Tolerogenic nanoparticles induce type II collagen-specific regulatory T cells and ameliorate osteoarthritis

Efficient Delivery of siRNA via Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids: Inflammation Attenuation and Matrix Regeneration in Temporomandibular Joint Osteoarthritis

Temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is the most common and severe subtype of temporomandibular disease characterized by inflammation and cartilage matrix degradation. Compared with traditional conservative treatment, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have emerged as a more efficient gene-targeted therapeutic tool for TMJOA treatment. Nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) is a transcription factor orchestrating the inflammatory processes in the pathogenesis of TMJOA. Employing siRNA-NF-κB could theoretically control the development of TMJOA. However, the clinical applications of siRNA-NF-κB are limited by its structural instability, poor cellular uptake, and short TMJ retention. To overcome these shortcomings, we developed a tetrahedral framework nucleic acid (tFNA) system carrying siRNA-NF-κB, named Tsi. The results indicated that Tsi exhibited excellent structural stability and excellent cellular uptake efficiency. It also demonstrated a superior NF-κB silencing effect over siRNA alone, attenuating the activation of NF-κB and upregulating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway. This system effectively reduced the release of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS), inhibiting cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis. In vivo, Tsi displayed enhanced TMJ retention capacity in comparison to siRNA alone and offered significant protective effects on both the cartilage matrix and subchondral bone, presenting a promising approach for TMJOA treatment.

Neural and immune roles in osteoarthritis pain: Mechanisms and intervention strategies

Pain is the leading symptom for most individuals with osteoarthritis (OA), a complex condition marked by joint discomfort. Recently, the dynamic interplay between the nervous and immune systems has become a focal point for understanding pain regulation. Despite this, there is still a substantial gap in our comprehensive understanding of the neuroimmune interactions and their effects on pain in OA. This review examines the bidirectional influences between immune cells and nerves in OA progression. It explores current approaches that target neuroimmune pathways, including promoting M2 macrophage polarization and specific neuronal receptor targeting, for effective pain reduction.

Translational potential statement

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying the interplay between the immune system and nervous system during the progression of OA, as well as their contributions to pain. Additionally, it compiles existing intervention strategies targeting neuroimmunity for the treatment of OA pain. This information offers valuable insights for researchers seeking to address the challenge of OA pain.

Plasma Membrane-Derived Biomimetic Apoptotic Nanovesicles Targeting Inflammation and Cartilage Degeneration for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative whole-joint disease in which the synovium and joint cartilage become inflamed and damaged. The essential role of inflammation in the development of OA has been recognized recently. Accordingly, simultaneous regulation of local inflammation and tissue degeneration is proposed as a promising therapeutic strategy. Herein, multifunctional biomimetic apoptotic nanovesicles (Apo-NVs) are constructed with plasma membrane derived from apoptotic T cells. The anti-inflammatory microRNA-124 is further encapsulated into Apo-NVs in the hope of achieving an enhanced immunomodulatory effect. It is found that apoptotic nanovesicles, including Apo-NVs and Apo-NVs-miR-124, both efficiently promote the M2 repolarization of M1 macrophages and inhibit the degenerative phenotype of chondrocytes. Further in vivo studies show that Apo-NVs and Apo-NVs-miR-124 alleviate synovial inflammation and protect cartilage tissue from degeneration in OA mice. The study highlights the potential of Apo-NVs in treating OA and other inflammation-related diseases.

Functional Nanomaterials for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease, affecting more than 595 million people worldwide. Nanomaterials possess superior physicochemical properties and can influence pathological processes due to their unique structural features, such as size, surface interface, and photoelectromagnetic thermal effects. Unlike traditional OA treatments, which suffer from short half-life, low stability, poor bioavailability, and high systemic toxicity, nanotherapeutic strategies for OA offer longer half-life, enhanced targeting, improved bioavailability, and reduced systemic toxicity. These advantages effectively address the limitations of traditional therapies. This review aims to inspire researchers to develop more multifunctional nanomaterials and promote their practical application in OA treatment.

