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Ismail OM, El-Omar OM, Said UN. Exploring the Role of Urocortin in Osteoporosis. Cureus 2023; 15:e38978. [PMID: 37313093 PMCID: PMC10259878 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.38978] [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] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 200 million people worldwide. Overactive osteoclast activity leads to micro-architectural defects and low bone mass. This culminates in fragility fractures, such as femoral neck fractures. Treatments currently available either are not completely effective or have considerable side effects; thus, there is a need for more effective treatments. The urocortin (Ucn) family, composed of urocortin 1 (Ucn1), urocortin 2 (Ucn2), urocortin 3 (Ucn3), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein (CRF-BP), exerts a wide range of effects throughout the body. Ucn1 has been shown to inhibit murine osteoclast activity. This review article will aim to bridge the gap between existing knowledge of Ucn and whether it can affect human osteoclasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar M Ismail
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, GBR
| | - Omar M El-Omar
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, GBR
| | - Umar N Said
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, GBR
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2
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Jiang X, Ying P, Shen Y, Miu Y, Kong W, Lu T, Wang Q. Identification of Critical Functional Modules and Signaling Pathways in Osteoporosis. Curr Bioinform 2021. [DOI: 10.2174/1574893615999200706002411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background:
Osteoporosis is the most common bone metabolic disease. Abnormal
osteoclast formation and resorption play a fundamental role in osteoporosis pathogenesis. Recent
researches have greatly broadened our understanding of molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis.
However, the molecular mechanisms leading to osteoporosis are still not entirely clear.
Objective:
The purpose of this work is to study the critical regulatory genes, functional modules, and
signaling pathways.
Methods:
Differential expression analysis, network topology-based analysis, and overrepresentation
enrichment analysis (ORA) were used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), gene
subnetworks, and signaling pathways related to osteoporosis, respectively.
Results:
Differential expression analysis identified DEGs, such as POGLUT1, DAPK3 and NFKBIA,
associated with osteoclastogenesis, which highlighted Notch, apoptosis and NF-kB signaling
pathways. Network topology-based analysis identified the upregulated subnetwork characterized by
EXOSC8 and DIS3L from the RNA exosome complex, and the downregulated subnetwork
composed of histone deacetylases and the cofactors, MORF4L1 and JDP2. Furthermore, the
overrepresentation enrichment analysis highlighted that corticotrophin-releasing hormone signaling
pathway might affect osteoclastogenesis through its component NR4A1, and suppressing osteoclast
differentiation and osteoclast bone resorption with urocortin (UCN).
Conclusion:
Our systematic analysis not only discovered novel molecular mechanisms but also
proposed potential drug targets for osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Jiang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Huanghe Road, Changshu 215500,China
| | - Pu Ying
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Huanghe Road, Changshu 215500,China
| | - Yingchao Shen
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Huanghe Road, Changshu 215500,China
| | - Yiming Miu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Huanghe Road, Changshu 215500,China
| | - Wenbin Kong
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Huanghe Road, Changshu 215500,China
| | - Tong Lu
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Huanghe Road, Changshu 215500,China
| | - Qiang Wang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Changshu Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, No. 6 Huanghe Road, Changshu 215500,China
