Assessment of bisphosphonate treated-osteoblast behaviors by conventional assays and a simple digital image analysis

Activation of wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway down regulated osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells in an anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia patient with EDA/EDAR/EDARADD mutation

Objective

To explore the mechanism by which the Wnt/β-catenin pathway induces osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) in anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (AED) with an Ectodysplasin A (EDA)/EDA receptor (EDAR)/EDARADD mutation.

Methods

An AED patient served as the AED group, whereas the other patients without AED were included in the normal group. Peripheral venous blood collected from the AED patient was subjected to whole-genome resequencing. BMSCs from the mandible of patients with AED and normal individuals were isolated and cultured in vitro. Cell proliferation assay was performed to compare the growth speed of BMSCs between the AED and normal groups. CHIR-99021, an activator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and XAV-939, an inhibitor, was used to manage BMSCs in an osteogenic environment in both groups. The expression of β-catenin was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while that of RUNX2 was detected by western blotting. Alizarin red was used for staining.

Results

A novel mutation (c.152T > A in EDA) and two known mutations (c.1109T > C in EDAR and c.27G > A in EDARADD) were identified. The growth rate in the normal group was higher than that in the AED group. In the normal group, the number and size of calcified nodes and the expression of RUNX-2 increased with CHIR-99021 treatment, which could be inhibited by XAV-939. In contrast, CHIR-99021 inhibited osteogenesis in the AED group and this effect was promoted by XAV-939.

Conclusion

Activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway downregulates osteogenesis of BMSCs in AED patients with EDA/EDAR/EDARADD gene mutations. Further investigation in more AED patients is required, given the wide range of mutations involved in AED.

Biomimetic Collagen Membranes as Drug Carriers of Geranylgeraniol to Counteract the Effect of Zoledronate

To counteract the effect of zoledronate and decrease the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) development in patients undergoing guided bone regeneration surgery, the use of geranylgeraniol (GGOH) has been proposed. Collagen membranes may act as biomimetical drug carriers. The objective of this study was to determine the capacity of collagen-based membranes doped with GGOH to revert the negative impact of zoledronate on the growth and differentiation of human osteoblasts. MG-63 cells were cultured on collagen membranes. Two groups were established: (1) undoped membranes and (2) membranes doped with geranylgeraniol. Osteoblasts were cultured with or without zoledronate (50 μM). Cell proliferation was evaluated at 48 h using the MTT colorimetric method. Differentiation was tested by staining mineralization nodules with alizarin red and by gene expression analysis of bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 7, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic proteins 2 and 7 (BMP-2 and BMP-7), type I collagen (Col-I), osterix (OSX), osteocalcin (OSC), osteoprotegerin (OPG), receptor for RANK (RANKL), runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2), TGF-β1 and TGF-β receptors (TGF-βR1, TGF-βR2, and TGF-βR3), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) with real-time PCR. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis and post hoc Bonferroni tests were applied (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations were also performed. Treatment of osteoblasts with 50 μM zoledronate produced a significant decrease in cell proliferation, mineralization capacity, and gene expression of several differentiation markers if compared to the control (p < 0.001). When osteoblasts were treated with zoledronate and cultured on GGOH-doped membranes, these variables were, in general, similar to the control group (p > 0.05). GGOH applied on collagen membranes is able to reverse the negative impact of zoledronate on the proliferation, differentiation, and gene expression of different osteoblasts' markers.

The Lymphatic Endothelial Cell Secretome Inhibits Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation

Complex lymphatic anomalies (CLAs) are a set of rare diseases with unique osteopathic profiles. Recent efforts have identified how lymphatic-specific somatic activating mutations can induce abnormal lymphatic formations that are capable of invading bone and inducing bone resorption. The abnormal bone resorption in CLA patients has been linked to overactive osteoclasts in areas with lymphatic invasions. Despite these findings, the mechanism associated with progressive bone loss in CLAs remains to be elucidated. In order to determine the role of osteoblasts in CLAs, we sought to assess osteoblast differentiation and bone formation when exposed to the lymphatic endothelial cell secretome. When treated with lymphatic endothelial cell conditioned medium (L-CM), osteoblasts exhibited a significant decrease in proliferation, differentiation, and function. Additionally, L-CM treatment also inhibited bone formation through a neonatal calvaria explant culture. These findings are the first to reveal how osteoblasts may be actively suppressed during bone lymphatic invasion in CLAs.

