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Obeidat AM, Ishihara S, Li J, Adamczyk NS, Lammlin L, Junginger L, Maerz T, Miller RJ, Miller RE, Malfait AM. Intra-articular sprouting of nociceptors accompanies progressive osteoarthritis: comparative evidence in four murine models. Front Neuroanat 2024; 18:1429124. [PMID: 39076825 PMCID: PMC11284167 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2024.1429124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective Knee joints are densely innervated by nociceptors. In human knees and rodent models, sprouting of nociceptors has been reported in late-stage osteoarthritis (OA). Here, we sought to describe progressive nociceptor remodeling in early and late-stage OA, using four distinct experimental mouse models. Methods Sham surgery, destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), partial meniscectomy (PMX), or non-invasive anterior cruciate ligament rupture (ACLR) was performed in the right knee of 10-12-week old male C57BL/6 NaV1.8-tdTomato mice. Mice were euthanized (1) 4, 8 or 16 weeks after DMM or sham surgery; (2) 4 or 12 weeks after PMX or sham; (3) 1 or 4 weeks after ACLR injury or sham. Additionally, a cohort of naïve male wildtype mice was evaluated at age 6 and 24 months. Mid-joint cryosections were assessed qualitatively and quantitatively for NaV1.8+ or PGP9.5+ innervation. Cartilage damage, synovitis, and osteophytes were assessed. Results Progressive OA developed in the medial compartment after DMM, PMX, and ACLR. Synovitis and associated neo-innervation of the synovium by nociceptors peaked in early-stage OA. In the subchondral bone, channels containing sprouting nociceptors appeared early, and progressed with worsening joint damage. Two-year old mice developed primary OA in the medial and the lateral compartment, accompanied by nociceptor sprouting in the synovium and the subchondral bone. All four models showed increased nerve signal in osteophytes. Conclusion These findings suggest that anatomical neuroplasticity of nociceptors is intrinsic to OA pathology. The detailed description of innervation of the OA joint and its relationship to joint damage might help in understanding OA pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia M. Obeidat
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Shingo Ishihara
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Jun Li
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Natalie S. Adamczyk
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Lindsey Lammlin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Lucas Junginger
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Tristan Maerz
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Richard J. Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Rachel E. Miller
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Anne-Marie Malfait
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, United States
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Ko FC, Fullam S, Lee H, Ishihara S, Adamczyk NS, Obeidat AM, Soorya S, Miller RJ, Malfait AM, Miller RE. Clearing-enabled light sheet microscopy as a novel method for three-dimensional mapping of the sensory innervation of the mouse knee. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.28.596316. [PMID: 38853939 PMCID: PMC11160612 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.28.596316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2024]
Abstract
A major barrier that hampers our understanding of the precise anatomic distribution of pain sensing nerves in and around the joint is the limited view obtained from traditional two dimensional (D) histological approaches. Therefore, our objective was to develop a workflow that allows examination of the innervation of the intact mouse knee joint in 3D by employing clearing-enabled light sheet microscopy. We first surveyed existing clearing protocols (SUMIC, PEGASOS, and DISCO) to determine their ability to clear the whole mouse knee joint, and discovered that a DISCO protocol provided the most optimal transparency for light sheet microscopy imaging. We then modified the DISCO protocol to enhance binding and penetration of antibodies used for labeling nerves. Using the pan-neuronal PGP9.5 antibody, our protocol allowed 3D visualization of innervation in and around the mouse knee joint. We then implemented the workflow in mice intra-articularly injected with nerve growth factor (NGF) to determine whether changes in the nerve density can be observed. Both 3D and 2D analytical approaches of the light sheet microscopy images demonstrated quantifiable changes in midjoint nerve density following 4 weeks of NGF injection in the medial but not in the lateral joint compartment. We provide, for the first time, a comprehensive workflow that allows detailed and quantifiable examination of mouse knee joint innervation in 3D.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank C Ko
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Spencer Fullam
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Hoomin Lee
- Department of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Shingo Ishihara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Natalie S. Adamczyk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Alia M. Obeidat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Sarah Soorya
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Richard J. Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Malfait
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Rachel E. Miller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
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Vincent TL, Miller RE. Molecular pathogenesis of OA pain: Past, present, and future. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2024; 32:398-405. [PMID: 38244717 PMCID: PMC10984780 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2024.01.005] [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: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a historical perspective and narrative review on research into the molecular pathogenesis of osteoarthritis pain. DESIGN PubMed databases were searched for combinations of "osteoarthritis", "pain" and "animal models" for papers that represented key phases in the history of osteoarthritis pain discovery research including epidemiology, pathology, imaging, preclinical modeling and clinical trials. RESULTS The possible anatomical sources of osteoarthritis pain were identified over 50 years ago, but relatively slow progress has been made in understanding the apparent disconnect between structural changes captured by radiography and symptom severity. Translationally relevant animal models of osteoarthritis have aided in our understanding of the structural and molecular drivers of osteoarthritis pain, including molecules such as nerve growth factor and C-C motif chemokine ligand 2. Events leading to persistent osteoarthritis pain appear to involve a two-step process involving changes in joint innervation, including neo-innervation of the articular cartilage, as well as sensitization at the level of the joint, dorsal root ganglion and central nervous system. CONCLUSIONS There remains a great need for the development of treatments to reduce osteoarthritis pain in patients. Harnessing all that we have learned over the past several decades is helping us to appreciate the important interaction between structural disease and pain, and this is likely to facilitate development of new disease modifying therapies in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonia L Vincent
- Centre for OA Pathogenesis Versus Arthritis, Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology, University of Oxford, Roosevelt Drive, OX3 7FY Oxford, UK.
