miR-129-5p Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of BMSCs and Bone Regeneration via Repressing Dkk3

Silencing of CircTRIM25/miR-138-5p/CREB1 axis promotes chondrogenesis in osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Dysregulated circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in osteoarthritis (OA) progression.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to explore the effect of hsa_circ_0044719 (circTRIM25) on the ferroptosis of chondrocytes.

METHODS

Chondrocytes were treated with interleukin (IL)-1β to generate cell model. Cellular behaviours were measured using cell counting kit-8, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, relevant kits, propidium iodide staining, and immunofluorescence assay. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to examine the expression of circTRIM25, miR-138-5p, and cAMP responsive element binding protein 1 (CREB1), and their interactions were assessed using luciferase reporter analysis and RNA pull-down assay.

RESULTS

CircTRIM25 was upregulated in OA tissues and IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. Knockdown of circTRIM25 facilitated the viability and suppressed ferroptosis and inflammation of IL-1β-induced cells. CircTRIM25 served as a sponge of miR-138-5p, which directly targets CREB1. Downregulation of miR-138-5p abrogated the effect induced by knockdown of circTRIM25. Furthermore, enforced CREB1 reversed the miR-138-5p induced effect. Moreover, knockdown of circTRIM25 attenuated cartilage injury in vivo.

CONCLUSION

Silencing of circTRIM25 inhibited ferroptosis of chondrocytes via the miR-138-5p/CREB axis and thus attenuated OA progression.

MicroRNA expression in JAG1/Notch-activated periodontal ligament stem cells

OBJECTIVES

The study explored the expression profile of miRNAs in Notch-activated periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and examined their potential cellular targets.

METHODS

PDLSCs were cultured and treated with indirect immobilized Jagged1. The miRNA expression profile was examined using NanoString analysis. Bioinformatic analysis was performed together with enrichment, and miRNA expression was evaluated and validated using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).

RESULTS

A total of 26 miRNAs were differentially expressed in Jagged1 treated PDLSCs compared with the controls. Pathway analysis revealed that altered miRNAs were significantly associated with the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Target prediction analysis demonstrated that 11,170 genes as predictable targets of these altered miRNAs. Enrichment of predicted target genes revealed that they were related to ErbB, Ras and MAPK signaling pathways and small GTPase transduction.

CONCLUSIONS

The research concludes that several miRNAs are differentially expressed in jagged-1 treated PDLSCs. In translational terms the differential functionality of these miRNAs offer promise for the development of targeted regenerative materials that are necessary for managing lost tissue replacement in periodontal diseases.

M2 macrophage-derived exosomes carry miR-142-3p to restore the differentiation balance of irradiated BMMSCs by targeting TGF-β1

Radiotherapy is essential to cancer treatment, while it inevitably injures surrounding normal tissues, and bone tissue is one of the most common sites prone to irradiation. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are sensitive to irradiation and the irradiated dysfunction of BMMSCs may be closely related to irradiation-induced bone damage. Macropahges play important role in regulating stem cell function, bone metabolic balance and irradiation response, but the effects of macrophages on irradiated BMMSCs are still unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of macrophages and macrophage-derived exosomes in restoring irradiated BMMSCs function. The effects of macrophage conditioned medium (CM) and macrophage-derived exosomes on osteogenic and fibrogenic differentiation capacities of irradiated BMMSCs were detected. The key microribonucleic acids (miRNAs) and targeted proteins in exosomes were also determined. The results showed that irradiation significantly inhibited the proliferation of BMMSCs, and caused differentiation imbalance of BMMSCs, with decreased osteogenic differentiation and increased fibrogenic differentiation. M2 macrophage-derived exosomes (M2D-exos) inhibited the fibrogenic differentiation and promoted the osteogenic differentiation of irradiated BMMSCs. We identified that miR-142-3p was significantly overexpressed in M2D-exos and irradiated BMMSCs treated with M2D-exos. After inhibition of miR-142-3p in M2 macrophage, the effects of M2D-exos on irradiated BMMSCs differentiation were eliminated. Furthermore, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), as a direct target of miR-142-3p, was significantly decreased in irradiated BMMSCs treated with M2D-exos. This study indicated that M2D-exos could carry miR-142-3p to restore the differentiation balance of irradiated BMMSCs by targeting TGF-β1. These findings pave a new way for promising and cell-free method to treat irradiation-induced bone damage.

