.
| | - Chongran Sun
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou City, Xihu District, 310058, People's Republic of China.
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7
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Walters AS, Li Y, Karroum EG, Champion D, Weinstock LB, Bagai K, Afrin LB, Spruyt K. Exploring the role of the endogenous opiate system in the pathogenesis of anemia in an opiate receptor knock-out model of Restless Legs Syndrome. Med Hypotheses 2022; 167:110941. [PMID: 36505961 PMCID: PMC9731170 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2022.110941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is characterized by bothersome leg discomfort accompanied by an urge to move to obtain relief and symptoms are worse at night and on lying down. There is at least partial and temporary relief with activity. It is also an opioid responsive disorder, often accompanied by iron deficiency with or without anemia, and inflammation may be a precipitating factor in some cases. We created two in-vivo opiate receptor knock out mouse models of RLS - a triple opiate receptor knock-out mouse and a mu opiate receptor knock-out mouse. Both sets of animals were restless during the sleep period as is also true of RLS. Both of our knockout models showed statistically significantly decreased Hemoglobin and Hematocrit indicating anemia and both models showed statistically significant decreases in serum iron suggestive of either iron deficiency anemia or inflammatory anemia. The rest of the hematologic studies were not consistent enough to determine which of these two types of anemia was present in either model. An additional experiment in normal wild type mice showed a statistically significant decrease in serum iron when an opiate receptor blocker was used. To our knowledge this is the first demonstration that deficiency of endogenous opioids might play a role in the production of anemia. Our hypothesis is that an intact endogenous opiate system is necessary for red cell homeostasis. The presence of opioid receptors both on red blood cells and on various immunologically based white blood cells suggest mechanisms by which deficiency in the endogenous opiate system could cause anemia of either the iron deficiency or inflammatory types. The administration of opioid agonists or antagonists to iron deficient cultures of red blood cell precursors is a next step in determining the role of the endogenous opiate system in the maintenance of red cell homeostasis and in the possible prevention of iron deficiency or inflammatory anemia where iron dysregulation is key.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arthur S. Walters
- Sleep Division, Dept of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Yuqing Li
- Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases, Dept of Neurology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Elias G. Karroum
- Department of Neurology & Rehabilitation Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC., USA
| | - David Champion
- Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia
| | - Leonard B. Weinstock
- Department of Internal Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kanika Bagai
- Sleep Division, Dept of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Lawrence B. Afrin
- Hematology/Oncology, AIM Center for Personalized Medicine, Purchase, New York
| | - Karen Spruyt
- Université de Paris, NeuroDiderot Inserm, France
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8
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Ge C, Xu D, Yu P, Fang M, Guo J, Xu D, Qiao Y, Chen S, Zhang Y, Wang H. P-gp expression inhibition mediates placental glucocorticoid barrier opening and fetal weight loss. BMC Med 2021; 19:311. [PMID: 34876109 PMCID: PMC8653610 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-021-02173-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal adverse environments can cause fetal intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and higher susceptibility to multiple diseases after birth, related to multi-organ development programming changes mediated by intrauterine overexposure to maternal glucocorticoids. As a glucocorticoid barrier, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is highly expressed in placental syncytiotrophoblasts; however, the effect of P-gp on the occurrence of IUGR remains unclear. METHODS Human placenta and fetal cord blood samples of IUGR fetuses were collected, and the related indexes were detected. Pregnant Wistar rats were administered with 30 mg/kg·d (low dose) and 120 mg/kg·d (high dose) caffeine from gestational day (GD) 9 to 20 to construct the rat IUGR model. Pregnant mice were administered with caffeine (120 mg/kg·d) separately or combined with sodium ferulate (50 mg/kg·d) from gestational day GD 9 to 18 to confirm the intervention target on fetal weight loss caused by prenatal caffeine exposure (PCE). The fetal serum/placental corticosterone level, placental P-gp expression, and related indicator changes were analyzed. In vitro, primary human trophoblasts and BeWo cells were used to confirm the effect of caffeine on P-gp and its mechanism. RESULTS The placental P-gp expression was significantly reduced, but the umbilical cord blood cortisol level was increased in clinical samples of the IUGR neonates, which were positively and negatively correlated with the neonatal birth weight, respectively. Meanwhile, in the PCE-induced IUGR rat model, the placental P-gp expression