Bisphosphonate-incorporated coatings for orthopedic implants functionalization

Bisphosphonates (BPs), the stable analogs of pyrophosphate, are well-known inhibitors of osteoclastogenesis to prevent osteoporotic bone loss and improve implant osseointegration in patients suffering from osteoporosis. Compared to systemic administration, BPs-incorporated coatings enable the direct delivery of BPs to the local area, which will precisely enhance osseointegration and bone repair without the systemic side effects. However, an elaborate and comprehensive review of BP coatings of implants is lacking. Herein, the cellular level (e.g., osteoclasts, osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclast precursors, and bone mesenchymal stem cells) and molecular biological regulatory mechanism of BPs in regulating bone homeostasis are overviewed systematically. Moreover, the currently available methods (e.g., chemical reaction, porous carriers, and organic material films) of BP coatings construction are outlined and summarized in detail. As one of the key directions, the latest advances of BP-coated implants to enhance bone repair and osseointegration in basic experiments and clinical trials are presented and critically evaluated. Finally, the challenges and prospects of BP coatings are also purposed, and it will open a new chapter in clinical translation for BP-coated implants.

Non-viral CRISPR activation system targeting VEGF-A and TGF-β1 for enhanced osteogenesis of pre-osteoblasts implanted with dual-crosslinked hydrogel

Healing of large calvarial bone defects remains challenge but may be improved by stimulating bone regeneration of implanted cells. The aim of this study is to specially co-activate transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) genes expressions in pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells through the non-viral CRISPR activation (CRISPRa) system to promote osteogenesis. A cationic copolymer carrying nucleus localizing peptides and proton sponge groups dimethyl-histidine was synthesized to deliver CRISPRa system into MC3T3-E1 cells with high cellular uptake, lysosomal escape, and nuclear translocation, which activated VEGF-A and TGF-β1 genes expressions and thereby additively or synergistically induced several osteogenic genes expressions. A tunable dual-crosslinked hydrogel was developed to implant the above engineered cells into mice calvaria bone defect site to promote bone healing in vivo. The combination of multi-genes activation through non-viral CRISPRa system and tunable dual-crosslinked hydrogel provides a versatile strategy for promoting bone healing with synergistic effect.

Deferasirox and vitamin D3 co-therapy mitigates iron-induced renal injury by enhanced modulation of cellular anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative stress, and iron regulatory pathways in rat

BACKGROUND

Chronic iron overload could induce nephropathy via oxidative stress and inflammation, and chelating therapy has limited efficacy in removing excess intracellular iron. Although vitamin D (VD) has shown potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, as well contribute to iron homeostasis, none of the previous studies measured its potential remedial effects against chronic iron toxicity.

AIMS

To measure the alleviating effects of deferasirox (DFX) and/or vitamin D (VD) single and combined therapies against nephrotoxicity induced by chronic iron overload.

METHODS

Forty male rats were divided into negative (NC) and positive (PC) controls, DFX, VD, and DFX/VD groups. The designated groups received iron for six weeks followed by DFX and/or VD for another six weeks. Then, the expression pattern of renal genes and proteins including hepcidin, ferroportin (FPN), megalin, transferrin receptor 1 (TfR1), ferritin heavy and light chains, VD receptor (VDR), VD synthesizing (Cyp27b1) and catabolizing (Cyp24a1) enzymes were measured alongside serum markers of renal function and iron biochemical parameters. Additionally, several markers of oxidative stress (MDA/H₂O₂/GSH/SOD1/CAT/GPx4) and inflammation (IL-1β/IL-6/TNF-α/IL-10) together with renal cell apoptosis and expression of caspase-3 (Casp-3) were measured.

RESULTS

The PC rats showed pathological iron and renal biochemical markers, hypovitaminosis D, increased renal tissue iron contents with increased Cyp24a1/Megalin/ferritin-chains/hepcidin, and decreased Cyp27b1/VDR/TfR1/FPN expression than the NC group. The PC renal tissues also showed abnormal histology, increased inflammatory (IL-1β/IL-6/TNF-α), oxidative stress (MDA/H₂O₂), and apoptosis markers with decreased IL-10/GSH/SOD1/CAT/GPx4. Although DFX monotherapy reduced serum iron levels, it was comparable to the PC group in renal iron concentrations, VD and iron-homeostatic molecules, alongside markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. On the other hand, VD monotherapy markedly modulated renal iron and VD-related molecules, reduced renal tissue iron concentrations, and preserved renal tissue relative to the PC and DFX groups. However, serum iron levels were equal in the VD and PC groups. In contrast, the best significant improvements in serum and renal iron levels, expression of renal iron-homeostatic molecules, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis were seen in the co-therapy group.

