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Grol MW. The evolving landscape of gene therapy strategies for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2024; 32:372-384. [PMID: 38199296 DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.12.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Significant advances have been made in our understanding of osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis; however, no disease-modifying therapies have been identified. This review will summarize the gene therapy landscape, its initial successes for OA, and possible challenges using recent studies and examples of gene therapies in clinical trials. DESIGN This narrative review has three major sections: 1) vector systems for OA gene therapy, 2) current and emerging targets for OA gene therapy, and 3) considerations and future directions. RESULTS Gene therapy is the strategy by which nucleic acids are delivered to treat and reverse disease progression. Specificity and prolonged expression of these nucleic acids are achieved by manipulating promoters, genes, and vector systems. Certain vector systems also allow for the development of combinatorial nucleic acid strategies that can be delivered in a single intraarticular injection - an approach likely required to treat the complexity of OA pathogenesis. Several viral and non-viral vector-based gene therapies are in clinical trials for OA, and many more are being evaluated in the preclinical arena. CONCLUSIONS In a post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) era, the future of gene therapy for OA is certainly promising; however, the majority of preclinical validation continues to focus heavily on post-traumatic models and changes in only cartilage and subchondral bone. To ensure successful translation, new candidates in the preclinical arena should be examined against all joint tissues as well as pain using diverse models of injury-, obesity-, and age-induced disease. Lastly, consideration must be given to strategies for repeat administration and the cost of treatment owing to the chronic nature of OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew W Grol
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Shen M, Li K, Wang L, Feng L, Zhang X, Zhang H, Zhou H, Pei G. ZIP4 upregulation aggravates nucleus pulposus cell degradation by promoting inflammation and oxidative stress by mediating the HDAC4-FoxO3a axis. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:685-700. [PMID: 38217540 PMCID: PMC10817398 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extracellular matrix metabolism dysregulation in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells represents a crucial pathophysiological feature of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Our study elucidates the role and mechanism of Testis expressed 11 (TEX11, also called ZIP4) extracellular matrix degradation in the NP. MATERIALS AND METHODS Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and H2O2 were used to treat NP cells to establish an IDD cell model. Normal NP tissues and NP tissues from IDD patients were harvested. ZIP4 mRNA and protein profiles in NP cells and tissues were examined. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) confirmed the profiles of TNF-α, IL-6, MDA, and SOD in NP cells. The alterations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), COX2, iNOS, MMP-3, MMP-13, collagen II, aggrecan, FoxO3a, histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4), Sirt1 and NF-κB levels in NP cells were determined using different assays. RESULTS The ZIP4 profile increased in the NP tissues of IDD patients and IL-1β- or H2O2-treated NP cells. ZIP4 upregulation bolstered inflammation and oxidative stress in NP cells undergoing IL-1β treatment and exacerbated their extracellular matrix degradation, whereas ZIP4 knockdown produced the opposite outcome. Mechanistically, ZIP4 upregulated HDAC4 and enhanced NF-κB phosphorylation while repressing Sirt1 and FoxO3a phosphorylation levels. HDAC4 knockdown or Sirt1 promotion attenuated the effects mediated by ZIP4 overexpression in NP cells. CONCLUSIONS ZIP4 upregulation aggravates the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation of NP cells by mediating inflammation and oxidative stress through the HDAC4-FoxO3a axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingkui Shen
- Intervertebral Disc Center, Third Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450006, Henan, China
| | - Kuankuan Li
- Intervertebral Disc Center, Third Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450006, Henan, China
| | - Lulu Wang
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Li Feng
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Intervertebral Disc Center, Third Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450006, Henan, China
| | - Haoping Zhang
- Intervertebral Disc Center, Third Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450006, Henan, China
| | - Honggang Zhou
- Intervertebral Disc Center, Third Hospital of Henan Province, Zhengzhou 450006, Henan, China
| | - Guoxian Pei
- School of Medicine, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
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Horváth E, Sólyom Á, Székely J, Nagy EE, Popoviciu H. Inflammatory and Metabolic Signaling Interfaces of the Hypertrophic and Senescent Chondrocyte Phenotypes Associated with Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16468. [PMID: 38003658 PMCID: PMC10671750 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242216468] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a complex disease of whole joints with progressive cartilage matrix degradation and chondrocyte transformation. The inflammatory features of OA are reflected in increased synovial levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and VEGF, higher levels of TLR-4 binding plasma proteins and increased expression of IL-15, IL-18, IL-10 and Cox2, in cartilage. Chondrocytes in OA undergo hypertrophic and senescent transition; in these states, the expression of Sox-9, Acan and Col2a1 is suppressed, whereas the expression of RunX2, HIF-2α and MMP-13 is significantly increased. NF-kB, which triggers many pro-inflammatory cytokines, works with BMP, Wnt and HIF-2α to link hypertrophy and inflammation. Altered carbohydrate metabolism and the upregulation of GLUT-1 contribute to the formation of end-glycation products that trigger inflammation via the RAGE pathway. In addition, a glycolytic shift, increased rates of oxidative phosphorylation and mitochondrial dysfunction generate reactive oxygen species with deleterious effects. An important surveyor mechanism, the YAP/TAZ signaling system, controls chondrocyte differentiation, inhibits ageing by protecting the nuclear envelope and suppressing NF-kB, MMP-13 and aggrecanases. The inflammatory microenvironment and synthesis of key matrix components are also controlled by SIRT1 and mTORc. Senescent chondrocytes represent the functional end stage of hypertrophic differentiation and characteristically upregulate p16 and p21, but also a variety of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and metalloproteinases, developing the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Senolysis with dendrobin, miR29b-5p and other agents has been shown to be efficient under experimental conditions, and appears to be a promising tool for the treatment of OA, as it restores COL2A1 and aggrecan synthesis, suppressing NF-kB and destructive metalloproteinases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emőke Horváth
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Pathology Service, County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures, 50 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Árpád Sólyom
- Department of Orthopedics-Traumatology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gh. Marinescu Street, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania;
- Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures, 50 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - János Székely
- Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, County Emergency Clinical Hospital of Targu Mures, 50 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania;
| | - Előd Ernő Nagy
- Department of Biochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
- Laboratory of Medical Analysis, Clinical County Hospital Mures, 6 Bernády György Square, 540394 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Horațiu Popoviciu
- Department of Rheumatology, Physical and Medical Rehabilitation, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 38 Gheorghe Marinescu Street, 540139 Targu Mures, Romania;
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Kiełbowski K, Herian M, Bakinowska E, Banach B, Sroczyński T, Pawlik A. The Role of Genetics and Epigenetic Regulation in the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11655. [PMID: 37511413 PMCID: PMC10381003 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is progressive disease characterised by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone remodelling and inflammation of the synovium. The disease is associated with obesity, mechanical load and age. However, multiple pro-inflammatory immune mediators regulate the expression of metalloproteinases, which take part in cartilage degradation. Furthermore, genetic factors also contribute to OA susceptibility. Recent studies have highlighted that epigenetic mechanisms may regulate the expression of OA-associated genes. This review aims to present the mechanisms of OA pathogenesis and summarise current evidence regarding the role of genetics and epigenetics in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Andrzej Pawlik
- Department of Physiology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (K.K.); (M.H.); (E.B.); (B.B.); (T.S.)
