1
|
Fibroblast Growth Factors and Cellular Communication Network Factors: Intimate Interplay by the Founding Members in Cartilage. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23158592. [PMID: 35955724 PMCID: PMC9369280 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23158592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) constitute a large family of signaling molecules that act in an autocrine/paracrine, endocrine, or intracrine manner, whereas the cellular communication network factors (CCN) family is composed of six members that manipulate extracellular signaling networks. FGFs and CCNs are structurally and functionally distinct, except for the common characteristics as matricellular proteins. Both play significant roles in the development of a variety of tissues and organs, including the skeletal system. In vertebrates, most of the skeletal parts are formed and grow through a process designated endochondral ossification, in which chondrocytes play the central role. The growth plate cartilage is the place where endochondral ossification occurs, and articular cartilage is left to support the locomotive function of joints. Several FGFs, including FGF-2, one of the founding members of this family, and all of the CCNs represented by CCN2, which is required for proper skeletal development, can be found therein. Research over a decade has revealed direct binding of CCN2 to FGFs and FGF receptors (FGFRs), which occasionally affect the biological outcome via FGF signaling. Moreover, a recent study uncovered an integrated regulation of FGF and CCN genes by FGF signaling. In this review, after a brief introduction of these two families, molecular and genetic interactions between CCN and FGF family members in cartilage, and their biological effects, are summarized. The molecular interplay represents the mutual involvement of the other in their molecular functions, leading to collaboration between CCN2 and FGFs during skeletal development.
Collapse
|
2
|
Ramos-Mucci L, Elsheikh A, Keenan C, Eliasy A, D'Aout K, Bou-Gharios G, Comerford E, Poulet B. The anterior cruciate ligament in murine post-traumatic osteoarthritis: markers and mechanics. Arthritis Res Ther 2022; 24:128. [PMID: 35637500 PMCID: PMC9150328 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-022-02798-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Knee joint injuries, common in athletes, have a high risk of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). Ligaments, matrix-rich connective tissues, play important mechanical functions stabilising the knee joint, and yet their role post-trauma is not understood. Recent studies have shown that ligament extracellular matrix structure is compromised in the early stages of spontaneous osteoarthritis (OA) and PTOA, but it remains unclear how ligament matrix pathology affects ligament mechanical function. In this study, we aim to investigate both structural and mechanical changes in the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in a mouse model of knee trauma. Methods Knee joints were analysed following non-invasive mechanical loading in male C57BL/6 J mice (10-week-old). Knee joints were analysed for joint space mineralisation to evaluate OA progression, and the ACLs were assessed with histology and mechanical testing. Results Joints with PTOA had a 33–46% increase in joint space mineralisation, indicating OA progression. Post-trauma ACLs exhibited extracellular matrix modifications, including COL2 and proteoglycan deposition. Additional changes included cells expressing chondrogenic markers (SOX9 and RUNX2) expanding from the ACL tibial enthesis to the mid-substance. Viscoelastic and mechanical changes in the ACLs from post-trauma knee joints included a 20–21% decrease in tangent modulus at 2 MPa of stress, a decrease in strain rate sensitivity at higher strain rates and an increase in relaxation during stress-relaxation, but no changes to hysteresis and ultimate load to failure were observed. Conclusions These results demonstrate that ACL pathology and viscoelastic function are compromised in the post-trauma knee joint and reveal an important role of viscoelastic mechanical properties for ligament and potentially knee joint health. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13075-022-02798-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Ramos-Mucci
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Apex building, West Derby street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Ahmed Elsheikh
- School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH, UK.,Beijing Advanced Innovation Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, 100083, China.,NIHR Biomedical Research Centre for Ophthalmology, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK
| | - Craig Keenan
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Apex building, West Derby street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.,Faculty of Health, Social Care and Medicine, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 4QP, UK
| | - Ashkan Eliasy
- School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Brownlow Hill, Liverpool, L69 3GH, UK
| | - Kristiaan D'Aout
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Apex building, West Derby street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - George Bou-Gharios
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Apex building, West Derby street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Eithne Comerford
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Apex building, West Derby street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.,School of Veterinary Science, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, Leahurst Campus, University of Liverpool, Chester High Rd, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Blandine Poulet
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Apex building, West Derby street, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yang Z, Li W, Song C, Leng H. CTGF as a multifunctional molecule for cartilage and a potential drug for osteoarthritis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1040526. [PMID: 36325449 PMCID: PMC9618584 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1040526] [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: 09/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CTGF is a multifunctional protein and plays different roles in different cells and under different conditions. Pamrevlumab, a monoclonal antibody against CTGF, is an FDA approved drug for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Recent studies have shown that CTGF antibodies may potentially serve as a new drug for osteoarthritis (OA). Expression of CTGF is significantly higher in OA joints than in healthy counterparts. Increasing attention has been attracted due to its interesting roles in joint homeostasis. Joint homeostasis relies on normal cellular functions and cell-cell interactions. CTGF is essential for physiological activities of chondrocytes. Abnormal CTGF expression may cause cartilage degeneration. In this review, the physiological functions of CTGF in chondrocytes and related mechanisms are summarized. Changes in the related signaling pathways due to abnormal CTGF are discussed, which are contributing factors to inflammation, cartilage degeneration and synovial fibrosis in OA. The possibility of CTGF as a potential therapeutic target for OA treatment are reviewed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zihuan Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Weishi Li