Biomaterial-enhanced treg cell immunotherapy: A promising approach for transplant medicine and autoimmune disease treatment

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are crucial for preserving tolerance in the body, rendering Treg immunotherapy a promising treatment option for both organ transplants and autoimmune diseases. Presently, organ transplant recipients must undergo lifelong immunosuppression to prevent allograft rejection, while autoimmune disorders lack definitive cures. In the last years, there has been notable advancement in comprehending the biology of both antigen-specific and polyclonal Tregs. Clinical trials involving Tregs have demonstrated their safety and effectiveness. To maximize the efficacy of Treg immunotherapy, it is essential for these cells to migrate to specific target tissues, maintain stability within local organs, bolster their suppressive capabilities, and ensure their intended function's longevity. In pursuit of these goals, the utilization of biomaterials emerges as an attractive supportive strategy for Treg immunotherapy in addressing these challenges. As a result, the prospect of employing biomaterial-enhanced Treg immunotherapy holds tremendous promise as a treatment option for organ transplant recipients and individuals grappling with autoimmune diseases in the near future. This paper introduces strategies based on biomaterial-assisted Treg immunotherapy to enhance transplant medicine and autoimmune treatments.

Immunoengineering Biomaterials for Musculoskeletal Tissue Repair across Lifespan

Musculoskeletal diseases and injuries are among the leading causes of pain and morbidity worldwide. Broad efforts have focused on developing pro-regenerative biomaterials to treat musculoskeletal conditions; however, these approaches have yet to make a significant clinical impact. Recent studies have demonstrated that the immune system is central in orchestrating tissue repair and that targeting pro-regenerative immune responses can improve biomaterial therapeutic outcomes. However, aging is a critical factor negatively affecting musculoskeletal tissue repair and immune function. Hence, understanding how age affects the response to biomaterials is essential for improving musculoskeletal biomaterial therapies. This review focuses on the intersection of the immune system and aging in response to biomaterials for musculoskeletal tissue repair. The article introduces the general impacts of aging on tissue physiology, the immune system, and the response to biomaterials. Then, it explains how the adaptive immune system guides the response to injury and biomaterial implants in cartilage, muscle, and bone and discusses how aging impacts these processes in each tissue type. The review concludes by highlighting future directions for the development and translation of personalized immunomodulatory biomaterials for musculoskeletal tissue repair.

Biological activity, limitations and steady-state delivery of functional substances for precision nutrition

Food-related functional substances with biological activity serve as a crucial material foundation for achieving precision nutrition, which has gained increasing attraction in regulating physiological functions, preventing chronic diseases, and maintaining human health. Nutritional substances typically include bioactive proteins, peptides, polysaccharides, polyphenols, functional lipids, carotenoids, probiotics, vitamins, saponins, and terpenes. These functional substances play an essential role in precise nutrition. This chapter introduces and summarizes typical functional substances to demonstrate the challenges in precision nutrition for their stability, solubility, and bioavailability. The current status of delivery systems of functional substances is described to give an insight into the development of desirable characteristics, such as food grade status, high loading capacity, site targeting, and controlled release capacity. Finally, the applications of food-borne delivery systems of functional substances for precision nutrition are emphasized to meet the requirement for precision nutrition during nutritional intervention for chronic diseases.

Nanomaterial-Based Strategies for Attenuating T-Cell-Mediated Immunodepression in Stroke Patients: Advancing Research Perspectives

