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Qi H, Zhang Y, Xu L, Zheng X, Li Y, Wei Q, Li Y, Zhao Z, Fang J. Loss of RAP2A Aggravates Cartilage Degradation in TMJOA via YAP Signaling. J Dent Res 2023; 102:302-312. [PMID: 36366779 DOI: 10.1177/00220345221132213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal stress loading has been considered a major contributor to the initiation of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA), but studies to date have not identified a functional molecule that transforms physical stress into biological or biochemical signaling in chondrocytes in response to excessive mechanical stress. Ras-related protein Rap-2a (RAP2A) is reportedly a molecular switch that relays extracellular matrix rigidity signals via the Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) pathway. In the present study, RAP2A diminished with cartilage degradation in unilateral anterior crossbite-induced TMJOA mice, as well as severe cartilage matrix degeneration and TMJOA formation in Cre-loxP-mediated conditional RAP2A knockout mice. RAP2A in chondrocytes regulated the Hippo/YAP pathway directly in response to matrix stiffness, and RAP2A/Hippo/YAP was critical for a chondrocyte phenotype switch and matrix synthesis function. Loss of RAP2A impaired cartilage homeostasis and altered chondrocyte phenotype via Hippo/YAP/SRY-box transcription factor 9 signaling. It may be possible to generate therapeutic strategies using RAP2A or YAP to attenuate the TMJOA pathological process at an early stage. This is the first study to reveal the molecular function of RAP2A in TMJOA progression as a mechanotransduction molecule in condylar chondrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Y Zhang
- Department of Pediatrics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Diseases and Birth Defects, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - L Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - X Zheng
- Department of Pediatrics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Diseases and Birth Defects, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Y Li
- Department of Pediatrics, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Women and Children's Diseases and Birth Defects, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Q Wei
- College of Polymer Science and Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials and Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Y Li
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Z Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - J Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Silvani G, Bradbury P, Basirun C, Mehner C, Zalli D, Poole K, Chou J. Testing 3D printed biological platform for advancing simulated microgravity and space mechanobiology research. NPJ Microgravity 2022; 8:19. [PMID: 35662260 PMCID: PMC9166742 DOI: 10.1038/s41526-022-00207-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The advancement of microgravity simulators is helping many researchers better understanding the impact of the mechanically unloaded space environment on cellular function and disfunction. However, performing microgravity experiments on Earth, using simulators such as the Random Positioning Machine, introduces some unique practical challenges, including air bubble formation and leakage of growth medium from tissue culture flask and plates, all of which limit research progress. Here, we developed an easy-to-use hybrid biological platform designed with the precision of 3D printing technologies combined with PDMS microfluidic fabrication processes to facilitate reliable and reproducible microgravity cellular experiments. The system has been characterized for applications in the contest of brain cancer research by exposing glioblastoma and endothelial cells to 24 h of simulated microgravity condition to investigate the triggered mechanosensing pathways involved in cellular adaptation to the new environment. The platform demonstrated compatibility with different biological assays, i.e., proliferation, viability, morphology, protein expression and imaging of molecular structures, showing advantages over the conventional usage of culture flask. Our results indicated that both cell types are susceptible when the gravitational vector is disrupted, confirming the impact that microgravity has on both cancer and healthy cells functionality. In particular, we observed deactivation of Yap-1 molecule in glioblastoma cells and the remodeling of VE-Cadherin junctional protein in endothelial cells. The study provides support for the application of the proposed biological platform for advancing space mechanobiology research, also highlighting perspectives and strategies for developing next generation of brain cancer molecular therapies, including targeted drug delivery strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Silvani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Peta Bradbury
- Institut Curie, Paris Sciences et Lettres Research University, Mechanics and Genetics of Embryonic and Tumoral Development Group, Paris, France
| | - Carin Basirun
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia
| | - Christine Mehner
- Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Detina Zalli
- Institute of Continuing Education, University of Cambridge, Camridge, UK
| | - Kate Poole
- EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Joshua Chou
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
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