The role of WWP1 and WWP2 in bone/cartilage development and diseases

Bone and cartilage diseases are often associated with trauma and senescence, manifested as pain and limited mobility. The repair of bone and cartilage lesion by mesenchymal stem cells is regulated by various transcription factors. WW domain-containing protein 1 (WWP1) and WW domain-containing protein 2 (WWP2) are named for WW domain which recognizes PPXY (phono Ser Pro and Pro Arg) motifs of substrate. WWP1and WWP2 are prominent components of the homologous to the E6-AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) subfamily, a group of the ubiquitin ligase. Recently, some studies have found that WWP1 and WWP2 play an important role in the pathogenesis of bone and cartilage diseases and regulate the level and the transactivation of various transcription factors through ubiquitination. Therefore, this review summarizes the distribution and effects of WWP1 and WWP2 in the development of bone and cartilage, discusses the potential mechanism and therapeutic drugs in bone and cartilage diseases such as osteoarthritis, fracture, and osteoporosis.

Different Sources of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Comparison of Subchondral, Mandibular, and Tibia Bone-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

BACKGROUND

Stem cell properties vary considerably based on the source and tissue site of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The mandibular condyle is a unique kind of craniofacial bone with a special structure and a relatively high remodeling rate. MSCs here may also be unique to address specific physical needs.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare the proliferation and multidirectional differentiation potential among MSCs derived from the tibia (TMSCs), mandibular ramus marrow (MMSCs), and condylar subchondral bone (SMSCs) of rats in vitro.

METHODS

Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by CCK-8, laser confocal, and cell scratch assays. Histochemical staining and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the multidirectional differentiation potential and DNA methylation and histone deacetylation levels.

RESULTS

The proliferation rate and self-renewal capacity of SMSCs were significantly higher than those of MMSCs and TMSCs. Moreover, SMSCs possessed significantly higher mineralization and osteogenic differentiation potential. Dnmt2, Dnmt3b, Hdac6, Hdac7, Hdac9, and Hdac10 may be instrumental in the osteogenesis of SMSCs. In addition, SMSCs are distinct from MMSCs and TMSCs with lower adipogenic differentiation and chondrogenic differentiation potential. The multidirectional differentiation capacities of TMSCs were exactly the opposite of those of SMSCs, and the results of MMSCs were intermediate.

CONCLUSION

This research offers a new paradigm in which SMSCs could be a useful source of stem cells for further application in stem cell-based medical therapies due to their strong cell renewal and osteogenic capacity.

Myocardial fibrosis and calcification are attenuated by microRNA-129-5p targeting Asporin and Sox9 in cardiac fibroblasts

Myocardial fibrosis and calcification associate with adverse outcomes in nonischemic heart failure. Cardiac fibroblasts (CF) transition into myofibroblasts (MF) and osteogenic fibroblasts (OF) to promote myocardial fibrosis and calcification. However, common upstream mechanisms regulating both CF-to-MF transition and CF-to-OF transition remain unknown. microRNAs are promising targets to modulate CF plasticity. Our bioinformatics revealed downregulation of miR-129-5p and upregulation of its targets small leucine-rich proteoglycan Asporin (ASPN) and transcription factor SOX9 as common in mouse and human heart failure (HF). We experimentally confirmed decreased miR-129-5p and enhanced SOX9 and ASPN expression in CF in human hearts with myocardial fibrosis and calcification. miR-129-5p repressed both CF-to-MF and CF-to-OF transition in primary CF, as did knockdown of SOX9 and ASPN. Sox9 and Aspn are direct targets of miR-129-5p that inhibit downstream β-catenin expression. Chronic Angiotensin II infusion downregulated miR-129-5p in CF in WT and TCF21-lineage CF reporter mice, and it was restored by miR-129-5p mimic. Importantly, miR-129-5p mimic not only attenuated progression of myocardial fibrosis, calcification marker expression, and SOX9 and ASPN expression in CF but also restored diastolic and systolic function. Together, we demonstrate miR-129-5p/ASPN and miR-129-5p/SOX9 as potentially novel dysregulated axes in CF-to-MF and CF-to-OF transition in myocardial fibrosis and calcification and the therapeutic relevance of miR-129-5p.

