Identification of key genes and pathways of BMP-9-induced osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by integrated bioinformatics analysis

Multilayer Gelatin-Supported BMP-9 Coating Promotes Osteointegration and Neo-Bone Formation at the n-CDHA/PAA Composite Biomaterial-Bone Interface

BACKGROUND

The development of biomaterials capable of accelerating bone wound repair is a critical focus in bone tissue engineering. This study aims to evaluate the osteointegration and bone regeneration potential of a novel multilayer gelatin-supported Bone Morphogenetic Protein 9 (BMP-9) coated nano-calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite/poly-amino acid (n-CDHA/PAA) composite biomaterials, focusing on the material-bone interface, and putting forward a new direction for the research on the interface between the coating material and bone.

METHODS

The BMP-9 recombinant adenovirus (Adenovirus (Ad)-BMP-9/Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells (BMSc)) was produced by transfecting BMSc and supported using gelatin (Ad-BMP-9/BMSc/Gelatin (GT). Multilayer Ad-BMP-9/BMSc/GT coated nano-calcium deficient hydroxyapatite/polyamino acid (n-CDHA/PAA) composite biomaterials were then prepared and co-cultured with MG63 cells for 10 days, with biocompatibility assessed through microscopy, Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assays. Subsequently, multilayer Ad-BMP-9/BMSc/GT coated n-CDHA/PAA composite biomaterial screws were fabricated, and the adhesion of the coating to the substrate was observed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo studies were conducted using a New Zealand White rabbit intercondylar femoral fracture model. The experimental group was fixed with screws featuring multilayer Ad-BMP-9/BMSc/GT coatings, while the control groups used medical metal screws and n-CDHA/PAA composite biomaterial screws. Fracture healing was monitored at 1, 4, 12, and 24 weeks, respectively, using X-ray observation, Micro-CT imaging, and SEM. Integration at the material-bone interface and the condition of neo-tissue were assessed through these imaging techniques.

RESULTS

The Ad-BMP-9/GT coating significantly enhanced MG63 cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation, while increasing BMP-9 expression in vitro. In vivo studies using a rabbit femoral fracture model confirmed the biocompatibility and osteointegration potential of the multilayer Ad-BMP-9/BMSc/GT coated n-CDHA/PAA composite biomaterial screws. Compared to control groups (medical metal screws and n-CDHA/PAA composite biomaterial screws), this material demonstrated faster fracture healing, stronger osteointegration, and facilitated new bone tissue formation with increased calcium deposition at the material-bone interface.

CONCLUSION

The multilayer GT-supported BMP-9 coated n-CDHA/PAA composite biomaterials have demonstrated favorable osteogenic cell interface performance, both in vitro and in vivo. This study provides a foundation for developing innovative bone repair materials, holding promise for significant advancements in clinical applications.

Coaxial Electrospun Polycaprolactone/Gelatin Nanofiber Membrane Loaded with Salidroside and Cryptotanshinone Synergistically Promotes Vascularization and Osteogenesis

Background

Salidroside (SAL) is the most effective component of Rhodiola rosea, a traditional Chinese medicine. Cryptotanshinone (CT) is the main fat-soluble extract of Salvia miltiorrhiza, exhibiting considerable potential for application in osteogenesis. Herein, a polycaprolactone/gelatin nanofiber membrane loaded with CT and SAL (PSGC membrane) was successfully fabricated via coaxial electrospinning and characterized.

Methods and Results

This membrane capable of sustained and controlled drug release was employed in this study. Co-culturing the membrane with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells revealed excellent biocompatibility and demonstrated osteogenic and angiogenic capabilities. Furthermore, drug release from the PSGC membrane activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and promoted osteogenic differentiation and vascularization. Evaluation of the membrane's vascularization and osteogenic capacities involved transplantation onto a rat's subcutaneous area and assessing rat cranium defects for bone regeneration, respectively. Microcomputed tomography, histological tests, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence staining confirmed the membrane's outstanding angiogenic capacity two weeks post-operation, with a higher incidence of osteogenesis observed in rat cranial defects eight weeks post-surgery.

