Aims. Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disease, characterized by a decrease in bone mineral density (BMD). However, the research of regulatory variants has been limited for BMD. In this study, we aimed to explore novel regulatory genetic variants associated with BMD. Methods. We conducted an integrative analysis of BMD genome-wide association study (GWAS) and regulatory single nucleotide polymorphism (rSNP) annotation information. Firstly, the discovery GWAS dataset and replication GWAS dataset were integrated with rSNP annotation database to obtain BMD associated SNP regulatory elements and SNP regulatory element-target gene (E-G) pairs, respectively. Then, the common genes were further subjected to HumanNet v2 to explore the biological effects. Results. Through discovery and replication integrative analysis for BMD GWAS and rSNP annotation database, we identified 36 common BMD-associated genes for BMD irrespective of regulatory elements, such as FAM3C (p. discovery GWAS. = 1.21 × 10. -25. , p. replication GWAS. = 1.80 × 10. -12. ), CCDC170 (p. discovery GWAS. = 1.23 × 10. -11. , p. replication GWAS. = 3.22 × 10. -9. ), and SOX6 (p. discovery GWAS. = 4.41 × 10. -15. , p. replication GWAS. = 6.57 × 10. -14. ). Then, for the 36 common target genes, multiple gene ontology (GO) terms were detected for BMD such as positive regulation of cartilage development (p = 9.27 × 10. -3. ) and positive regulation of
Aims. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a promising treatment for articular cartilage degeneration and injury; however, it requires a large number of human hyaline chondrocytes, which often undergo dedifferentiation during in vitro expansion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of suramin on
Aims. This study aimed to investigate the effect of solute carrier family 20 member 2 (SLC20A2) gene mutation (identified from a hereditary multiple exostoses family) on chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. Methods. ATDC5 chondrocytes were cultured in insulin-transferrin-selenium medium to induce differentiation. Cells were transfected with pcDNA3.0 plasmids with either a wild-type (WT) or mutated (MUT) SLC20A2 gene. The inorganic phosphate (Pi) concentration in the medium of cells was determined. The expression of markers of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, the Indian hedgehog (Ihh), and parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) pathway were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blotting. Results. The expression of SLC20A2 in MUT group was similar to WT group. The Pi concentration in the medium of cells in MUT group was significantly higher than WT group, which meant the SLC20A2 mutation inhibited Pi uptake in ATDC5 chondrocytes. The proliferation rate of ATDC5 chondrocytes in MUT group was greater than WT group. The expression of aggrecan (Acan), α-1 chain of type II collagen (COL2A1), and SRY-box transcription factor 9 (SOX9) were higher in MUT group than WT group. However, the expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), α-1 chain of type X collagen (COL10A1), and matrix metallopeptidase 13 (MMP13) was significantly decreased in the MUT group. Similar results were obtained by Alcian blue and Alizarin red staining. The expression of Ihh and PTHrP in MUT group was higher than WT group. An inhibitor (cyclopamine) of Ihh/PTHrP signalling pathway inhibited the proliferation and restored the
To explore the novel molecular mechanisms of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) in chondrocytes via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis. Empty adenovirus (EP) and a Aims
Methods
Abnormal lipid metabolism is involved in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Growth differentiation factor 11 (GDF11) is crucial in inhibiting the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells into adipocytes. However, whether GDF11 participates in the abnormal adipogenesis of chondrocytes in OA cartilage is still unclear. Six-week-old female mice were subjected to unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) to induce OA in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Histochemical staining, immunohistochemical staining (IHC), and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed. Primary condylar chondrocytes of rats were stimulated with fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) and collected for oil red staining, immunofluorescence staining, qRT-PCR, and immunoprecipitation analysis.Aims
Methods
Osteoarthritis (OA) is prevalent among the elderly and incurable. Intra-articular parathyroid hormone (PTH) ameliorated OA in papain-induced and anterior cruciate ligament transection-induced OA models; therefore, we hypothesized that PTH improved OA in a preclinical age-related OA model. Guinea pigs aged between six and seven months of age were randomized into control or treatment groups. Three- or four-month-old guinea pigs served as the young control group. The knees were administered 40 μl intra-articular injections of 10 nM PTH or vehicle once a week for three months. Their endurance as determined from time on the treadmill was evaluated before kill. Their tibial plateaus were analyzed using microcalculated tomography (μCT) and histological studies.Aims
Methods
Chondrocyte hypertrophy represents a crucial turning point during endochondral bone development. This process is tightly regulated by various factors, constituting a regulatory network that maintains normal bone development. Histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4) is the most well-characterized member of the HDAC class IIa family and participates in different signalling networks during development in various tissues by promoting chromatin condensation and transcriptional repression. Studies have reported that HDAC4-null mice display premature ossification of developing bones due to ectopic and early-onset chondrocyte hypertrophy. Overexpression of HDAC4 in proliferating chondrocytes inhibits hypertrophy and ossification of developing bones, which suggests that HDAC4, as a negative regulator, is involved in the network regulating chondrocyte hypertrophy. Overall, HDAC4 plays a key role during bone development and disease. Thus, understanding the role of HDAC4 during chondrocyte hypertrophy and endochondral bone formation and its features regarding the structure, function, and regulation of this process will not only provide new insight into the mechanisms by which HDAC4 is involved in chondrocyte hypertrophy and endochondral bone development, but will also create a platform for developing a therapeutic strategy for related diseases.