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Hu L, Chen W, Qian A, Li YP. Wnt/β-catenin signaling components and mechanisms in bone formation, homeostasis, and disease. Bone Res 2024; 12:39. [PMID: 38987555 PMCID: PMC11237130 DOI: 10.1038/s41413-024-00342-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Wnts are secreted, lipid-modified proteins that bind to different receptors on the cell surface to activate canonical or non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways, which control various biological processes throughout embryonic development and adult life. Aberrant Wnt signaling pathway underlies a wide range of human disease pathogeneses. In this review, we provide an update of Wnt/β-catenin signaling components and mechanisms in bone formation, homeostasis, and diseases. The Wnt proteins, receptors, activators, inhibitors, and the crosstalk of Wnt signaling pathways with other signaling pathways are summarized and discussed. We mainly review Wnt signaling functions in bone formation, homeostasis, and related diseases, and summarize mouse models carrying genetic modifications of Wnt signaling components. Moreover, the therapeutic strategies for treating bone diseases by targeting Wnt signaling, including the extracellular molecules, cytosol components, and nuclear components of Wnt signaling are reviewed. In summary, this paper reviews our current understanding of the mechanisms by which Wnt signaling regulates bone formation, homeostasis, and the efforts targeting Wnt signaling for treating bone diseases. Finally, the paper evaluates the important questions in Wnt signaling to be further explored based on the progress of new biological analytical technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Hu
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Division in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA
| | - Airong Qian
- Laboratory for Bone Metabolism, Xi'an Key Laboratory of Special Medicine and Health Engineering, Key Laboratory for Space Biosciences and Biotechnology, Research Center for Special Medicine and Health Systems Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710072, China.
| | - Yi-Ping Li
- Division in Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA.
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Guleria VS, Quadri N, Prasad K, Das R, Upadhyai P. Early insights into the role of Exoc6B associated with spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with joint laxity type 3 in primary ciliogenesis and chondrogenic differentiation in vitro. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:274. [PMID: 38305850 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09114-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with joint laxity type 3 (SEMDJL3) is a rare skeletal dysplasia associated with EXOC6B, a component of the exocyst complex, involved in vesicle tethering and exocytosis at the plasma membrane. So far, EXOC6B and the pathomechanisms underlying SEMDJL3 remain obscure. METHODS AND RESULTS Exoc6b was detected largely at the perinuclear regions and the primary cilia base in ATDC5 prechondrocytes. Its shRNA lentiviral knockdown impeded primary ciliogenesis. In Exoc6b silenced prechondrocytes, Hedgehog signaling was attenuated, including when stimulated with Smoothened agonist. Exoc6b knockdown deregulated the mRNA and protein levels of Col2a1, a marker of chondrocyte proliferation at 7- and 14-days following differentiation. It led to the upregulation of Ihh another marker of proliferative chondrocytes. The levels of Col10a1, a marker of chondrocyte hypertrophy was enhanced at 14 days of differentiation. Congruently, Axin2, a canonical Wnt pathway modulator that inhibits chondrocyte hypertrophy was repressed. The expression of Mmp13 and Adamts4 that are terminal chondrocyte hypertrophy markers involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling were downregulated at 7 and 14 days of chondrogenesis. Bglap that encodes for the most abundant non-collagenous bone matrix constituent and promotes ECM calcification was suppressed at 14 days of chondrocyte differentiation. ECM mineralization was assessed by Alizarin Red staining. Gene expression and ciliogenesis were investigated by reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. CONCLUSIONS These findings provide initial insights into the potential role of Exoc6b in primary ciliogenesis and chondrogenic differentiation, contributing towards a preliminary understanding of the molecular pathomechanisms underlying SEMDJL3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Singh Guleria
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Neha Quadri
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Keshava Prasad
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India
| | - Ranajit Das
- Division of Data Analytics, Bioinformatics and Structural Biology, Yenepoya Research Centre, Yenepoya (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India
| | - Priyanka Upadhyai
- Department of Medical Genetics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, India.
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Gomez-Picos P, Ovens K, Eames BF. Limb Mesoderm and Head Ectomesenchyme Both Express a Core Transcriptional Program During Chondrocyte Differentiation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:876825. [PMID: 35784462 PMCID: PMC9247276 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.876825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To explain how cartilage appeared in different parts of the vertebrate body at discrete times during evolution, we hypothesize that different embryonic populations co-opted expression of a core gene regulatory network (GRN) driving chondrocyte differentiation. To test this hypothesis, laser-capture microdissection coupled with RNA-seq was used to reveal chondrocyte transcriptomes in the developing chick humerus and ceratobranchial, which are mesoderm- and neural crest-derived, respectively. During endochondral ossification, two general types of chondrocytes differentiate. Immature chondrocytes (IMM) represent the early stages of cartilage differentiation, while mature chondrocytes (MAT) undergo additional stages of differentiation, including hypertrophy and stimulating matrix mineralization and degradation. Venn diagram analyses generally revealed a high degree of conservation between chondrocyte transcriptomes of the limb and head, including SOX9, COL2A1, and ACAN expression. Typical maturation genes, such as COL10A1, IBSP, and SPP1, were upregulated in MAT compared to IMM in both limb and head chondrocytes. Gene co-expression network (GCN) analyses of limb and head chondrocyte transcriptomes estimated the core GRN governing cartilage differentiation. Two discrete portions of the GCN contained genes that were differentially expressed in limb or head chondrocytes, but these genes were enriched for biological processes related to limb/forelimb morphogenesis or neural crest-dependent processes, respectively, perhaps simply reflecting the embryonic origin of the cells. A core GRN driving cartilage differentiation in limb and head was revealed that included typical chondrocyte differentiation and maturation markers, as well as putative novel "chondrocyte" genes. Conservation of a core transcriptional program during chondrocyte differentiation in both the limb and head suggest that the same core GRN was co-opted when cartilage appeared in different regions of the skeleton during vertebrate evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patsy Gomez-Picos
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Katie Ovens
- Department of Computer Science, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - B. Frank Eames
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
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4
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Predicted Archaic 3D Genome Organization Reveals Genes Related to Head and Spinal Cord Separating Modern from Archaic Humans. Cells 2019; 9:cells9010048. [PMID: 31878147 PMCID: PMC7017363 DOI: 10.3390/cells9010048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
High coverage sequences of archaic humans enabled the reconstruction of their DNA methylation patterns. This allowed comparing gene regulation between human groups, and linking such regulatory changes to phenotypic differences. In a previous work, a detailed comparison of DNA methylation in modern humans, archaic humans, and chimpanzees revealed 873 modern human-derived differentially methylated regions (DMRs). To understand the regulatory implications of these DMRs, we defined differentially methylated genes (DMGs) as genes that harbor DMRs in their promoter or gene body. While most of the modern human-derived DMRs could be linked to DMGs, many others remained unassigned. Here, we used information on 3D genome organization to link ~70 out of the remaining 288 unassigned DMRs to genes. Combined with the previously identified DMGs, we reinforce the enrichment of these genes with vocal and facial anatomy, and additionally find significant enrichment with the spinal column, chin, hair, and scalp. These results reveal the importance of 3D genomic organization in understanding gene regulation by DNA methylation.