CONCLUSIONS

iron-induced nephrotoxicity was associated with dysregulations in renal VD-system together with renal oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. While DFX reduced systemic iron, VD monotherapy showed better attenuation of renal iron concentrations and tissue damage. Nonetheless, the co-therapy approach exhibited the maximal remedial effects, possibly by enhanced modulation of renal iron-homeostatic molecules alongside reducing systemic iron levels.

AVAILABILITY OF DATA AND MATERIALS

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article [and its Supplementary information files].

In Vivo and In Vitro Enhanced Tumoricidal Effects of Metformin, Active Vitamin D3, and 5-Fluorouracil Triple Therapy against Colon Cancer by Modulating the PI3K/Akt/PTEN/mTOR Network

Simple Summary

Failure of chemotherapy is common during the treatment of colon cancer, and there is a compelling need to develop alternative therapeutic approaches against this common malignancy. Metformin, which is an oral hypoglycaemic agent used for treating diabetes mellitus, and vitamin D have shown promising anticancer activities, and both agents boosted the actions of chemotherapy against colon cancer. This study, therefore, measured the potential beneficial effects of adding metformin and/or active vitamin D to the main cytotoxic drug used for treating colon cancer. The results demonstrate that metformin had superior anticancer effects relative to active vitamin D and ameliorated the effects of chemotherapy in animals and in cells. To the best of our knowledge, this study is also the first to report that triple treatment with the drugs of interest showed the best inhibition of cancer progression, which could provide a better therapeutic strategy against colon cancer.

Abstract

Chemoresistance to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) is common during colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. This study measured the chemotherapeutic effects of 5-FU, active vitamin D₃ (VD₃), and/or metformin single/dual/triple regimens as complementary/alternative therapies. Ninety male mice were divided into: negative and positive (PC) controls, and 5-FU, VD₃, Met, 5-FU/VD₃, 5-FU/Met, VD₃/Met, and 5-FU/VD₃/Met groups. Treatments lasted four weeks following CRC induction by azoxymethane. Similar regimens were also applied in the SW480 and SW620 CRC cell lines. The PC mice had abundant tumours, markedly elevated proliferation markers (survivin/CCND1) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and reduced p21/PTEN/cytochrome C/caspase-3 and apoptosis. All therapies reduced tumour numbers, with 5-FU/VD₃/Met being the most efficacious regimen. All protocols decreased cell proliferation markers, inhibited PI3K/Akt/mTOR molecules, and increased proapoptotic molecules with an apoptosis index, and 5-FU/VD₃/Met revealed the strongest effects. In vitro, all therapies equally induced G1 phase arrest in SW480 cells, whereas metformin-alone showed maximal SW620 cell numbers in the G0/G1 phase. 5-FU/Met co-therapy also showed the highest apoptotic SW480 cell numbers (13%), whilst 5-FU/VD₃/Met disclosed the lowest viable SW620 cell percentages (81%). Moreover, 5-FU/VD₃/Met revealed maximal inhibitions of cell cycle inducers (CCND1/CCND3), cell survival (BCL2), and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR molecules alongside the highest expression of cell cycle inhibitors (p21/p27), proapoptotic markers (BAX/cytochrome C/caspase-3), and PTEN in both cell lines. In conclusion, metformin monotherapy was superior to VD₃, whereas the 5-FU/Met protocol showed better anticancer effects relative to the other dual therapies. However, the 5-FU/VD₃/Met approach displayed the best in vivo and in vitro tumoricidal effects related to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, justifiably by enhanced modulations of the PI3K/PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Vitamin D3 enhances the effects of omega-3 oils against metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease in rat