| | - Rachel E Miller
- Division of Rheumatology and Chicago Center on Musculoskeletal Pain, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Pandey A, Singla M, Geller A, Goodman SB, Bhutani N. Targeting an inflammation-amplifying cell population can attenuate osteoarthritis-associated pain. Arthritis Res Ther 2024; 26:53. [PMID: 38368390 PMCID: PMC10874031 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-024-03284-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding of pain in osteoarthritis, its genesis, and perception is still in its early stages. Identification of precise ligand-receptor pairs that transduce pain and the cells and tissues in which they reside will elucidate new therapeutic approaches for pain management. Our recent studies had identified an inflammation-amplifying (Inf-A) cell population that is expanded in human OA cartilage and is distinctive in the expression of both IL1R1 and TNF-R2 receptors and active Jnk signaling cascade. METHODS In this study, we have tested the function of the cartilage-resident IL1R1+TNF-R2+ Inf-A cells in OA. We have identified that the IL1R1+TNF-R2+ Inf-A cells expand in aged mice as well as after anterior cruciate ligament tear upon tibia loading and OA initiation in mice. We targeted and modulated the Jnk signaling cascade in InfA through competitive inhibition of Jnk signaling in mice and human OA explants and tested the effects on joint structure and gait in mice. RESULTS Modulation of Jnk signaling led to attenuation of inflammatory cytokines CCL2 and CCL7 without showing any structural improvements in the joint architecture. Interestingly, Jnk inhibition and lowered CCL2 and 7 are sufficient to significantly improve the gait parameters in treated PTOA mice demonstrating reduced OA-associated pain. Consistent with the mice data, treatment with JNK inhibitor did not improve human OA cartilage explants. CONCLUSION These studies demonstrate that Inf-A, an articular-cartilage resident cell population, contributes to pain in OA via secretion of CCL2 and 7 and can be targeted via inhibition of Jnk signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akshay Pandey
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, 240, Pasteur Drive, Biomedical Innovations Bldg, Stanford, CA, 94034, USA
| | - Mamta Singla
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, 240, Pasteur Drive, Biomedical Innovations Bldg, Stanford, CA, 94034, USA
| | - Ana Geller
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, 240, Pasteur Drive, Biomedical Innovations Bldg, Stanford, CA, 94034, USA
| | - Stuart B Goodman
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, 240, Pasteur Drive, Biomedical Innovations Bldg, Stanford, CA, 94034, USA
| | - Nidhi Bhutani
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stanford School of Medicine, 240, Pasteur Drive, Biomedical Innovations Bldg, Stanford, CA, 94034, USA.
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Shumnalieva R, Kotov G, Ermencheva P, Monov S. Pathogenic Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches in Obesity-Related Knee Osteoarthritis. Biomedicines 2023; 12:9. [PMID: 38275369 PMCID: PMC10812969 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The knee is the joint most frequently involved in osteoarthritis, a common joint disorder in the adult population that is associated with significant chronic joint pain, reduced mobility and quality of life. Recent studies have established an association between obesity and the development of knee osteoarthritis that goes beyond the increased mechanical load on the knees as weight-bearing joints. This link is based on the maintenance of a chronic low-grade inflammation, altered secretion of adipokines by the adipose tissue and development of sarcopenia. Major adipokines involved in the pathogenesis of obesity-related knee osteoarthritis include adiponectin, which appears to have a protective effect, as well as leptin, resistin and visfatin, which are associated with higher pain scores and more severe structural damage. Joint pain in knee osteoarthritis may be both nociceptive and neuropathic and is the result of complex mechanisms driven by nerve growth factor, calcitonin gene-related peptide and pro-inflammatory cytokines. The role of endogenous cannabinoids and gut microbiota in common mechanisms between obesity and knee pain has recently been studied. The aim of the present review is to highlight major pathogenic mechanisms in obesity-related knee osteoarthritis with special attention on pain and to comment on possible therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russka Shumnalieva
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.S.); (S.M.)
- Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital ‘St. Ivan Rilski’, 1612 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Georgi Kotov
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.S.); (S.M.)
- Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital ‘St. Ivan Rilski’, 1612 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Plamena Ermencheva
- Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital ‘St. Ivan Rilski’, 1612 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Simeon Monov
- Department of Rheumatology, Medical University of Sofia, 1431 Sofia, Bulgaria; (R.S.); (S.M.)
- Clinic of Rheumatology, University Hospital ‘St. Ivan Rilski’, 1612 Sofia, Bulgaria;
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Dias de Oliveira FB, Antonioli E, Dias OFM, de Souza JG, Agarwal S, Chudzinski-Tavassi AM, Ferretti M. Comparative Effects of Intra-Articular versus Intravenous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Therapy in a Rat Model of Osteoarthritis by Destabilization of Medial Meniscus. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:15543. [PMID: 37958526 PMCID: PMC10649289 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242115543] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit a robust anti-inflammatory and homing capacity in response to high inflammatory signals, as observed in studies focused on rheumatic diseases that target articular cartilage (AC) health. However, AC degradation in osteoarthritis (OA) does not necessarily coincide with a highly inflammatory joint profile. Often, by the time patients seek medical attention, they already have damaged AC. In this study, we examined the therapeutic potential of a single bone marrow MSC transplant (2 × 106 cells/kgbw) through two different routes: intra-articular (MSCs-IAt) and intravenous (MSCs-IVt) in a preclinical model of low-grade inflammatory OA with an established AC degeneration. OA was induced through the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in female Wistar Kyoto rats. The animals received MSCs 9 weeks after surgery and were euthanized 4 and 12 weeks post-transplant. In vivo and ex vivo tracking of MSCs were analyzed via bioluminescence and imaging flow cytometry, respectively. Cytokine/chemokine modulation in serum and synovial fluid was measured using a multiplex panel. AC degeneration was quantified through histology, and hindlimb muscle balance was assessed with precision weighing. To our knowledge, we are the first group to show the in vivo (8 h) and ex vivo (12 h) homing of cells to the DMM-OA joint following MSCs-IVt. In the case of MSCs-IAt, the detection of cellular bioluminescence at the knee joint persisted for up to 1 week. Intriguingly, intra-articular saline injection (placebo-IAt) resulted in a worse prognosis of OA when compared to a non-invasive control (placebo-IVt) without joint injection. The systemic cytokines/chemokines profile exhibited a time-dependent variation between transplant routes, displaying a transient anti-inflammatory systemic response for both MSCs-IVt and MSCs-IAt. A single injection of MSCs, whether administered via the intra-articular or intravenous route, performed 9 weeks after DMM surgery, did not effectively inhibit AC degeneration when compared to a non-invasive control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eliane Antonioli
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, Brazil; (F.B.D.d.O.)
