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Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 10, Issue 7 | Pages 401 - 410
13 Jul 2021
Liu Z Wang H Wang S Gao J Niu L

Aims

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor has been reported to attenuate inflammatory response in rat models of inflammation. This study was designed to investigate the effect of PARP signalling in osteoarthritis (OA) cartilage inflammatory response in an OA rat model.

Methods

The OA model was established by anterior cruciate ligament transection with medial meniscectomy in Wistar rats. The poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP-1) shRNA (short hairpin (sh)-PARP-1) and negative control shRNA (sh-NC) were delivered using a lentiviral vector and were intra-articularly injected into rats after surgery. The weight-bearing distribution of the hind limbs and the knee joint width were measured every two weeks. The expression levels of PARP-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in cartilage were determined using real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. The serum concentrations of inflammatory cytokines were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 9, Issue 11 | Pages 798 - 807
2 Nov 2020
Brzeszczyńska J Brzeszczyński F Hamilton DF McGregor R Simpson AHRW

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that have emerged as potential predictive, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers, relevant to many pathophysiological conditions including limb immobilization, osteoarthritis, sarcopenia, and cachexia. Impaired musculoskeletal homeostasis leads to distinct muscle atrophies. Understanding miRNA involvement in the molecular mechanisms underpinning conditions such as muscle wasting may be critical to developing new strategies to improve patient management. MicroRNAs are powerful post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression in muscle and, importantly, are also detectable in the circulation. MicroRNAs are established modulators of muscle satellite stem cell activation, proliferation, and differentiation, however, there have been limited human studies that investigate miRNAs in muscle wasting. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge as to the role of miRNAs in the skeletal muscle differentiation and atrophy, synthesizing the findings of published data.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(11):798–807.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 10, Issue 5 | Pages 310 - 320
3 May 2021
Choi J Lee YS Shim DM Lee YK Seo SW

Aims

Bone metastasis ultimately occurs due to a complex multistep process, during which the interactions between cancer cells and bone microenvironment play important roles. Prior to colonization of the bone, cancer cells must succeed through a series of steps that will allow them to gain migratory and invasive properties; epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is known to be integral here. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of G protein subunit alpha Q (GNAQ) on the mechanisms underlying bone metastasis through EMT pathway.

Methods

A total of 80 tissue samples from patients who were surgically treated during January 2012 to December 2014 were used in the present study. Comparative gene analysis revealed that the GNAQ was more frequently altered in metastatic bone lesions than in primary tumour sites in lung cancer patients. We investigated the effects of GNAQ on cell proliferation, migration, EMT, and stem cell transformation using lung cancer cells with GNAQ-knockdown. A xenograft mouse model tested the effect of GNAQ using micro-CT analyses and histological analyses.


Objectives

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported as key regulators of bone formation, signalling, and repair. Fracture healing is a proliferative physiological process where the body facilitates the repair of a bone fracture. The aim of our study was to explore the effects of microRNA-186 (miR-186) on fracture healing through the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling pathway by binding to Smad family member 6 (SMAD6) in a mouse model of femoral fracture.

Methods

Microarray analysis was adopted to identify the regulatory miR of SMAD6. 3D micro-CT was performed to assess the bone volume (BV), bone volume fraction (BVF, BV/TV), and bone mineral density (BMD), followed by a biomechanical test for maximum load, maximum radial degrees, elastic radial degrees, and rigidity of the femur. The positive expression of SMAD6 in fracture tissues was measured. Moreover, the miR-186 level, messenger RNA (mRNA) level, and protein levels of SMAD6, BMP-2, and BMP-7 were examined.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 10, Issue 2 | Pages 122 - 133
1 Feb 2021
He CP Jiang XC Chen C Zhang HB Cao WD Wu Q Ma C

