miR‑148a‑3p facilitates osteogenic differentiation of fibroblasts in ankylosing spondylitis by activating the Wnt pathway and targeting DKK1

White Adipocyte Stem Cell Expansion Through Infant Formula Feeding: New Insights into Epigenetic Programming Explaining the Early Protein Hypothesis of Obesity

Prolonged breastfeeding (BF), as opposed to artificial infant formula feeding (FF), has been shown to prevent the development of obesity later in life. The aim of our narrative review is to investigate the missing molecular link between postnatal protein overfeeding-often referred to as the "early protein hypothesis"-and the subsequent transcriptional and epigenetic changes that accelerate the expansion of adipocyte stem cells (ASCs) in the adipose vascular niche during postnatal white adipose tissue (WAT) development. To achieve this, we conducted a search on the Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PubMed databases from 2000 to 2025 and reviewed 750 papers. Our findings revealed that the overactivation of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and S6 kinase 1 (S6K1), which inhibits wingless (Wnt) signaling due to protein overfeeding, serves as the primary pathway promoting ASC commitment and increasing preadipocyte numbers. Moreover, excessive protein intake, combined with the upregulation of the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) and a deficiency of breast milk-derived microRNAs from lactation, disrupts the proper regulation of FTO and Wnt pathway components. This disruption enhances ASC expansion in WAT while inhibiting brown adipose tissue development. While BF has been shown to have protective effects against obesity, the postnatal transcriptional and epigenetic changes induced by excessive protein intake from FF may predispose infants to early and excessive ASC commitment in WAT, thereby increasing the risk of obesity later in life.

Fibroblasts in heterotopic ossification: mechanisms and therapeutic targets

Heterotopic ossification (HO) refers to the abnormal formation of bone in non-skeletal tissues. Fibroblasts have traditionally been viewed as stationary cells primarily responsible for producing extracellular matrix during tissue repair and fibrosis. However, recent discoveries regarding their plasticity-encompassing roles in inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling, and osteogenesis-highlight their potential as key contributors to the development of HO. In this review, we systematically summarize the diverse phenotypic and functional plasticity of fibroblasts in HO. Furthermore, we evaluate the possible interaction between fibroblasts and macrophages in pathophysiological processes and signaling pathways. Finally, we highlight the potential strategies for preventing and treating HO by targeting fibroblast activities.

Aberrant DNA Methylation Profile of Dickkopf-1 in Ankylosing Spondylitis

In recent years, the impact of methylation modifications on Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) in relation to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has remained elusive. Our objective was to investigate the potential link between DKK1 methylation patterns and transcript levels and AS susceptibility. DNA methylation level of DKK1 was measured in 82 AS and 82 healthy controls (HCs) using targeted bisulfite sequencing. In addition, the transcript level of DKK1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 35 AS patients and 35 HCs was detected using real-time quantitative transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Our study showed that the DKK1 was significantly hypomethylated in AS patients (P < 0.001). The Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) showed that DKK1 methylation may be a potential biomarker. The results showed that the difference in DKK1 transcript levels between AS and HCs was not statistically significant. Further analysis showed that DKK1 methylation levels were positively correlated with age and negatively correlated with C-reactive protein levels, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR). The methylation level of DKK1 in PBMC of AS patients was significantly lower than that of HCs, and DKK1 methylation may be associated with susceptibility to AS. In addition, DNA methylation levels of DKK1 were negatively correlated with the level of inflammation in AS patients.