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Engineering Research Center of Bone and Joint Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Chunli Song
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Spinal Disease Research, Beijing Municipal Science & Technology Commission, Beijing, China
| | - Huijie Leng
- Department of Orthopaedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Huijie Leng,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tam AYY, Horwell AL, Trinder SL, Khan K, Xu S, Ong V, Denton CP, Norman JT, Holmes AM, Bou-Gharios G, Abraham DJ. Selective deletion of connective tissue growth factor attenuates experimentally-induced pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2021; 134:105961. [PMID: 33662577 PMCID: PMC8111417 DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2021.105961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, CCN2) is a matricellular protein which plays key roles in normal mammalian development and in tissue homeostasis and repair. In pathological conditions, dysregulated CCN2 has been associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease, and tissue fibrosis. In this study, genetic manipulation of the CCN2 gene was employed to investigate the role of CCN2 expression in vitro and in experimentally-induced models of pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Knocking down CCN2 using siRNA reduced expression of pro-fibrotic markers (fibronectin p < 0.01, collagen type I p < 0.05, α-SMA p < 0.0001, TIMP-1 p < 0.05 and IL-6 p < 0.05) in TGF-β-treated lung fibroblasts derived from systemic sclerosis patients. In vivo studies were performed in mice using a conditional gene deletion strategy targeting CCN2 in a fibroblast-specific and time-dependent manner in two models of lung disease. CCN2 deletion significantly reduced pulmonary interstitial scarring and fibrosis following bleomycin-instillation, as assessed by fibrotic scores (wildtype bleomycin 3.733 ± 0.2667 vs CCN2 knockout (KO) bleomycin 4.917 ± 0.3436, p < 0.05) and micro-CT. In the well-established chronic hypoxia/Sugen model of pulmonary hypertension, CCN2 gene deletion resulted in a significant decrease in pulmonary vessel remodelling, less right ventricular hypertrophy and a reduction in the haemodynamic measurements characteristic of PAH (RVSP and RV/LV + S were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in CCN2 KO compared to WT mice in hypoxic/SU5416 conditions). These results support a prominent role for CCN2 in pulmonary fibrosis and in vessel remodelling associated with PAH. Therefore, therapeutics aimed at blocking CCN2 function are likely to benefit several forms of severe lung disease.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angela Y Y Tam
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK.
| | - Amy L Horwell
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - Sarah L Trinder
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Korsa Khan
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Shiwen Xu
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Voon Ong
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Christopher P Denton
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Jill T Norman
- Department of Renal Medicine, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - Alan M Holmes
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| | - George Bou-Gharios
- Department of Musculoskeletal and Ageing Science, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L7 8TX, UK
| | - David J Abraham
- Centre for Rheumatology and Connective Tissue Disease, Department of Inflammation, Division of Medicine, University College London, London, NW3 2PF, UK
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
MacDonald IJ, Huang CC, Liu SC, Lin YY, Tang CH. Targeting CCN Proteins in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22094340. [PMID: 33919365 PMCID: PMC8122640 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22094340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The CCN family of matricellular proteins (CYR61/CCN1, CTGF/CCN2, NOV/CCN3 and WISP1-2-3/CCN4-5-6) are essential players in the key pathophysiological processes of angiogenesis, wound healing and inflammation. These proteins are well recognized for their important roles in many cellular processes, including cell proliferation, adhesion, migration and differentiation, as well as the regulation of extracellular matrix differentiation. Substantial evidence implicates four of the proteins (CCN1, CCN2, CCN3 and CCN4) in the inflammatory pathologies of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). A smaller evidence base supports the involvement of CCN5 and CCN6 in the development of these diseases. This review focuses on evidence providing insights into the involvement of the CCN family in RA and OA, as well as the potential of the CCN proteins as therapeutic targets in these diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iona J. MacDonald
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Collage of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; (I.J.M.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Chien-Chung Huang
- School of Medicine, Collage of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan;
- Division of Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung 404332, Taiwan
| | - Shan-Chi Liu
- Department of Medical Education and Research, China Medical University Beigang Hospital, Yunlin 65152, Taiwan;
| | - Yen-You Lin
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Collage of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; (I.J.M.); (Y.-Y.L.)
| | - Chih-Hsin Tang
- Graduate Institute of Basic Medical Science, Collage of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 40402, Taiwan; (I.J.M.); (Y.-Y.L.)
- School of Medicine, Collage of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan;
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Collage of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
- Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung 406040, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Health Science, Asia University, Taichung 413305, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
First person – Craig Keenan. Dis Model Mech 2020. [PMCID: PMC7375470 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.046193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Disease Models & Mechanisms, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Craig Keenan is first author on ‘Post-traumatic osteoarthritis development is not modified by postnatal chondrocyte deletion of Ccn2’, published in DMM. Craig conducted the research described in this article while a postdoctoral research associate in Dr Blandine Poulet's lab at the University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. He is now a lecturer in vertebrate physiology in the lab of Dr Jason Kirby at Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK, investigating the roles of cartilage and bone in the pathogenesis of degenerative joint disease.
Collapse
|