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Hou Y, Shi J, Guo Y, Shi G. Inhibition of angiogenetic macrophages reduces disc degeneration-associated pain. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:962155. [PMID: 36304897 PMCID: PMC9592909 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.962155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal angiogenesis and innervation in avascular discs during lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) cause severe back pain. These pathological alterations in the degenerating discs are induced by cytokines partially produced and secreted by inflammatory cells, among which macrophages are the most frequently ones detected at the legion site. However, the role of macrophages as well as their polarization in regulation of innervation and angiogenesis in the degenerating discs is unclear. In this study, we analyzed macrophages in the degenerating discs from patients and detected a specific macrophage subtype that expresses high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). Co-expression of M2 macrophage markers in this macrophage subtype suggested that they were a M2d-like subtype. High levels of VEGF-A and genes associated with angiogenesis were also detected in LDD specimens compared to control heathy discs from a public database, consistent with our finding. Moreover, the levels of VEGF-A in disc macrophages were strongly correlated to the pain score of the examined patients, but not to the Thompson classification of the degeneration level of the patients. In vitro, overexpressing VEGF-A in macrophages increased the tube formation, proliferation and migration of co-cultured endothelial cells, and increased the innervation of embryonic spinal cord explant into the co-cultured area for macrophages and skeletal myocytes. In vivo, an orthotopic injection of adeno-associated virus carrying siRNA for VEGF-A under a macrophage-specific CD68 promoter significantly reduced the number of VEGF-A-positive disc macrophages and alleviated the pain in LDD-mice. Together, these data suggest that inhibition of angiogenetic potential of macrophages may reduce disc degeneration-associated pain through suppression of angiogenesis and innervation, as a promising therapy for LDD-associated pain.
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Chen Q, Wu Y, Zhong M, Xu C, Chen R, Liu N. Amphiregulin secreted by cartilage endplate stem cells inhibits intervertebral disk degeneration and TNF-α production via PI3K/AKT and ERK1/2 signaling pathways. Mol Cell Toxicol 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-022-00254-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis of Cells from Degenerating and Non-Degenerating Intervertebral Discs from the Same Individual Reveals New Biomarkers for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073993. [PMID: 35409356 PMCID: PMC8999935 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we used single-cell transcriptomic analysis to identify new specific biomarkers for nucleus pulposus (NP) and inner annulus fibrosis (iAF) cells, and to define cell populations within non-degenerating (nD) and degenerating (D) human intervertebral discs (IVD) of the same individual. Cluster analysis based on differential gene expression delineated 14 cell clusters. Gene expression profiles at single-cell resolution revealed the potential functional differences linked to degeneration, and among NP and iAF subpopulations. GO and KEGG analyses discovered molecular functions, biological processes, and transcription factors linked to cell type and degeneration state. We propose two lists of biomarkers, one as specific cell type, including C2orf40, MGP, MSMP, CD44, EIF1, LGALS1, RGCC, EPYC, HILPDA, ACAN, MT1F, CHI3L1, ID1, ID3 and TMED2. The second list proposes predictive IVD degeneration genes, including MT1G, SPP1, HMGA1, FN1, FBXO2, SPARC, VIM, CTGF, MGST1, TAF1D, CAPS, SPTSSB, S100A1, CHI3L2, PLA2G2A, TNRSF11B, FGFBP2, MGP, SLPI, DCN, MT-ND2, MTCYB, ADIRF, FRZB, CLEC3A, UPP1, S100A2, PRG4, COL2A1, SOD2 and MT2A. Protein and mRNA expression of MGST1, vimentin, SOD2 and SYF2 (p29) genes validated our scRNA-seq findings. Our data provide new insights into disc cells phenotypes and biomarkers of IVD degeneration that could improve diagnostic and therapeutic options.