Conclusion

Overall, the SAL- and CT-loaded coaxial electrospun nanofiber membrane synergistically enhances bone repair and regeneration.

A novel PDIA3/FTO/USP20 positive feedback regulatory loop induces osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblast in osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a chronic skeletal disease and the major source of risk for fractures in aged people. It is urgent to investigate the mechanism regulating osteoporosis for developing potential treatment and prevention strategies. Osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblast enhances bone formation, which might be a promising strategy for treatment and prevention of osteoporosis. Protein disulfide isomerase family A, member 3 (PDIA3) could induce bone formation, yet the role of PDIA3 in osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblast remains unknown. In this study, m6 A RNA methylation was detected by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP), while mRNA stability was identified by RNA decay assay. Besides, protein-protein interaction and protein phosphorylation were determined using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Herein, results revealed that PDIA3 promoted osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblast MC3T3-E1. Besides, PDIA3 mRNA methylation was suppressed by FTO alpha-ketoglutarate dependent dioxygenase (FTO) as RNA methylation reduced PDIA3 mRNA stability during osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. Moreover, ubiquitin specific peptidase 20 (USP20) improved FTO level through inhibiting FTO degradation while PDIA3 increased FTO level by enhancing USP20 phosphorylation during osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, suggesting a positive feedback regulatory loop between PDIA3 and FTO. In summary, these findings indicated the mechanism of PDIA3 regulating osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblast and provided potential therapeutic targets for osteoporosis.

Attributes of Nanomaterials and Nanotopographies for Improved Bone Tissue Engineering and Regeneration

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is a multidisciplinary area that can solve the limitation of conventional grafting methods by developing viable and biocompatible bone replacements. The three essential components of BTE, i.e., Scaffold material and Cells and Growth factors altogether, facilitate support and guide for bone formation, differentiation of the bone tissues, and enhancement in the cellular activities and bone regeneration. However, there is a scarcity of the appropriate materials that can match the mechanical property as well as functional similarity to native tissue, considering the bone as hard tissue. In such scenarios, nanotechnology can be leveraged upon to achieve the desired aspects of BTE, and that is the key point of this review article. This review article examines the significant areas of nanotechnology research that have an impact on regeneration of bone: (a) scaffold with nanomaterials helps to enhance physicochemical interactions, biocompatibility, mechanical stability, and attachment; (b) nanoparticle-based approaches for delivering bioactive chemicals, growth factors, and genetic material. The article begins with the introduction of components and healing mechanisms of bone and the factors associated with them. The focus of this article is on the various nanotopographies that are now being used in scaffold formation, by describing how they are made, and how these nanotopographies affect the immune system and potential underlying mechanisms. The advantages of 4D bioprinting in BTE by using nanoink have also been mentioned. Additionally, we have investigated the importance of an in silico approach for finding the interaction between drugs and their related receptors, which can help to formulate suitable systems for delivery. This review emphasizes the role of nanoscale approach and how it helps to increase the efficacy of parameters of scaffold as well as drug delivery system for tissue engineering and bone regeneration.

Osteogenic Differentiation Effect of BMP-9 with Phenamil and Simvastatin on Intact Human Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cells

Background

Background: Bone tissue engineering has shown to be a promising strategy for repairing bone defects without causing harmful side effects to the patient. Three main building blocks of tissue engineering, including seeding cells, scaffold, and signaling molecules, are required for adequate bone regeneration. The human amniotic membrane (hAM) is the innermost of the placental membranes. In addition to providing a source of stem cells and growth factors, hAM has several features that make it an appropriate scaffold containing stem cells for use in tissue engineering purposes. The present investigation aimed to assess the effect of bone morphogenetic protein-9 (BMP-9) combined with phenamil and simvastatin on osteogenic induction of hAM with its human amniotic membrane epithelial cells (hAECs).

Method

Methods: Using six different osteogenic medium (OMs), we cultured hAM for 14 days. The basic OMs were chosen as the first group and other media were made by adding BMP-9, phenamil, simvastatin, BMP-9 alongside phenamil, and BMP-9 alongside simvastatin to the basic OMs. Finally, viability assay, tissue mineralization, calcium and phosphate content determination, and measurement of lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity were performed.