Osteoarthritis (OA), one of the most common motor system disorders, is a degenerative disease involving progressive joint destruction caused by a variety of factors. At present, OA has become the fourth most common cause of disability in the world. However, the pathogenesis of OA is complex and has not yet been clarified. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to a group of RNAs more than 200 nucleotides in length with limited protein-coding potential, which have a wide range of biological functions including regulating transcriptional patterns and protein activity, as well as binding to form endogenous small interference RNAs (siRNAs) and natural microRNA (miRNA) molecular sponges. In recent years, a large number of lncRNAs have been found to be differentially expressed in a variety of pathological processes of OA, including extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, synovial inflammation, chondrocyte apoptosis, and angiogenesis. Obviously, lncRNAs play important roles in regulating gene expression, maintaining the phenotype of cartilage and synovial cells, and the stability of the intra-articular environment. This article reviews the results of the latest research into the role of lncRNAs in a variety of pathological processes of OA, in order to provide a new direction for the study of OA pathogenesis and a new target for prevention and treatment.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2021;10(2):122–133.


Objectives

Osteoporosis is a systemic bone metabolic disease, which often occurs among the elderly. Angelica polysaccharide (AP) is the main component of angelica sinensis, and is widely used for treating various diseases. However, the effects of AP on osteoporosis have not been investigated. This study aimed to uncover the functions of AP in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation and osteoblast differentiation.

Methods

MSCs were treated with different concentrations of AP, and then cell viability, Cyclin D1 protein level, and the osteogenic markers of runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteocalcin (OCN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and western blot assays, respectively. The effect of AP on the main signalling pathways of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) and Wnt/β-catenin was determined by western blot. Following this, si-H19#1 and si-H19#2 were transfected into MSCs, and the effects of H19 on cell proliferation and osteoblast differentiation in MSCs were studied. Finally, in vivo experimentation explored bone mineral density, bone mineral content, and the ash weight and dry weight of femoral bone.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 6 | Pages 414 - 421
1 Jun 2018
Yu CD Miao WH Zhang YY Zou MJ Yan XF

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of miR-126 in the development of osteoarthritis, as well as the potential molecular mechanisms involved, in order to provide a theoretical basis for osteoarthritis treatment and a novel perspective for clinical therapy.

Methods

Human chondrocyte cell line CHON-001 was administrated by different doses of interleukin (IL)-1β to simulate inflammation. Cell viability, migration, apoptosis, IL-6, IL-8, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α expression, as well as expression of apoptosis-related factors, were measured to assess inflammation. miR-126 expression was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Cells were then transfected with miR-126 inhibitor to assess the effect of miR-126 on IL-1β-injured CHON-001 cells. Expression of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and the activity of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) / Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway were measured by Western blot to explore the underlying mechanism through which miR-126 affects IL-1β-induced inflammation.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 8, Issue 8 | Pages 405 - 413
1 Aug 2019
Huang J Bao X Xia W Zhu L Zhang J Ma J Jiang N Yang J Chen Q Jing T Liu J Ma D Xu G

Objectives

X-linked hypophosphataemic rickets (XLHR) is a disease of impaired bone mineralization characterized by hypophosphataemia caused by renal phosphate wasting. The main clinical manifestations of the disorder are O-shaped legs, X-shaped legs, delayed growth, and bone pain. XLHR is the most common inheritable form of rickets, with an incidence of 1/20 000 in humans. It accounts for approximately 80% of familial cases of hypophosphataemia and serves as the prototype of defective tubular phosphate (PO43+) transport, due to extra renal defects resulting in unregulated FGF23 activity. XLHR is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the PHEX gene. The aim of this research was to identify the genetic defect responsible for familial hypophosphataemic rickets in a four-generation Chinese Han pedigree and to analyze the function of this mutation.

Methods

The genome DNA samples of all members in the pedigree were extracted from whole blood. We sequenced all exons of the PHEX and FGF23 genes, as well as the adjacent splice site sequence with Sanger sequencing. Next, we analyzed the de novo mutation c.1692 del A of the PHEX gene with an online digital service and investigated the mutant PHEX with SWISS-MODEL, immunofluorescence, and protein stability detection.


