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Bhujel B, Yang SS, Kim HR, Kim SB, Min BH, Choi BH, Han I. An Injectable Engineered Cartilage Gel Improves Intervertebral Disc Repair in a Rat Nucleotomy Model. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:3146. [PMID: 36834559 PMCID: PMC9966384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Lower back pain is a major problem caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. A common surgical procedure is lumbar partial discectomy (excision of the herniated disc causing nerve root compression), which results in further disc degeneration, severe lower back pain, and disability after discectomy. Thus, the development of disc regenerative therapies for patients who require lumbar partial discectomy is crucial. Here, we investigated the effectiveness of an engineered cartilage gel utilizing human fetal cartilage-derived progenitor cells (hFCPCs) on intervertebral disc repair in a rat tail nucleotomy model. Eight-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups to undergo intradiscal injection of (1) cartilage gel, (2) hFCPCs, or (3) decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) (n = 10/each group). The treatment materials were injected immediately after nucleotomy of the coccygeal discs. The coccygeal discs were removed six weeks after implantation for radiologic and histological analysis. Implantation of the cartilage gel promoted degenerative disc repair compared to hFCPCs or hFCPC-derived ECM by increasing the cellularity and matrix integrity, promoting reconstruction of nucleus pulposus, restoring disc hydration, and downregulating inflammatory cytokines and pain. Our results demonstrate that cartilage gel has higher therapeutic potential than its cellular or ECM component alone, and support further translation to large animal models and human subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Basanta Bhujel
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Sciences, CHA University, Seongnam 13496, Republic of Korea
| | | | | | - Sung Bum Kim
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kyung Hee University, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Byoung-Hyun Min
- ATEMs Inc., Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Wake Forest Institute of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Wake Forest University, Winston Salem, NC 27101, USA
| | - Byung Hyune Choi
- ATEMs Inc., Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Inbo Han
- Department of Neurosurgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, School of Medicine, CHA University, Seongnam 13496, Republic of Korea
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Luo Z, Ma Y, Di T, Ma B, Li H, An J, Wang Y, Zhang H. DNMT3B decreases extracellular matrix degradation and alleviates intervertebral disc degeneration through TRPA1 methylation to inhibit the COX2/YAP axis. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:20258-20276. [PMID: 34428744 PMCID: PMC8436916 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a main cause of low back pain that is associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and inflammation. This study aims to investigate the role of DNMT3B and its regulatory mechanisms in IVDD. IVDD rat models were constructed followed by transfections with oe-DNMT3B or oe-YAP in order to explore the role of DNMT3B in the development of IVDD. After that transfection, nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were isolated and transfected with oe-DNMT3B, oe-TRPA1, si-YAP, oe-YAP or oe-COX2 in order to investigate the functions of DNMT3B in NP cells. DNMT3B was poorly expressed in IVDD tissues and NP cells whereas TRPA1, COX2, and YAP were highly expressed. The proliferation or apoptosis of NP cells was detected through CCK-8 assay or flow cytometry, respectively. Overexpression of DNMT3B promoted the proliferation of NP cells, inhibited their apoptosis, as well as increasing the expression of collagen II and aggrecan and decreasing expression of MMP3 and MMP9. Besides, DNMT3B suppressed inflammation and alleviated IVDD. Mechanistically, DNMT3B modified the TRPA1 promoter by methylation to inhibit the expression of COX2. Overexpression of COX2 promoted the apoptosis of NP cells and decreased the expression of YAP, which was reversed by upregulating DNMT3B. DNMT3B may promote the proliferation of NP cells and prevent their ECM degradation through the TRPA1/COX2/YAP axis, thereby alleviating IVDD in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqiang Luo
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
| | - Yanchao Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
| | - Tianning Di
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
| | - Bing Ma
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
| | - Hongwei Li
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
| | - Jiangdong An
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
| | - Haihong Zhang
- Department of Orthopedics, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou 730030, P.R. China
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Zhao K, Chen M, Liu T, Zhang P, Wang S, Liu X, Wang Q, Sheng J. Rhizoma drynariae total flavonoids inhibit the inflammatory response and matrix degeneration via MAPK pathway in a rat degenerative cervical intervertebral disc model. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 138:111466. [PMID: 33740525 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Rhizoma drynariae total flavonoids (RDTF) are extracted from Drynaria fortunei J. Sm (D. fortunei), which was a Chinese herb commonly used to treat fractures and bruises. Modern pharmacological studies indicate flavonoids have anti-inflammatory effect in clinical practice. However, its active ingredients and the mechanisms of action are far from clear. The present study aims to determine whether RDTF can protect against intervertebral disc degeneration in a rat cervical intervertebral disc model and investigate the associated molecular mechanisms. Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into five groups: control group (CG, n = 8), intervertebral disc degeneration group (NG, n = 8), low-dose RDTF-treated group (LG, n = 8), medium-dose RDTF-treated group (MG, n = 8), and high-dose RDTF-treated group (HG, n = 8). Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, ELISA, Western blot and quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays were used to investigate inflammatory, catabolic factors and the latent regulatory mechanism of the effects of RDTF on intervertebral disc cells. HE staining showed disc degeneration in all groups except CG, and the function was restored after RDTF treatment. IHC, Western blot, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence and ELISA results showed that RDTF prevented intervertebral disc degeneration by suppressing mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, which reduced expression of intracellular matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), such MMP3, MMP13, and inflammatory factors including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Notably RDTF inhibited extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration by increasing expression of aggrecan and collagen type II and preventing the upregulation of collagen type I and III. It suggests that RDTF has a potential therapeutic effect on cervical spondylosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhao
- Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Min Chen
- Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Ting Liu
- Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Panpan Zhang
- Rehabilitation Department of the First Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Sheng Wang
- The Center for Scientific Research of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Xiangguo Liu
- Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Qunan Wang
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Jie Sheng
- School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Population Health and Aristogenics, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
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Qiu X, Zhuang M, Lu Z, Liu Z, Cheng D, Zhu C, Liu J. RIPK1 suppresses apoptosis mediated by TNF and caspase-3 in intervertebral discs. J Transl Med 2019; 17:135. [PMID: 31029152 PMCID: PMC6487042 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-019-1886-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Low back pain has become a serious social and economic burden and the leading cause of disability worldwide. Among a variety of pathophysiological triggers, intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration plays a primary underlying role in causing such pain. Specifically, multiple independent endplate changes have been implicated in the initiation and progression of IVD degeneration. Methods In this study, we built a signaling network comprising both well-characterized IVD pathology-associated proteins as well as some potentially correlated proteins that have been associated with one or more of the currently known pathology-associated proteins. We then screened for the potential IVD degeneration-associated proteins using patients’ normal and degenerative endplate specimens. Short hairpin RNAs for receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 1 (RIPK1) were constructed to examine the effects of RIPK1 knockdown in primary chondrocyte cells and in animal models of caudal vertebra intervertebral disc degeneration in vivo. Results RIPK1 was identified as a potential IVD degeneration-associated protein based on IVD pathology-associated signaling networks and the patients’ degenerated endplate specimens. Construction of the short hairpin RNAs was successful, with short-term RIPK1 knockdown triggering inflammation in the primary chondrocytes, while long-term knockdown triggered apoptosis through cleavage of the caspase 3 pathway, down-regulated NF-κB and mitogen-activating protein kinase (MAPK)s cascades, and decreased cell survival and inflammation. Animal models of caudal vertebra intervertebral disc degeneration further demonstrated that apoptosis was induced by up-regulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) accompanied by down-regulation of NF-κB and MAPKs cascades that are dependent on caspase and RIPK1. Conclusions These results provide proof-of-concept for developing novel therapies to combat IVD degeneration through interfering with RIPK1-mediated apoptosis signaling pathways especially in patients with RIPK1 abnormality. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12967-019-1886-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xubin Qiu
- Department of Spine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Tianning District, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ming Zhuang
- Department of Spine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Tianning District, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ziwen Lu
- School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhiwei Liu
- Department of Spine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Tianning District, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dong Cheng
- Department of Spine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Tianning District, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chenlei Zhu
- Department of Spine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Tianning District, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jinbo Liu
- Department of Spine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 185 Juqian Street, Tianning District, Changzhou, 213003, Jiangsu, China.
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Yang H, Tian W, Wang S, Liu X, Wang Z, Hou L, Ge J, Zhang X, He Z, Wang X. TSG-6 secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting the TLR2/NF-κB signaling pathway. J Transl Med 2018; 98:755-772. [PMID: 29483622 DOI: 10.1038/s41374-018-0036-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation has been correlated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Recent evidence suggests that TNF-α-stimulated gene 6 protein (TSG-6) secreted by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) displays a remarkable ability to inhibit inflammatory processes in a variety of diseases. However, it is unknown whether BMSCs exert their therapeutic effect against IDD by secreting TSG-6. Here we investigated the effects of BMSCs and TSG-6 on IDD and explored the possible underlying mechanisms in vitro and in vivo. We found that BMSCs and TSG-6 reduced the expression of MMP-3 and MMP-13, and increased the expression of collagen II and aggrecan in the IL-1β-treated nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), but the protective effects of BMSCs and TSG-6 were attenuated when TSG-6 expression was silenced. We also found that the activation of the TLR2/NF-κB pathway was inhibited by BMSCs and TSG-6. The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the degenerated NPCs were reduced and the proliferation of IL-1β-treated NPCs was increased in the presence of BMSCs and TSG-6. Furthermore, in vivo experiments showed that BMSCs and TSG-6 restored the MRI T2-weighted signal intensity and increased collagen II and aggrecan expression in the degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues. Finally, our results showed that BMSCs and TSG-6 downregulated the TLR2/NF-κB signaling and reduced the expression of MMPs and inflammatory cytokines in the degenerated NP tissues. The present study is the first to demonstrate the involvement of TLR2/NF-κB pathway in the potential anti-IDD therapeutic effect of TSG-6, and the results provide new insight into the beneficial effect of BMSCs in the treatment of IDD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Yang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Weitian Tian
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Shaocheng Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Shanghai Tenth People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200072, China
| | - Xiaohua Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhankui Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Lei Hou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jiaxi Ge
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Zhengyu He
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
| | - Xiangrui Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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