Downregulation of Annexin A1 by short hairpin RNA inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

A multi-omics study to characterize the transdifferentiation of human dermal fibroblasts to osteoblast-like cells

Background: Various skeletal disorders display defects in osteoblast development and function. An in vitro model can help to understand underlying disease mechanisms. Currently, access to appropriate starting material for in vitro osteoblastic studies is limited. Native osteoblasts and their progenitors, the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, (MSCs) are problematic to isolate from affected patients and challenging to expand in vitro. Human dermal fibroblasts in vitro are a promising substitute source of cells. Method: We developed an in vitro culturing technique to transdifferentiate fibroblasts into osteoblast-like cells. We obtained human fibroblasts from forearm skin biopsy and differentiated them into osteoblast-like cells with ß-glycerophosphate, ascorbic acid, and dexamethasone treatment. Osteoblastic phenotype was confirmed by staining for alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium and phosphate deposits (Alizarin Red, Von Kossa) and by a multi-omics approach (transcriptomic, proteomic, and phosphoproteomic analyses). Result: After 14 days of treatment, both fibroblasts and MSCs (reference cells) stained positive for ALP together with a significant increase in bone specific ALP (p = 0.04 and 0.004, respectively) compared to untreated cells. At a later time point, both cell types deposited minerals, indicating mineralization. In addition, fibroblasts and MSCs showed elevated expression of several osteogenic genes (e.g. ALPL, RUNX2, BMPs and SMADs), and decreased expression of SOX9. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis of RNA sequencing data from fibroblasts and MSCs showed that the osteoarthritis pathway was activated in both cell types (p_adj. = 0.003 and 0.004, respectively). Discussion: These data indicate that our in vitro treatment induces osteoblast-like differentiation in fibroblasts and MSCs, producing an in vitro osteoblastic cell system. This culturing system provides an alternative tool for bone biology research and skeletal tissue engineering.

Extracellular Matrix Derived From Dental Pulp Stem Cells Promotes Mineralization

Background: Extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a pivotal role in many physiological processes. ECM macromolecules and associated factors differ according to tissues, impact cell differentiation, and tissue homeostasis. Dental pulp ECM may differ from other oral tissues and impact mineralization. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the matrisome of ECM proteins derived from human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and its ability to regulate mineralization even in cells which do not respond to assaults by mineralization, the human gingival fibroblasts (GF).

Methods: ECM were extracted from DPSCs cultured in normal growth medium supplemented with L-ascorbic acid (N-ECM) or in osteogenic induction medium (OM-ECM). ECM decellularization (dECM) was performed using 0.5% triton X-100 in 20 mM ammonium hydroxide after 21 days. Mass spectrometry and proteomic analysis identified and quantified matrisome proteins.

Results: The dECM contained ECM proteins but lacked cellular components and mineralization. Interestingly, collagens (COL6A1, COL6A2, and COL6A3) and elastic fibers (FBN1, FBLN2, FN1, and HSPG2) were significantly represented in N-ECM, while annexins (ANXA1, ANXA4, ANXA5, ANXA6, ANXA7, and ANXA11) were significantly overdetected in OM-ECM. GF were reseeded on N-dECM and OM-dECM and cultured in normal or osteogenic medium. GF were able to attach and proliferate on N-dECM and OM-dECM. Both dECM enhanced mineralization of GF at day 14 compared to tissue culture plate (TCP). In addition, OM-dECM promoted higher mineralization of GF than N-dECM although cultured in growth medium.

Conclusions: ECM derived from DPSCs proved to be osteoinductive, and this knowledge supported cell-derived ECM can be further utilized for tissue engineering of mineralized tissues.

Annexin A1 is a potential biomarker of bone metastasis in small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is a subtype of lung cancer with a poor prognosis, with bone metastasis being one of the main causes of treatment failure. Therefore, investigating new biomarkers associated with bone metastasis may result in positive treatment outcomes. The present study detected the expression levels of annexin A1 (ANXA1) in the serum of 82 patients with SCLC using ELISA. ANXA1 expression in patients with SCLC with bone metastasis was significantly higher compared with that in patients without bone metastasis. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that ANXA1 expression was significant in the diagnosis of bone metastasis in SCLC. ANXA1 was inhibited in SBC-5 cells and overexpressed in SBC-3 cells. Results revealed that ANXA1 was able to enhance SCLC cell proliferation, invasion, migration and bone adhesion in vitro. In vivo xenograft bone metastasis assays indicated that ANXA1 had the potential to promote the bone-metastasis ability of SCLC cells in NOD/SCID mice. Furthermore, ANXA1 increased parathyroid hormone-related protein secretion and enhanced Smad2 phosphorylation following TGF-β treatment in SCLC cells. Overall, ANXA1 may be involved in the pathogenesis of bone metastasis in SCLC and may be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of SCLC.

Genome-Wide Association Analysis Identified ANXA1 Associated with Shoulder Impingement Syndrome in UK Biobank Samples

Shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS) is a common shoulder disorder with unclear genetic mechanism. In this study, Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) was conducted to identify the candidate loci associated with SIS by using the UK Biobank samples (including 3,626 SIS patients and 3,626 control subjects). Based on the GWAS results, gene set enrichment analysis was further performed to detect the candidate gene ontology and pathways associated with SIS. We identified multiple risk loci associated with SIS, such as rs750968 (P = 4.82 × 10⁻⁸), rs754832 (P = 4.83 × 10⁻⁸) and rs1873119 (P = 6.39 × 10⁻⁸) of ANXA1 gene. Some candidate pathways have been identified related to SIS, including those linked to infection response and hypoxia, “ZHOU_INFLAMMATORY_RESPONSE_FIMA_DN” (P = 0.012) and “MANALO_HYPOXIA_UP” (P = 5.00 × 10⁻⁵). Our results provide novel clues for understanding the genetic mechanism of SIS.