Objectives

Adult mice lacking the transcription factor NFAT1 exhibit osteoarthritis (OA). The precise molecular mechanism for NFAT1 deficiency-induced osteoarthritic cartilage degradation remains to be clarified. This study aimed to investigate if NFAT1 protects articular cartilage (AC) against OA by directly regulating the transcription of specific catabolic and anabolic genes in articular chondrocytes.

Methods

Through a combined approach of gene expression analysis and web-based searching of NFAT1 binding sequences, 25 candidate target genes that displayed aberrant expression in Nfat1-/- AC at the initiation stage of OA, and possessed at least four NFAT1 binding sites in the promoter of each gene, were selected and tested for NFAT1 transcriptional activities by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and promoter luciferase reporter assays using chondrocytes isolated from the AC of three- to four-month-old wild-type mice or Nfat1-/- mice with early OA phenotype.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 9, Issue 7 | Pages 351 - 359
1 Jul 2020
Fitzgerald J

The ability to edit DNA at the nucleotide level using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems is a relatively new investigative tool that is revolutionizing the analysis of many aspects of human health and disease, including orthopaedic disease. CRISPR, adapted for mammalian cell genome editing from a bacterial defence system, has been shown to be a flexible, programmable, scalable, and easy-to-use gene editing tool. Recent improvements increase the functionality of CRISPR through the engineering of specific elements of CRISPR systems, the discovery of new, naturally occurring CRISPR molecules, and modifications that take CRISPR beyond gene editing to the regulation of gene transcription and the manipulation of RNA. Here, the basics of CRISPR genome editing will be reviewed, including a description of how it has transformed some aspects of molecular musculoskeletal research, and will conclude by speculating what the future holds for the use of CRISPR-related treatments and therapies in clinical orthopaedic practice.

Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2020;9(7):351–359.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 8, Issue 1 | Pages 19 - 31
1 Jan 2019
Li M Zhang C Yang Y

Objectives

Many in vitro studies have investigated the mechanism by which mechanical signals are transduced into biological signals that regulate bone homeostasis via periodontal ligament fibroblasts during orthodontic treatment, but the results have not been systematically reviewed. This review aims to do this, considering the parameters of various in vitro mechanical loading approaches and their effects on osteogenic and osteoclastogenic properties of periodontal ligament fibroblasts.

Methods

Specific keywords were used to search electronic databases (EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science) for English-language literature published between 1995 and 2017.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 6, Issue 8 | Pages 464 - 471
1 Aug 2017
Li QS Meng FY Zhao YH Jin CL Tian J Yi XJ

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the functional effects of microRNA (miR)-214-5p on osteoblastic cells, which might provide a potential role of miR-214-5p in bone fracture healing.

Methods

Blood samples were obtained from patients with hand fracture or intra-articular calcaneal fracture and from healthy controls (HCs). Expression of miR-214-5p was monitored by qRT-PCR at day 7, 14 and 21 post-surgery. Mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were transfected with antisense oligonucleotides (ASO)-miR-214-5p, collagen type IV alpha 1 (COL4A1) vector or their controls; thereafter, cell viability, apoptotic rate, and the expression of collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1), type II collagen (COL-II), and type X collagen (COL-X) were determined. Luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were performed to ascertain whether COL4A1 was a target of miR-214-5p.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 101-B, Issue 4 | Pages 361 - 364
1 Apr 2019
Rodeo SA