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Han Z, Ren H, Sun J, Jin L, Wang Q, Guo C, Tian Z. Integrated weighted gene coexpression network analysis identifies Frizzled 2 (FZD2) as a key gene in invasive malignant pleomorphic adenoma. J Transl Med 2022; 20:15. [PMID: 34986855 PMCID: PMC8734245 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-03204-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Invasive malignant pleomorphic adenoma (IMPA) is a highly malignant neoplasm of the oral salivary glands with a poor prognosis and a considerable risk of recurrence. Many disease-causing genes of IMPA have been identified in recent decades (e.g., P53, PCNA and HMGA2), but many of these genes remain to be explored. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) is a newly emerged algorithm that can cluster genes and form modules based on similar gene expression patterns. This study constructed a gene coexpression network of IMPA via WGCNA and then carried out multifaceted analysis to identify novel disease-causing genes. Methods RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed for 10 pairs of IMPA and normal tissues to acquire the gene expression profiles. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out with the cutoff criteria of |log2 Fold change (FC)|> 1 and adjusted p value < 0.05. Then, WGCNA was applied to systematically identify the hidden diagnostic hub genes of IMPA. Results In this research, a total of 1970 DEGs were screened out in IMPA tissues, including 1056 upregulated DEGs and 914 downregulated DEGs. Functional enrichment analysis was performed for identified DEGs and revealed an enrichment of tumor-associated GO terms and KEGG pathways. We used WGCNA to identify gene module most relevant with the histological grade of IMPA. The gene FZD2 was then recognized as the hub gene of the selected module with the highest module membership (MM) value and intramodule connectivity in protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. According to immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining, the expression level of FZD2 was higher in low-grade IMPA than in high-grade IMPA. Conclusion FZD2 shows an expression dynamic that is negatively correlated with the clinical malignancy of IMPA and it plays a central role in the transcription network of IMPA. Thus, FZD2 serves as a promising histological indicator for the precise prediction of IMPA histological stages. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-03204-7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyuan Han
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.,Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China
| | - Huiping Ren
- Department of Prosthodontics, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University & Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Oral Tissue Regeneration & Shandong Engineering Laboratory for Dental Materials and Oral Tissue Regeneration, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Lihui Jin
- Pediatric Heart Center, Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Clinical Translational Research Center, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Chuanbin Guo
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhen Tian
- Department of Oral Pathology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai, China.
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Yan Q, Xiao Q, Ge J, Wu C, Wang Y, Yu H, Yang H, Zou J. Bioinformatics-Based Research on Key Genes and Pathways of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration. Cartilage 2021; 13:582S-591S. [PMID: 33233925 PMCID: PMC8804785 DOI: 10.1177/1947603520973247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To find out the pathways and key genes and to reveal disc degeneration pathogenesis based on bioinformatic analyses. DESIGN The GSE70362 dataset was downloaded from the GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the patients having disc degeneration and healthy controls were screened by Limma package in R language. Critical genes were identified by adopting gene ontologies (GOs), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways, and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. RESULTS We identified 112 DEGs, including 60 genes which were upregulated and 52 that were downregulated. Analyses, such as GO and KEGG demonstrated that the DEGs got enriched in 4 biological processes and 2 signaling pathways, mainly related to disc degeneration. The PPI network analyses identified 5 key proteins, CCND1 (cyclin D1), GATA3, TNFSF11, LEF1, and DKK1 (Dickkopf related protein 1). CONCLUSION In this study, the DEGs and pathways determined promoted us understand the disc degeneration mechanisms. Also, the study may contribute novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and prevention of disc degeneration, and seek new treatment methods to repair and even regenerate degenerative intervertebral disc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Yan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Quan Xiao
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China,Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
Affiliated Lianshui People’s Hospital of Kangda College of Nan Jing Medical
Universty, Lianshui, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Ge
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cenhao Wu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yingjie Wang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Hao Yu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Huilin Yang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jun Zou
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The
First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China,Jun Zou, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,
The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Street, Suzhou,
Jiangsu 215006, China.