[Research progress in the mechanism of protein factors in regulating bone remodeling]

Objective

To review the role and mechanism of protein factors in bone remodeling, and provides theoretical basis for further elucidating the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of bone-related diseases.

Methods

The relevant research results at home and abroad in recent years were extensively consulted, analyzed, and summarized.

Results

Bone remodeling is an important physiological process to maintain bone homeostasis. Protein, as an important stimulator in bone remodeling, regulates the balance between bone resorption and bone formation.

Conclusion

At present, the research on the mechanism of protein in bone remodeling is insufficient. Therefore, it is necessary to further study the specific time, process, and interaction network of protein in bone remodeling, and to confirm its mechanism in bone remodeling, so as to reveal and treat the pathogenesis of bone-related diseases.

TRPM7 and MagT1 in the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro

Mesenchymal stem cells are fundamental for bone formation and repair since they respond to microenvironmental stimuli by undergoing osteogenic differentiation. We show that the kinase and cation channel TRPM7 and the magnesium transporter MagT1 have a role in harmonizing the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. TRPM7 and MagT1 are upregulated in osteogenic differentiation and silencing either one accelerates osteogenic differentiation, partly through the activation of autophagy. Intriguingly, similar results were obtained when the cells were cultured under magnesium deficient conditions. These results underpin the contribution of magnesium, TRPM7 and MagT1 to autophagy and osteoblastogenesis.

Association of miR-146a, miR-149, miR-196a2, and miR-499 Polymorphisms with Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament of the Cervical Spine

Background

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) of the spine is considered a multifactorial and polygenic disease. We aimed to investigate the association between four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of pre-miRNAs [miR-146aC>G (rs2910164), miR-149T>C (rs2292832), miR-196a2T>C (rs11614913), and miR-499A>G (rs3746444)] and the risk of cervical OPLL in the Korean population.

Methods

The genotypic frequencies of these four SNPs were analyzed in 207 OPLL patients and 200 controls by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay.

Findings

For four SNPs in pre-miRNAs, no significant differences were found between OPLL patients and controls. However, subgroup analysis based on OPLL subgroup (continuous: continuous type plus mixed type, segmental: segmental and localized type) showed that miR-499GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of segmental type OPLL (adjusted odds ratio = 4.314 with 95% confidence interval: 1.109–16.78). In addition, some allele combinations (C-T-T-G, G-T-T-A, and G-T-C-G of miR-146a/-149/-196a2/-499) and combined genotypes (miR-149TC/miR-196a2TT) were associated with increased OPLL risk, whereas the G-T-T-G and G-C-C-G allele combinations were associated with decreased OPLL risk.

Conclusion

The results indicate that GG genotype of miR-499 is associated with significantly higher risks of OPLL in the segmental OPLL group. The miR-146a/-149/-196a2/-499 allele combinations may be a genetic risk factor for cervical OPLL in the Korean population.

Lipoaspirate fluid proteome: A preliminary investigation by LC-MS top-down/bottom-up integrated platform of a high potential biofluid in regenerative medicine

The lipoaspirate fluid (LAF) is emerging as a potentially valuable source in regenerative medicine. In particular, our group recently demonstrated that it is able to exert osteoinductive properties in vitro. This original observation stimulated the investigation of the proteomic component of LAF, by means of LC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS top-down/bottom-up integrated approach, which represents the object of the present study. Top-down analyses required the optimization of sample pretreatment procedures to enable the correct investigation of the intact proteome. Bottom-up analyses have been directly applied to untreated samples after monodimensional SDS-PAGE separation. The analysis of the acid-soluble fraction of LAF by top-down approach allowed demonstrating the presence of albumin and hemoglobin fragments (i.e. VV- and LVV-hemorphin-7), thymosins β4 and β10 peptides, ubiquitin and acyl-CoA binding protein; adipogenesis regulatory factor, perilipin-1 fragments, and S100A6, along with their PTMs. Part of the bottom-up proteomic profile was reproducibly found in both tested samples. The bottom-up approach allowed demonstrating the presence of proteins, listed among the components of adipose tissue and/or comprised within the ASCs intracellular content and secreted proteome. Our data provide a first glance on the LAF molecular profile, which is consistent with its tissue environment. LAF appeared to contain bioactive proteins, peptides and paracrine factors, suggesting its potential translational exploitation.

RETRACTED: Effect of transplantation of BMMSCs on pathological change of gastric precancerous lesions of rats

OBJECTIVE

To build the rat model of gastric precancerous lesions and discuss the effect of transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) on the pathological change.

METHODS

The rat model of gastric precancerous lesions was built using N-methyl-N'-nitro-N'-nitrosoguanidine. After the intravenous transplantation of BMMSCs, the migration and colonization location was then observed, as well as its effect on the related factors of gastric precancerous lesions, including VEGF, IL-10 and IFN-γ.

RESULTS

BMMSCs were mainly colonized in the gastric body and gastric antrum, which could be differentiated into the epithelial and interstitial cells. The expression of VEGF in the transplantation group and non-transplantation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05); while the expression of VEGF in the transplantation group was significantly higher than that in the non-transplantation group (t = 3.88, P < 0.001). The expression of serum IL-10 and IFN-γ in the transplantation group and non-transplantation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0.05), while the expression of IL-10 and IFN-γ in the transplantation group was significantly lower than that in the non-transplantation group (t = 3.03, P = 0.004; t = 3.80, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

BMMSCs can be directionally differentiated into the epithelial and interstitial cells and can also regulate the related growth factors and inflammatory factors to reduce the injury of inflammation, relieve or reverse the process of gastric precancerous lesions.