| | | | - Jean Gabriel de Souza
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48202, USA;
- CENTD Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Sudha Agarwal
- Division of Rheumatology and Immunology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Division of Biosciences, The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ana Marisa Chudzinski-Tavassi
- CENTD Centre of Excellence in New Target Discovery, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
- Laboratório de Desenvolvimento e Inovação, Butantan Institute, São Paulo 05503-900, Brazil
| | - Mario Ferretti
- Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo 05652-900, Brazil; (F.B.D.d.O.)
- Departamento de Ortopedia e Traumatologia, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo 04039-032, Brazil
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Geraghty T, Obeidat AM, Ishihara S, Wood MJ, Li J, Lopes EBP, Scanzello CR, Griffin TM, Malfait AM, Miller RE. Age-Associated Changes in Knee Osteoarthritis, Pain-Related Behaviors, and Dorsal Root Ganglia Immunophenotyping of Male and Female Mice. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:1770-1780. [PMID: 37096632 PMCID: PMC10543384 DOI: 10.1002/art.42530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic pain, yet OA pain management remains poor. Age is the strongest predictor of OA development, and mechanisms driving OA pain are unclear. We undertook this study to characterize age-associated changes in knee OA, pain-related behaviors, and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) molecular phenotypes in mice of both sexes. METHODS Male or female C57BL/6 mice 6 or 20 months of age were evaluated for histopathologic knee OA, pain-related behaviors, and L3-L5 DRG immune characterization via flow cytometry. DRG gene expression in older mice and humans was also examined. RESULTS Male mice at 20 months of age had worse cartilage degeneration than 6-month-old mice. Older female mouse knees showed increased cartilage degeneration but to a lesser degree than those of male mice. Older mice of both sexes had worse mechanical allodynia, knee hyperalgesia, and grip strength compared to younger mice. For both sexes, DRGs from older mice showed decreased CD45+ cells and a significant increase in F4/80+ macrophages and CD11c+ dendritic cells. Older male mouse DRGs showed increased expression of Ccl2 and Ccl5, and older female mouse DRGs showed increased Cxcr4 and Ccl3 expression compared to 6-month-old mouse DRGs, among other differentially expressed genes. Human DRG analysis from 6 individuals >80 years of age revealed elevated CCL2 in men compared to women, whereas CCL3 was higher in DRGs from women. CONCLUSION We found that aging in male and female mice is accompanied by mild knee OA, mechanical sensitization, and changes to immune cell populations in the DRG, suggesting novel avenues for development of OA therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Terese Geraghty
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Alia M. Obeidat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Shingo Ishihara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matthew J. Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Carla R. Scanzello
- Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Translational Musculoskeletal Research Center, Corp. Michael J. Crescenz VA Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
| | - Timothy M. Griffin
- Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
- OKC Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Malfait
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Rachel E. Miller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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Ramirez-Perez S, Vekariya R, Gautam S, Reyes-Perez IV, Drissi H, Bhattaram P. MyD88 dimerization inhibitor ST2825 targets the aggressiveness of synovial fibroblasts in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:180. [PMID: 37749630 PMCID: PMC10519089 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03145-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dimerization of the myeloid differentiation primary response 88 protein (MyD88) plays a pivotal role in the exacerbated response to innate immunity-dependent signaling in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). ST2825 is a highly specific inhibitor of MyD88 dimerization, previously shown to inhibit the pro-inflammatory gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from RA patients (RA PBMC). In this study, we elucidated the effect of disrupting MyD88 dimerization by ST2825 on the pathological properties of synovial fibroblasts from RA patients (RA SFs). METHODS RA SFs were treated with varying concentrations of ST2825 in the presence or absence of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to activate innate immunity-dependent TLR signaling. The DNA content of the RA SFs was quantified by imaging cytometry to investigate the effect of ST2825 on different phases of the cell cycle and apoptosis. RNA-seq was used to assess the global response of the RA SF toward ST2825. The invasiveness of RA SFs in Matrigel matrices was measured in organoid cultures. SFs from osteoarthritis (OA SFs) patients and healthy dermal fibroblasts were used as controls. RESULTS ST2825 reduced the proliferation of SFs by arresting the cells in the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle. In support of this finding, transcriptomic analysis by RNA-seq showed that ST2825 may have induced cell cycle arrest by primarily inhibiting the expression of critical cell cycle regulators Cyclin E2 and members of the E2F family transcription factors. Concurrently, ST2825 also downregulated the genes encoding for pain, inflammation, and joint catabolism mediators while upregulating the genes required for the translocation of nuclear proteins into the mitochondria and members of the mitochondrial respiratory complex 1. Finally, we demonstrated that ST2825 inhibited the invasiveness of RA SFs, by showing decreased migration of LPS-treated RA SFs in spheroid cultures. CONCLUSIONS The pathological properties of the RA SFs, in terms of their aberrant proliferation, increased invasiveness, upregulation of pain and inflammation mediators, and disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis, were attenuated by ST2825 treatment. Taken together with the previously reported anti-inflammatory effects of ST2825 in RA PBMC, this study strongly suggests that targeting MyD88 dimerization could mitigate both systemic and synovial pathologies in a variety of inflammatory arthritic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Ramirez-Perez
- Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Emory Musculoskeletal Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Rushi Vekariya
- Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Emory Musculoskeletal Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Surabhi Gautam
- Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Emory Musculoskeletal Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Itzel Viridiana Reyes-Perez
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genomics, University Center for Health Science, University of Guadalajara, 44340, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Hicham Drissi
- Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA
- Emory Musculoskeletal Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
- Atlanta VA Medical Center, Decatur, GA, 30033, USA
| | - Pallavi Bhattaram
- Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
- Emory Musculoskeletal Institute, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
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9
