Growth factor signalling in osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common diseases, affecting more than 10% of populations and thus creating immense socioeconomic burden. The pathological changes of OA involve the entire joint, which is composed of multiple types of tissues and cells, exemplified by cartilage degradation, subchondral bone thickening, osteophyte formation, synovium inflammation and hypertrophy, and ligament degeneration. As joint homeostasis requires a complex network of growth factors to regulate anabolic and catabolic events, the dysregulation of growth factor signalling would have negative impacts on structure and function of multiple joint tissues and eventually lead to the onset and progression of OA. In this review, we will discuss TGF-β, NGF, Hedgehog and Wnt, the four growth factors which have received extensive attention in the field of OA and clinical/translational interrogation about their application in OA therapies.     

Analysis of Dickkopf3 interactions with Wnt signaling receptors

Wnt signaling regulates essential biological processes ranging from embryogenesis to neurodegeneration. Recently, we demonstrated that Dickkopf3 (Dkk3) is a pro-survival glycoprotein that positively modulates Wnt signaling. An important step in understanding the mechanism of action of Dkk3 is identifying its interacting proteins in the Wnt pathway. In this study, we used a series of biochemical and functional assays to investigate the interaction between Dkk3 and the Wnt pathway receptors Kremen1 (Krm1), Kremen 2 (Krm2) and low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6). Here, we report that, contrary to previous studies, Dkk3 interacts with Krm1 and Krm2. However, Dkk3 did not interact with, or alter expression of, LRP6. Blocking protein glycosylation did not alter the interaction between Dkk3 and Krm proteins. Additionally, Krm2 abolished Dkk3-mediated potentiation of Wnt signaling. Therefore, our data establish that Krm proteins are novel binding partners of Dkk3 and suggest a mechanism by which Dkk3 potentiates Wnt signaling.     

DZIP1通过影响Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进口腔鳞状细胞癌增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的　探究DZIP1通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路对口腔鳞状细胞癌增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。方法　实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot检测DZIP1和Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关基因mRNA表达和蛋白表达,CCK-8检测细胞活力,克隆形成实验检测口腔鳞状细胞癌（oral squamous cell carcinoma,OSCC）细胞增殖能力,Transwell实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭能力。结果　与人口腔角质形成细胞相比,人OSCC细胞系TSCCA,Tca8113和SCC25中DZIP1的mRNA表达和蛋白表达均显著升高;与阴性对照组（negative control,NC）相比,敲低DZIP1显著降低SCC25细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关基因的mRNA表达和蛋白表达（P<0.05）,显著降低细胞活力（P<0.05）,显著抑制细胞增殖（P<0.05）,显著降低细胞迁移和侵袭能力（P<0.05）,LiCl显著升高SCC25细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关基因的mRNA表达和蛋白表达（P<0.05）,显著升高细胞活力（P<0.05）,显著促进细胞增殖（P<0.05）,显著升高细胞迁移和侵袭能力（P<0.05）;与si-DZIP1组相比,si-DZIP1+LiCl显著升高SCC25细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关基因的mRNA表达和蛋白表达（P<0.05）,显著升高细胞活力（P<0.05）,显著促进细胞增殖（P<0.05）,显著升高细胞迁移和侵袭能力（P<0.05）。结论　DZIP1通过影响Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进口腔鳞状细胞癌增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

经典Wnt信号通路与牙周膜干细胞成骨分化

牙周炎是口腔最常见的疾病之一,累及牙周支持组织,随着疾病的进展将引起附着丧失、牙周袋形成、牙槽骨吸收,最终导致牙齿松动脱落。因被牙周炎破坏吸收的牙槽骨自愈能力十分有限,所以牙周炎的治疗目标是在彻底清除菌斑生物膜的基础上,争取获得较多的牙周组织再生。牙周膜干细胞作为最适宜进行牙周组织再生的细胞,被广泛研究。Wnt信号通路分为经典Wnt通路和非经典Wnt信号通路,为十分复杂而高度保守的通路传导途径。该通路与牙周膜干细胞成骨分化的关系十分密切,牙周膜干细胞的成骨分化又对牙周组织再生有重要意义。该文对经典Wnt信号通路与牙周膜干细胞成骨分化的研究概况作一综述。     

