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Lin P, Gan YB, He J, Lin SE, Xu JK, Chang L, Zhao LM, Zhu J, Zhang L, Huang S, Hu O, Wang YB, Jin HJ, Li YY, Yan PL, Chen L, Jiang JX, Liu P. Advancing skeletal health and disease research with single-cell RNA sequencing. Mil Med Res 2024; 11:33. [PMID: 38816888 PMCID: PMC11138034 DOI: 10.1186/s40779-024-00538-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Orthopedic conditions have emerged as global health concerns, impacting approximately 1.7 billion individuals worldwide. However, the limited understanding of the underlying pathological processes at the cellular and molecular level has hindered the development of comprehensive treatment options for these disorders. The advent of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology has revolutionized biomedical research by enabling detailed examination of cellular and molecular diversity. Nevertheless, investigating mechanisms at the single-cell level in highly mineralized skeletal tissue poses technical challenges. In this comprehensive review, we present a streamlined approach to obtaining high-quality single cells from skeletal tissue and provide an overview of existing scRNA-seq technologies employed in skeletal studies along with practical bioinformatic analysis pipelines. By utilizing these methodologies, crucial insights into the developmental dynamics, maintenance of homeostasis, and pathological processes involved in spine, joint, bone, muscle, and tendon disorders have been uncovered. Specifically focusing on the joint diseases of degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis using scRNA-seq has provided novel insights and a more nuanced comprehension. These findings have paved the way for discovering novel therapeutic targets that offer potential benefits to patients suffering from diverse skeletal disorders.
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Grants
- 2022YFA1103202 National Key Research and Development Program of China
- 82272507 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 32270887 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- 32200654 National Natural Science Foundation of China
- CSTB2023NSCQ-ZDJO008 Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing
- BX20220397 Postdoctoral Innovative Talent Support Program
- SFLKF202201 Independent Research Project of State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning
- 2021-XZYG-B10 General Hospital of Western Theater Command Research Project
- 14113723 University Grants Committee, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, China
- N_CUHK472/22 University Grants Committee, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, China
- C7030-18G University Grants Committee, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, China
- T13-402/17-N University Grants Committee, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, China
- AoE/M-402/20 University Grants Committee, Research Grants Council of Hong Kong, China
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Lin
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Yi-Bo Gan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Jian He
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
- Pancreatic Injury and Repair Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, the General Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, 610031, China
| | - Si-En Lin
- Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Jian-Kun Xu
- Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Liang Chang
- Musculoskeletal Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedics & Traumatology, Faculty of Medicine, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
| | - Li-Ming Zhao
- Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, 94305, USA
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Sha Huang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Ou Hu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Ying-Bo Wang
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Huai-Jian Jin
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Yang-Yang Li
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Pu-Lin Yan
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Center of Bone Metabolism and Repair, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Trauma Center, Research Institute of Surgery, Laboratory for the Prevention and Rehabilitation of Military Training Related Injuries, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Jian-Xin Jiang
- Wound Trauma Medical Center, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
| | - Peng Liu
- Department of Spine Surgery, Center of Orthopedics, State Key Laboratory of Trauma and Chemical Poisoning, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China.