Long Noncoding RNA NORAD Promotes Fracture Healing through Interacting with Osteoblast Differentiation via Targeting miR-26a

The present study was designed to evaluate the dynamic expression of lncRNA NORAD in fracture healing of patients with brittle fractures and explore the function and mechanism of NORAD in regulating osteoblastic proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. The expression level of NORAD was detected by quantitative real-time PCR. The proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of osteoblasts were analyzed by MTT assay, ELISA, and flow cytometry. Luciferase report analysis was used to confirm the interaction between NORAD and its target ceRNA miR-26a. This study showed no significant differences in serum NORAD expression on the 7th day during fracture healing in patients, but increased expression of NORAD was certified on the 14, 21, and 28 days after fixation. Overexpression of NORAD promoted the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and suppressed the apoptosis of osteoblasts. miR-26a proved to be the target gene of NORAD and was inhibited by overexpression of NORAD in osteoblasts. The enhanced expression of miR-26a was negatively linked to the lessened expression of NORAD. NORAD could accelerate the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and inhibit apoptosis, thereby promoting fracture healing.

Regulatory of miRNAs in tri-lineage differentiation of C3H10T1/2

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules encoded by endogenous genes, which play a vital role in cell generation, metabolism, apoptosis and stem cell differentiation. C3H10T1/2, a mesenchymal cell extracted from mouse embryos, is capable of osteogenic differentiation, adipogenic differentiation and chondrogenic differentiation. Extensive studies have shown that not only miRNAs can directly trigger targeted genes to regulate the tri-lineage differentiation of C3H10T1/2, but it also can indirectly regulate the differentiation by triggering different signaling pathways or various downstream molecules. This paper aims to clarify the regulatory roles of different miRNAs on C3H10T1/2 differentiation, and discussing their balance effect among osteogenic differentiation, adipogenic differentiation and chondrogenic differentiation of C3H10T1/2. We also review the biogenesis of miRNAs, Wnt signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways and BMP signaling pathways and provide some specific examples of how these signaling pathways act on C3H10T1/2 tri-lineage differentiation. On this basis, we hope that a deeper understanding of the differentiation and regulation mechanism of miRNAs in C3H10T1/2 can provide a promising therapeutic method for the clinical treatment of bone defects, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and other diseases.

A grooved porous hydroxyapatite scaffold induces osteogenic differentiation via regulation of PKA activity by upregulating miR-129-5p expression

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Hydroxyapatite scaffolds with different morphologies have been widely used in bone tissue engineering. Moreover, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proven to be extensively involved in regulating bone regeneration. We developed grooved porous hydroxyapatite (HAG) scaffolds with good osteogenic efficiency. However, little is known about the role of miRNAs in HAG scaffold-mediated promotion of bone regeneration. The objective of this study was to reveal the mechanism from the perspective of differential miRNA expression.

METHODS

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to perform the coculture of cells and scaffolds. The miRNA profiles were generated by a microarray assay. A synthetic miR-129-5p mimic and inhibitor were used for overexpression or inhibition. The expression of osteogenic marker mRNAs and proteins was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. An ALP activity kit and alizarin red staining (ARS) were used to measure ALP activity and mineral deposition formation. Cell migration ability was examined by wound healing and transwell assays. Protein kinase A (PKA) activity was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) after miR-129-5p transfection. Target genes were identified by a dual-luciferase reporter assay. H89 preculture evaluated the cross talk between miR-129-5p and PKA activity. Heterotopic implantation models, hematoxylin-eosin (HE), immunohistochemistry staining, and micro-CT were used to evaluate miR-129-5p osteogenesis in vivo.

RESULTS

miRNAs were differentially expressed during osteogenic differentiation induced by HAG in vitro and in vivo. miR-129-5p was the only highly expressed miRNA both in vitro and in vivo. miR-129-5p overexpression promoted osteoblast differentiation and cell migration, while its inhibition weakened the effect of HAG. Moreover, miR-129-5p activated PKA to regulate the phosphorylation of β-catenin and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) by inhibiting cAMP-dependent protein kinase inhibitor alpha (Pkia). H89 prevented the effects of miR-129-5p on osteogenic differentiation and cell migration. HE, immunohistochemistry staining and micro-CT results showed that miR-129-5p promoted in vivo osteogenesis of the HAG scaffold.