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Zhang Y, Liu D, Vithran DTA, Kwabena BR, Xiao W, Li Y. CC chemokines and receptors in osteoarthritis: new insights and potential targets. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:113. [PMID: 37400871 PMCID: PMC10316577 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03096-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative disease accompanied by the activation of innate and adaptive immune systems-associated inflammatory responses. Due to the local inflammation, the expression of various cytokines was altered in affected joints, including CC motif chemokine ligands (CCLs) and their receptors (CCRs). As essential members of chemokines, CCLs and CCRs played an important role in the pathogenesis and treatment of OA. The bindings between CCLs and CCRs on the chondrocyte membrane promoted chondrocyte apoptosis and the release of multiple matrix-degrading enzymes, which resulted in cartilage degradation. In addition, CCLs and CCRs had chemoattractant functions to attract various immune cells to osteoarthritic joints, further leading to the aggravation of local inflammation. Furthermore, in the nerve endings of joints, CCLs and CCRs, along with several cellular factors, contributed to pain hypersensitivity by releasing neurotransmitters in the spinal cord. Given this family's diverse and complex functions, targeting the functional network of CCLs and CCRs is a promising strategy for the prognosis and treatment of OA in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
- Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University, Changsha, 410013, Hunan, China
| | - Di Liu
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | | | - Bosomtwe Richmond Kwabena
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China
| | - Wenfeng Xiao
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
| | - Yusheng Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, Hunan, China.
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10
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Obeidat AM, Wood MJ, Adamczyk NS, Ishihara S, Li J, Wang L, Ren D, Bennett DA, Miller RJ, Malfait AM, Miller RE. Piezo2 expressing nociceptors mediate mechanical sensitization in experimental osteoarthritis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2479. [PMID: 37120427 PMCID: PMC10148822 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38241-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-opioid targets are needed for addressing osteoarthritis pain, which is mechanical in nature and associated with daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs. Piezo2 has been implicated in the development of mechanical pain, but the mechanisms by which this occurs remain poorly understood, including the role of nociceptors. Here we show that nociceptor-specific Piezo2 conditional knock-out mice were protected from mechanical sensitization associated with inflammatory joint pain in female mice, joint pain associated with osteoarthritis in male mice, as well as both knee swelling and joint pain associated with repeated intra-articular injection of nerve growth factor in male mice. Single cell RNA sequencing of mouse lumbar dorsal root ganglia and in situ hybridization of mouse and human lumbar dorsal root ganglia revealed that a subset of nociceptors co-express Piezo2 and Ntrk1 (the gene that encodes the nerve growth factor receptor TrkA). These results suggest that nerve growth factor-mediated sensitization of joint nociceptors, which is critical for osteoarthritic pain, is also dependent on Piezo2, and targeting Piezo2 may represent a therapeutic option for osteoarthritis pain control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alia M Obeidat
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Matthew J Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Natalie S Adamczyk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Shingo Ishihara
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Lai Wang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Dongjun Ren
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - David A Bennett
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center and Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Richard J Miller
- Department of Pharmacology, Northwestern University, Chicago, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Malfait
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA
| | - Rachel E Miller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, USA.
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11
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Wang L, Ishihara S, Li J, Miller RE, Malfait AM. Notch signaling is activated in knee-innervating dorsal root ganglia in experimental models of osteoarthritis joint pain. Arthritis Res Ther 2023; 25:63. [PMID: 37061736 PMCID: PMC10105425 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-023-03039-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We aimed to explore activation of the Notch signaling pathway in knee-innervating lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in the course of experimental osteoarthritis (OA) in mice, and its role in knee hyperalgesia. METHODS Cultured DRG cells were stimulated with the TLR4 agonist, lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Notch signaling in the cells was either inhibited with the γ-secretase inhibitor, DAPT, or with soluble Jagged1, or activated through immobilized Jagged1. CCL2 production was analyzed at mRNA and protein levels. In in vivo experiments, knee hyperalgesia was induced in naïve mice through intra-articular (IA) injection of LPS. The effect of inhibiting Notch signaling was examined by pre-injecting DAPT one hour before LPS. OA was induced through surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) in male C57BL/6 mice. Gene expression in DRG was analyzed by qRT-PCR and RNAscope in situ hybridization. Activated Notch protein (NICD) expression in DRG was evaluated by ELISA and immunofluorescence staining. DAPT was injected IA 12 weeks post DMM to inhibit Notch signaling, followed by assessing knee hyperalgesia and CCL2 expression in the DRG. RESULTS In DRG cell cultures, LPS increased NICD in neuronal cells. Inhibition of Notch signaling with either DAPT or soluble Jagged1 attenuated LPS-induced increases of Ccl2 mRNA and CCL2 protein. Conversely, activating Notch signaling with immobilized Jagged1 enhanced these LPS effects. In vivo, IA injection of LPS increased expression of Notch genes and NICD in the DRG. Pre-injection of DAPT prior to LPS alleviated LPS-induced knee hyperalgesia, and decreased LPS-induced CCL2 expression in the DRG. Notch signaling genes were differentially expressed in the DRG from late-stage experimental OA. Notch1, Hes1, and NICD were increased in the neuronal cell bodies in DRG after DMM surgery. IA administration of DAPT alleviated knee hyperalgesia post DMM, and decreased CCL2 expression in the DRG. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest a synergistic effect of Notch signaling with TLR4 in promoting CCL2 production and mediating knee hyperalgesia. Notch signaling is activated in knee-innervating lumbar DRG in mice with experimental OA, and is involved in mediating knee hyperalgesia. The pathway may therefore be explored as a target for alleviating OA pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lai Wang
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 West Harrison Street, Suite 510, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
| | - Shingo Ishihara
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 West Harrison Street, Suite 510, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Jun Li
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 West Harrison Street, Suite 510, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Rachel E Miller
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 West Harrison Street, Suite 510, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Malfait
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 West Harrison Street, Suite 510, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA.