This review article discusses the potential of nanomaterials in targeted therapy and immunomodulation for stroke-induced immunosuppression. Although nanomaterials have been extensively studied in various biomedical applications, their specific use in studying and addressing immunosuppression after stroke remains limited. Stroke-induced neuroinflammation is characterized by T-cell-mediated immunodepression, which leads to increased morbidity and mortality. Key observations related to immunodepression after stroke, including lymphopenia, T-cell dysfunction, regulatory T-cell imbalance, and cytokine dysregulation, are discussed. Nanomaterials, such as liposomes, micelles, polymeric nanoparticles, and dendrimers, offer advantages in the precise delivery of drugs to T cells, enabling enhanced targeting and controlled release of immunomodulatory agents. These nanomaterials have the potential to modulate T-cell function, promote neuroregeneration, and restore immune responses, providing new avenues for stroke treatment. However, challenges related to biocompatibility, stability, scalability, and clinical translation need to be addressed. Future research efforts should focus on comprehensive studies to validate the efficacy and safety of nanomaterial-based interventions targeting T cells in stroke-induced immunosuppression. Collaborative interdisciplinary approaches are necessary to advance the field and translate these innovative strategies into clinical practice, ultimately improving stroke outcomes and patient care.

Mendelian randomization and transcriptome analysis identified immune-related biomarkers for osteoarthritis

Background

The immune microenvironment assumes a significant role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the current biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of OA are not satisfactory. Our study aims to identify new OA immune-related biomarkers to direct the prevention and treatment of OA using multi-omics data.

Methods

The discovery dataset integrated the GSE89408 and GSE143514 datasets to identify biomarkers that were significantly associated with the OA immune microenvironment through multiple machine learning methods and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). The identified signature genes were confirmed using two independent validation datasets. We also performed a two-sample mendelian randomization (MR) study to generate causal relationships between biomarkers and OA using OA genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data (cases n = 24,955, controls n = 378,169). Inverse-variance weighting (IVW) method was used as the main method of causal estimates. Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness and reliability of the IVW results.

Results

Three signature genes (FCER1G, HLA-DMB, and HHLA-DPA1) associated with the OA immune microenvironment were identified as having good diagnostic performances, which can be used as biomarkers. MR results showed increased levels of FCER1G (OR = 1.118, 95% CI 1.031-1.212, P = 0.041), HLA-DMB (OR = 1.057, 95% CI 1.045 -1.069, P = 1.11E-21) and HLA-DPA1 (OR = 1.030, 95% CI 1.005-1.056, P = 0.017) were causally and positively associated with the risk of developing OA.

Conclusion

The present study identified the 3 potential immune-related biomarkers for OA, providing new perspectives for the prevention and treatment of OA. The MR study provides genetic support for the causal effects of the 3 biomarkers with OA and may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms leading to the development of OA.

Chondrocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles promote drug retention and halt cartilage damage in rat and canine osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage. A challenge in the development of disease-modifying drugs is effective delivery to chondrocytes. The unique structure of the joint promotes rapid clearance of drugs through synovial fluid, and the dense and avascular cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) limits drug penetration. Here, we show that poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid) nanoparticles coated in chondrocyte membranes (CM-NPs) were preferentially taken up by rat chondrocytes ex vivo compared with uncoated nanoparticles. Internalization of the CM-NPs was mediated primarily by E-cadherin, clathrin-mediated endocytosis, and micropinocytosis. These CM-NPs adhered to the cartilage ECM in rat knee joints in vivo and penetrated deeply into the cartilage matrix with a residence time of more than 34 days. Simulated synovial fluid clearance studies showed that CM-NPs loaded with a Wnt pathway inhibitor, adavivint (CM-NPs-Ada), delayed the catabolic metabolism of rat and human chondrocytes and cartilage explants under inflammatory conditions. In a surgical model of rat OA, drug-loaded CM-NPs effectively restored gait, attenuated periarticular bone remodeling, and provided chondroprotection against cartilage degeneration. OA progression was also mitigated by CM-NPs-Ada in a canine model of anterior cruciate ligament transection. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using chondrocyte membrane-coated nanoparticles to improve the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of anti-OA drugs.

OA susceptibility in mice is partially mediated by the gut microbiome, is transferrable via microbiome transplantation and is associated with immunophenotype changes

OBJECTIVES

The Murphy Roths Large (MRL)/MpJ 'superhealer' mouse strain is protected from post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA), although no studies have evaluated the microbiome in the context of this protection. This study characterised microbiome differences between MRL and wild-type mice, evaluated microbiome transplantation and OA and investigated microbiome-associated immunophenotypes.

