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Liu L, Sun H, Zhang Y, Liu C, Zhuang Y, Liu M, Ai X, Long D, Huang B, Li C, Zhou Y, Dong S, Feng C. Dynamics of N6-methyladenosine modification during aging and their potential roles in the degeneration of intervertebral disc. JOR Spine 2024; 7:e1316. [PMID: 38283178 PMCID: PMC10810761 DOI: 10.1002/jsp2.1316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) dynamics in the progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) aging remain largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the distribution and pattern of m6A modification in nucleus pulpous (NP) tissues of rats at different ages. Methods Histological staining and MRI were performed to evaluate the degeneration of IVD. The expression of m6A modifiers was analyzed using qRT-PCR and western blot. Subsequently, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation next generation sequencing and RNA-seq were conducted to identify differences in m6A methylome and transcriptome of NP tissues. Results Compared to 2-month-old rats, we found significant changes in the global m6A level and the expression of Mettl3 and FTO in NP tissues from 20-month-old rats. During the progression of NP aging, there were 1126 persistently differentially m6A peaks within 931 genes, and 51 persistently differentially expressed genes. GO and KEGG analyses showed that these m6A peaks and m6A modified genes were mainly engaged in the biological processes and pathways of intervertebral disc degermation (IDD), such as extracellular matrix metabolism, angiogenesis, inflammatory response, mTOR and AMPK signaling pathways. Meanwhile, conjoint analyses and Venn diagram revealed a total of 405 aging related genes contained significant methylation and expression levels in 20-month-old rats in contrast to 2-month-old and 10-month-old rats. Moreover, it was found that four aging related genes with hypermethylated modification including BUB1, CA12, Adamts1, and Adamts4 depicted differentially expressed at protein level, of which BUB1 and CA12 were decreased, while Adamts1 and Adamts4 were increased during the progression of NP aging. Conclusion Collectively, this study elucidated the distribution and pattern of m6A modification during the aging of IVD. Furthermore, the m6A modified genes were involved in the IDD related biological processes and pathways. These findings may provide novel insights into the mechanisms and therapies of IDD from the perspective of aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Libangxi Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of OrthopaedicsAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyangGuizhouChina
| | - Yang Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chang Liu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yong Zhuang
- Department of OrthopaedicsAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyangGuizhouChina
| | - Miao Liu
- Department of OrthopaedicsAffiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical UniversityGuiyangGuizhouChina
| | - Xuezheng Ai
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Dan Long
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Bo Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Changqing Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Yue Zhou
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Shiwu Dong
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical EngineeringArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined InjuryArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Chencheng Feng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Xinqiao HospitalArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
- Department of Biomedical Materials Science, School of Biomedical EngineeringArmy Medical UniversityChongqingChina
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Li S, Du J, Huang Y, Gao S, Zhao Z, Chang Z, Zhang X, He B. From hyperglycemia to intervertebral disc damage: exploring diabetic-induced disc degeneration. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1355503. [PMID: 38444852 PMCID: PMC10912372 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1355503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The incidence of lumbar disc herniation has gradually increased in recent years, and most patients have symptoms of low back pain and nerve compression, which brings a heavy burden to patients and society alike. Although the causes of disc herniation are complex, intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is considered to be the most common factor. The intervertebral disc (IVD) is composed of the upper and lower cartilage endplates, nucleus pulposus, and annulus fibrosus. Aging, abnormal mechanical stress load, and metabolic disorders can exacerbate the progression of IDD. Among them, high glucose and high-fat diets (HFD) can lead to fat accumulation, abnormal glucose metabolism, and inflammation, which are considered important factors affecting the homeostasis of IDD. Diabetes and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) accumulation- can lead to various adverse effects on the IVD, including cell senescence, apoptosis, pyroptosis, proliferation, and Extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. While current research provides a fundamental basis for the treatment of high glucose-induced IDD patients. further exploration into the mechanisms of abnormal glucose metabolism affecting IDD and in the development of targeted drugs will provide the foundation for the effective treatment of these patients. We aimed to systematically review studies regarding the effects of hyperglycemia on the progress of IDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Medical College, Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinpeng Du
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yunfei Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shenglong Gao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Medical College, Yan’an University, Yan’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhigang Zhao
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Zhen Chang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuefang Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - BaoRong He
- Department of Spine Surgery, Honghui Hospital, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Youyidong Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Spine Bionic Treatment, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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Wang L, Xu H, Li X, Chen H, Zhang H, Zhu X, Lin Z, Guo S, Bao Z, Rui H, He W, Zhang H. Cucurbitacin E reduces IL-1β-induced inflammation and cartilage degeneration by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway in osteoarthritic chondrocytes. J Transl Med 2023; 21:880. [PMID: 38049841 PMCID: PMC10696753 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04771-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. Cartilage degeneration is the earliest and most important pathological change in osteoarthritis, and persistent inflammation is one of the driving factors of cartilage degeneration. Cucurbitacin E, an isolated compound in the Cucurbitacin family, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, but its role and mechanism in osteoarthritic chondrocytes are unclear. METHODS For in vitro experiments, human chondrocytes were stimulated with IL-1β, and the expression of inflammatory genes was measured by Western blotting and qPCR. The expression of extracellular matrix proteins was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining, Western blotting and saffron staining. Differences in gene expression between cartilage from osteoarthritis patients and normal cartilage were analysed by bioinformatics methods, and the relationship between Cucurbitacin E and its target was analysed by a cellular thermal shift assay, molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics simulation. For in vivo experiments, knee osteoarthritis was induced by DMM in C57BL/6 mouse knee joints, and the effect of Cucurbitacin E on knee joint degeneration was evaluated. RESULTS The in vitro experiments confirmed that Cucurbitacin E effectively inhibited the production of the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) by IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes and alleviates extracellular matrix degradation. The in vivo experiments demonstrated that Cucurbitacin E had a protective effect on the knee cartilage of C57BL/6 mice with medial meniscal instability in the osteoarthritis model. Mechanistically, bioinformatic analysis of the GSE114007 and GSE117999 datasets showed that the PI3K/AKT pathway was highly activated in osteoarthritis. Immunohistochemical analysis of PI3K/Akt signalling pathway proteins in pathological slices of human cartilage showed that the level of p-PI3K in patients with osteoarthritis was higher than that in the normal group. PI3K/Akt were upregulated in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes, and Cucurbitacin E intervention reversed this phenomenon. The cellular thermal shift assay, molecular docking analysis and molecular dynamics experiment showed that Cucurbitacin E had a strong binding affinity for the inhibitory target PI3K. SC79 activated Akt phosphorylation and reversed the effect of Cucurbitacin E on IL-1β-induced chondrocyte degeneration, demonstrating that Cucurbitacin E inhibits IL-1β-induced chondrocyte inflammation and degeneration by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT pathway. CONCLUSION Cucurbitacin E inhibits the activation of the PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby alleviating the progression of OA. In summary, we believe that Cucurbitacin E is a potential drug for the treatment of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xin Li
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Hongwei Chen
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Haigang Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Xunpeng Zhu
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhijie Lin
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Shilei Guo
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Zhibo Bao
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Haicheng Rui
- Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China
| | - Wei He
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui Province, China.
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