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Saul D, Geisberg LK, Gehle T, Hoffmann DB, Tezval M, Sehmisch S, Komrakova M. Changes in Musculoskeletal System and Metabolism in Osteoporotic Rats Treated With Urocortin. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:400. [PMID: 31293517 PMCID: PMC6601316 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: In aging population, postmenopausal osteoporosis and decline of musculoskeletal function, referred to as "frailty syndrome" lead to loss of bone and muscle, causing falls, and fall-related injuries. To limit the impact of this portentous duo, simultaneous treatment of both is needed. Urocortin (UCN) has been reported to improve osteoporotic bone properties while its effect on muscle has not been addressed yet. Design and Methods: We aimed to investigate the effect of urocortin in vivo on skeletal muscle structure in osteopenic rats. Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups: four were ovariectomized (OVX) and one underwent sham operation (SHAM). One ovariectomized group was left untreated (OVX), while one was treated with urocortin s.c. in 3 μg/kg body weight (bw) (OVX+UCN low), one with 30 μg/kg (OVX+UCN high), while one group was treated with estradiol orally (OVX+E: 0.2 mg/kg bw), each for 35 days. Mm. gastrocnemius, longissimus, and soleus were isolated and capillary density as well as diameters of type I and II fibers were measured. In addition, we examined the effect of UCN on tibia using biomechanical, micro-CT and ashing analysis and investigated the blood serum. Results: We demonstrated a positive effect of UCN on M. soleus, in which fiber diameter was positively influenced. The biomechanical and structural parameters of bone were not changed in UCN treated rats. The higher cholesterol, glucose and triglyceride levels in the "UCN high" group raise concern about this treatment. Conclusions: Our results portray urocortin as a substance that can be assessed for future therapeutic treatments of estrogen deficiency. New and Noteworthy: Urocortin has a positive effect on M. soleus (diameter). Urocortin raises serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Bone tissue was not affected by UCN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Saul
- Department of Trauma, Orthopedics and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Laura Katharina Geisberg
- Department of Trauma, Orthopedics and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Torben Gehle
- Department of Trauma, Orthopedics and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Bernd Hoffmann
- Department of Trauma, Orthopedics and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Mohammad Tezval
- Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Sporttraumatologie und Handchirurgie, Klinikum Vest, Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Stephan Sehmisch
- Department of Trauma, Orthopedics and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Marina Komrakova
- Department of Trauma, Orthopedics and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Marina Komrakova ; orcid.org/0000-0002-6225-4378
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Lawrence KM, Jones RC, Jackson TR, Baylie RL, Abbott B, Bruhn-Olszewska B, Board TN, Locke IC, Richardson SM, Townsend PA. Chondroprotection by urocortin involves blockade of the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1. Sci Rep 2017; 7:5147. [PMID: 28698554 PMCID: PMC5505992 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-04367-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterised by progressive destruction of articular cartilage and chondrocyte cell death. Here, we show the expression of the endogenous peptide urocortin1 (Ucn1) and two receptor subtypes, CRF-R1 and CRF-R2, in primary human articular chondrocytes (AC) and demonstrate its role as an autocrine/paracrine pro-survival factor. This effect could only be removed using the CRF-R1 selective antagonist CP-154526, suggesting Ucn1 acts through CRF-R1 when promoting chondrocyte survival. This cell death was characterised by an increase in p53 expression, and cleavage of caspase 9 and 3. Antagonism of CRF-R1 with CP-154526 caused an accumulation of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) over time and cell death. These effects could be prevented with the non-selective cation channel blocker Gadolinium (Gd3+). Therefore, opening of a non-selective cation channel causes cell death and Ucn1 maintains this channel in a closed conformation. This channel was identified to be the mechanosensitive channel Piezo1. We go on to determine that this channel inhibition by Ucn1 is mediated initially by an increase in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and a subsequent inactivation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2), whose metabolites are known to modulate ion channels. Knowledge of these novel pathways may present opportunities for interventions that could abrogate the progression of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Lawrence
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK.