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Yan Y, Ji Q, Yang J, Yin X, Liu S, Karalkin PA, Reshetov IV, Han D, Li Q, Huang RL. Bioengineering autologous cartilage grafts for functional posterior lamellar eyelid reconstruction: A preliminary study in rabbits. Acta Biomater 2024; 179:106-120. [PMID: 38561072 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2024.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The reconstruction of posterior lamellar eyelid defects remains a significant challenge in clinical practice due to anatomical complexity, specialized function, and aesthetic concerns. The ideal substitute for the posterior lamellar should replicate the native tarsoconjunctival tissue, providing both mechanical support for the eyelids and a smooth surface for the globe after implantation. In this study, we present an innovative approach utilizing tissue-engineered cartilage (TEC) grafts generated from rabbit auricular chondrocytes and a commercialized type I collagen sponge to reconstruct critical-sized posterior lamellar defects in rabbits. The TEC grafts demonstrated remarkable mechanical strength and maintained a stable cartilaginous phenotype both in vitro and at 6 months post-implantation in immunodeficient mice. When employed as autografts to reconstruct tarsal plate defects in rabbits' upper eyelids, these TEC grafts successfully restored normal eyelid morphology, facilitated smooth eyelid movement, and preserved the histological structure of the conjunctival epithelium. When applied in bilayered tarsoconjunctival defect reconstruction, these TEC grafts not only maintained the normal contour of the upper eyelid but also supported conjunctival epithelial cell migration and growth from the defect margin towards the centre. These findings highlight that auricular chondrocyte-based TEC grafts hold great promise as potential candidates for clinical posterior lamellar reconstruction. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The complex structure and function of the posterior lamellar eyelid continue to be significant challenges for clinical reconstructive surgeries. In this study, we utilized autologous auricular chondrocyte-based TEC grafts for posterior lamellar eyelid reconstruction in a preclinical rabbit model. The TEC grafts exhibited native cartilaginous histomorphology and comparable mechanical strength to those of the native human tarsal plate. In rabbit models with either tarsal plate defects alone or bilayered tarsoconjunctival defects, TEC grafts successfully restored the normal eyelid contour and movement, as well as supported preservation and growth of conjunctival epithelium. This is the first study to demonstrate autologous TEC grafts can be employed for repairing tarsal plate defects, thereby offering an alternative therapeutic approach for treating posterior lamellar defects in clinic settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Yan
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Qiumei Ji
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Xiya Yin
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 200011, China; Department of Plastic and Burn Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shengnan Liu
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200011, China
| | - Pavel A Karalkin
- Institute of Cluster Oncology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 127473, Russia
| | - Igor V Reshetov
- Institute of Cluster Oncology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow 127473, Russia
| | - Dong Han
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 200011, China.
| | - Qingfeng Li
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 200011, China.
| | - Ru-Lin Huang
- Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai 200011, China; Shanghai Institute for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai 200011, China.
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Takács R, Póliska S, Juhász T, Barna KB, Matta C. Isolation of High-Quality Total RNA from Small Animal Articular Cartilage for Next-Generation Sequencing. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e692. [PMID: 36880775 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/08/2023]
Abstract
Articular cartilage is characterized by a low density of chondrocytes surrounded by an abundant extracellular matrix (ECM) consisting of a dense mixture of collagens, proteoglycans, and glycosaminoglycans. Due to its low cellularity and high proteoglycan content, it is particularly challenging to extract high-quality total RNA suitable for sensitive high-throughput downstream applications such as RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). Available protocols for high-quality RNA isolation from articular chondrocytes are inconsistent, resulting in suboptimal yield and compromised quality. This poses a significant difficulty in the application of RNA-Seq to study the cartilage transcriptome. Current protocols rely either on dissociation of cartilage ECM by collagenase digestion or pulverizing cartilage using various methods prior to RNA extraction. However, protocols for cartilage processing vary significantly depending on the species and source of cartilage within the body. Protocols for isolating RNA from human or large mammal (e.g., horse or cattle) cartilage samples are available, but this is not the case for chicken cartilage, despite the species being extensively used in cartilage research. Here, we present two improved RNA isolation protocols based on pulverization of fresh articular cartilage using a cryogenic mill or on enzymatic digestion using 1.2% (w/v) collagenase II. Our protocols optimize the collection and tissue processing steps to minimize RNA degradation and enhance RNA purity. Our results show that RNA purified from chicken articular cartilage using these methods has appropriate quality for RNA-Seq experiments. The procedure is applicable for RNA extraction from cartilage from other species such as dog, cat, sheep, and goat. The workflow for RNA-Seq analysis is also described here. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Extraction of total RNA from pulverized chicken articular cartilage Alternate Protocol: Extraction of total RNA from collagen-digested articular cartilage Support Protocol: Dissection of chicken articular cartilage from the knee joint Basic Protocol 2: RNA sequencing of total RNA from chicken articular cartilage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roland Takács
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Szilárd Póliska
- Genomic Medicine and Bioinformatic Core Facility, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Tamás Juhász
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Krisztina B Barna
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Csaba Matta
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
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