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12
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Ai M, Hotham WE, Pattison LA, Ma Q, Henson FM, Smith ESJ. Role of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Derived Extracellular Vesicles in Reducing Sensory Neuron Hyperexcitability and Pain Behaviors in Murine Osteoarthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol 2023; 75:352-363. [PMID: 36122169 PMCID: PMC10952633 DOI: 10.1002/art.42353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) and MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been reported to alleviate pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). We undertook this study to determine whether MSCs and/or MSC-EVs reduce OA pain through influencing sensory neuron excitability in OA joints. METHODS We induced knee OA in adult male C57BL/6J mice through destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery. Mice were sorted into 4 experimental groups with 9 mice per group as follows: unoperated sham, untreated DMM, DMM plus MSC treatment, and DMM plus MSC-EV treatment. Treated mice received either MSCs at week 14 postsurgery or MSC-EVs at weeks 12 and 14 postsurgery. Mouse behavior was evaluated by digging and rotarod tests and the Digital Ventilated Cage system. At week 16, mouse knee joints were harvested for histology, and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were isolated for electrophysiology. Furthermore, we induced hyperexcitability in DRG neurons in vitro using nerve growth factor (NGF) then treated these neurons with or without MSC-EVs and evaluated neuron excitability. RESULTS MSC- and MSC-EV-treated DMM-operated mice did not display pain-related behavior changes (in locomotion, digging, and sleep) that occurred in untreated DMM-operated mice. The absence of pain-related behaviors in MSC- and MSC-EV-treated mice was not the result of reduced joint damage but rather a lack of knee-innervating sensory neuron hyperexcitability that was observed in untreated DMM-operated mice. Furthermore, we found that NGF-induced sensory neuron hyperexcitability is prevented by MSC-EV treatment (P < 0.05 versus untreated NGF-sensitized neurons when comparing action potential threshold). CONCLUSION MSCs and MSC-EVs may reduce pain in OA by direct action on peripheral sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minji Ai
- Department of Veterinary MedicineUniversity of CambridgeUK
| | - William E. Hotham
- Department of Surgery and Department of MedicineUniversity of CambridgeUK
| | | | - Qingxi Ma
- Department of PharmacologyUniversity of CambridgeUK
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13
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Ma K, Singh G, Wang J, O-Sullivan I, Votta-Velis G, Bruce B, Anbazhagan AN, van Wijnen AJ, Im HJ. Targeting Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptors as a Therapeutic Strategy for Osteoarthritis and Associated Pain. Int J Biol Sci 2023; 19:675-690. [PMID: 36632459 PMCID: PMC9830519 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.79125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is the major reason that patients suffering from osteoarthritis (OA) seek medical care. We found that vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) mediate signaling in OA pain pathways. To determine the specific contributions of VEGFs and their receptors (VEGFRs) to joint pathology and pain transmission during OA progression, we studied intra-articular (IA) injections of VEGF ligands into murine knee joints. Only VEGF ligands specific for the activation of VEGFR1, but not VEGFR2, induced allodynia within 30 min. Interventions in OA by inhibitors of VEGFRs were done in vivo using a preclinical murine OA model by IA injections of selective inhibitors of VEGFR1/VEGFR2 kinase (pazopanib) or VEGFR2 kinase (vandetanib). OA phenotypes were evaluated using pain-associated murine behavioral tests and histopathologic analyses. Alterations in VEGF/VEGFR signaling by drugs were determined in knee joints, dorsal root ganglia, and spinal cord by immunofluorescence microscopy. Pazopanib immediately relieved OA pain by interfering with pain transmission pathways. Pain reduction by vandetanib was mainly due to the inhibition of cartilage degeneration by suppressing VEGFR2 expression. In conclusion, IA administration of pazopanib, which simultaneously inhibits VEGFR1 and VEGFR2, can be developed as an ideal OA disease-modifying drug that rapidly reduces joint pain and simultaneously inhibits cartilage degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaige Ma
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Gurjit Singh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - InSug O-Sullivan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gina Votta-Velis
- Department of Anesthesiology, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Benjamin Bruce
- Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JBVAMC) at Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | | | - Andre J. van Wijnen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA.,✉ Corresponding authors: Hee-Jeong Im, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S. Morgan St, Chicago, IL, USA. E-mail: ; Dr. Andre J. van Wijnen, Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. E-mail address:
| | - Hee-Jeong Im
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center (JBVAMC) at Chicago, IL 60612, USA.,✉ Corresponding authors: Hee-Jeong Im, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 851 S. Morgan St, Chicago, IL, USA. E-mail: ; Dr. Andre J. van Wijnen, Department of Biochemistry, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT 05405, USA. E-mail address:
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14
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Ozkan H, Di Francesco M, Willcockson H, Valdés-Fernández J, Di Francesco V, Granero-Moltó F, Prósper F, Decuzzi P, Longobardi L. Sustained inhibition of CC-chemokine receptor-2 via intraarticular deposition of polymeric microplates in post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Drug Deliv Transl Res 2023; 13:689-701. [PMID: 36109442 PMCID: PMC9794532 DOI: 10.1007/s13346-022-01235-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) is mostly treated via corticosteroid administration, and total joint arthroplasty continues to be the sole effective intervention in severe conditions. To assess the therapeutic potential of CCR2 targeting in PTOA, we used biodegradable microplates (µPLs) to achieve a slow and sustained intraarticular release of the CCR2 inhibitor RS504393 into injured knees and followed joint damage during disease progression. RS504393-loaded µPLs (RS-µPLs) were fabricated via a template-replica molding technique. A mixture of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and RS504393 was deposited into 20 × 10 μm (length × height) wells in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) square-patterned template. After physicochemical and toxicological characterizations, the RS504393 release profile from µPL was assessed in PBS buffer. C57BL/6 J male mice were subjected to destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)/sham surgery, and RS-µPLs (1 mg/kg) were administered intraarticularly 1 week postsurgery. Administrations were repeated at 4 and 7 weeks post-DMM. Drug free-µPLs (DF-µPLs) and saline injections were performed as controls. Mice were euthanized at 4 and 10 weeks post-DMM, corresponding to the early and severe PTOA stages, respectively. Knees were evaluated for cartilage structure score (ACS, H&E), matrix loss (safranin O score), osteophyte formation and maturation from cartilage to bone (cartilage quantification), and subchondral plate thickness. The RS-µPL architecture ensured the sustained release of CCR2 inhibitors over several weeks, with ~ 20% of RS504393 still available at 21 days. This prolonged release improved cartilage structure and reduced bone damage and synovial hyperplasia at both PTOA stages. Extracellular matrix loss was also attenuated, although with less efficacy. The results indicate that local sustained delivery is needed to optimize CCR2-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huseyin Ozkan