METHODS

Cecal material from mixed sex C57BL6/J (B6) or female MRL/MpJ (MRL) was transplanted into B6 and MRL mice, then OA was induced by disruption of the medial meniscus surgery (DMM). In other experiments, transplantation was performed after DMM and transplantation was performed into germ-free mice. Transplanted mice were bred through F2. OARSI, synovitis and osteophyte scores were determined blindly 8 weeks after DMM. 16S microbiome sequencing was performed and metagenomic function was imputed. Immunophenotypes were determined using mass cytometry.

RESULTS

MRL-into-B6 transplant prior to DMM showed reduced OA histopathology (OARSI score 70% lower transplant vs B6 control), synovitis (60% reduction) and osteophyte scores (30% reduction) 8 weeks after DMM. When performed 48 hours after DMM, MRL-into-B6 transplant improved OA outcomes but not when performed 1-2 weeks after DMM. Protection was seen in F1 (60% reduction) and F2 progeny (30% reduction). Several cecal microbiome clades were correlated with either better (eg, Lactobacillus, R=-0.32, p=0.02) or worse (eg, Rikenellaceae, R=0.43, p=0.001) OA outcomes. Baseline immunophenotypes associated with MRL-into-B6 transplants and MRL included reduced double-negative T cells and increased CD25+CD4+ T cells.

CONCLUSION

The gut microbiome is responsible in part for OA protection in MRL mice and is transferrable by microbiome transplantation. Transplantation induces resting systemic immunophenotyping changes that correlate with OA protection.

FOXO3-Activated HOTTIP Sequesters miR-615-3p away from COL2A1 to Mitigate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration

In this study, knockout of FOXO3 was found to impair intervertebral disc maturation and homeostasis in postnatal mice as well as facilitating extracellular matrix degradation. RNA sequencing can uncover disease-related gene expression and investigate disease pathophysiology. High-throughput transcriptome sequencing and experimental validations were used to identify the essential gene and mechanism involved in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue samples were collected from the mice with conditional knockout of FOXO3 (FOXO3 KO) for high-throughput sequencing, followed by screening of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs. The mRNAs were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Interactions among FOXO3, HOTTIP, miR-615-3p, and COL2A1 were analyzed. NP cells were subjected to a series of mimics, inhibitors, overexpression plasmids, and shRNAs to validate the mechanisms of FOXO3 in controlling HOTTIP/miR-615-3p/COL2A1 in IDD. Mechanistically, FOXO3 transcriptionally activated HOTTIP, facilitated the competitive HOTTIP binding to miR-615-3p, and increased the expression of the miR-615-3p target gene COL2A1. Thus, NP cell proliferation was induced, cell apoptosis was diminished, resulting in delayed development of IDD. Based on these data, the transcription factor FOXO3 may decrease miR-615-3p binding to COL2A1 and up-regulate COL2A1 expression by activating HOTTIP transcription, which in turn inhibits NP cell apoptosis and promotes its proliferation, to prevent the degradation of intervertebral disc matrix and maintain the normal physiological function of intervertebral disc, thereby preventing the occurrence and development of IDD.

Engineering metabolism to modulate immunity

Metabolic programming and reprogramming have emerged as pivotal mechanisms for altering immune cell function. Thus, immunometabolism has become an attractive target area for treatment of immune-mediated disorders. Nonetheless, many hurdles to delivering metabolic cues persist. In this review, we consider how biomaterials are poised to transform manipulation of immune cell metabolism through integrated control of metabolic configurations to affect outcomes in autoimmunity, regeneration, transplant, and cancer. We emphasize the features of nanoparticles and other biomaterials that permit delivery of metabolic cues to the intracellular compartment of immune cells, or strategies for altering signals in the extracellular space. We then provide perspectives on the potential for reciprocal regulation of immunometabolism by the physical properties of materials themselves. Lastly, opportunities for clinical translation are highlighted. This discussion contributes to our understanding of immunometabolism, biomaterials-based strategies for altering metabolic configurations in immune cells, and emerging concepts in this evolving field.