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CCN proteins in the musculoskeletal system: current understanding and challenges in physiology and pathology. J Cell Commun Signal 2021; 15:545-566. [PMID: 34228239 PMCID: PMC8642527 DOI: 10.1007/s12079-021-00631-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The acronym for the CCN family was recently revised to represent “cellular communication network”. These six, small, cysteine-enriched and evolutionarily conserved proteins are secreted matricellular proteins, that convey and modulate intercellular communication by interacting with structural proteins, signalling factors and cell surface receptors. Their role in the development and physiology of musculoskeletal system, constituted by connective tissues where cells are interspersed in the cellular matrix, has been broadly studied. Previous research has highlighted a crucial balance of CCN proteins in mesenchymal stem cell commitment and a pivotal role for CCN1, CCN2 and their alter ego CCN3 in chondrogenesis and osteogenesis; CCN4 plays a minor role and the role of CCN5 and CCN6 is still unclear. CCN proteins also participate in osteoclastogenesis and myogenesis. In adult life, CCN proteins serve as mechanosensory proteins in the musculoskeletal system providing a steady response to environmental stimuli and participating in fracture healing. Substantial evidence also supports the involvement of CCN proteins in inflammatory pathologies, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as in cancers affecting the musculoskeletal system and bone metastasis. These matricellular proteins indeed show involvement in inflammation and cancer, thus representing intriguing therapeutic targets. This review discusses the current understanding of CCN proteins in the musculoskeletal system as well as the controversies and challenges associated with their multiple and complex roles, and it aims to link the dispersed knowledge in an effort to stimulate and guide readers to an area that the writers consider to have significant impact and relevant potentialities.
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Novais EJ, Choi H, Madhu V, Suyama K, Anjo SI, Manadas B, Shapiro IM, Salgado AJ, Risbud MV. Hypoxia and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α Regulate Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Nucleus Pulposus Cells: Implications of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress for Extracellular Matrix Secretion. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2021; 191:487-502. [PMID: 33307037 PMCID: PMC7927276 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is shown to promote nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis and intervertebral disc degeneration. However, little is known about ER stress regulation by the hypoxic disc microenvironment and its contribution to extracellular matrix homeostasis. NP cells were cultured under hypoxia (1% partial pressure of oxygen) to assess ER stress status, and gain-of-function and loss-of-function approaches were used to assess the role of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in this pathway. In addition, the contribution of ER stress induction on the NP cell secretome was assessed by a nontargeted quantitative proteomic analysis by sequential windowed data independent acquisition of the total high-resolution mass spectra-mass spectrometry. NP cells exhibited a lower ER stress burden under hypoxia. Knockdown of HIF-1α increased C/EBP homologous protein, protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), and activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6) levels, whereas HIF-1α stabilization decreased the expression of ER stress markers Ddit3, Hsp5a, Atf6, and Eif2a. Interestingly, ER stress inducers tunicamycin and thapsigargin induced HIF-1α activity under hypoxia while promoting the unfolded protein response. NP cell secretome analysis demonstrated an impact of ER stress induction on extracellular matrix secretion, with decreases in collagens and cell adhesion-related proteins. Moreover, analysis of transcriptomic data of NP tissues from aged mice and degenerated human discs showed higher levels of unfolded protein response markers and decreased levels of matrix components. Our study shows, for the first time, that hypoxia and HIF-1α attenuate ER stress responses in NP cells, and ER stress promotes inefficient extracellular matrix secretion under hypoxia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuel J Novais
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics (ICVS/3B's) - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Hyowon Choi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Vedavathi Madhu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kaori Suyama
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Tokai University School of Medicine, Isehara, Japan
| | - Sandra I Anjo
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Bruno Manadas
- Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Irving M Shapiro
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - António J Salgado
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute, School of Medicine, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal; Life and Health Sciences Research Institute/Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics (ICVS/3B's) - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga, Portugal
| | - Makarand V Risbud