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Usami Y, Gunawardena AT, Francois NB, Otsuru S, Takano H, Hirose K, Matsuoka M, Suzuki A, Huang J, Qin L, Iwamoto M, Yang W, Toyosawa S, Enomoto-Iwamoto M. Possible Contribution of Wnt-Responsive Chondroprogenitors to the Postnatal Murine Growth Plate. J Bone Miner Res 2019; 34:964-974. [PMID: 30602070 PMCID: PMC6536347 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.3658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Active cell proliferation and turnover in the growth plate is essential for embryonic and postnatal bone growth. We performed a lineage tracing of Wnt/β-catenin signaling responsive cells (Wnt-responsive cells) using Axin2CreERT2 ;Rosa26ZsGreen mice and found a novel cell population that resides in the outermost layer of the growth plate facing the Ranvier's groove (RG; the perichondrium adjacent to growth plate). These Wnt-responsive cells rapidly expanded and contributed to formation of the outer growth plate from the neonatal to the growing stage but stopped expanding at the young adult stage when bone longitudinal growth ceases. In addition, a second Wnt-responsive sporadic cell population was localized within the resting zone of the central part of the growth plate during the postnatal growth phase. While it induced ectopic chondrogenesis in the RG, ablation of β-catenin in the Wnt-responsive cells strongly inhibited expansion of their descendants toward the growth plate. These findings indicate that the Wnt-responsive cell population in the outermost layer of the growth plate is a unique cell source of chondroprogenitors involving lateral growth of the growth plate and suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling regulates function of skeletal progenitors in a site- and stage-specific manner. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Usami
- Department of Oral Pathology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan.,Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aruni T Gunawardena
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Noelle B Francois
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Satoru Otsuru
- Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hajime Takano
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Katsutoshi Hirose
- Department of Oral Pathology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masatake Matsuoka
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Akiko Suzuki
- Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jiahui Huang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University Alpert Medical School and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Ling Qin
- Mckay Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Masahiro Iwamoto
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wentian Yang
- Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University Alpert Medical School and Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Satoru Toyosawa
- Department of Oral Pathology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, Osaka, Japan
| | - Motomi Enomoto-Iwamoto
- Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.,Department of Orthopaedics, University of Maryland, Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Proper cartilage development is critical to bone formation during endochondral ossification. This review highlights the current understanding of various aspects of glucose metabolism in chondrocytes during cartilage development. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies indicate that chondrocytes transdifferentiate into osteoblasts and bone marrow stromal cells during endochondral ossification. In cartilage development, signaling molecules, including IGF2 and BMP2, tightly control glucose uptake and utilization in a stage-specific manner. Perturbation of glucose metabolism alters the course of chondrocyte maturation, suggesting a key role for glucose metabolism during endochondral ossification. During prenatal and postnatal growth, chondrocytes experience bursts of nutrient availability and energy expenditure, which demand sophisticated control of the glucose-dependent processes of cartilage matrix production, cell proliferation, and hypertrophy. Investigating the regulation of glucose metabolism may therefore lead to a unifying mechanism for signaling events in cartilage development and provide insight into causes of skeletal growth abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith M Hollander
- Program in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA
| | - Li Zeng
- Program in Cell, Molecular, and Developmental Biology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
- Program of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
- Program of Immunology, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts University, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
- Department of Immunology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
- Department of Orthopaedics, Tufts Medical Center, Boston, MA, 02111, USA.