Stem cells are defined by their potential for self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into numerous cell types, including cartilage and bone cells. Although basic laboratory studies demonstrate that cell therapies have strong potential for improvement in tissue healing and regeneration, there is little evidence in the scientific literature for many of the available cell formulations that are currently offered to patients. Numerous commercial entities and ‘regenerative medicine centres’ have aggressively marketed unproven cell therapies for a wide range of medical conditions, leading to sometimes indiscriminate use of these treatments, which has added to the confusion and unpredictable outcomes. The significant variability and heterogeneity in cell formulations between different individuals makes it difficult to draw conclusions about efficacy. The ‘minimally manipulated’ preparations derived from bone marrow and adipose tissue that are currently used differ substantially from cells that are processed and prepared under defined laboratory protocols. The term ‘stem cells’ should be reserved for laboratory-purified, culture-expanded cells. The number of cells in uncultured preparations that meet these defined criteria is estimated to be approximately one in 10 000 to 20 000 (0.005% to 0.01%) in native bone marrow and 1 in 2000 in adipose tissue. It is clear that more refined definitions of stem cells are required, as the lumping together of widely diverse progenitor cell types under the umbrella term ‘mesenchymal stem cells’ has created confusion among scientists, clinicians, regulators, and our patients. Validated methods need to be developed to measure and characterize the ‘critical quality attributes’ and biological activity of a specific cell formulation. It is certain that ‘one size does not fit all’ – different cell formulations, dosing schedules, and culturing parameters will likely be required based on the tissue being treated and the desired biological target. As an alternative to the use of exogenous cells, in the future we may be able to stimulate the intrinsic vascular stem cell niche that is known to exist in many tissues. The tremendous potential of cell therapy will only be realized with further basic, translational, and clinical research.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:361–364.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 6, Issue 3 | Pages 186 - 193
1 Mar 2017
Choi YJ Lee YS Lee HW Shim DM Seo SW

Objectives

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) is a multi-subunit complex that plays a critical role in translation initiation. Expression levels of eIF3 subunits are elevated or decreased in various cancers, suggesting a role for eIF3 in tumorigenesis. Recent studies have shown that the expression of the eIF3b subunit is elevated in bladder and prostate cancer, and eIF3b silencing inhibited glioblastoma growth and induced cellular apoptosis. In this study, we investigated the role of eIF3b in the survival of osteosarcoma cells.

Methods

To investigate the effect of eIF3b on cell viability and apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells, we first examined the silencing effect of eIF3b in U2OS cells. Cell viability and apoptosis were examined by the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and Western blot, respectively. We also performed gene profiling to identify genes affected by eIF3b silencing. Finally, the effect of eIF3b on cell viability and apoptosis was confirmed in multiple osteosarcoma cell lines.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 6, Issue 4 | Pages 196 - 203
1 Apr 2017
Jin Y Chen X Gao ZY Liu K Hou Y Zheng J

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the role of miR-320a in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods

Human cartilage cells (C28/I2) were transfected with miR-320a or antisense oligonucleotides (ASO)-miR-320a, and treated with IL-1β. Subsequently the expression of collagen type II alpha 1 (Col2α1) and aggrecan (ACAN), and the concentrations of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) and matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP-13), were assessed. Luciferase reporter assay, qRT-PCR, and Western blot were performed to explore whether pre-B-cell leukemia Homeobox 3 (PBX3) was a target of miR-320a. Furthermore, cells were co-transfected with miR-320a and PBX3 expressing vector, or cells were transfected with miR-320a and treated with a nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) antagonist MG132. The changes in Col2α1 and ACAN expression, and in sGAG and MMP-13 concentrations, were measured again. Statistical comparisons were made between two groups by using the two-tailed paired t-test.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 1 | Pages 58 - 68
1 Jan 2018
Portal-Núñez S Ardura JA Lozano D Martínez de Toda I De la Fuente M Herrero-Beaumont G Largo R Esbrit P

Objectives

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the onset and progression of involutional osteoporosis. However, classical antioxidants fail to restore osteoblast function. Interestingly, the bone anabolism of parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to be associated with its ability to counteract oxidative stress in osteoblasts. The PTH counterpart in bone, which is the PTH-related protein (PTHrP), displays osteogenic actions through both its N-terminal PTH-like region and the C-terminal domain.

Methods

We examined and compared the antioxidant capacity of PTHrP (1-37) with the C-terminal PTHrP domain comprising the 107-111 epitope (osteostatin) in both murine osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells and primary human osteoblastic cells.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 4 | Pages 289 - 297
1 Apr 2018
Sanghani-Kerai A Osagie-Clouard L Blunn G Coathup M

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the effect of age and osteoporosis on the proliferative and differentiating capacity of bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in female rats. We also discuss the role of these factors on expression and migration of cells along the C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR-4) / stromal derived factor 1 (SDF-1) axis.