Results

Results: Among all study groups, groups containing simvastatin showed a significantly lower level of viability. Although all media could induce osteogenic features, the hAECs cultured in media containing BMP-9 and phenamil demonstrated a wider area of mineralization and a significantly higher level of calcium and phosphate content, LDH, and ALP activity.

Conclusion

Conclusion: Our findings indicated that the use of phenamil together with BMP-9 could synergistically show in situ osteogenic induction in hAECs, which could be a new insight into translational medicine.

Recent Advances in Enhancement Strategies for Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Bone Tissue Engineering

Although bone is an organ that displays potential for self-healing after damage, bone regeneration does not occur properly in some cases, and it is still a challenge to treat large bone defects. The development of bone tissue engineering provides a new approach to the treatment of bone defects. Among various cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent one of the most promising seed cells in bone tissue engineering due to their functions of osteogenic differentiation, immunomodulation, and secretion of cytokines. Regulation of osteogenic differentiation of MSCs has become an area of extensive research over the past few years. This review provides an overview of recent research progress on enhancement strategies for MSC osteogenesis, including improvement in methods of cell origin selection, culture conditions, biophysical stimulation, crosstalk with macrophages and endothelial cells, and scaffolds. This is favorable for further understanding MSC osteogenesis and the development of MSC-based bone tissue engineering.

Melatonin and the Programming of Stem Cells

Melatonin interacts with various types of stem cells, in multiple ways that comprise stimulation of proliferation, maintenance of stemness and self-renewal, protection of survival, and programming toward functionally different cell lineages. These various properties are frequently intertwined but may not be always jointly present. Melatonin typically stimulates proliferation and transition to the mature cell type. For all sufficiently studied stem or progenitor cells, melatonin’s signaling pathways leading to expression of respective morphogenetic factors are discussed. The focus of this article will be laid on the aspect of programming, particularly in pluripotent cells. This is especially but not exclusively the case in neural stem cells (NSCs) and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Concerning developmental bifurcations, decisions are not exclusively made by melatonin alone. In MSCs, melatonin promotes adipogenesis in a Wnt (Wingless-Integration-1)-independent mode, but chondrogenesis and osteogenesis Wnt-dependently. Melatonin upregulates Wnt, but not in the adipogenic lineage. This decision seems to depend on microenvironment and epigenetic memory. The decision for chondrogenesis instead of osteogenesis, both being Wnt-dependent, seems to involve fibroblast growth factor receptor 3. Stem cell-specific differences in melatonin and Wnt receptors, and contributions of transcription factors and noncoding RNAs are outlined, as well as possibilities and the medical importance of re-programming for transdifferentiation.

Astragaloside positively regulated osteogenic differentiation of pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis is a widespread chronic disease characterized by low bone density. There is currently no gold standard treatment for osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to explore the role and mechanism of Astragaloside on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

METHODS

MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into control and different dose of Astragaloside (10, 20, 40, 50, and 60 μg/ml). Then, ALP and ARS staining were performed to identify the effects of Astragaloside for early and late osteogenic capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells, respectively. Real-time PCR and western blot were performed to assess the ALP, OCN, and OSX expression. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway molecules were then assessed by Western blot. Finally, PI3K inhibitor, LY294002, was implemented to assess the mechanism of Astragaloside in promoting osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells.

RESULTS

Astragaloside significantly increased the cell viability than the control group. Moreover, Astragaloside enhanced the ALP activity and calcium deposition than the control groups. Compared with the control group, Astragaloside increased the ALP, OCN, and OSX expression in a dose-response manner. Western blot assay further confirmed the real-time PCR results. Astragaloside could significantly increase the p-PI3K and p-Akt expression than the control group. LY294002 partially reversed the promotion effects of Astragaloside on osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. LY294002 partially reversed the promotion effects of Astragaloside on ALP, OCN, and OSX of MC3T3-E1 cells.