CONCLUSION

The HAG scaffold activates Pka by upregulating miR-129-5p and inhibiting Pkia, resulting in CREB-dependent transcriptional activation and accumulation of β-catenin and promoting osteogenic marker expression.

Lnc-SELPLG-2:1 enhanced osteosarcoma oncogenesis via hsa-miR-10a-5p and the BTRC cascade

BACKGROUND

To investigate the potential role of Long Non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of osteosarcoma.

METHODS

The candidate lncRNAs were screened with RNA-seq and confirmed with quantitative real-time PCR. Using MTS, transwell assay, and flow cytometric analysis, the effects of overexpressed lnc-SELPLG-2:1 on cell functions were determined. Immunohistochemical staining, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and luciferase reporter assay were used to evaluate the potential mechanism of lnc-SELPLG-2:1 in vivo and in vitro using a tumor model. Moreover, the effects of overexpression of hsa-miR-10a-5p on the functions of SaOS2 cells were determined using functional cell analysis. A response test was used to confirm the mechanism by which lnc-SELPLG-2:1 sponge hsa-miR-10a-5p promotes the expression of BTRC to regulate osteosarcoma.

RESULTS

Lnc-SELPLG-2:1 was highly expressed in osteosarcoma compared to normal cells and bone and marrow samples. Inhibition of lnc-SELPLG-2:1 accelerated cell apoptosis and suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas lnc-SELPLG-2:1 overexpression had the opposite effect. Moreover, inhibiting lnc-SELPLG-2:1 in an in vivo model decreased tumor size and suppressed the expression of cell migration-related proteins. The prediction, dual luciferase assay, and response test results indicated that hsa-miR-10-5p and BTRC were involved in the lnc-SELPLG-2:1 cascade. Unlike lnc-SELPLG-2:1, hsa-hsa-miR-10a-5p had opposite expression and function. Competitive binding of lnc-SELPLG-2:1 to hsa-hsa-miR-10a-5p prevented BTRC from miRNA-mediated degradation, thereby activating the expression of VIM, MMP9, and MMP2, promoting osteosarcoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and inhibiting apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Lnc-SELPLG-2:1 is an oncogenesis activator in osteosarcoma, and its functions are performed via hsa-miR-10a-5p /BTRC cascade.

The SIRT1 activator SRT2104 promotes BMP9-induced osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation in mesenchymal stem cells

Bone defects resulting from trauma, bone tumors, infections and skeletal abnormalities are a common osteoporotic condition with respect to clinical treatment. Of the known bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), BMP9 has the strongest osteogenic differentiation potential, which could be beneficial in the construction of tissue-engineered bone. Silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog-1 (SIRT1) is a highly conserved nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylase that deacetylates and modulates histone or non-histone substrates. However, the role of SIRT1 in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of stem cells has not been studied. Furthermore, it is unclear whether SIRT1 interacts with the BMP/Smad and BMP/MAPK pathways in stem cells. We found that SIRT1 expression decreased gradually in a time-dependent manner during BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. Interactions between SIRT1 and Smad7 promoted degradation of Smad7 and increased Smad1/5/8 phosphorylation. SRT2104, an activator of SIRT, enhanced the expression of osteogenic- and angiogenic-related proteins in BMP9-induced MSCs. In addition, we found that activation of the BMP/MAPK pathway led to osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation of MSCs. Our study demonstrated that SIRT1 expression decreased during BMP9-induced differentiation. The SIRT1 activator SRT2104 promoted BMP9-induced osteogenic and angiogenic differentiation of MSCs through the BMP/Smad and BMP/MAPK signaling pathways.

Identification of Key Genes and Pathways Associated with PIEZO1 in Bone-Related Disease Based on Bioinformatics