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Zhou Y, Shu B, Xie R, Huang J, Zheng L, Zhou X, Xiao G, Zhao L, Chen D. Deletion of Axin1 in condylar chondrocytes leads to osteoarthritis-like phenotype in temporomandibular joint via activation of β-catenin and FGF signaling. J Cell Physiol 2018; 234:1720-1729. [PMID: 30070692 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.27043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a degenerative disease in the adult, which is characterized by the pathological degeneration of condylar cartilage. Axin1 plays a critical role in the regulation of cartilage development and homeostasis. To determine the role of Axin1 in TMJ tissue at the adult stage, we generated Axin1Agc1ER mice, in which Axin1 was deleted in aggrecan-expressing chondrocytes at 2 months of age. Histology, histomorphometry, and immunostaining analyses were performed using TMJ tissues harvested from 4- and 6-month-old mice after tamoxifen administration. Total RNA isolated from TMJ cartilage of 6-month-old mice was used for gene expression analysis. Progressive OA-like degeneration was observed in condylar cartilage in Axin1 knockout (KO) mice with loss of surface continuity and the formation of vertical fissures. In addition, reduced alcian blue staining in condylar cartilage was also found in Axin1 KO mice. Immunostaining and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assays revealed disturbed homeostasis in condylar cartilage with increased expressions of MMP13 and Adamts5 and decreased lubricin expression in Axin1-deficient chondrocytes. Less proliferative cells with increased hypertrophic and apoptotic activities were presented in the condylar cartilage of Axin1Agc1ER KO mice. As a scaffolding protein, the deletion of Axin1 stimulated not only the β-catenin but also the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signaling via extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) activation. The qRT-PCR results showed an increased expression of Fgfr1 in Axin1 KO cartilage. Overall, the deletion of Axin1 in condylar chondrocytes altered the β-catenin and FGF/ERK1/2 signaling pathways, thus cooperatively contribute to the cartilage degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yachuan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Bing Shu
- Department of Orthopedics, Longhua Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Xie
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Jian Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Liwei Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xuedong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Department of Cariology and Endodontics, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Guozhi Xiao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
- Department of Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Cell Microenvironment and Disease Research, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lan Zhao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Di Chen
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
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Axin2 overexpression promotes the early epithelial disintegration and fusion of facial prominences during avian lip development. Dev Genes Evol 2018; 228:197-211. [PMID: 30043120 DOI: 10.1007/s00427-018-0617-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The epithelial disintegration and the mesenchymal bridging are critical steps in the fusion of facial prominences during the upper lip development. These processes of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and programmed cell death are mainly influenced by Wnt signals. Axis inhibition protein2 (Axin2), a major component of the Wnt pathway, has been reported to be involved in lip development and cleft pathogenesis. We wanted to study the involvement of Axin2 in the lip development, especially during the epithelial disintegration of facial prominences. Our results show that Axin2 was expressed mainly in the epithelium of facial prominences and decreased when the prominences were about to contact each other between Hamburger-Hamilton stages 27 and 28 of chicken embryos. The epithelial integrity was destructed or kept intact by the local gain or loss of Axin2 expression, resulting in morphological changes in the facial processes and their skeletal derivatives including the maxilla, nasal, premaxilla bone, and their junctions without cleft formation. These changes were related to expression changes in nuclear β-catenin, pGSK3β, Slug, Smad3, E-cadherin, and p63. All these data indicate that Axin2 participates in the regulation of epithelial integrity and fusion by promoting epithelial disassociation, basement membrane breakdown, and seam loss during the fusion of facial prominences in lip development.
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He A, Ning Y, Wen Y, Cai Y, Xu K, Cai Y, Han J, Liu L, Du Y, Liang X, Li P, Fan Q, Hao J, Wang X, Guo X, Ma T, Zhang F. Use of integrative epigenetic and mRNA expression analyses to identify significantly changed genes and functional pathways in osteoarthritic cartilage. Bone Joint Res 2018; 7:343-350. [PMID: 29922454 PMCID: PMC5987683 DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.75.bjr-2017-0284.r1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms control the expression of genes and are likely to regulate the OA transcriptome. We performed integrative genomic analyses to define methylation-gene expression relationships in osteoarthritic cartilage. Patients and Methods Genome-wide DNA methylation profiling of articular cartilage from five patients with OA of the knee and five healthy controls was conducted using the Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip (Illumina, San Diego, California). Other independent genome-wide mRNA expression profiles of articular cartilage from three patients with OA and three healthy controls were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Integrative pathway enrichment analysis of DNA methylation and mRNA expression profiles was performed using integrated analysis of cross-platform microarray and pathway software. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was conducted using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Results We identified 1265 differentially methylated genes, of which 145 are associated with significant changes in gene expression, such as DLX5, NCOR2 and AXIN2 (all p-values of both DNA methylation and mRNA expression < 0.05). Pathway enrichment analysis identified 26 OA-associated pathways, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway (p = 6.25 × 10-4), phosphatidylinositol (PI) signalling system (p = 4.38 × 10-3), hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) signalling pathway (p = 8.63 × 10-3 pantothenate and coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis (p = 0.017), ErbB signalling pathway (p = 0.024), inositol phosphate (IP) metabolism (p = 0.025), and calcium signalling pathway (p = 0.032). Conclusion We identified a group of genes and biological pathwayswhich were significantly different in both DNA methylation and mRNA expression profiles between patients with OA and controls. These results may provide new clues for clarifying the mechanisms involved in the development of OA. Cite this article: A. He, Y. Ning, Y. Wen, Y. Cai, K. Xu, Y. Cai, J. Han, L. Liu, Y. Du, X. Liang, P. Li, Q. Fan, J. Hao, X. Wang, X. Guo, T. Ma, F. Zhang. Use of integrative epigenetic and mRNA expression analyses to identify significantly changed genes and functional pathways in osteoarthritic cartilage. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:343–350. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.75.BJR-2017-0284.R1.