CONCLUSION

The present study suggested that Astragaloside promoted osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through regulating PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

lncRNA XIST knockdown suppresses hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced apoptosis of H9C2 cells by regulating miR-545-3p/G3BP2

This study was aimed at determining the roles and functions of lncRNA XIST/miR-545-3p/G3BP2 axis during hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced H9C2 cell apoptosis. H9C2 cells were distributed into two groups, the H/R injury and control groups. High-throughput lncRNA sequencing was applied in the determination of differentially expressed lncRNAs between H/R-induced H9C2 cells and normal H9C2 cells. Real-time polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) were used to confirm the expression levels of lncRNA XIST in H/R-induced H9C2 cells. H9C2 cells were then transfected with lncRNA XIST recombinant plasmid (lncRNA XIST), sh-LINC XIST, agomiR-545-3p, antagomiR-545-3p, pcDNA-G3BP2, sh-G3BP2, and a corresponding negative control (NC). Bioinformatic analyses revealed that MiR-545-3p was a target for lncRNA XIST. This finding was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The degree of cell apoptosis was evaluated by a flow cytometer. RT-PCR and western blot were performed to assess the apoptotic-related proteins in each group. A total of 859 differentially expressed lncRNAs (up-regulated = 502, down-regulated = 357) were identified. LncRNA XIST was found to be down-regulated in H/R-induced H9C2 cells while miR-545-3p was distinctly up-regulated. miR-545-3p was established to be a direct target for LncRNA XIST. LncRNA XIST significantly enhanced the apoptotic rate, while its inhibition suppressed the apoptotic rate. AgomiR-545-3p partially blocked the lncRNA XIST and enhanced the apoptosis of H/R-induced H9C2 cells. Moreover, miR-545-3p was shown to be a direct target for G3BP2. The overexpression of G3BP2 partially reversed the apoptotic effects of miR-545-3p on H/R-induced H9C2 cells. lncRNA XIST/miR-545-3p/GBP2 was found to be an apoptotic regulator in H/R-induced H9C2 cells.

CircRNA_0043691 sponges miR-873-3p to promote metastasis of gastric cancer

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of novel RNAs, and aberrant expression of circRNAs has been implicated in human diseases, including gastric cancer (GC). This study aimed to identify the mechanism of circRNA_0043691 in regulating the progression of GC. GSE141977 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omibus ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/ ). Differentially expressed circRNAs were obtained by R software. The expression levels of circRNA_0043691 in GC tissue and normal tissue were identified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Knockdown of circRNA_0043691 was then constructed and verified by qRT-PCR. Cell viability, migration, and invasion capacity were determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Transwell migration, and invasion, respectively. Next, knockdown of miR-873-3p was constructed and co-cultured with circRNA_0043691 knockdown to identify whether knockdown of miR-873-3p could attenuate the circRNA_0043691 knockdown on GC cells proliferation, migration, and invasion. The relationship between miR-873-3p and circRNA_0043691 or GART was predicted by bioinformatics tools and verified by dual-luciferase reporter. A total of 211 circRNAs were significantly differentially expressed, including 143 remarkably downregulated circRNAs and 68 significantly upregulated circRNAs. CircRNA_0043691 was upregulated in GC tissue. Knockdown of circRNA_0043691 decreased cell viability, migration, and invasion in GC cells. CircRNA_0043691 has potential putative binding sites with miR-873-3p. Moreover, CircRNA_0043691 positively regulated GART expression by sponging miR-873-3p. Furthermore, knockdown of miR-591 could partially attenuate the si-circRNA_0043691 on the GART expression. GART was upregulated in GC tissue and knockdown of GART could inhibit GC cells proliferation and invasion. Knockdown of circRNA_0043691 delayed the progression of GC via modulating the miR-873-3p-GART axis.

Salidroside promoted osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stromal cells through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

Bone disease causes short-term or long-term physical pain and disability. It is necessary to explore new drug for bone-related disease. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of Salidroside in promoting osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stromal cells (ADSCs).