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sidney Kimmel Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Graduate Program in Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Wang Y, Dai G, Xu Y, Jiang L, Fu Z, Xia J, Tian G, Du W. Integrated traditional Chinese medicine alleviates sciatica while regulating gene expression in peripheral blood. J Orthop Surg Res 2021; 16:130. [PMID: 33573686 PMCID: PMC7877113 DOI: 10.1186/s13018-021-02280-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Although integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has long been indicated to be effective in the treatment of sciatica and is widely used in the management of this condition, the mechanism by which integrated TCM alleviates sciatica has not yet been fully defined, and the effect of integrated TCM on gene expression in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica is still unknown. We performed this study to investigate the effect of integrated TCM on peripheral blood gene expression in patients with sciatica and to explore new clues for studying the mechanism of integrated TCM in alleviating sciatica. Methods We used a microarray to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica and healthy controls (DEGs-baseline), bioinformatic analysis to reveal the characteristics of DEGs-baseline, and the key genes that contribute to the gene dysregulation. A microarray was also used to identify DEGs in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica after integrated TCM treatment compared with those at baseline, and the expression levels of DEGs were validated by qRT-PCR. Results We identified 153 DEGs-baseline, which included 131 upregulated genes and 22 downregulated genes. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that most of the DEGs-baseline were related to immunity and the inflammatory response and that TLR4, MMP9, MPO, CAMP, RETN, TLR5, and IL1RN were key genes involved in the dysregulation of genes in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica. The expression levels of TLR5, IL1RN, SLC8A1, RBM20, GPER1, IL27, SOCS1, and GRTP1-AS1 were decreased in the peripheral blood of patients after integrated TCM treatment compared with that at baseline, which was accompanied by relief of pain. Conclusion Integrated TCM treatment relieved pain while regulating the gene expression of TLR5, IL1RN, SLC8A1, RBM20, GPER1, IL27, SOCS1, and GRTP1-AS1 in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica. Our study provides new clues for studying the mechanism of TCM in treating sciatica. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-021-02280-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Guogang Dai
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Experiment Teaching Center for Preclinical Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, No. 783, Xindu Avenue, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- College Hospital, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, No. 211 Huiming Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Zhibin Fu
- Department of Lower Extremities, Sport Hospital Affiliated to Chengdu Sport Institute, No. 2, Tiyuan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiao Xia
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Guogang Tian
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Wanli Du
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
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Wang Y, Dai G, Jiang L, Liao S, Xia J. Microarray analysis reveals an inflammatory transcriptomic signature in peripheral blood for sciatica. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:50. [PMID: 33535986 PMCID: PMC7856817 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02078-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the pathology of sciatica has been studied extensively, the transcriptional changes in the peripheral blood caused by sciatica have not been characterized. This study aimed to characterize the peripheral blood transcriptomic signature for sciatica. METHODS We used a microarray to identify differentially expressed genes in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica compared with that of healthy controls, performed a functional analysis to reveal the peripheral blood transcriptomic signature for sciatica, and conducted a network analysis to identify key genes that contribute to the observed transcriptional changes. The expression levels of these key genes were assessed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS We found that 153 genes were differentially expressed in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica compared with that of healthy controls, and 131 and 22 of these were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. A functional analysis revealed that these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were strongly enriched for the inflammatory response or immunity. The network analysis revealed that a group of genes, most of which are related to the inflammatory response, played a key role in the dysregulation of these DEGs. These key genes are Toll-like receptor 4, matrix metallopeptidase 9, myeloperoxidase, cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide, resistin and Toll-like receptor 5, and a qRT-PCR analysis validated the higher transcript levels of these key genes in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica than in that of healthy controls. CONCLUSION We revealed inflammatory characteristics that serve as a peripheral blood transcriptomic signature for sciatica and identified genes that are essential for mRNA dysregulation in the peripheral blood of patients with sciatica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road,Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
| | - Guogang Dai
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road,Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Ling Jiang
- College Hospital, Sichuan Agricultural University-Chengdu Campus, NO. 211 Huimin Road, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, 611130, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Shichuan Liao