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Affiliation(s)
- A He
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Y Ning
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Y Wen
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Y Cai
- Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - K Xu
- Department of Joint Surgery, Xi'an Hong-Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Y Cai
- Department of Joint Surgery, Xi'an Hong-Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - J Han
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - L Liu
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Y Du
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - X Liang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - P Li
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - Q Fan
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - J Hao
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - X Wang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - X Guo
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - T Ma
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
| | - F Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Trace Elements and Endemic Diseases of National Health and Family Planning Commission, School of Public Health, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, China
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Duan Y, Zhang H, Zhang Z, Gao J, Yang J, Wu Z, Fan Y, Xing Y, Li L, Xiao S, Hou Y, Ren J, Huang L. VRTN is Required for the Development of Thoracic Vertebrae in Mammals. Int J Biol Sci 2018; 14:667-681. [PMID: 29904281 PMCID: PMC6001657 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.23815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Vertnin (VRTN) variants are associated with thoracic vertebral number (TVN) in pigs. However, the biological function of VRTN remains poorly understood. Here we first conducted a range of experiments to demonstrate that VRTN is a responsible gene for TVN and two causative variants in the regulatory region of VRTN additively regulate TVN. Then, we show that VRTN is a novel DNA-binding transcription factor as it localizes exclusively in the nucleus, binds to DNA on a genome-wide scale and regulates the transcription of a set of genes that harbor VRTN binding motifs. Next, we illustrate that VRTN is essential for the development of thoracic vertebrae. Vrtn-null embryos display somitogenesis defect with the failure of axial rotation and fewer somites at the thoracic somite stage. Half of Vrtn heterozygous mice show abnormal spinal development with fewer thoracic vertebrae and ribs than their wild-type littermates. Lastly, we reveal that VRTN could modulate somite segmentation via the Notch signaling pathway. The findings advance our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the development of thoracic vertebrate in mammals, and VRTN causative variants provide a robust tool to improve pork production by selecting the alleles increasing the number of thoracic vertebrae and ribs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyu Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Zhen Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Jun Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Jie Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Zhongping Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Yin Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Yuyun Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Lin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Shijun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Yong Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Jun Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
| | - Lusheng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pig Genetic Improvement and Production Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang, 330045, China
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Hypoxia regulates RhoA and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in a context-dependent way to control re-differentiation of chondrocytes. Sci Rep 2017; 7:9032. [PMID: 28831110 PMCID: PMC5567364 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09505-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Cartilage tissue is avascular and hypoxic which regulates chondrocyte phenotype via stabilization of HIFs. Here, we investigated the role of hypoxia and HIFs in regulation of Rho and canonical Wnt signaling in chondrocytes. Our data demonstrates that hypoxia controls the expression of RhoA in chondrocytes in a context-dependent manner on the culturing conditions. Within a 3D microenvironment, hypoxia suppresses RhoA on which hypoxia-driven expression of chondrogenic markers depends. Conversely, hypoxia leads to upregulation of RhoA in chondrocytes on 2D with a failure in re-expression of chondrogenic markers. Similarly to RhoA, hypoxic regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling depends on the microenvironment. Hypoxia downregulates β-catenin within 3D hydrogels whereas it causes a potent increase on 2D. Hypoxia-induced suppression of canonical Wnt signaling in 3D contributes to the promotion of chondrogenic phenotype as induction of Wnt signaling abrogates the hypoxic re-differentiation of chondrocytes. Inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling via stabilization of Axin2 leads to a synergistic enhancement of hypoxia-induced expression of chondrogenic markers. The effects of hypoxia on Rho and Wnt/β-catenin signaling are HIF-dependent as stabilizing HIFs under normoxia revealed similar effects on chondrocytes. The study reveals important insights on hypoxic signaling of chondrocytes and how hypoxia regulates cellular mechanisms depending on the cellular microenvironment.
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12
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Alldredge A, Fuhrmann S. Loss of Axin2 Causes Ocular Defects During Mouse Eye Development. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2017; 57:5253-5262. [PMID: 27701636 PMCID: PMC5054732 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.15-18599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose The scaffold protein Axin2 is an antagonist and universal target of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Disruption of Axin2 may lead to developmental eye defects; however, this has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of Axin2 during ocular and extraocular development in mouse. Methods Animals heterozygous and homozygous for a Axin2lacZ knock-in allele were analyzed at different developmental stages for reporter expression, morphology as well as for the presence of ocular and extraocular markers using histologic and immunohistochemical techniques. Results During early eye development, the Axin2lacZ reporter was expressed in the periocular mesenchyme, RPE, and optic stalk. In the developing retina, Axin2lacZ reporter expression was initiated in ganglion cells at late embryonic stages and robustly expressed in subpopulations of amacrine and horizontal cells postnatally. Activation of the Axin2lacZ reporter overlapped with labeling of POU4F1, PAX6, and Calbindin. Germline deletion of Axin2 led to variable ocular phenotypes ranging from normal to severely defective eyes exhibiting microphthalmia, coloboma, lens defects, and expanded ciliary margin. These defects were correlated with abnormal tissue patterning in individual affected tissues, such as the optic fissure margins in the ventral optic cup and in the expanded ciliary margin. Conclusions Our results reveal a critical role for Axin2 during ocular development, likely by restricting the activity of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Alldredge
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
| | - Sabine Fuhrmann
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee, United States
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13