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Balaskas P, Goljanek-Whysall K, Clegg PD, Fang Y, Cremers A, Smagul A, Welting TJM, Peffers MJ. MicroRNA Signatures in Cartilage Ageing and Osteoarthritis. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11041189. [PMID: 37189806 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11041189] [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: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Osteoarthritis is the most common degenerative joint disorder. MicroRNAs are gene expression regulators that act post-transcriptionally to control tissue homeostasis. Microarray analysis was undertaken in osteoarthritic intact, lesioned and young intact cartilage. Principal component analysis showed that young intact cartilage samples were clustered together; osteoarthritic samples had a wider distribution; and osteoarthritic intact samples were separated into two subgroups, osteoarthritic-Intact-1 and osteoarthritic-Intact-2. We identified 318 differentially expressed microRNAs between young intact and osteoarthritic lesioned cartilage, 477 between young intact and osteoarthritic-Intact-1 cartilage and 332 between young intact and osteoarthritic-Intact-2 cartilage samples. For a selected list of differentially expressed microRNAs, results were verified in additional cartilage samples using qPCR. Of the validated DE microRNAs, four-miR-107, miR-143-3p, miR-361-5p and miR-379-5p-were selected for further experiments in human primary chondrocytes treated with IL-1β. Expression of these microRNAs decreased in human primary chondrocytes treated with IL-1β. For miR-107 and miR-143-3p, gain- and loss-of-function approaches were undertaken and associated target genes and molecular pathways were investigated using qPCR and mass spectrometry proteomics. Analyses showed that WNT4 and IHH, predicted targets of miR-107, had increased expression in osteoarthritic cartilage compared to young intact cartilage and in primary chondrocytes treated with miR-107 inhibitor, and decreased expression in primary chondrocytes treated with miR-107 mimic, suggesting a role of miR-107 in chondrocyte survival and proliferation. In addition, we identified an association between miR-143-3p and EIF2 signalling and cell survival. Our work supports the role of miR-107 and miR-143-3p in important chondrocyte mechanisms regulating proliferation, hypertrophy and protein translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Balaskas
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Katarzyna Goljanek-Whysall
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Galway, H91 TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Peter D Clegg
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Yongxiang Fang
- Centre for Genomic Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, Biosciences Building, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Andy Cremers
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Centre, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Aibek Smagul
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
| | - Tim J M Welting
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical Centre, Maastricht University, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mandy J Peffers
- Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, William Henry Duncan Building, 6 West Derby Street, Liverpool L7 8TX, UK
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Molecular Mechanisms of Cartilage Repair and Their Possible Clinical Uses: A Review of Recent Developments. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232214272. [PMID: 36430749 PMCID: PMC9697852 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232214272] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Articular cartilage (AC) defects are frequent but hard to manage. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal illness that afflicts between 250 and 500 million people in the world. Even though traditional OA drugs can partly alleviate pain, these drugs cannot entirely cure OA. Since cartilaginous tissue of the joints has a poor self-repair capacity and very poor proliferative ability, the healing of injured cartilaginous tissue of the joint has not been accomplished so far. Consequently, the discovery of efficacious mediations and regenerative treatments for OA is needed. This manuscript reviews the basic concepts and the recent developments on the molecular mechanisms of cartilage repair and their potential clinical applications. For this purpose, a literature exploration was carried out in PubMed for the years 2020, 2021, and 2022. On 31 October 2022 and using "cartilage repair molecular mechanisms" as keywords, 41 articles were found in 2020, 42 in 2021, and 36 in 2022. Of the total of 119 articles, 80 were excluded as they were not directly related to the title of this manuscript. Of particular note are the advances concerning the mechanisms of action of hyaluronic acid, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), nanotechnology, enhancer of zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EHZ2), hesperetin, high mobility group box 2 (HMGB2), α2-macroglobulin (α2M), proteoglycan 4 (Prg4)/lubricin, and peptides related to cartilage repair and treatment of OA. Despite the progress made, current science has not yet achieved a definitive solution for healing AC lesions or repairing cartilage in the case of OA. Therefore, further research into the molecular mechanisms of AC damage is needed in the coming decades.
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