Methods

Mesenchymal stem cells were harvested from the femora of young, adult, and osteopenic Wistar rats. Cluster of differentiation (CD) marker and CXCR-4 expression was measured using flow cytometry. Cellular proliferation was measured using Alamar Blue, osteogenic differentiation was measured using alkaline phosphatase expression and alizarin red production, and adipogenic differentiation was measured using Oil red O. Cells were incubated in Boyden chambers to quantify their migration towards SDF-1. Data was analyzed using a Student’s t-test, where p-values < 0.05 were considered significant.


Bone & Joint Research
Vol. 7, Issue 3 | Pages 232 - 243
1 Mar 2018
Winkler T Sass FA Duda GN Schmidt-Bleek K

Despite its intrinsic ability to regenerate form and function after injury, bone tissue can be challenged by a multitude of pathological conditions. While innovative approaches have helped to unravel the cascades of bone healing, this knowledge has so far not improved the clinical outcomes of bone defect treatment. Recent findings have allowed us to gain in-depth knowledge about the physiological conditions and biological principles of bone regeneration. Now it is time to transfer the lessons learned from bone healing to the challenging scenarios in defects and employ innovative technologies to enable biomaterial-based strategies for bone defect healing. This review aims to provide an overview on endogenous cascades of bone material formation and how these are transferred to new perspectives in biomaterial-driven approaches in bone regeneration.

Cite this article: T. Winkler, F. A. Sass, G. N. Duda, K. Schmidt-Bleek. A review of biomaterials in bone defect healing, remaining shortcomings and future opportunities for bone tissue engineering: The unsolved challenge. Bone Joint Res 2018;7:232–243. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.73.BJR-2017-0270.R1.


The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery British Volume
Vol. 91-B, Issue 5 | Pages 565 - 576
1 May 2009
Getgood A Brooks R Fortier L Rushton N

Articular cartilage repair remains a challenge to surgeons and basic scientists. The field of tissue engineering allows the simultaneous use of material scaffolds, cells and signalling molecules to attempt to modulate the regenerative tissue. This review summarises the research that has been undertaken to date using this approach, with a particular emphasis on those techniques that have been introduced into clinical practice, via in vitro and preclinical studies.


The Bone & Joint Journal
Vol. 97-B, Issue 7 | Pages 924 - 932
1 Jul 2015
Lee MC Ha C Elmallah RK Cherian JJ Cho JJ Kim TW Bin S Mont MA

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of injecting genetically engineered chondrocytes expressing transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) into the knees of patients with osteoarthritis. We assessed the resultant function, pain and quality of life.

A total of 54 patients (20 men, 34 women) who had a mean age of 58 years (50 to 66) were blinded and randomised (1:1) to receive a single injection of the active treatment or a placebo. We assessed post-treatment function, pain severity, physical function, quality of life and the incidence of treatment-associated adverse events. Patients were followed at four, 12 and 24 weeks after injection.

At final follow-up the treatment group had a significantly greater improvement in the mean International Knee Documentation Committee score than the placebo group (16 points; -18 to 49, vs 8 points; -4 to 37, respectively; p = 0.03). The treatment group also had a significantly improved mean visual analogue score at final follow-up (-25; -85 to 34, vs -11 points; -51 to 25, respectively; p = 0.032). Both cohorts showed an improvement in Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis Index and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores, but these differences were not statistically significant. One patient had an anaphylactic reaction to the preservation medium, but recovered within 24 hours. All other adverse events were localised and resolved without further action.

This technique may result in improved clinical outcomes, with the aim of slowing the degenerative process, leading to improvements in pain and function. However, imaging and direct observational studies are needed to verify cartilage regeneration. Nevertheless, this study provided a sufficient basis to proceed to further clinical testing.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:924–32.