Highly Multiplexed, Efficient, and Automated Single-Cell MicroRNA Sequencing with Digital Microfluidics

Single-cell microRNA (miRNA) sequencing has allowed for comprehensively studying the abundance and complex networks of miRNAs, which provides insights beyond single-cell heterogeneity into the dynamic regulation of cellular events. Current benchtop-based technologies for single-cell miRNA sequencing are low throughput, limited reaction efficiency, tedious manual operations, and high reagent costs. Here, a highly multiplexed, efficient, integrated, and automated sample preparation platform is introduced for single-cell miRNA sequencing based on digital microfluidics (DMF), named Hiper-seq. The platform integrates major steps and automates the iterative operations of miRNA sequencing library construction by digital control of addressable droplets on the DMF chip. Based on the design of hydrophilic micro-structures and the capability of handling droplets of DMF, multiple single cells can be selectively isolated and subject to sample processing in a highly parallel way, thus increasing the throughput and efficiency for single-cell miRNA measurement. The nanoliter reaction volume of this platform enables a much higher miRNA detection ability and lower reagent cost compared to benchtop methods. It is further applied Hiper-seq to explore miRNAs involved in the ossification of mouse skeletal stem cells after bone fracture and discovered unreported miRNAs that regulate bone repairing.

Surgical suction filter-derived bone graft displays osteogenic miRNA and mRNA patterns

PURPOSE

Recently, a surgical suction filter device was introduced which aims at generating a suction filter-derived bone grafting substitute (SF-BGS). The osteogenic capacity of this grafting material, however, is unclear. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and osteogenic mRNAs may influence these processes. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate the quality of the SF-BGS by determining the expression of miRNAs and osteogenic mRNAs.

METHODS

Samples were collected during non-union surgery. Upon exposure of the intramedullary canal, the surgical vacuum system was fitted with the suction filter device containing collagen complex and synthetic β-TCP: (Ca3(PO4)2, granule size 5-8 mm, total volume 10 mL (Cerasorb Foam®, Curasan AG, Kleinostheim, Germany). As a control, venous blood was used as in current clinical practice. Samples were snap-frozen and mechanically disrupted. MiRNAs and mRNAs were isolated, transcribed, and pooled for qPCR analysis. Lastly, mRNA targets were determined through in silico target analyses.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of seven patients with a posttraumatic long bone non-union (4♀; mean age 54 ± 16 years). From the array data, distinct differences in miRNA expression were found between the SF-BGS and control samples. Osteogenic marker genes were overall upregulated in the SF-BGS. Qiagen IPA software identified 1168 mRNA targets for 43 of the overall deregulated miRNAs.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed distinctly deregulated and exclusively expressed osteogenic miRNAs in SF-BGS, as well as overall enhanced osteogenic marker gene expression, as compared to the venous blood control group. These expression profiles were not seen in control samples, indicating that the derived material displays an osteogenic profile. It may therefore be a promising tool to generate a BGS or graft extender when needed.

Novel regulatory role of non-coding RNAs in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a type of arthritis that primarily affects the spine and involves disorders of the immune and skeletal systems. However, the exact pathogenesis of AS is not fully understood. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), circular RNAs (circRNAs), and micro RNAs (miRNAs) and their interactions have been shown to influence many biological processes such as inflammatory responses, osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis, pyroptosis, and proliferation. In addition, ncRNAs reflect the disease activity of AS. In this review, we discuss the regulatory roles of ncRNAs in AS cell functions (inflammatory responses, cellular osteogenic differentiation and apoptosis, pyroptosis, and proliferation) and their potential applications in AS diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the role of ncRNAs in the pathogenesis of AS will lay the foundation for exploring potential new therapeutic approaches for AS.

Stretching Training Rehabilitation Has Potential to Alleviate Ankylosing Spondylitis in Mice by Inactivating the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by invasion of the joints of the central axis that involves soft tissues and joints surrounding the spine. Stretching training rehabilitation (STR) has been widely applied for the treatment of AS. The Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is closely related to AS. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effect of STR on AS both in vitro and in vivo. Male DBA/1 mice were employed to establish an AS animal model. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that STR reversed pathological damages in bone tissues and the total antioxidant capacity of AS mice and increased the antioxidant capacity by upregulating superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde expression in DBA/1 mice. The MTT, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting results further indicated that STR improved the survival rate of cells by downregulating the expression of target genes in the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and by inhibiting cell inflammation and apoptosis. In conclusion, our findings indicated that STR treatment might be an effective therapeutical strategy for AS.