1
|
Korcari A, Nichols AEC, Buckley MR, Loiselle AE. Scleraxis-lineage cells are required for tendon homeostasis and their depletion induces an accelerated extracellular matrix aging phenotype. eLife 2023; 12:e84194. [PMID: 36656751 PMCID: PMC9908079 DOI: 10.7554/elife.84194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Aged tendons have disrupted homeostasis, increased injury risk, and impaired healing capacity. Understanding mechanisms of homeostatic disruption is crucial for developing therapeutics to retain tendon health through the lifespan. Here, we developed a novel model of accelerated tendon extracellular matrix (ECM) aging via depletion of Scleraxis-lineage cells in young mice (Scx-DTR). Scx-DTR recapitulates many aspects of tendon aging including comparable declines in cellularity, alterations in ECM structure, organization, and composition. Single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated a conserved decline in tenocytes associated with ECM biosynthesis in aged and Scx-DTR tendons, identifying the requirement for Scleraxis-lineage cells during homeostasis. However, the remaining cells in aged and Scx-DTR tendons demonstrate functional divergence. Aged tenocytes become pro-inflammatory and lose proteostasis. In contrast, tenocytes from Scx-DTR tendons demonstrate enhanced remodeling capacity. Collectively, this study defines Scx-DTR as a novel model of accelerated tendon ECM aging and identifies novel biological intervention points to maintain tendon function through the lifespan.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonion Korcari
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Anne EC Nichols
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
| | - Mark R Buckley
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| | - Alayna E Loiselle
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, University of Rochester Medical CenterRochesterUnited States
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of RochesterRochesterUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Korcari A, Przybelski SJ, Gingery A, Loiselle AE. Impact of aging on tendon homeostasis, tendinopathy development, and impaired healing. Connect Tissue Res 2023; 64:1-13. [PMID: 35903886 PMCID: PMC9851966 DOI: 10.1080/03008207.2022.2102004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Aging is a complex and progressive process where the tissues of the body demonstrate a decreased ability to maintain homeostasis. During aging, there are substantial cellular and molecular changes, with a subsequent increase in susceptibility to pathological degeneration of normal tissue function. In tendon, aging results in well characterized alterations in extracellular matrix (ECM) structure and composition. In addition, the cellular environment of aged tendons is altered, including a marked decrease in cell density and metabolic activity, as well as an increase in cellular senescence. Collectively, these degenerative changes make aging a key risk factor for the development of tendinopathies and can increase the frequency of tendon injuries. However, inconsistencies in the extent of age-related degenerative impairments in tendons have been reported, likely due to differences in how "old" and "young" age-groups have been defined, differences between anatomically distinct tendons, and differences between animal models that have been utilized to study the impact of aging on tendon homeostasis. In this review, we address these issues by summarizing data by well-defined age categories (young adults, middle-aged, and aged) and from anatomically distinct tendon types. We then summarize in detail how aging affects tendon mechanics, structure, composition, and the cellular environment based on current data and underscore what is currently not known. Finally, we discuss gaps in the current understanding of tendon aging and propose key avenues for future research that can shed light on the specific mechanisms of tendon pathogenesis due to aging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonion Korcari
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Anne Gingery
- Division of Orthopedic Surgery Research, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Alayna E Loiselle
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Korcari A, Muscat S, McGinn E, Buckley MR, Loiselle AE. Depletion of Scleraxis-lineage cells during tendon healing transiently impairs multi-scale restoration of tendon structure during early healing. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274227. [PMID: 36240193 PMCID: PMC9565440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Tendons are composed of a heterogeneous cell environment, with Scleraxis-lineage (ScxLin) cells being the predominant population. Although ScxLin cells are required for maintenance of tendon homeostasis, their functions during tendon healing are unknown. To this end, we first characterized the spatiotemporal dynamics of ScxLin cells during tendon healing, and identified that the overall ScxLin pool continuously expands up to early remodeling healing phase. To better define the function of ScxLin cells during the late proliferative phase of healing, we inducibly depleted ScxLin cells from day 14-18 post-surgery using the Scx-Cre; Rosa-DTR mouse model, with local administration of diphtheria toxin inducing apoptosis of ScxLin cells in the healing tendon. At D28 post-surgery, ScxLin cell depleted tendons (DTRScxLin) had substantial impairments in structure and function, relative to WT, demonstrating the importance of ScxLin cells during tendon healing. Next, bulk RNAseq was utilized to identify the underlying mechanisms that were impaired with depletion and revealed that ScxLin depletion induced molecular and morphological stagnation of the healing process at D28. However, this stagnation was transient, such that by D56 tendon mechanics in DTRScxLin were not significantly different than wildtype repairs. Collectively, these data offer fundamental knowledge on the dynamics and roles of ScxLin cells during tendon healing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonion Korcari
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Samantha Muscat
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth McGinn
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Mark R. Buckley
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Alayna E. Loiselle
- Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation, Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Korcari A, Buckley MR, Loiselle AE. Characterization of scar tissue biomechanics during adult murine flexor tendon healing. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2022; 130:105192. [PMID: 35339739 PMCID: PMC11103245 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Tendon injuries are very common and result in significant impairments in mobility and quality of life. During healing, tendons produce a scar at the injury site, characterized by abundant and disorganized extracellular matrix and by permanent deficits in mechanical integrity compared to healthy tendon. Although a significant amount of work has been done to understand the healing process of tendons and to develop potential therapeutics for tendon regeneration, there is still a significant gap in terms of assessing the direct effects of therapeutics on the functional and material quality specifically of the scar tissue, and thus, on the overall tendon healing process. In this study, we focused on characterizing the mechanical properties of only the scar tissue in flexor digitorum longus (FDL) tendons during the proliferative and early remodeling healing phases and comparing these properties with the mechanical properties of the composite healing tissue. Our method was sensitive enough to identify significant differences in structural and material properties between the scar and tendon-scar composite tissues. To account for possible inaccuracies due to the small aspect ratio of scar tissue, we also applied inverse finite element analysis (iFEA) to compute mechanical properties based on simulated tests with accurate specimen geometries and boundary conditions. We found that the scar tissue linear tangent moduli calculated from iFEA were not significantly different from those calculated experimentally at all healing timepoints, validating our experimental findings, and suggesting the assumptions in our experimental calculations were accurate. Taken together, this study first demonstrates that due to the presence of uninjured stubs, testing composite healing tendons without isolating the scar tissue overestimates the material properties of the scar itself. Second, our scar isolation method promises to enable more direct assessment of how different treatment regimens (e.g., cellular ablation, biomechanical and/or biochemical stimuli, tissue engineered scaffolds) affect scar tissue function and material quality in multiple different types of tendons.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antonion Korcari
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Mark R Buckley
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| | - Alayna E Loiselle
- Center for Musculoskeletal Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, 14642, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lee SY, Ma J, Khoo TS, Abdullah N, Nik Md Noordin Kahar NNF, Abdul Hamid ZA, Mustapha M. Polysaccharide-Based Hydrogels for Microencapsulation of Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 9:735090. [PMID: 34733829 PMCID: PMC8558675 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.735090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem cell-based therapy appears as a promising strategy to induce regeneration of damaged and diseased tissues. However, low survival, poor engraftment and a lack of site-specificity are major drawbacks. Polysaccharide hydrogels can address these issues and offer several advantages as cell delivery vehicles. They have become very popular due to their unique properties such as high-water content, biocompatibility, biodegradability and flexibility. Polysaccharide polymers can be physically or chemically crosslinked to construct biomimetic hydrogels. Their resemblance to living tissues mimics the native three-dimensional extracellular matrix and supports stem cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. Given the intricate nature of communication between hydrogels and stem cells, understanding their interaction is crucial. Cells are incorporated with polysaccharide hydrogels using various microencapsulation techniques, allowing generation of more relevant models and further enhancement of stem cell therapies. This paper provides a comprehensive review of human stem cells and polysaccharide hydrogels most used in regenerative medicine. The recent and advanced stem cell microencapsulation techniques, which include extrusion, emulsion, lithography, microfluidics, superhydrophobic surfaces and bioprinting, are described. This review also discusses current progress in clinical translation of stem-cell encapsulated polysaccharide hydrogels for cell delivery and disease modeling (drug testing and discovery) with focuses on musculoskeletal, nervous, cardiac and cancerous tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Si-Yuen Lee
- Department of Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| | - Jingyi Ma
- Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Tze Sean Khoo
- UKM Medical Molecular Biology Institute, National University of Malaysia, Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Norfadhilatuladha Abdullah
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Malaysia
| | | | - Zuratul Ain Abdul Hamid
- School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
| | - Muzaimi Mustapha
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kota Bharu, Malaysia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen Y, Sun Y, Xu Y, Lin WW, Luo Z, Han Z, Liu S, Qi B, Sun C, Go K, Kang XR, Chen J. Single-Cell Integration Analysis of Heterotopic Ossification and Fibrocartilage Developmental Lineage: Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Effector Xbp1 Transcriptionally Regulates the Notch Signaling Pathway to Mediate Fibrocartilage Differentiation. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:7663366. [PMID: 34737845 PMCID: PMC8563124 DOI: 10.1155/2021/7663366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Regeneration of fibrochondrocytes is essential for the healing of the tendon-bone interface (TBI), which is similar to the formation of neurogenic heterotopic ossification (HO). Through single-cell integrative analysis, this study explored the homogeneity of HO cells and fibrochondrocytes. METHODS This study integrated six datasets, namely, GSE94683, GSE144306, GSE168153, GSE138515, GSE102929, and GSE110993. The differentiation trajectory and key transcription factors (TFs) for HO occurrence were systematically analyzed by integrating single-cell RNA (scRNA) sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, and assay of transposase accessible chromatin seq. The differential expression and enrichment pathways of TFs in heterotopically ossified tissues were identified. RESULTS HO that mimicked pathological cells was classified into HO1 and HO2 cell subsets. Results of the pseudo-temporal sequence analysis suggested that