Prognostic Significance of Ror2 and Wnt5a Expression in Medulloblastoma

Medulloblastoma (MB) is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous group of tumors, and currently classified into four molecular subgroups (Wnt, Shh, Group 3 and Group 4). Intracellular signaling of the Wnt pathway has been divided into two classes: the “canonical” and the “non‐canonical” signaling pathway. The canonical signaling pathway is a well‐established, β‐catenin‐dependent signaling pathway in MB. In contrast, very little research about the non‐canonical WNT signaling pathway in MB exists. In order to identify the roles of Wnt‐5a and Ror2, two non‐canonical WNT pathway‐related genes, we studied 76 cases of MB with immunohistochemistry and quantitative real‐time PCR and correlated the results with clinicopathological and other molecular parameters and prognosis. Wnt5a and Ror2 were immunopositive in 20 (29.4%) and 35 (51.5%) of 68 cases, respectively. There were positive associations among protein expressions of Wnt5a, Ror2 and β‐catenin. Ror2 mRNA levels were well correlated with immunoexpression. Ror2 mRNA expression was significantly associated with CTNNB1 mutation. High Ror2 mRNA expression was an independent favorable prognostic factor. In conclusion, our study demonstrates the first attempt to identify Wnt5a and Ror2 as additional mechanisms contributing to dysregulation of the non‐canonical WNT signaling pathway in MB. Ror2 may play a role as an oncosuppressor in MB.     

HOXD Antisense Growth-Associated Long Noncoding RNA Promotes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Progression by Activating Wnt Signaling Pathway

PurposeTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most lethal subtype of breast cancer owing to high heterogeneity, aggressive nature, and lack of treatment options, which has a substantial deleterious effect on patients'' lives. HOXD antisense growth-associated long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) (HAGLR) plays tumor-promoting roles in many cancers. In this study, we aimed to explore the role of HAGLR in TNBC.MethodsQuantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were used to examine the expression of RNAs. Functional experiments were conducted to test the biological behavior of TNBC cells. Moreover, MS2-RNA immunoprecipitation, luciferase reporter, and RNA pull-down assays were conducted to verify the binding relationship between HAGLR, microRNA-143-5p (miR-143-5p), and serine- and arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1).ResultsHAGLR was found to be highly expressed in TNBC tissues and cells, and inhibiting HAGLR suppressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and promoted cell apoptosis in TNBC. Meanwhile, miR-93-5p was shown to bind to HAGLR and SRSF1. In addition, SRSF1 plays an oncogenic role in TNBC. Importantly, HAGLR could activate the Wnt signaling pathway by sponging miR-93-5p to upregulate SRSF1; thus, accelerating TNBC progression.ConclusionHAGLR could promote the progression of TNBC through the miR-93-5p/SRSF1 axis to activate the Wnt signaling pathway.     

Bioactivating a bone substitute accelerates graft incorporation in a murine model of vertical ridge augmentation

ObjectiveCompared to autologous bone grafts, allogeneic bone grafts integrate slowly, which can adversely affect clinical outcomes. Here, our goal was to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying graft incorporation, and then test clinically feasible methods to accelerate this process.MethodsWild-type and transgenic Wnt “reporter” mice were used in a vertical ridge augmentation procedure. The surgery consisted of tunneling procedure to elevate the maxillary edentulous ridge periosteum, followed by the insertion of bone graft. Micro-computed tomographic imaging, and molecular/cellular analyses were used to follow the bone graft over time. Sclerostin null mice, and mice carrying an activated form of β-catenin were evaluated to understand how elevated Wnt signaling impacted edentulous ridge height and based on these data, a biomimetic strategy was employed to combine bone graft particles with a formulation of recombinant WNT protein. Thereafter, the rate of graft incorporation was evaluated.ResultsTunneling activated osteoprogenitor cell proliferation from the periosteum. If graft particles were present, then osteoprogenitor cells attached to the matrix and gave rise to new bone that augmented edentulous ridge height. Graft particles alone did not stimulate osteoprogenitor cell proliferation. Based on the thicker edentulous ridges in mice with amplified Wnt signaling, a strategy was undertaken to load bone graft particles with WNT; this combination was sufficient to accelerate the initial step of graft incorporation.SignificanceLocal delivery of a WNT protein therapeutic has the potential to accelerate graft incorporation, and thus shorten the time to when the graft can support a dental implant.     

