VEGFA from osteoblasts is not required for lamellar bone formation following tibial loading

WSB1, a Hypoxia-Inducible E3 Ligase, Promotes Myofibroblast Accumulation and Attenuates Alveolar Epithelial Regeneration in Mouse Lung Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a progressive interstitial lung disease for which there is no curative therapy available. Repetitive alveolar epithelial injury repair, myofibroblast accumulation, and excessive collagen deposition are key pathologic features of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, eventually leading to cellular hypoxia and respiratory failure. The precise mechanism driving this complex maladaptive process remains inadequately understood. WD repeat and suppressor of cytokine signaling box containing 1 (WSB1) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase, the expression of which is associated strongly with hypoxia, and forms a positive feedback loop with hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) under anoxic condition. This study explored the expression, cellular distribution, and function of WSB1 in bleomycin (BLM)-induced mouse lung injury and fibrosis. WSB1 expression was highly induced by BLM injury and correlated with the progression of lung fibrosis. Significantly, conditional deletion of Wsb1 in adult mice ameliorated BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Phenotypically, Wsb1-deficient mice showed reduced lipofibroblast to myofibroblast transition, but enhanced alveolar type 2 proliferation and differentiation into alveolar type 1 after BLM injury. Proteomic analysis of mouse lung tissues identified caveolin 2 as a potential downstream target of WSB1, contributing to BLM-induced epithelial injury repair and fibrosis. These findings unravel a vital role for WSB1 induction in lung injury repair, thus highlighting it as a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.

The Role of Osteocytes in Pre-metastatic Niche Formation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The formation of a pre-metastatic niche (PMN), in which primary cancer cells prime the distant site to be favorable to their engraftment and survival, may help explain the strong osteotropism observed in multiple cancers, such as breast and prostate. PMN formation, which includes extracellular matrix remodeling, increased angiogenesis and vascular permeability, enhanced bone marrow-derived cell recruitment and immune suppression, has mostly been described in soft tissues. In this review, we summarize current literature of PMN formation in bone. We also present evidence of a potential role for osteocytes to be the primary mediators of PMN development.

RECENT FINDINGS

Osteocytes regulate the bone microenvironment in myriad ways beyond canonical bone tissue remodeling, including changes that contribute to PMN formation. Perilacunar tissue remodeling, which has been observed in both bone and non-bone metastatic cancers, is a potential mechanism by which osteocyte-cancer cell signaling stimulates changes to the bone microenvironment. Osteocytes also protect against endothelial permeability, including that induced by cancer cells, in a loading-mediated process. Finally, osteocytes are potent regulators of cells within the bone marrow, including progenitors and immune cells, and might be involved in this aspect of PMN formation. Osteocytes should be examined for their role in PMN formation.

3D-printed TCP-HA scaffolds delivering MicroRNA-302a-3p improve bone regeneration in a mouse calvarial model

OBJECTIVE

To demonstrate hydroxyapatite nanoparticles modified with cationic functional molecules. 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (HA-NPs-APTES) carrying microRNA-302a-3p (miR) in the 3D-printed tricalcium phosphate/Hydroxyapatite (TCP/HA) scaffold can increase healing of the critical-sized bone defect.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3D-printed TCP/HA were modified with HA-NPs-APTES by two methods (M1, M2). The dispersion of particles was visualized by fluorescent microscopy. Biocompatibility of the scaffolds was tested by alizarin assay. Delivery of miR to the cells and osteogenic gene expression were evaluated by qPCR. After selecting best method (M2), scaffolds, scaffolds+HA-NPs-APTES with or without miR were implanted in 4 mm mouse calvarium defect (n = 4 per group). After 2,4 and 6 weeks, bone regeneration were evaluated by microCT and histology sections.

RESULTS

Both M1 and M2 scaffolds were biocompatible with cell adhesion on its surface. M2 scaffold showed significant increase of miR, suggesting successful delivery, resulted in downregulation of its target mRNA COUP-TFII, and upregulation of RUNX2 mRNA. Calvarium defect with M2 scaffold also showed significantly higher BV/TV and higher number of filled spaces at all time points. Histomorphometry demonstrated new bone formed at the center of the HA-NPs-APTES-miR scaffold earlier than controls.

CONCLUSION

TCP/HA scaffold modified with HA-NPs-APTES facilitated delivery of miR and enhanced bone regeneration.

A review of tamoxifen administration regimen optimization for Cre/loxp system in mouse bone study

Gene knockout is a technique routinely used in basic experimental research, particularly in mouse skeletal and developmental studies. Tamoxifen-induced Cre/loxp system is known for its temporal and spatial precision and commonly utilized by researchers. However, tamoxifen has been shown its side effects on affecting the phenotype of mouse bone directly. This review aimed to optimize tamoxifen administration regimens including its dosage and duration, to identify an optimal induction strategy that minimizes potential side effects while maintaining recombination efficacy. This study will help researchers in designing gene knockout experiments in bone when using tamoxifen.

Vitexin Regulates Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis in Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis of Rats via the VDR/PI3K/AKT/eNOS Signaling Pathway

It is extremely important to promote angiogenesis-dependent osteogenesis and ameliorate bone loss for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis (OP) development. Vitexin, as one of the major active components in pigeonpea leave, promoted the proliferation of osteoblast and HUVECs in hypoxia. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of vitexin on alleviating osteoporosis in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and further explore its underlying mechanisms. Herein, the OVX rat model was established and treated with vitexin (10 mg kg^-1) for 3 months. After being sacrificed, we performed hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) to assess bone mass, which found that trabecular bone was damaged in the OVX rat model. Vitexin could repair bone injury and promote osteoblast biochemical indicators and angiogenesis indicators. Furthermore, EAhy926 cells were used to further explore the effect of vitexin on improving hypoxia-induced endothelial injury in vitro. Vitexin had a protective effect on hypoxia-treated EAhy926 cells and up-regulated vitamin D receptor (VDR) signaling and promoted phosphorylation of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), which enhanced endothelial cell migration and tube formation. VDR small-interfering RNA (siRNA) transfection significantly decreased both VDR and p-eNOS proteins, and VDR siRNA transfection + vitexin could not further increase VDR and downstream proteins. Overall, this study presented that vitexin regulates angiogenesis and osteogenesis in ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis of rats via the VDR/eNOS signaling pathway.