| | - R C Jones
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - T R Jackson
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - R L Baylie
- Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, M13 9NT, Manchester, UK
| | - B Abbott
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - B Bruhn-Olszewska
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
| | - T N Board
- The Center for Hip Surgery, Wrightington Hospital, Wigan, WN6 9EP, UK
| | - I C Locke
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Westminster, London, W1W 6UW, UK
| | - S M Richardson
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Centre for Tissue Injury and Repair, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK
| | - P A Townsend
- Division of Cancer Sciences, Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4GJ, UK
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Pérez-García S, Carrión M, Gutiérrez-Cañas I, González-Álvaro I, Gomariz RP, Juarranz Y. VIP and CRF reduce ADAMTS expression and function in osteoarthritis synovial fibroblasts. J Cell Mol Med 2016; 20:678-87. [PMID: 26818776 PMCID: PMC5126260 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.12777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs) family is known to play an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), working on aggrecan degradation or altering the integrity of extracellular matrix (ECM). Thus, the main purpose of our study was to define the role of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), as immunoregulatory neuropeptides, on ADAMTS production in synovial fibroblasts (SF) from OA patients and healthy donors (HD). OA- and HD-SF were stimulated with pro-inflammatory mediators and treated with VIP or CRF. Both neuropeptides decreased ADAMTS-4, -5, -7 and -12 expressions, aggrecanase activity, glycosaminoglycans (GAG), and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) degradation after stimulation with fibronectin fragments (Fn-fs) in OA-SF. After stimulation with interleukin-1β, VIP reduced ADAMTS-4 and -5, and both neuropeptides decreased ADAMTS-7 production and COMP degradation. Moreover, VIP and CRF reduced Runx2 and β-catenin activation in OA-SF. Our data suggest that the role of VIP and CRF on ADAMTS expression and cartilage degradation could be related to the OA pathology since scarce effects were produced in HD-SF. In addition, their effects might be greater when a degradation loop has been established, given that they were higher after stimulation with Fn-fs. Our results point to novel OA therapies based on the use of neuropeptides, since VIP and CRF are able to stop the first critical step, the loss of cartilage aggrecan and the ECM destabilization during joint degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selene Pérez-García
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mar Carrión
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene Gutiérrez-Cañas
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isidoro González-Álvaro
- Reumatology Service, Medical Research Institute, La Princesa University Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rosa P Gomariz
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Yasmina Juarranz
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
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Lawrence K, Jackson T, Jamieson D, Stevens A, Owens G, Sayan B, Locke I, Townsend P. Urocortin – From Parkinson's disease to the skeleton. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2015; 60:130-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2014.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2014] [Revised: 12/12/2014] [Accepted: 12/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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Tezval M, Hansen S, Schmelz U, Komrakova M, Stuermer KM, Sehmisch S. Effect of Urocortin on strength and microarchitecture of osteopenic rat femur. J Bone Miner Metab 2015; 33:154-60. [PMID: 24633537 DOI: 10.1007/s00774-014-0578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2013] [Accepted: 02/05/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
As yet there is no evidence of the potential antiosteoporotic effect of Urocortin-1 (UCN), a corticotropin releasing factor related peptide, in vivo. In this study, and for the first time, we investigated the effect of UCN in a rat osteopenia model. Sixty female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups: (1) sham-operated, (2) untreated ovariectomized (OVX) rats, (3) and (4) OVX animals treated for 5 weeks with daily subcutaneous low-dose UCN (3 μg/kg of BW) or high-dose UCN (30 μg/kg of BW) 8 weeks after ovariectomy, and (5) OVX rats treated with daily estrogen (0.2 mg/kg of BW p.o) 8 weeks after ovariectomy for 5 weeks (E). After sacrifice, the femurs were reserved for biomechanical, histomorphometric and ash testing. In the biomechanical test, the high-dose UCN rats showed significantly improved mechanical stiffness (341.6 N/mm) compared with the untreated OVX animals (275.9 N/mm). In the histomorphometric evaluation, the high-dose UCN rats demonstrated an improved trabecular microarchitecture especially and significantly at the distal femur (distal femur Tb.Ar = 41.4% and N.Nd/mm(2) = 26.8, proximal femur Tb.Ar = 71.8% and N.Nd/mm(2) = 28.7) compared with untreated OVX rats (distal femur Tb.Ar = 23.3% and N.Nd/mm(2) = 11.7, proximal femur Tb.Ar = 60.2% and N.Nd/mm(2) = 25.2). Our results show that short-term treatment with UCN seems to have a positive effect on the metaphyseal bone structure and strength of the femur in ovariectomized rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Tezval
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Georg-August-University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany,
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8