非综合征型先天缺牙致病基因和分子机制的研究进展

先天缺牙是牙齿发育过程中常见的牙数目发育异常,对患者的颌面部发育及美观和咀嚼功能产生严重的影响。根据有无伴发全身症状,先天缺牙可分为综合征型先天缺牙与非综合征型先天缺牙。近几年发现新的相关基因和新的突变位点及分子机制已成为目前非综合征型先天缺牙基因研究的主要方向。本文通过对近年来文献的回顾,对与非综合征型先天缺牙主要相关的Wnt/β-catenin信号通路、TGF-β/BMP信号通路、PAX9基因和MSX1基因、EDA/EDAR/NF-κb信号通路的分子机制以及相互调节的紧密联系进行综述,为未来先天缺牙的防治提供了新的理论基础。非综合征型先天缺牙致病基因的分子机制的研究目前甚少,对于其机制的精准探索将成为先天缺牙未来主要的研究方向之一。     

Wnt/β‐catenin signaling of cartilage canal and osteochondral junction chondrocytes and full thickness cartilage in early equine osteochondrosis

The objective of this study was to elucidate gene and protein expression of Wnt signaling molecules in chondrocytes of foals having early osteochondrosis (OC) versus normal controls. The hypothesis was that increased expression of components of Wnt signaling pathway in osteochondral junction (OCJ) and cartilage canal (CC) chondrocytes would be found in early OC when compared to controls. Paraffin‐embedded osteochondral samples (7 OC, 8 normal) and cDNA from whole cartilage (7 OC, 10 normal) and chondrocytes surrounding cartilage canals and osteochondral junctions captured with laser capture microdissection (4 OC, 6 normal) were obtained from femoropatellar joints of 17 immature horses. Equine‐specific Wnt signaling molecule mRNA expression levels were evaluated by two‐step real‐time qPCR. Spatial tissue protein expression of β‐catenin, Wnt‐11, Wnt‐4, and Dkk‐1 was determined by immunohistochemistry. There was significantly decreased Wnt‐11 and increased β‐catenin, Wnt‐5b, Dkk‐1, Lrp6, Wif‐1, Axin1, and SC‐PEP gene expression in early OC cartilage canal chondrocytes compared to controls. There was also significantly increased β‐catenin gene expression in early OC osteochondral junction chondrocytes compared to controls. Based on this study, abundant gene expression differences in OC chondrocytes surrounding cartilage canals suggest pathways associated with catabolism and inhibition of chondrocyte maturation are targeted in early OC pathogenesis. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:1433–1438, 2015.     

B-catenin deficiency, but not Myc deletion, suppresses the immediate phenotypes of APC loss in the liver

Dysregulated Wnt signaling is seen in approximately 30% of hepatocellular carcinomas; thus, finding pathways downstream of the activation of Wnt signaling is key. Here, using cre-lox technology, we deleted the Apc gene in the adult mouse liver and observed a rapid increase in nuclear β-catenin and c-Myc, which is associated with an induction of proliferation that led to hepatomegaly within 4 days of gene deletion. To investigate the downstream pathways responsible for these phenotypes, we analyzed the impact of inactivating APC in the context of deficiency of the potentially key effectors β-catenin and c-Myc. β-catenin loss rescues both the proliferation and hepatomegaly phenotypes after APC loss. However, c-Myc deletion, which rescues the phenotypes of APC loss in the intestine, had no effect on the phenotypes of APC loss in the liver. The consequences of the deregulation of the Wnt pathway within the liver are therefore strikingly different from those observed within the intestine, with the vast majority of Wnt targets being β-catenin-dependent but c-Myc-independent in the liver.