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Hulin A, Moore V, James JM, Yutzey KE. Loss of Axin2 results in impaired heart valve maturation and subsequent myxomatous valve disease. Cardiovasc Res 2016; 113:40-51. [PMID: 28069701 DOI: 10.1093/cvr/cvw229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Myxomatous valve disease (MVD) is the most common aetiology of primary mitral regurgitation. Recent studies suggest that defects in heart valve development can lead to heart valve disease in adults. Wnt/β-catenin signalling is active during heart valve development and has been reported in human MVD. The consequences of increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling due to Axin2 deficiency in postnatal valve remodelling and pathogenesis of MVD were determined. METHODS AND RESULTS To investigate the role of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, we analysed heart valves from mice deficient in Axin2 (KO), a negative regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signalling. Axin2 KO mice display enlarged mitral and aortic valves (AoV) after birth with increased Wnt/β-catenin signalling and cell proliferation, whereas Sox9 expression and collagen deposition are decreased. At 2 months in Axin2 KO mice, the valve extracellular matrix (ECM) is stratified but distal AoV leaflets remain thickened and develop aortic insufficiency. Progressive myxomatous degeneration is apparent at 4 months with extensive ECM remodelling and focal aggrecan-rich areas, along with increased BMP signalling. Infiltration of inflammatory cells is also observed in Axin2 KO AoV prior to ECM remodelling. Overall, these features are consistent with the progression of human MVD. Finally, Axin2 expression is decreased and Wnt/β-catenin signalling is increased in myxomatous mitral valves in a murine model of Marfan syndrome, supporting the importance of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in the development of MVD. CONCLUSIONS Altogether, these data indicate that Axin2 limits Wnt/β-catenin signalling after birth and allows proper heart valve maturation. Moreover, dysregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling resulting from loss of Axin2 leads to progressive MVD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexia Hulin
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, ML7020, 240 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
| | - Vicky Moore
- Division of Cardiology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jeanne M James
- Division of Cardiology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Katherine E Yutzey
- Division of Molecular Cardiovascular Biology, The Heart Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, ML7020, 240 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA;
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14
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Wnt signaling in cartilage development and diseases: lessons from animal studies. J Transl Med 2016; 96:186-96. [PMID: 26641070 PMCID: PMC4838282 DOI: 10.1038/labinvest.2015.142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 137] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 09/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Cartilage not only plays essential roles in skeletal development and growth during pre- and postnatal stages but also serves to provide smooth movement of skeletons throughout life. Thus, dysfunction of cartilage causes a variety of skeletal disorders. Results from animal studies reveal that β-catenin-dependent canonical and independent non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways have multiple roles in regulation of cartilage development, growth, and maintenance. β-Catenin-dependent signaling is required for progression of endochondral ossification and growth of axial and appendicular skeletons, while excessive activation of this signaling can cause severe inhibition of initial cartilage formation and growth plate organization and function in mice. In contrast, non-canonical Wnt signaling is important in columnar organization of growth plate chondrocytes. Manipulation of Wnt signaling causes or ameliorates articular cartilage degeneration in rodent osteoarthritis models. Human genetic studies indicate that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a risk factor for osteoarthritis. Accumulative findings from analysis of expression of Wnt signaling molecules and in vivo and in vitro functional experiments suggest that Wnt signaling is a therapeutic target for osteoarthritis. The target tissues of Wnt signaling may be not only articular cartilage but also synovium and subchondral bone.
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15
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Green JD, Tollemar V, Dougherty M, Yan Z, Yin L, Ye J, Collier Z, Mohammed MK, Haydon RC, Luu HH, Kang R, Lee MJ, Ho SH, He TC, Shi LL, Athiviraham A. Multifaceted signaling regulators of chondrogenesis: Implications in cartilage regeneration and tissue engineering. Genes Dis 2015; 2:307-327. [PMID: 26835506 PMCID: PMC4730920 DOI: 10.1016/j.gendis.2015.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2015] [Accepted: 09/16/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Defects of articular cartilage present a unique clinical challenge due to its poor self-healing capacity and avascular nature. Current surgical treatment options do not ensure consistent regeneration of hyaline cartilage in favor of fibrous tissue. Here, we review the current understanding of the most important biological regulators of chondrogenesis and their interactions, to provide insight into potential applications for cartilage tissue engineering. These include various signaling pathways, including: fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), Wnt/β-catenin, Hedgehog, Notch, hypoxia, and angiogenic signaling pathways. Transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of chondrogenesis will also be discussed. Advances in our understanding of these signaling pathways have led to promising advances in cartilage regeneration and tissue engineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan D. Green
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Viktor Tollemar
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Mark Dougherty
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Zhengjian Yan
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Liangjun Yin
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jixing Ye
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- School of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zachary Collier
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Maryam K. Mohammed
- The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Rex C. Haydon
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Hue H. Luu
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Richard Kang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Michael J. Lee
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Sherwin H. Ho
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Tong-Chuan He
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Lewis L. Shi
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Aravind Athiviraham
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Rehabilitation Medicine, The University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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16