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Li P, Liu C, Hu M, Long M, Zhang D, Huo B. Fluid flow-induced calcium response in osteoclasts: signaling pathways. Ann Biomed Eng 2014; 42:1250-60. [PMID: 24710796 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-014-0984-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2013] [Accepted: 01/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Intracellular calcium oscillation and its downstream signaling in osteoclasts is believed to play critical roles in regulating bone resorption. Our previous study demonstrated that fluid shear stress (FSS) induced more calcium responsive peaks in the late differentiated osteoclasts than the early ones. In this paper, the signaling pathways of FSS-induced calcium response for the osteoclasts in different differentiation stages were studied. RAW264.7 macrophage cells were induced to differentiate into osteoclasts with the conditioned medium from MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Furthermore pharmacological agents were added to block the specific signaling pathways. Finally the cells were exposed to FSS at different levels (1 or 10 dyne/cm(2)) after being induced for 4 or 8 days. The results showed that the mechanosensitive, cation-selective channels, phospholipase C (PLC) and endoplasmic reticulum constituted the major signaling pathway for mechanical stimulation-induced calcium response in osteoclasts. Extracellular calcium or ATP involved with calcium oscillation in a FSS magnitude-dependent manner. This pathway study may help to give insight into the molecular mechanism of mechanical stimulation-regulated bone remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Li
- Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, No. 5 South Zhongguancun Street, Beijing, 100081, People's Republic of China
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Campos-Salinas J, Caro M, Cavazzuti A, Forte-Lago I, Beverley SM, O'Valle F, Gonzalez-Rey E. Protective role of the neuropeptide urocortin II against experimental sepsis and leishmaniasis by direct killing of pathogens. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2013; 191:6040-51. [PMID: 24249730 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1301921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We currently face an alarming resurgence in infectious diseases characterized by antimicrobial resistance and therapeutic failure. This has generated the urgent need of developing new therapeutic approaches that include agents with nontraditional modes of action. A recent interest focused on approaches based on our natural immune defenses, especially on peptides that combine innate antimicrobial activity against diverse pathogens and immunoregulatory functions. In this study, to our knowledge, we describe for the first time the antimicrobial activity of the neuropeptide urocortin II (UCNII) against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and tropical parasites of the genus Leishmania. Importantly, this cytotoxicity was selective for pathogens, because UCNII did not affect mammalian cell viability. Structurally, UCNII has a cationic and amphipathic design that resembles antimicrobial peptides. Using mutants and UCNII fragments, we determined the structural requirements for the interaction between the peptide and the surface of pathogen. Following its binding to pathogen, UCNII caused cell death through different membrane-disrupting mechanisms that involve aggregation and membrane depolarization in bacteria and pore formation in Leishmania. Noteworthily, UCNII killed the infective form of Leishmania major even inside the infected macrophages. Consequently, UCNII prevented mortality caused by polymicrobial sepsis and ameliorated pathological signs of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Besides its presence in body physical and mucosal barriers, we found that innate immune cells produce UCNII in response to infections. Therefore, UCNII could be considered as an ancient highly-conserved host peptide involved in the natural antimicrobial defense and emerge as an attractive alternative to current treatments for microbial disorders with associated drug resistances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Campos-Salinas
- Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine "López-Neyra," Spanish National Research Council, Granada 18016, Spain
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Urocortin protects chondrocytes from NO-induced apoptosis: a future therapy for osteoarthritis? Cell Death Dis 2013; 4:e717. [PMID: 23846219 PMCID: PMC3730405 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2013.231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by a loss of joint mobility and pain resulting from progressive destruction and loss of articular cartilage secondary to chondrocyte death and/ or senescence. Certain stimuli including nitric oxide (NO) and the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α have been implicated in this chondrocyte death and the subsequent accelerated damage to cartilage. In this study, we demonstrate that a corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF) family peptide, urocortin (Ucn), is produced by a human chondrocyte cell line, C-20/A4, and acts both as an endogenous survival signal and as a cytoprotective agent reducing the induction of apoptosis by NO but not TNF-α when added exogenously. Furthermore, treatment with the NO donor S-nitroso-N-acetyl-D-L-penicillamine upregulates chondrocyte Ucn expression, whereas treatment with TNF-α does not. The chondroprotective effects of Ucn are abolished by both specific ligand depletion (with an anti-Ucn antibody) and by CRF receptor blockade with the pan-CRFR antagonist α-helical CRH(9-41). CRFR expression was confirmed by reverse transcription-PCR with subsequent amplicon sequence analysis and demonstrates that C-20/A4 cells express both CRFR1 and CRFR2, specifically CRFR1α and CRFR2β. Protein expression of these receptors was confirmed by western blotting. The presence of both Ucn and its receptors in these cells, coupled with the induction of Ucn by NO, suggests the existence of an endogenous autocrine/paracrine chondroprotective mechanism against stimuli inducing chondrocyte apoptosis via the intrinsic/mitochondrial pathway.
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