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina-, Chapel Hill, 3300 Thurston Bowels Bldg, Campus, Box 7280, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Martina Di Francesco
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Helen Willcockson
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina-, Chapel Hill, 3300 Thurston Bowels Bldg, Campus, Box 7280, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - José Valdés-Fernández
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina-, Chapel Hill, 3300 Thurston Bowels Bldg, Campus, Box 7280, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,Cell Therapy Area, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Valentina Di Francesco
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Froilán Granero-Moltó
- Cell Therapy Area, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ,Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ,Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ,Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain
| | - Felipe Prósper
- Cell Therapy Area, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ,Program of Regenerative Medicine, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ,Instituto de Investigacion Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA), Pamplona, Spain ,Department of Hematology, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain ,Program of Hemato-Oncology, Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain
| | - Paolo Decuzzi
- Laboratory of Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine, Fondazione Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy
| | - Lara Longobardi
- Division of Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology and the Thurston Arthritis Research Center, University of North Carolina-, Chapel Hill, 3300 Thurston Bowels Bldg, Campus, Box 7280, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599, USA.
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15
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Tong L, Yu H, Huang X, Shen J, Xiao G, Chen L, Wang H, Xing L, Chen D. Current understanding of osteoarthritis pathogenesis and relevant new approaches. Bone Res 2022; 10:60. [PMID: 36127328 PMCID: PMC9489702 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-022-00226-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 44.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease that causes painful swelling and permanent damage to the joints in the body. The molecular mechanisms of OA are currently unknown. OA is a heterogeneous disease that affects the entire joint, and multiple tissues are altered during OA development. To better understand the pathological mechanisms of OA, new approaches, methods, and techniques need to be used to understand OA pathogenesis. In this review, we first focus on the epigenetic regulation of OA, with a particular focus on DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA regulation, followed by a summary of several key mediators in OA-associated pain. We then introduce several innovative techniques that have been and will continue to be used in the fields of OA and OA-associated pain, such as CRISPR, scRNA sequencing, and lineage tracing. Next, we discuss the timely updates concerning cell death regulation in OA pathology, including pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, as well as their individual roles in OA and potential molecular targets in treating OA. Finally, our review highlights new directions on the role of the synovial lymphatic system in OA. An improved understanding of OA pathogenesis will aid in the development of more specific and effective therapeutic interventions for OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Tong
- Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518005, China
| | - Huan Yu
- Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518005, China
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xingyun Huang
- Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518005, China
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Jie Shen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Guozhi Xiao
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lin Chen
- Department of Wound Repair and Rehabilitation, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burns and Combined Injury, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, China
| | - Huaiyu Wang
- Research Center for Human Tissues and Organs Degeneration, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lianping Xing
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory of Medicine, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA
| | - Di Chen
- Research Center for Computer-aided Drug Discovery, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518005, China.
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
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16
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Biological Targets of Multimolecular Therapies in Middle-Age Osteoarthritis. Sports Med Arthrosc Rev 2022; 30:141-146. [PMID: 35921596 DOI: 10.1097/jsa.0000000000000349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common condition, prevalent in middle-agedness, associated with chronic pain and impaired quality of life. Two interrelated biological processes fuel early OA progression: inflammation and structural tissues catabolism. Procatabolic and proinflammatory mediators are interconnected and form part of a self-perpetuating loop. They leverage OA research complexity because of the impossibility to discern certain spatiotemporal tissues' changes from others. Both are shared targets of versatile regenerative multimolecular therapies. In particular, platelet-rich plasma can interfere with inflammation and inflammatory pain. The therapeutic approach is to alter the vicious inflammatory loop by modifying the molecular composition of the synovial fluid, thereby paracrine cellular cross talk. Intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma can provide key factors balancing proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, targeting macrophage dysfunction and modulating immune mechanisms within the knee.