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Haffner-Luntzer M, Heilmann A, Rapp AE, Beie S, Schinke T, Amling M, Ignatius A, Liedert A. Midkine-deficiency delays chondrogenesis during the early phase of fracture healing in mice. PLoS One 2014; 9:e116282. [PMID: 25551381 PMCID: PMC4281158 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The growth and differentiation factor midkine (Mdk) plays an important role in bone development and remodeling. Mdk-deficient mice display a high bone mass phenotype when aged 12 and 18 months. Furthermore, Mdk has been identified as a negative regulator of mechanically induced bone formation and it induces pro-chondrogenic, pro-angiogenic and pro-inflammatory effects. Together with the finding that Mdk is expressed in chondrocytes during fracture healing, we hypothesized that Mdk could play a complex role in endochondral ossification during the bone healing process. Femoral osteotomies stabilized using an external fixator were created in wildtype and Mdk-deficient mice. Fracture healing was evaluated 4, 10, 21 and 28 days after surgery using 3-point-bending, micro-computed tomography, histology and immunohistology. We demonstrated that Mdk-deficient mice displayed delayed chondrogenesis during the early phase of fracture healing as well as significantly decreased flexural rigidity and moment of inertia of the fracture callus 21 days after fracture. Mdk-deficiency diminished beta-catenin expression in chondrocytes and delayed presence of macrophages during early fracture healing. We also investigated the impact of Mdk knockdown using siRNA on ATDC5 chondroprogenitor cells in vitro. Knockdown of Mdk expression resulted in a decrease of beta-catenin and chondrogenic differentiation-related matrix proteins, suggesting that delayed chondrogenesis during fracture healing in Mdk-deficient mice may be due to a cell-autonomous mechanism involving reduced beta-catenin signaling. Our results demonstrated that Mdk plays a crucial role in the early inflammation phase and during the development of cartilaginous callus in the fracture healing process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Haffner-Luntzer
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Aline Heilmann
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anna Elise Rapp
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Simon Beie
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Thorsten Schinke
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Amling
- Department of Osteology and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anita Ignatius
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Astrid Liedert
- Institute of Orthopaedic Research and Biomechanics, University Medical Center Ulm, Ulm, Germany
- * E-mail:
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17
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McGee-Lawrence ME, Carpio LR, Bradley EW, Dudakovic A, Lian JB, van Wijnen AJ, Kakar S, Hsu W, Westendorf JJ. Runx2 is required for early stages of endochondral bone formation but delays final stages of bone repair in Axin2-deficient mice. Bone 2014; 66:277-86. [PMID: 24973690 PMCID: PMC4125446 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2014.06.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2014] [Revised: 06/13/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Runx2 and Axin2 regulate skeletal development. We recently determined that Axin2 and Runx2 molecularly interact in differentiating osteoblasts to regulate intramembranous bone formation, but the relationship between these factors in endochondral bone formation was unresolved. To address this, we examined the effects of Axin2 deficiency on the cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) phenotype of Runx2(+/-) mice, focusing on skeletal defects attributed to improper endochondral bone formation. Axin2 deficiency unexpectedly exacerbated calvarial components of the CCD phenotype in the Runx2(+/-) mice; the endocranial layer of the frontal suture, which develops by endochondral bone formation, failed to mineralize in Axin2(-/-):Runx2(+/-) mice, resulting in a cartilaginous, fibrotic and larger fontanel than observed in Runx2(+/-) mice. Transcripts associated with cartilage development (e.g., Acan, miR140) were expressed at higher levels, whereas blood vessel morphogenesis transcripts (e.g., Slit2) were suppressed in Axin2(-/-):Runx2(+/-) calvaria. Cartilage maturation was impaired, as primary chondrocytes from double mutant mice demonstrated delayed differentiation and produced less calcified matrix in vitro. The genetic dominance of Runx2 was also reflected during endochondral fracture repair, as both Runx2(+/-) and double mutant Axin2(-/-):Runx2(+/-) mice had enlarged fracture calluses at early stages of healing. However, by the end stages of fracture healing, double mutant animals diverged from the Runx2(+/-) mice, showing smaller calluses and increased torsional strength indicative of more rapid end stage bone formation as seen in the Axin2(-/-) mice. Taken together, our data demonstrate a dominant role for Runx2 in chondrocyte maturation, but implicate Axin2 as an important modulator of the terminal stages of endochondral bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Wei Hsu
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
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18
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Molecular insight into the association between cartilage regeneration and ear wound healing in genetic mouse models: targeting new genes in regeneration. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2013; 3:1881-91. [PMID: 24002865 PMCID: PMC3815053 DOI: 10.1534/g3.113.007302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Tissue regeneration is a complex trait with few genetic models available. Mouse strains LG/J and MRL are exceptional healers. Using recombinant inbred strains from a large (LG/J, healer) and small (SM/J, nonhealer) intercross, we have previously shown a positive genetic correlation between ear wound healing, knee cartilage regeneration, and protection from osteoarthritis. We hypothesize that a common set of genes operates in tissue healing and articular cartilage regeneration. Taking advantage of archived histological sections from recombinant inbred strains, we analyzed expression of candidate genes through branched-chain DNA technology directly from tissue lysates. We determined broad-sense heritability of candidates, Pearson correlation of candidates with healing phenotypes, and Ward minimum variance cluster analysis for strains. A bioinformatic assessment of allelic polymorphisms within and near candidate genes was also performed. The expression of several candidates was significantly heritable among strains. Although several genes correlated with both ear wound healing and cartilage healing at a marginal level, the expression of four genes representing DNA repair (Xrcc2, Pcna) and Wnt signaling (Axin2, Wnt16) pathways was significantly positively correlated with both phenotypes. Cluster analysis accurately classified healers and nonhealers for seven out of eight strains based on gene expression. Specific sequence differences between LG/J and SM/J were identified as potential causal polymorphisms. Our study suggests a common genetic basis between tissue healing and osteoarthritis susceptibility. Mapping genetic variations causing differences in diverse healing responses in multiple tissues may reveal generic healing processes in pursuit of new therapeutic targets designed to induce or enhance regeneration and, potentially, protection from osteoarthritis.
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19
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Maupin KA, Droscha CJ, Williams BO. A Comprehensive Overview of Skeletal Phenotypes Associated with Alterations in Wnt/β-catenin Signaling in Humans and Mice. Bone Res 2013; 1:27-71. [PMID: 26273492 DOI: 10.4248/br201301004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2012] [Accepted: 01/20/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway plays key roles in differentiation and development and alterations in this signaling pathway are causally associated with numerous human diseases. While several laboratories were examining roles for Wnt signaling in skeletal development during the 1990s, interest in the pathway rose exponentially when three key papers were published in 2001-2002. One report found that loss of the Wnt co-receptor, Low-density lipoprotein related protein-5 (LRP5), was the underlying genetic cause of the syndrome Osteoporosis pseudoglioma (OPPG). OPPG is characterized by early-onset osteoporosis causing increased susceptibility to debilitating fractures. Shortly thereafter, two groups reported that individuals carrying a specific point mutation in LRP5 (G171V) develop high-bone mass. Subsequent to this, the causative mechanisms for these observations heightened the need to understand the mechanisms by which Wnt signaling controlled bone development and homeostasis and encouraged significant investment from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies to develop methods to activate Wnt signaling to increase bone mass to treat osteoporosis and other bone disease. In this review, we will briefly summarize the cellular mechanisms underlying Wnt signaling and discuss the observations related to OPPG and the high-bone mass disorders that heightened the appreciation of the role of Wnt signaling in normal bone development and homeostasis. We will then present a comprehensive overview of the core components of the pathway with an emphasis on the phenotypes associated with mice carrying genetically engineered mutations in these genes and clinical observations that further link alterations in the pathway to changes in human bone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin A Maupin