METHODS

ADSCs were isolated and treated with different dose of Salidroside. Cell count kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was performed to assess the cell viability of ADSCs. Then, ALP and ARS staining were conducted to assess the early and late osteogenic capacity of ADSCs, respectively. Then, differentially expressed genes were obtained by R software. Then, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the differentially expressed genes were further analyzed. The expression of OCN, COL1A1, RUNX2, WNT3A, and β-catenin were measured by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Last, β-catenin was silenced by small interfering RNA.

RESULTS

Salidroside significantly increased the ADSCs viability at a dose-response manner. Moreover, Salidroside enhanced osteogenic capacity of ADSCs, which are identified by enhanced ALP activity and calcium deposition. A total of 543 differentially expressed genes were identified between normal and Salidroside-treated ADSCs. Among these differentially expressed genes, 345 genes were upregulated and 198 genes were downregulated. Differentially expressed genes enriched in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Western blot assay indicated that Salidroside enhanced the WNT3A and β-catenin expression. Silencing β-catenin partially reversed the promotion effects of Salidroside. PCR and Western blot results further confirmed these results.

CONCLUSION

Salidroside promoted osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs through Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Vitamin D inhibits TNF-α induced apoptosis of human nucleus pulposus cells through regulation of NF-kB signaling pathway

BACKGROUND

To observe the effects of vitamin D on the apoptotic human nucleus pulposus cells under tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) treatment.

METHODS

The gene expression data was downloaded from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database ( https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE34095 ). Differentially expressed genes between degenerative disc and non-degenerative disc were performed by R software. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Then, the human nucleus pulposus tissue was harvested from 12 patients according to the modified Pfirrmann classification and human nucleus pulposus cells were obtained from digestion of herniated nucleus pulposus tissue. The collected nucleus pulposus cells were treated with different concentration of TNF-α, and cellular apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Then, human nucleus pulposus cells were divided into following groups: normal culture medium, TNF-α treated, TNF-α, and vitamin D-treated groups. Cellular apoptosis rate was quantified by flow cytometry. Protein expression of p-p65, p65, and IkBa was detected with western blot analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 536 differentially expressed genes were identified through bioinformatic analysis. KEGG pathway revealed that NF-kB signaling pathway was involved in the process of disc degeneration. In the NP cell cultures, vitamin D significantly increased cell proliferation potency. Furthermore, vitamin D inhibited TNF-α induced apoptosis of human nucleus pulposus cells. Vitamin D reduced the phospho-NF-κB/p65 expression in the TNF-α-treated NP cells.

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D can attenuate TNF-α-induced NP cells apoptosis through interfering with the NF-κB pathway.

lncRNA IGF2-AS promotes the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by sponging miR-3,126-5p to upregulate KLK4

BACKGROUND

Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone disease characterized by reduced amount and quality of bone. This study was designed to explore the role and mechanism of lncRNA IGF2-AS in the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

METHODS

Human lncRNA and miRNA microarray analyses were performed to measure the differential expression levels of lncRNAs and miRNAs in undifferentiated and osteogenically differentiated BMSCs. lncRNA IGF2-AS, miR-3,126-5p, and KLK4 levels were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was assessed by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin Red staining (ARS). Protein levels of osterix (Osx), osteocalcin (OCN), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) were examined by RT-PCR and western blot assays. The binding relationship between miR-3,126-5p and lncRNA IGF2-AS or KLK4 was predicted by TargetScan (http://www.targetscan.org/vert_72/) and then verified with a dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

lncRNA IGF2-AS and KLK4 were highly expressed and miR-3,126-5p was weakly expressed in osteogenically differentiated BMSCs. Moreover, lncRNA IGF2-AS overexpression enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. In contrast, lncRNA IGF2-AS knockdown showed the opposite trend. Moreover, miR-3,126-5p overexpression abolished the lncRNA IGF2-AS-mediated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. lncRNA IGF2-AS functions as a sponge of miR-3,126-5p to regulate KLK4 expression.

CONCLUSION

lncRNA IGF2-AS enhances the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by modulating the miR-3,126-5p/KLK4 axis, suggesting a promising therapeutic target for bone-related diseases.