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17
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McCollum MM, Larmore M, Ishihara S, Ng LCT, Kimura LF, Guadarrama E, Ta MC, Vien TN, Frost GB, Scheidt KA, Miller RE, DeCaen PG. Targeting the tamoxifen receptor within sodium channels to block osteoarthritic pain. Cell Rep 2022; 40:111248. [PMID: 36001977 PMCID: PMC9523973 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV) in nociceptive neurons initiate action potentials required for transmission of aberrant painful stimuli observed in osteoarthritis (OA). Targeting NaV subtypes with drugs to produce analgesic effects for OA pain management is a developing therapeutic area. Previously, we determined the receptor site for the tamoxifen analog N-desmethyltamoxifen (ND-Tam) within a prokaryotic NaV. Here, we report the pharmacology of ND-Tam against eukaryotic NaVs natively expressed in nociceptive neurons. ND-Tam and analogs occupy two conserved intracellular receptor sites in domains II and IV of NaV1.7 to block ion entry using a "bind and plug" mechanism. We find that ND-Tam inhibition of the sodium current is state dependent, conferring a potent frequency- and voltage-dependent block of hyperexcitable nociceptive neuron action potentials implicated in OA pain. When evaluated using a mouse OA pain model, ND-Tam has long-lasting efficacy, which supports the potential of repurposing ND-Tam analogs as NaV antagonists for OA pain management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan M McCollum
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Megan Larmore
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Shingo Ishihara
- Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Leo C T Ng
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Louise F Kimura
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Eduardo Guadarrama
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - My C Ta
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Thuy N Vien
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Grant B Frost
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Karl A Scheidt
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Rachel E Miller
- Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Paul G DeCaen
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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18
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Alves-Simões M. Rodent models of knee osteoarthritis for pain research. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2022; 30:802-814. [PMID: 35139423 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2022.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of disability worldwide. Pain is the main symptom, yet no current treatment can halt disease progression or effectively provide symptomatic relief. Numerous animal models have been described for studying OA and some for the associated OA pain. This review aims to update on current models used for studying OA pain, focusing on mice and rats. These models include surgical, chemical, mechanical, and spontaneous OA models. The impact of sex and age will also be addressed in the context of OA modelling. Although no single animal model has been shown ideal for studying OA pain, increased efforts to phenotype OA will likely impact the choice of models for pre-clinical and basic research studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Alves-Simões
- Molecular Nociception Group, Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT, UK.
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19
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Valdrighi N, Vago JP, Blom AB, van de Loo FA, Blaney Davidson EN. Innate Immunity at the Core of Sex Differences in Osteoarthritic Pain? Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:881500. [PMID: 35662714 PMCID: PMC9160873 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.881500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive whole-joint disease; no disease-modifying drugs are currently available to stop or slow its process. Symptoms alleviation is the only treatment option. OA is the major cause of chronic pain in adults, with pain being the main symptom driving patients to seek medical help. OA pathophysiology is closely associated with the innate immune system, which is also closely linked to pain mediators leading to joint pain. Pain research has shown sex differences in the biology of pain, including sexually dimorphic responses from key cell types in the innate immune system. Not only is OA more prevalent in women than in men, but women patients also show worse OA outcomes, partially due to experiencing more pain symptoms despite having similar levels of structural damage. The cause of sex differences in OA and OA pain is poorly understood. This review provides an overview of the involvement of innate immunity in OA pain in joints and in the dorsal root ganglion. We summarize the emerging evidence of sex differences regarding innate immunity in OA pain. Our main goal with this review was to provide a scientific foundation for future research leading to alternative pain relief therapies targeting innate immunity that consider sex differences. This will ultimately lead to a more effective treatment of pain in both women and men.
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20
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Wood MJ, Miller RE, Malfait AM. The Genesis of Pain in Osteoarthritis: Inflammation as a Mediator of Osteoarthritis Pain. Clin Geriatr Med 2022; 38:221-238. [PMID: 35410677 PMCID: PMC9053380 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2021.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Chronic pain is a substantial personal and societal burden worldwide. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of chronic pain and is increasing in prevalence in accordance with a global aging population. In addition to affecting patients' physical lives, chronic pain also adversely affects patients' mental wellbeing. However, there remain no pharmacologic interventions to slow down the progression of OA and pain-alleviating therapies are largely unsuccessful. The presence of low-level inflammation in OA has been recognized for many years as a major pathogenic driver of joint damage. Inflammatory mechanisms can occur locally in joint tissues, such as the synovium, within the sensory nervous system, as well as systemically, caused by modifiable and unmodifiable factors. Understanding how inflammation may contribute to, and modify pain in OA will be instrumental in identifying new druggable targets for analgesic therapies. In this narrative review, we discuss recent insights into inflammatory mechanisms in OA pain. We discuss how local inflammation in the joint can contribute to mechanical sensitization and to the structural neuroplasticity of joint nociceptors, through pro-inflammatory factors such as nerve growth factor, cytokines, and chemokines. We consider the role of synovitis, and the amplifying mechanisms of neuroimmune interactions. We then explore emerging evidence around the role of neuroinflammation in the dorsal root ganglia and dorsal horn. Finally, we discuss how systemic inflammation associated with obesity may modify OA pain and suggest future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Wood
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Room 340, 1735 W Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Rachel E Miller
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, Room 714, 1735 W Harrison Street, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Anne-Marie Malfait
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Rush University Medical Center, 1611 W Harrison Street, Suite 510, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
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Abstract
Joint pain is the hallmark symptom of osteoarthritis (OA) and the main reason for patients to seek medical assistance. OA pain greatly contributes to functional limitations of joints and reduced quality of life. Although several pain-relieving medications are available for OA treatment, the current intervention strategy for OA pain cannot provide satisfactory pain relief, and the chronic use of the drugs for pain management is often associated with significant side effects and toxicities. These observations suggest that the mechanisms of OA-related pain remain undefined. The current review mainly focuses on the characteristics and mechanisms of OA pain. We evaluate pathways associated with OA pain, such as nerve growth factor (NGF)/tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), C–C motif chemokine ligands 2 (CCL2)/chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), the NOD-like receptor (NLR) family, pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. In addition, animal models currently used for OA pain studies and emerging preclinical studies are discussed. Understanding the multifactorial components contributing to OA pain could provide novel insights into the development of more specific and effective drugs for OA pain management.