- Program for Skeletal Pathobiology and Center for Tumor Metastasis, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Casey J Droscha
- Program for Skeletal Pathobiology and Center for Tumor Metastasis, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Bart O Williams
- Program for Skeletal Pathobiology and Center for Tumor Metastasis, Van Andel Research Institute , 333 Bostwick NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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20
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Kim JH, Liu X, Wang J, Chen X, Zhang H, Kim SH, Cui J, Li R, Zhang W, Kong Y, Zhang J, Shui W, Lamplot J, Rogers MR, Zhao C, Wang N, Rajan P, Tomal J, Statz J, Wu N, Luu HH, Haydon RC, He TC. Wnt signaling in bone formation and its therapeutic potential for bone diseases. Ther Adv Musculoskelet Dis 2013; 5:13-31. [PMID: 23514963 DOI: 10.1177/1759720x12466608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 243] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The Wnt signaling pathway plays an important role not only in embryonic development but also in the maintenance and differentiation of the stem cells in adulthood. In particular, Wnt signaling has been shown as an important regulatory pathway in the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Induction of the Wnt signaling pathway promotes bone formation while inactivation of the pathway leads to osteopenic states. Our current understanding of Wnt signaling in osteogenesis elucidates the molecular mechanisms of classic osteogenic pathologies. Activating and inactivating aberrations of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in osteogenesis results in sclerosteosis and osteoporosis respectively. Recent studies have sought to target the Wnt signaling pathway to treat osteogenic disorders. Potential therapeutic approaches attempt to stimulate the Wnt signaling pathway by upregulating the intracellular mediators of the Wnt signaling cascade and inhibiting the endogenous antagonists of the pathway. Antibodies against endogenous antagonists, such as sclerostin and dickkopf-1, have demonstrated promising results in promoting bone formation and fracture healing. Lithium, an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase 3β, has also been reported to stimulate osteogenesis by stabilizing β catenin. Although manipulating the Wnt signaling pathway has abundant therapeutic potential, it requires cautious approach due to risks of tumorigenesis. The present review discusses the role of the Wnt signaling pathway in osteogenesis and examines its targeted therapeutic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeong Hwan Kim
- Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
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21
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Regard JB, Zhong Z, Williams BO, Yang Y. Wnt signaling in bone development and disease: making stronger bone with Wnts. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Biol 2012; 4:4/12/a007997. [PMID: 23209148 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a007997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 142] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The skeleton as an organ is widely distributed throughout the entire vertebrate body. Wnt signaling has emerged to play major roles in almost all aspects of skeletal development and homeostasis. Because abnormal Wnt signaling causes various human skeletal diseases, Wnt signaling has become a focal point of intensive studies in skeletal development and disease. As a result, promising effective therapeutic agents for bone diseases are being developed by targeting the Wnt signaling pathway. Understanding the functional mechanisms of Wnt signaling in skeletal biology and diseases highlights how basic and clinical studies can stimulate each other to push a quick and productive advancement of the entire field. Here we review the current understanding of Wnt signaling in critical aspects of skeletal biology such as bone development, remodeling, mechanotransduction, and fracture healing. We took special efforts to place fundamentally important discoveries in the context of human skeletal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean B Regard
- National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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22
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Update on Wnt signaling in bone cell biology and bone disease. Gene 2011; 492:1-18. [PMID: 22079544 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2011.10.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 288] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2011] [Revised: 10/13/2011] [Accepted: 10/20/2011] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
For more than a decade, Wnt signaling pathways have been the focus of intense research activity in bone biology laboratories because of their importance in skeletal development, bone mass maintenance, and therapeutic potential for regenerative medicine. It is evident that even subtle alterations in the intensity, amplitude, location, and duration of Wnt signaling pathways affects skeletal development, as well as bone remodeling, regeneration, and repair during a lifespan. Here we review recent advances and discrepancies in how Wnt/Lrp5 signaling regulates osteoblasts and osteocytes, introduce new players in Wnt signaling pathways that have important roles in bone development, discuss emerging areas such as the role of Wnt signaling in osteoclastogenesis, and summarize progress made in translating basic studies to clinical therapeutics and diagnostics centered around inhibiting Wnt pathway antagonists, such as sclerostin, Dkk1 and Sfrp1. Emphasis is placed on the plethora of genetic studies in mouse models and genome wide association studies that reveal the requirement for and crucial roles of Wnt pathway components during skeletal development and disease.
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Pitsillides AA, Beier F. Cartilage biology in osteoarthritis--lessons from developmental biology. Nat Rev Rheumatol 2011; 7:654-63. [PMID: 21947178 DOI: 10.1038/nrrheum.2011.129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA), and in particular cartilage degeneration in OA, are not completely understood. Increasing evidence implicates developmental processes in OA etiology and pathogenesis. Herein, we review this evidence. We first examine subtle changes in cartilage development and the specification and formation of joints, which predispose to OA development, and second, we review the switch from an articular to a hypertrophic chondrocyte phenotype that is thought to be part of the OA pathological process ultimately resulting in cartilage degeneration. The latest studies are summarized and we discuss the concepts emerging from these findings in cartilage biology, in the light of our understanding of the developmental processes involved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew A Pitsillides
- Department of Veterinary Basic Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, University of London, Royal College Street, London NW1 0TU, UK.