HO2 is a differentiated precursor cell of HO1. The analysis of integrated scRNA data revealed that ectopically ossified cells have similar transcriptional characteristics to cells in the fibrocartilaginous zone of tendons. The modified SCENIC method was used to identify specific transcriptional regulators associated with ectopic ossification. Xbp1 was defined as a common key transcriptional regulator of ectopically ossified tissues and the fibrocartilaginous zone of tendons. Subsequently, the CellPhoneDB database was completed for the cellular ligand-receptor analysis. With further pathway screening, this study is the first to propose that Xbp1 may upregulate the Notch signaling pathway through Jag1 transcription. Twenty-four microRNAs were screened and were found to be potentially associated with upregulation of XBP1 expression after acute ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION A systematic analysis of the differentiation landscape and cellular homogeneity facilitated a molecular understanding of the phenotypic similarities between cells in the fibrocartilaginous region of tendon and HO cells. Furthermore, by identifying Xbp1 as a hub regulator and by conducting a ligand-receptor analysis, we propose a potential Xbp1/Jag1/Notch signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yisheng Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaying Sun
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuzhen Xu
- Department of Rehabilitation, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University, Taian, Shandong Province 271000, China
| | - Wei-Wei Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, 88 Jiefang Road, Hangzhou, 310009 Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhiwen Luo
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihua Han
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Shaohua Liu
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Beijie Qi
- Department of Sports Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chenyu Sun
- Internal Medicine, AMITA Health Saint Joseph Hospital Chicago, 2900 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, 60657 Illinois, USA
| | - Ken Go
- Department of Clinical Training Centre, St. Marianna Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
| | - x.-R. Kang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jiwu Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200080, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Neidlin M, Chantzi E, Macheras G, Gustafsson MG, Alexopoulos LG. A Novel Multiplex Based Platform for Osteoarthritis Drug Candidate Evaluation. Ann Biomed Eng 2020; 48:2438-2448. [PMID: 32472364 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-020-02539-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/26/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by irreversible cartilage degradation with very limited therapeutic interventions. Drug candidates targeted at prototypic players had limited success until now and systems based approaches might be necessary. Consequently, drug evaluation platforms should consider the biological complexity looking beyond well-known contributors of OA. In this study an ex vivo model of cartilage degradation, combined with measuring releases of 27 proteins, was utilized to study 9 drug candidates. After an initial single drug evaluation step the 3 most promising compounds were selected and employed in an exhaustive combinatorial experiment. The resulting most and least promising treatment candidates were selected and validated in an independent study. This included estimation of mechanical properties via finite element modelling (FEM) and quantification of cartilage degradation as glycosaminoglycan (GAG) release. The most promising candidate showed increase of Young's modulus, decrease of hydraulic permeability and decrease of GAG release. The least promising candidate exhibited the opposite behaviour. The study shows the potential of a novel drug evaluation platform in identifying treatments that might reduce cartilage degradation. It also demonstrates the promise of exhaustive combination experiments and a connection between chondrocyte responses at the molecular level with changes of biomechanical properties at the tissue level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Neidlin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780, Zografou, Greece
| | - Efthymia Chantzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Leonidas G Alexopoulos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Heroon Polytechniou 9, 15780, Zografou, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Neidlin M, Chantzi E, Macheras G, Gustafsson MG, Alexopoulos LG. An ex vivo tissue model of cartilage degradation suggests that cartilage state can be determined from secreted key protein patterns. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224231. [PMID: 31634377 PMCID: PMC6802827 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathophysiology of osteoarthritis (OA) involves dysregulation of anabolic and catabolic processes associated with a broad panel of proteins that ultimately lead to cartilage degradation. An increased understanding about these protein interactions with systematic in vitro analyses may give new ideas regarding candidates for treatment of OA related cartilage degradation. Therefore, an ex vivo tissue model of cartilage degradation was established by culturing tissue explants with bacterial collagenase II. Responses of healthy and degrading cartilage were analyzed through protein abundance in tissue supernatant with a 26-multiplex protein profiling assay, after exposing the samples to a panel of 55 protein stimulations present in synovial joints of OA patients. Multivariate data analysis including exhaustive pairwise variable subset selection identified the most outstanding changes in measured protein secretions. MMP9 response to stimulation was outstandingly low in degrading cartilage and there were several protein pairs like IFNG and MMP9 that can be used for successful discrimination between degrading and healthy samples. The discovered changes in protein responses seem promising for accurate detection of degrading cartilage. The ex vivo model seems interesting for drug discovery projects related to cartilage degradation, for example when trying to uncover the unknown interactions between secreted proteins in healthy and degrading tissues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Neidlin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Efthymia Chantzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | | | | | - Leonidas G. Alexopoulos
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|