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22
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Gonçalves S, Gowler PR, Woodhams SG, Turnbull J, Hathway G, Chapman V. The challenges of treating osteoarthritis pain and opportunities for novel peripherally directed therapeutic strategies. Neuropharmacology 2022; 213:109075. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
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Wang F, Liu M, Wang N, Luo J. G Protein-Coupled Receptors in Osteoarthritis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 12:808835. [PMID: 35154008 PMCID: PMC8831737 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.808835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease characterized, for which there are no available therapies being able to modify the progression of OA and prevent long-term disability. Critical roles of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) have been established in OA cartilage degeneration, subchondral bone sclerosis and chronic pain. In this review, we describe the pathophysiological processes targeted by GPCRs in OA, along with related preclinical model and/or clinical trial data. We review examples of GPCRs which may offer attractive therapeutic strategies for OA, including receptors for cannabinoids, hormones, prostaglandins, fatty acids, adenosines, chemokines, and discuss the main challenges for developing these therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanhua Wang
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingyao Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Oncology and Metabolism, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Jian Luo
- Yangzhi Rehabilitation Hospital (Shanghai Sunshine Rehabilitation Center), Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Rzeczycki P, Rasner C, Lammlin L, Junginger L, Goldman S, Bergman R, Redding S, Knights AJ, Elliott M, Maerz T. Cannabinoid receptor type 2 is upregulated in synovium following joint injury and mediates anti-inflammatory effects in synovial fibroblasts and macrophages. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2021; 29:1720-1731. [PMID: 34537380 PMCID: PMC8883578 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Joint injury-induced perturbations to the endocannabinoid system (ECS), a regulator of both inflammation and nociception, remain largely uncharacterized. We employed a mouse model of ACL rupture to assess alterations to nociception, inflammation, and the ECS while using in vitro models to determine whether CB2 agonism can mitigate inflammatory signaling in macrophages and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). DESIGN Mice underwent noninvasive ACL rupture (ACLR) via tibial compression-based loading. Nociception was measured longitudinally using mechanical allodynia and knee hyperalgesia testing. Synovitis was assessed using histological scoring and histomorphometry. Gene and protein markers of inflammation were characterized in whole joints and synovium. Immunohistochemistry assessed injury-induced alterations to CB1+, CB2+, and F4/80+ cells in synovium. To assess whether CB2 agonism can inhibit pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization, murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (mBMDM) were stimulated with IL-1β or conditioned medium from IL-1β-treated FLS and treated with vehicle (DMSO), the CB2 agonist HU308, or cannabidiol (CBD). Macrophage polarization was assessed as the ratio of M1-associated (IL1b, MMP1b, and IL6) to M2-associated (IL10, IL4, and CD206) gene expression. Human FLS (hFLS) isolated from synovial tissue of OA patients were treated with vehicle (DMSO) or HU308 following TNF-α or IL-1β stimulation to assess inhibition of catabolic/inflammatory gene expression. RESULTS ACLR induces synovitis, progressively-worsening PTOA severity, and an immediate and sustained increase in both mechanical allodynia and knee hyperalgesia, which persist beyond the resolution of molecular inflammation. Enrichment of CB2, but not CB1, was observed in ACLR synovium at 3d, 14d, and 28d, and CB2 was found to be associated with F4/80 (+) cells, which are increased in number in ACLR synovium at all time points. The CB2 agonist HU308 strongly inhibited mBMDM M1-type polarization following stimulation with either IL-1β or conditioned medium from IL-1β-treated mFLS, which was characterized by reductions in Il1b, Mmp1b, and Il6 and increases in Cd206 gene expression. Cannabidiol similarly inhibited IL-1β-induced mBMDM M1 polarization via a reduction in Il1b and an increase in Cd206 and Il4 gene expression. Lastly, in OA hFLS, HU308 treatment inhibited IL-1β-induced CCL2, MMP1, MMP3, and IL6 expression and further inhibited TNF-α-induced CCL2, MMP1, and GMCSF expression, demonstrating human OA-relevant anti-inflammatory effects by targeting CB2. CONCLUSIONS Joint injury perturbs the intra-articular ECS, characterized by an increase in synovial F4/80(+) cells, which express CB2, but not CB1. Targeting CB2 in murine macrophages and human FLS induced potent anti-inflammatory and anti-catabolic effects, which indicates that the CB2 receptor plays a key role in regulating inflammatory signaling in the two primary effector cells in the synovium. The intraarticular ECS is therefore a potential therapeutic target for blocking pathological inflammation in future disease-modifying PTOA treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Rzeczycki
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - C Rasner
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - L Lammlin
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - L Junginger
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - S Goldman
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - R Bergman
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - S Redding
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - A J Knights
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - M Elliott
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - T Maerz
- Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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Miller RE, Malfait AM. Can we prevent chronic osteoarthritis pain? A view from the bench. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2021; 29:1635-1637. [PMID: 34628019 PMCID: PMC8791333 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2021.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
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