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road,Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Jiao Xia
- Cervicodynia/Omalgia/Lumbago/Sciatica Department 2, Sichuan Provincial Orthopedics Hospital, No. 132 West First Section First Ring Road,Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
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Hingert D, Nawilaijaroen P, Ekström K, Baranto A, Brisby H. Human Levels of MMP-1 in Degenerated Disks Can Be Mitigated by Signaling Peptides from Mesenchymal Stem Cells. Cells Tissues Organs 2020; 209:144-154. [PMID: 32829335 DOI: 10.1159/000509146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in intervertebral disks (IVDs) during IVD degeneration plays a vital role in low back pain (LBP). In healthy IVDs, synthesis and degradation of ECM are kept in balance by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of MMPs. MMPs are enzymes responsible for ECM degradation, and their expression levels are known to increase in degenerated disks. However, the exact pathophysiological concentration of MMP-1 in the degenerated disks of patients with chronic LBP has not been reported previously. Factors secreted by human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have shown positive results in cell therapy of degenerated disks. The aim of this study was to investigate the pathophysiological MMP-1 concentration (in ng/mL) in degenerated disk tissue and to evaluate if conditioned media (CM) from hMSCs could mitigate the effects of MMP-1 at the detected levels in a 3D in vitro disk cell (DC) pellet model. Tissue levels of MMP-1 were quantified in disk tissue collected from 6 chronic LBP patients undergoing surgery. DC pellet cultures were performed to investigate the effects of MMP-1 alone and the effects of conditioned media (CM) in the presence of MMP-1. MMP-1 was introduced in the pellets on day 14 at concentrations of 5, 50, or 100 ng/mL. The pellets were harvested on day 28 and evaluated for cell viability, proliferation, and ECM production. The mean concentration of MMP-1 in disk tissue was 151 ng/mL. Results from pellet cultures demonstrated a higher number of viable cells, glycosaminoglycan production, and ECM accumulation in the CM group even in the presence of MMP-1 compared to the controls. However, the level decreased with increasing MMP-1 concentration. The results demonstrated that CM has the ability to mitigate matrix degradation property of MMP-1 up to 50 ng/mL suggesting that CM could potentially be used to treat early stages of disk degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne Hingert
- Lundberg Laboratory for Orthopedic Research, Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden,
| | - Phonphan Nawilaijaroen
- Department of Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Karin Ekström
- Sahlgrenska Cancer Center, Department of Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Adad Baranto
- Lundberg Laboratory for Orthopedic Research, Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Orthopedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Helena Brisby
- Lundberg Laboratory for Orthopedic Research, Department of Orthopedics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.,Department of Orthopedics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Wang W, Wang J, Zhang J, Taq W, Zhang Z. miR‑222 induces apoptosis in human intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus cells by targeting Bcl‑2. Mol Med Rep 2019; 20:4875-4882. [PMID: 31638197 PMCID: PMC6854584 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is characterized by abnormal induction of apoptosis in intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Previous studies indicated that miR-222 was upregulated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. However, the effects of miR-222 in IDD remain unclear. The present study aimed to demonstrate the role of miR-222 in NP cells. The levels of miR-222 in patients with IDD were measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Cell Counting Kit-8 and western blotting assays were used to detect cell proliferation and apoptosis-associated protein levels, respectively. In addition, luciferase reporter assays were performed to validate the predicted target genes of miR-222. miR-222 was significantly upregulated in patients with IDD. Overexpression of miR-222 inhibited cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Moreover, overexpression of miR-222 resulted in an upregulation in the levels of Bax and cleaved caspase 3, and a downregulation in the levels of Bcl-2 in NP cells. The luciferase reporter assays demonstrated that Bcl-2 is a target of miR-222. Furthermore, overexpression of miR-222 increased the levels of cytochrome c, apoptotic protease activating factor-1 and cleaved caspase 9 in NP cells. Conversely, downregulation of miR-222 could promote the proliferation of NP cells. The present data demonstrated that miR-222 induced apoptosis in NP cells by directly targeting Bcl-2. Therefore, miR-222 may act as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of IDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wang
- Department of Rehabilitation, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121000, P.R. China
| | - Jian Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121000, P.R. China
| | - Jiayi Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121000, P.R. China
| | - Wei Taq
- Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121000, P.R. China
| | - Zhenxing Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning 121000, P.R. China
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