of IUGR rats was decreased while the corticosterone levels of the placentas/fetal blood were increased, which were positively and negatively correlated with the decreased placental/fetal weights, respectively. Combined with the PCE-induced IUGR rat model, in vitro caffeine-treated placental trophoblasts, we confirmed that caffeine decreased the histone acetylation and expression of P-gp via RYR/JNK/YB-1/P300 pathway, which inhibited placental and fetal development. We further demonstrated that P-gp inducer sodium ferulate could reverse the inhibitory effect of caffeine on the fetal body/placental weight. Finally, clinical specimens and other animal models of IUGR also confirmed that the JNK/YB-1 pathway is a co-regulatory mechanism of P-gp expression inhibition, among which the expression of YB-1 is the most stable. Therefore, we proposed that YB-1 could be used as the potential early warning target for the opening of the placental glucocorticoid barrier, the occurrence of IUGR, and the susceptibility of a variety of diseases. CONCLUSIONS This study, for the first time, clarified the critical role and epigenetic regulation mechanism of P-gp in mediating the opening mechanism of the placental glucocorticoid barrier, providing a novel idea for exploring the early warning, prevention, and treatment strategies of IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caiyun Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Pengxia Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Man Fang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Juanjuan Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Dan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yuan Qiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yuanzhen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, 169 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Department of Pharmacology, Basic Medical School of Wuhan University, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China. .,Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Diseases, 185 Donghu Road, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Liang JW, Li PL, Wang Q, Liao S, Hu W, Zhao ZD, Li ZL, Yin BF, Mao N, Ding L, Zhu H. Ferulic acid promotes bone defect repair after radiation by maintaining the stemness of skeletal stem cells. Stem Cells Transl Med 2021; 10:1217-1231. [PMID: 33750031 PMCID: PMC8284777 DOI: 10.1002/sctm.20-0536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The reconstruction of irradiated bone defects after settlement of skeletal tumors remains a significant challenge in clinical applications. In this study, we explored radiation‐induced skeletal stem cell (SSC) stemness impairments and rescuing effects of ferulic acid (FA) on SSCs in vitro and in vivo. The immunophenotype, cell renewal, cell proliferation, and differentiation of SSCs in vitro after irradiation were investigated. Mechanistically, the changes in tissue regeneration‐associated gene expression and MAPK pathway activation in irradiated SSCs were evaluated. The regenerative capacity of SSCs in the presence of FA in an irradiated bone defect mouse model was also investigated. We found that irradiation reduced CD140a‐ and CD105‐positive cells in skeletal tissues and mouse‐derived SSCs. Additionally, irradiation suppressed cell proliferation, colony formation, and osteogenic differentiation of SSCs. The RNA‐Seq results showed that tissue regeneration‐associated gene expression decreased, and the Western blotting results demonstrated the suppression of phosphorylated p38/MAPK and ERK/MAPK in irradiated SSCs. Notably, FA significantly rescued the radiation‐induced impairment of SSCs by activating the p38/MAPK and ERK/MAPK pathways. Moreover, the results of imaging and pathological analyses demonstrated that FA enhanced the bone repair effects of SSCs in an irradiated bone defect mouse model substantially. Importantly, inhibition of the p38/MAPK and ERK/MAPK pathways in SSCs by specific chemical inhibitors partially abolished the promotive effect of FA on SSC‐mediated bone regeneration. In summary, our findings reveal a novel function of FA in repairing irradiated bone defects by maintaining SSC stemness and suggest that the p38/MAPK and ERK/MAPK pathways contribute to SSC‐mediated tissue regeneration postradiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wu Liang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei-Lin Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Qian Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Song Liao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Hu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Dong Zhao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Ling Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo-Feng Yin
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Mao
- Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Ding
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Air Force Medical Center, PLA, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Heng Zhu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Radiobiology, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Department of Experimental Hematology & Biochemistry, Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Beijing Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Beijing, People's Republic of China.,Graduate School of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, People's Republic of China
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