This study investigated the effects of omega-3 oils (OM) and/or vitamin D₃ (VD) against metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD). Forty rats were divided into negative (NC) and positive (PC) controls, OM, VD, and OM + VD groups, and MAFLD was induced by high-fat/high-fructose diet (12 weeks). Oral OM (415 mg/kg/day) and/or intramuscular VD (290 IU/kg/day) were given for 4 weeks (5 times/week). The PC animals were markedly obese and had hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, elevated liver enzymes, abnormal hepatic histology, and increased caspase-3 with apoptosis than the NC group. The expression of hepatic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α; 5.3-fold), insulin induced gene-1 (INSIG1; 7.8-fold), adiponectin receptor-1 (AdipoR1; 4.4-fold), and leptin receptor (LEPR; 6-fold) declined, while PPAR-γ (3.7-fold) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1 (SREBP1; 2.4-fold) increased, in the PC than the NC group. Leptin (2.2-fold), malondialdehyde (2.1-fold), protein carbonyl groups (17.3-fold), IL-1β (4.4-fold), IL-6 (2.1-fold), TNF-α (1.8-fold) also increased, whereas adiponectin (2.8-fold) glutathione (2.1-fold), glutathione peroxidase-1 (2.4-fold), glutathione reductase (2.2-fold), catalase (1.4-fold), and IL-10 (2.8-fold) decreased, in the PC livers. Both monotherapies attenuated obesity, metabolic profiles, and PPAR-γ/SREBP1/leptin/Caspase-3/apoptosis, while induced PPAR-α/adiponectin/AdipoR1/LEPR/INSIG1. The monotherapies also reduced the oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory markers and increased the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules. However, the OM effects were better than VD monotherapy. Alternatively, the co-therapy group showed the greatest ameliorations in liver functions, lipid-regulatory molecules, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. In conclusion, while OM monotherapy was superior to VD, the co-therapy protocol displayed the best alleviations against MAFLD, possibly by enhanced modulation of metabolic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory pathways.

Enhanced anti-cancer effects of oestrogen and progesterone co-therapy against colorectal cancer in males

Although ovarian sex steroids could have protective roles against colorectal cancer (CRC) in women, little is currently known about their potential anti-tumorigenic effects in men. Hence, this study measured the therapeutic effects of 17β-oestradiol (E2) and/or progesterone (P4) against azoxymethane-induced CRC in male mice that were divided into (n = 10 mice/group): negative (NC) and positive (PC) controls, E2 (580 µg/Kg/day; five times/week) and P4 (2.9 mg/Kg/day; five times/week) monotherapies, and concurrent (EP) and sequential (E/P) co-therapy groups. Both hormones were injected intraperitoneally to the designated groups for four consecutive weeks. Similar treatment protocols with E2 (10 nM) and/or P4 (20 nM) were also used in the SW480 and SW620 human male CRC cell lines. The PC group showed abundant colonic tumours alongside increased colonic tissue testosterone levels and androgen (AR) and oestrogen (ERα) receptors, whereas E2 and P4 levels with ERβ and progesterone receptor (PGR) decreased significantly compared with the NC group. E2 and P4 monotherapies equally increased ERβ/PGR with p21/Cytochrome-C/Caspase-3, reduced testosterone levels, inhibited ERα/AR and CCND1/survivin and promoted apoptosis relative to the PC group. Both co-therapy protocols also revealed better anti-cancer effects with enhanced modulation of colonic sex steroid hormones and their receptors, with E/P the most prominent protocol. In vitro, E/P regimen showed the highest increases in the numbers of SW480 (2.1-fold) and SW620 (3.5-fold) cells in Sub-G1 phase of cell cycle. The E/P co-therapy also disclosed the lowest percentages of viable SW480 cells (2.8-fold), whilst both co-therapy protocols equally showed the greatest SW620 apoptotic cell numbers (5.2-fold) relative to untreated cells. Moreover, both co-therapy regimens revealed maximal inhibitions of cell cycle inducers, cell survival markers, and AR/ERα alongside the highest expression of cell cycle suppressors, pro-apoptotic molecules, and ERβ/PGR in both cell lines. In conclusion, CRC was associated with abnormal levels of colonic sex steroid hormones alongside aberrant protein expression of their receptors. While the anti-cancer effects of E2 and P4 monotherapies were equal, their combination protocols showed boosted tumoricidal actions against CRC in males, possibly by promoting ERβ and PGR-mediated androgen deprivation together with inhibition of ERα-regulated oncogenic pathways.