Differences between soluble and insoluble undenatured type II collagen in improving osteoarthritis in rats and their potential mechanisms

Our previous research showed that soluble (SC II) and insoluble (IC II) undenatured type II collagen had significant differences during gastrointestinal digestion in vitro, and SC II exposed more type II collagen with triple helix structure. However, the differences in their in vivo digestive characteristics, improvement on osteoarthritis (OA), and possible mechanisms have not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to explore these issues. After oral administration of SC II and IC II, the joint swelling of OA rats significantly reduced, and the weight bearing ratio of right hind limb significantly increased, especially in SC II group (raised to 48%). The Mankin and OARSI scores decreased by 35% and 48% in SC II group, respectively. SC II and IC II increased the mRNA expression of anti-inflammatory factors and the proportion of regulatory T cells (Treg). Importantly, type II collagen released by IC II during in vivo gastrointestinal digestion was far less than SC II, which explained the higher ability of SC II to induce immune tolerance in small intestine than IC II. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the differential genes between model and control were significantly enriched in PI3K/AKT, PPAR and AMPK signalling pathways, and 24 hub genes were analyzed. SC II significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression of Il6, Ccl7, NF-κB, AKT and up-regulated the mRNA expression of Scd1. These results showed that SC II was superior to IC II in improving OA by inducing immune tolerance and could regulate key biomarkers and signalling pathways in OA rats.

Disease-microenvironment modulation by bare- or engineered-exosome for rheumatoid arthritis treatment

BACKGROUND

Exosomes are extracellular vesicles secreted by eukaryotic cells and have been extensively studied for their surface markers and internal cargo with unique functions. A deeper understanding of exosomes has allowed their application in various research areas, particularly in diagnostics and therapy.

MAIN BODY

Exosomes have great potential as biomarkers and delivery vehicles for encapsulating therapeutic cargo. However, the limitations of bare exosomes, such as rapid phagocytic clearance and non-specific biodistribution after injection, pose significant challenges to their application as drug delivery systems. This review focuses on exosome-based drug delivery for treating rheumatoid arthritis, emphasizing pre/post-engineering approaches to overcome these challenges.

CONCLUSION

This review will serve as an essential resource for future studies to develop novel exosome-based therapeutic approaches for rheumatoid arthritis. Overall, the review highlights the potential of exosomes as a promising therapeutic approach for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

Sustained release resolvin D1 liposomes are effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis in obese mice

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and currently affects >500 million patients worldwide, with ~60% of them also suffering from obesity. There is no drug approved for human use that changes the course of OA progression. OA is one of the most common comorbidities of obesity, and obesity-related OA (ObOA) is a serious health concern because it shows heightened severity of tissue damage and also predominantly affects the working population. Unresolved inflammation is a major driver of ObOA, thus, resolving disease-associated inflammation is a viable strategy to treat ObOA. Resolvins are highly potent molecules that play a role in the resolution of inflammation and promote tissue healing. However, small molecules (like Resolvin D1; RvD1) have to be administered frequently or prior to injury because they lose their in vivo activity rapidly either by lymphatic clearance, or oxidation-mediated deactivation. In this study, we have encapsulated RvD1 in liposomes and established its efficacy in the mouse model of ObOA at much lower dosages than freely administered RvD1. Liposomal RvD1 (lipo-RvD1) acted as a source of the RvD1 molecules for ~11 days in vitro in synovial fluid derived from patients. When administered prophylactically or therapeutically, lipo-RvD1 suppressed cartilage damage in male C57BL/6 mice compared to untreated and free RvD1 treatments. This efficacy was achieved by increasing the proportion of the proresolution M2 macrophages over proinflammatory M1 macrophages in the synovial membrane. These results show the potential of lipo-RvD1 as an anti-OA agent.