Aims. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a novel type of non-coding RNA that plays major roles in the development of diverse diseases including osteonecrosis of the
Objectives. Little is known about tissue changes underlying bone marrow lesions (BMLs) in non-weight-bearing joints with osteoarthritis (OA). Our aim was to characterize BMLs in OA of the hand using dynamic histomorphometry. We therefore quantified bone turnover and angiogenesis in subchondral bone at the base of the thumb, and compared the findings with control bone from hip OA. Methods. Patients with OA at the base of the thumb, or the hip, underwent preoperative MRI to assess BMLs, and tetracycline labelling to determine bone turnover. Three groups were compared: trapezium bones removed by trapeziectomy from patients with thumb base OA (n = 20);
Transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) plays a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammatory diseases in all organ systems. Despite its importance, NF-κB targeted drug therapy to mitigate chronic inflammation has had limited success in preclinical studies. We hypothesized that sex differences affect the response to NF-κB treatment during chronic inflammation in bone. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of NF-κB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) during chronic inflammation in male and female mice. We used a murine model of chronic inflammation induced by continuous intramedullary delivery of lipopolysaccharide-contaminated polyethylene particles (cPE) using an osmotic pump. Specimens were evaluated using micro-CT and histomorphometric analyses. Sex-specific osteogenic and osteoclastic differentiation potentials were also investigated in vitro, including alkaline phosphatase, Alizarin Red, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, and gene expression using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Aims
Methods
This study investigated the effects of β-caryophyllene (BCP) on protecting bone from vitamin D deficiency in mice fed on a diet either lacking (D-) or containing (D+) vitamin D. A total of 40 female mice were assigned to four treatment groups (n = 10/group): D+ diet with propylene glycol control, D+ diet with BCP, D-deficient diet with control, and D-deficient diet with BCP. The D+ diet is a commercial basal diet, while the D-deficient diet contains 0.47% calcium, 0.3% phosphorus, and no vitamin D. All the mice were housed in conditions without ultraviolet light. Bone properties were evaluated by X-ray micro-CT. Serum levels of klotho were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Aims
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The role of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) in diabetes-induced osteoporosis (DM-OS) progression remains unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the effect of DMF on DM-OS development. Diabetic models of mice, RAW 264.7 cells, and bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were established by streptozotocin stimulation, high glucose treatment, and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) treatment, respectively. The effects of DMF on DM-OS development in these models were examined by micro-CT analysis, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, osteoclast differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells and BMMs, H&E and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of TRAP5b and c-terminal telopeptides of type 1 (CTX1) analyses, reactive oxygen species (ROS) analysis, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and Western blot.Aims
Methods
Accumulated evidence indicates that local cell origins may ingrain differences in the phenotypic activity of human osteoblasts. We hypothesized that these differences may also exist in osteoblasts harvested from the same bone type at periarticular sites, including those adjacent to the fixation sites for total joint implant components. Human osteoblasts were obtained from the acetabulum and femoral neck of seven patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA) and from the femoral and tibial cuts of six patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Osteoblasts were extracted from the usually discarded bone via enzyme digestion, characterized by flow cytometry, and cultured to passage three before measurement of metabolic activity, collagen production, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) expression, and mineralization.Aims
Methods
Acquired heterotopic ossification (HO) is a debilitating disease characterized by abnormal extraskeletal bone formation within soft-tissues after injury. The exact pathogenesis of HO remains unknown. It was reported that Achilles tendon puncture (ATP) mouse model was performed on ten-week-old male C57BL/6J mice. One week after ATP procedure, the mice were given different treatments (e.g. JQ1, shMancr). Achilles tendon samples were collected five weeks after treatment for RNA-seq and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis; the legs were removed for micro-CT imaging and subsequent histology. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) were isolated and purified bone marrow collected during surgeries by using density gradient centrifugation. After a series of interventions such as knockdown or overexpressing Aims
Methods
Large bone defects remain a tremendous clinical challenge. There is growing evidence in support of treatment strategies that direct defect repair through an endochondral route, involving a cartilage intermediate. While culture-expanded stem/progenitor cells are being evaluated for this purpose, these cells would compete with endogenous repair cells for limited oxygen and nutrients within ischaemic defects. Alternatively, it may be possible to employ extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by culture-expanded cells for overcoming key bottlenecks to endochondral repair, such as defect vascularization, chondrogenesis, and osseous remodelling. While mesenchymal stromal/stem cells are a promising source of therapeutic EVs, other donor cells should also be considered. The efficacy of an EV-based therapeutic will likely depend on the design of companion scaffolds for controlled delivery to specific target cells. Ultimately, the knowledge gained from studies of EVs could one day inform the long-term development of synthetic, engineered nanovesicles. In the meantime, EVs harnessed from
Enhanced micromotions between the implant and surrounding bone can impair osseointegration, resulting in fibrous encapsulation and aseptic loosening of the implant. Since the effect of micromotions on human bone cells is sparsely investigated, an Micromotions ranging from 25 µm to 100 µm were applied as sine or triangle signal with 1 Hz frequency to human osteoblasts seeded on collagen scaffolds. Micromotions were applied for six hours per day over three days. During the micromotions, a static pressure of 527 Pa was exerted on the cells by Ti6Al4V cylinders. Osteoblasts loaded with Ti6Al4V cylinders and unloaded osteoblasts without micromotions served as controls. Subsequently, cell viability, expression of the osteogenic markers collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin, as well as gene expression of osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, were investigated.Objectives
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