Variants of FOXO3 and RPA3 genes affecting IGF-1 levels alter the risk of development of primary osteoarthritis

Integrated Analysis of Transcriptome Changes in Osteoarthritis: Gene Expression, Pathways and Alternative Splicing

OBJECTIVE

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disease characterized by the degeneration of articular cartilage and the remodeling of its underlying bones, resulting in pain and loss of function in the knees and hips. As far as we know, no curative treatments are available except for the joint replacement. The precise molecular mechanisms which are involved in the degradation of cartilage matrix and development of osteoarthritis are still unclear.

DESIGN

By analyzing RNA-seq data, we found the molecular changes at the transcriptome level such as alternative splicing, gene expression, and molecular pathways in OA knees cartilage.

RESULTS

Expression analysis have identified 457 differential expressed genes including 266 up-regulated genes such as TNFSF15, ST6GALNAC5, TGFBI, ASPM, and TYM, and 191 down-regulated genes such as ADM, JUN, IRE2, PIGA, and MAFF. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) analysis identified down-regulated pathways related to translation, transcription, immunity, PI3K/AKT, and circadian as well as disturbed pathways related to extracellular matrix and collagen. Splicing analysis identified 442 differential alternative splicing events within 284 genes in osteoarthritis, including genes involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) and alternative splicing, and TIA1 was identified as a key regulator of these splicing events.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide insights into disease etiology, and offer favorable information to support the development of more effective interventions in response to the global clinical challenge of osteoarthritis.

Potential value of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and S100B for identifying major depressive disorder in knee osteoarthritis patients

BACKGROUND

The chronic pain and functional limitations in osteoarthritis (OA) patients can increase risk of psychiatric disorders, e.g., major depression disorder (MDD), which may further aggravate the clinical symptoms of OA. Early detection of MDD is essential in the clinical practice of OA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred and fifteen participants with knee OA were recruited, including 134 MDD patients (i.e., MDD group) and 81 ones without MDD (i.e., control group). Among them, 81 OA participants in the control group received a 3-year follow-up and were divided into trans-MDD group (who transforming into MDD; N = 39) and non-MDD group (who keeping non-MDD; N = 42) at the end of the follow-up. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were performed. Furthermore, serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), S100B, and IGF-1 were detected.

RESULTS

(1) Compared with OA participants without MDD, there were significant decrease in serum BDNF and significant increase in serum VEGF and S100B and VAS scores in OA participants with MDD. (2) A mediation of the association was found between the VAS scores and the HAMD-17 scores through the BDNF as mediator in OA participants with MDD. (3) Significantly lower baseline BDNF levels and higher baseline S100B levels were detected in OA participants who transforming to MDD after a 3-year follow-up when compared with those who keeping non-MDD. (4) In the trans-MDD group, significant associations of the change of serum BDNF levels with rate of change of HAMD-17 scores were found, and baseline serum S100B levels positively correlated with the HAMD-17 scores at the end of the follow-up. (5) In OA participants, the composite indicator of BDNF, VEGF, and S100B differentiated MDD patients from controls with the area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.806, and the combined indicator of baseline BDNF and S100B distinguished trans-MDD participants from non-MDD ones with an AUC value of 0.806.

CONCLUSION

Serum BDNF, VEGF, and S100B may be potential biomarkers to identify MDD in OA patients. Meanwhile, serum BDNF and S100B shows great potential to predict the risk of MDD for OA.

An up to date on clinical prospects and management of osteoarthritis

The rising prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) in the general population has necessitated the development of novel treatment options. It is critical to recognize the joint as a separate entity participating in degenerative processes, as well as the multifaceted nature of OA. OA is incurable because there is currently no medication that can stop or reverse cartilage or bone loss. As this point of view has attracted attention, more research is being directed toward determining how the various joint components are impacted and how they contribute to OA pathogenesis. Over the next few years, several prospective therapies focusing on inflammation, cartilage metabolism, subchondral bone remodelling, cellular senescence, and the peripheral nociceptive pathway are predicted to transform the OA therapy landscape. Stem cell therapies and the use of various biomaterials to target articular cartilage (AC) and osteochondral tissues are now being investigated in considerable detail. Currently, laboratory-made cartilage tissues are on the verge of being used in clinical settings. This review focuses on the update of clinical prospects and management of osteoarthritis, as well as future possibilities for the treatment of OA.

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Osteoarthritis (OA) is a general term that incorporates several different joint diseases.

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The exact pathophysiology of OA remains unclear.

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OA is incurable because there is currently no medication that can stop or reverse cartilage or bone loss.

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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are the most frequently prescribed medications to alleviate arthritic discomfort.

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Stem cell therapies to target articular cartilage and osteochondral tissues are now under investigation.