PIEZO1 is a mechano-sensitive ion channel that can sense various forms of mechanical stimuli and convert them into biological signals, affecting bone-related diseases. The present study aimed to identify key genes and signaling pathways in Piezo1-regulated bone-related diseases and to explain the potential mechanisms using bioinformatic analysis. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in tendon, femur, and humerus bone tissue; cortical bone; and bone-marrow-derived macrophages were identified with the criteria of |log2FC| > 1 and adjusted p-value < 0.05 analysis based on a dataset from GSE169261, GSE139121, GSE135282, and GSE133069, respectively, and visualized in a volcano plot. Venn diagram analyses were performed to identify the overlapping DEGs expressed in the above-mentioned tissues. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis, protein−protein interaction (PPI) analysis, and module analysis were also conducted. Furthermore, qRT-PCR was performed to validate the above results using primary chondrocytes. As a result, a total of 222 overlapping DEGs and 12 mostly overlapping DEGs were identified. Key Piezo1-related genes, such as Lcn2, Dkk3, Obscn, and Tnnt1, were identified, and pathways, such as Wnt/β-catenin and PI3k-Akt, were also identified. The present informatic study provides insight, for the first time, into the potential therapeutic targets of Piezo1-regulated bone-related diseases

MiR-129-5p Inactivates NF-κB Pathway to Block Rheumatoid Arthritis Development via Targeting BRD4

Methods

The abundance of miR-129-5p was detected in the samples including normal tissues and RA tissues and cell lines including human fibroblast-like synoviocytes (hFLSs) and human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs). The CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, Transwell, and ELISA were used to observe the effects of miR-129-5p on the phenotype of RA-FLSs. Moreover, the potential targets of miR-129-5p were identified with TargetScan and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Besides, the abundances of the proteins were analyzed with western blot.

Results

Decreased miR-129-5p was observed in RA tissues and cells. Increased miR-129-5p obviously blocked the proliferation, inflammatory stress, and migration and remarkably promoted cellular apoptosis. Moreover, BRD4 was confirmed as targets of miR-129-5p, and BRD4 upregulation could partly rescue the inhibition of miR-129-5p on aggressive behaviors of RA-FLSs. Besides, the finding of this study also proved that upregulated miR-129-5p could impede the NF-κB pathway via targeting BRD4.

Conclusion

This study suggests that miR-129-5p suppresses the activation of NF-κB pathway to block the progression of RA via targeting BRD4.

A Narrative Review of Cell-Based Approaches for Cranial Bone Regeneration

Current cranial repair techniques combine the use of autologous bone grafts and biomaterials. In addition to their association with harvesting morbidity, autografts are often limited by insufficient quantity of bone stock. Biomaterials lead to better outcomes, but their effectiveness is often compromised by the unpredictable lack of integration and structural failure. Bone tissue engineering offers the promising alternative of generating constructs composed of instructive biomaterials including cells or cell-secreted products, which could enhance the outcome of reconstructive treatments. This review focuses on cell-based approaches with potential to regenerate calvarial bone defects, including human studies and preclinical research. Further, we discuss strategies to deliver extracellular matrix, conditioned media and extracellular vesicles derived from cell cultures. Recent advances in 3D printing and bioprinting techniques that appear to be promising for cranial reconstruction are also discussed. Finally, we review cell-based gene therapy approaches, covering both unregulated and regulated gene switches that can create spatiotemporal patterns of transgenic therapeutic molecules. In summary, this review provides an overview of the current developments in cell-based strategies with potential to enhance the surgical armamentarium for regenerating cranial vault defects.

The expression of kappa-opioid receptor promotes the migration of breast cancer cells in vitro

Background

Opioid receptors are implicated in cell proliferation and cancer migration. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of opioid receptor κ (OPRK1) in breast cancer remain unknown.

Methods

Small interfering RNA (siRNAs) was used to knockdown the expression of OPRK1. Western blot was used to determine the protein expression and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) determined the genes transcription. Cell viability was detected by MTT assay and cell death rates were determined by Annexin V/PI and flow cytometry. Cell migration and invasion were detected by wound healing analysis and transwell assay, respectively.

Results

Our research demonstrated that OPRK1 was overexpressed in breast cancer cells compared with the normal human mammary epithelial cells. OPRK1 knockdown could inhibited cell viability and migration in cancer cells, accompanied with the decreased proteins and genes expression of N-cadherin, Snail, MMP2 and Vimentin, while the E-cadherin expression was increased. Additionally, OPRK1 knockdown also promoted PI3K/AKT signaling inactivation. Activation of AKT reversed the OPRK1 knockdown-induced cell viability inhibition and migration suppression, while inhibition of AKT reduced cell viability and promoted cell death.

Conclusions

Our findings illustrated the role of OPRK1 played on promoting migration in vitro, and we also provided the therapeutic research of OPRK1 knockdown combined with AKT inhibition.