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Ning B, Wang P, Pei X, Kang Y, Song J, Wang D, Zhang W, Ma R. Dual function of β-catenin in articular cartilage growth and degeneration at different stages of postnatal cartilage development. INTERNATIONAL ORTHOPAEDICS 2011; 36:655-64. [PMID: 21755332 DOI: 10.1007/s00264-011-1315-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2011] [Accepted: 06/22/2011] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The objective of this study was to determine the role of β-catenin in normal postnatal articular cartilage growth and degeneration. METHODS We investigated β-catenin gene and protein expression in hip cartilage cells of normal Wistar rats at two, four, six and eight weeks of age by using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Primary articular chondrocytes from eight week old rats were cultured and treated with LiCl for activation of β-catenin. Collagen X and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) were detected by quantitative RT-PCR and immunofluorescence. A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs (ADAMTS)-4 and 5 were detected by quantitative RT-PCR, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) was used for detecting cell apoptosis. RESULTS The highest levels of β-catenin expressions were detected in two week old rats, after which a steady decline was observed over the remaining period of observation (p < 0.05). When primary articular chondrocytes from eight week old rats were treated with LiCl, β-catenin mRNA and protein were induced (p < 0.05). Moreover, LiCl-activated β-catenin in chondrocytes was associated with significant concomitant increases in mRNA expression of collagen X and the MMP-13 encoding collagenase 3. Significantly increased mRNA expression of ADAMTS-5 was also seen in primary chondrocytes from eight week old rats after LiCl treatment (p < 0.05). The effect was specific to ADAMTS-5 since ADAMTS-4, which has similar proteolytic activity but different aggrecanase activity, was unaffected. Finally, TUNEL staining revealed that LiCl-activated β-catenin signalling led to increased cell apoptotic events in chondrocytes (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that normal spatiotemporal patterns and degrees of Wnt/β-catenin signalling are needed to maintain postnatal articular cartilage growth and function. In the early stages of cartilage development, activation of β-catenin signalling is necessary for articular cartilage growth, while in adult cartilage it leads to degeneration and osteoarthritic-like chondrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Ning
- Department of Pediatric Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, 399 Wanyuan Road, 201102, Shanghai, China
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Axin2 as regulatory and therapeutic target in newborn brain injury and remyelination. Nat Neurosci 2011; 14:1009-16. [PMID: 21706018 PMCID: PMC3145042 DOI: 10.1038/nn.2855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 268] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/03/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Permanent damage to white matter tracts, comprising axons and myelinating oligodendrocytes, is an important component of brain injuries of the newborn that cause cerebral palsy and cognitive disabilities, as well as multiple sclerosis in adults. However, regulatory factors relevant in human developmental myelin disorders and in myelin regeneration are unclear. We found that AXIN2 was expressed in immature oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OLPs) in white matter lesions of human newborns with neonatal hypoxic-ischemic and gliotic brain damage, as well as in active multiple sclerosis lesions in adults. Axin2 is a target of Wnt transcriptional activation that negatively feeds back on the pathway, promoting β-catenin degradation. We found that Axin2 function was essential for normal kinetics of remyelination. The small molecule inhibitor XAV939, which targets the enzymatic activity of tankyrase, acted to stabilize Axin2 levels in OLPs from brain and spinal cord and accelerated their differentiation and myelination after hypoxic and demyelinating injury. Together, these findings indicate that Axin2 is an essential regulator of remyelination and that it might serve as a pharmacological checkpoint in this process.
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Stevens JR, Miranda-Carboni GA, Singer MA, Brugger SM, Lyons KM, Lane TF. Wnt10b deficiency results in age-dependent loss of bone mass and progressive reduction of mesenchymal progenitor cells. J Bone Miner Res 2010; 25:2138-47. [PMID: 20499361 PMCID: PMC3153316 DOI: 10.1002/jbmr.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Wnt10b is a canonical Wnt ligand expressed in developing bone and has been linked to mesenchymal progenitor functions in mice and humans. Because Wnt signaling has been shown to play an important role in progenitor maintenance in a variety of adult tissues, we examined bone deposition and growth rates throughout postnatal development in Wnt10b-null mice. Using bone histomorphometry and micro-computed tomographic (µCT) studies, we demonstrate that trabecular bone deposition is slightly enhanced in Wnt10b-null mice at 1 month of age, followed by progressive loss with age. Importantly, we find that Wnt10b is required for maintenance of adult bone density in multiple backgrounds of inbred mice and that both copies of the Wnt10b gene are required to maintain normal bone density in 6-month-old animals. We go on to show that the loss in trabecular bone in Wnt10b-null mice is associated with a reduction in the number of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal progenitors (MPCs) using in vitro colony-forming unit assays and marker analysis. Analysis of osteogenic gene expression in primary bone marrow stromal cells demonstrated reductions in expression of several osteoblast differentiation markers. Taken together, our results indicate that Wnt10b is uniquely required for maintenance of mesenchymal progenitor activity in adult bone. The results show the significance of studying individual Wnt ligands and their potentially unique contribution in the context of aging and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer R Stevens
- Departmnet of Biological Chemistry, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1740, USA
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Abe M, Michikami I, Fukushi T, Abe A, Maeda Y, Ooshima T, Wakisaka S. Hand2 regulates chondrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Bone 2010; 46:1359-68. [PMID: 19932774 DOI: 10.1016/j.bone.2009.11.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2009] [Revised: 11/10/2009] [Accepted: 11/16/2009] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hand2 is a transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix family that plays essential roles during development. Hand2 determines the anterior-posterior axis during limb development and there is also substantial evidence that Hand2 regulates limb skeletogenesis. However, little is known about how Hand2 might regulate skeletogenesis. Here we show that, in a limb bud micromass culture system, over-expression of Hand2 represses chondrogenesis and the expression of chondrocytic genes, Sox9, type II collagen and aggrecan. Furthermore, we show that Hand2 is induced by the activation of canonical Wnt signaling, which strongly represses chondrogenesis. Surprisingly, Hand2 repressed chondrogenesis in a DNA binding- and dimer formation-independent manner. To examine the in vivo role of Hand2 in mice, we targeted the expression of Hand2 to the cartilage using regulatory elements from the collagen II gene. The resulting transgenic mice displayed a dwarf phenotype, with axial, appendicular and craniofacial skeletal deformities. Hand2 strongly inhibited chondrogenesis in the axial and cranial base skeleton. In the sternum, Hand2 inhibited endochondral ossification by slowing chondrocyte maturation. These data support a model of Hand2 regulating endochondral ossification via at least two steps: (1) determination of the site of chondrogenesis by outlining the region of the future cartilage template and (2) regulation of the rate of chondrocyte maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Makoto Abe
- Department of Oral Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry, 1-8 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, Japan.
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