Regenerative potential of TGFβ3 + Dex and notochordal cell conditioned media on degenerated human intervertebral disc cells

Injection of soluble cell signaling factors into degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs) offers a minimally invasive treatment that could limit the processes of degeneration by stimulating native matrix repair. This study evaluated the regenerative capacity of degenerated nucleus pulposus (NP) cells obtained from patients undergoing anterior interbody fusions by measuring metabolic activity, DNA content, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and cellular phenotype using qRT‐PCR profiling with a custom array of 42 genes. NP cells were cultured in alginate for 7 days with 4 treatment groups: transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFβ3) + dexamethasone (Dex), soluble factors released from notochordal cells (NCs) cultured in alginate (NCA), soluble factors released from NCs in their native tissue environment (NCT), and basal media. TGFβ3 + Dex stimulated degenerated human NP cells to proliferate and exhibit an anti‐catabolic gene expression profile (with a decrease in ADAMTS5 and MMP1 compared to basal, and an increase in SOX9, decrease in ADAMTS5, MMP1, collagen I and collagen III compared to day 0), while NCA stimulated the greatest GAG per cell. We conclude that degenerated human NP cells exhibit regenerative potential, and that an optimal treatment will likely require treatments, such as TGFβ3 + Dex, which were able to increase cell metabolism and reduce catabolism, as well as treatments with factors found in NC conditioned medium, that were able to produce high amounts of GAG per cell. Additional studies to optimize NC culture conditions are required to determine if NC conditioned medium can be made with the capacity to enhance NP cell proliferation and metabolism. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 30:482–488, 2012     

Canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediates transforming growth factor-β1-driven podocyte injury and proteinuria

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) upregulation occurs in virtually all chronic kidney diseases and is associated with podocyte injury and proteinuria; however, the mechanisms contributing to this in vivo are ambiguous. In vitro, incubation of podocytes with TGF-β1 induced Wnt1 expression, β-catenin activation, and stimulated the expression of Wnt/β-catenin downstream target genes. Ectopic expression of Wnt1 or β-catenin mimicked TGF-β1, induced Snail1, and suppressed nephrin expression. The Wnt antagonist, Dickkopf-1, blocked TGF-β1-induced β-catenin activation, Snail1 induction, and nephrin suppression. In vivo, ectopic expression of TGF-β1 induced Wnt1 expression, activated β-catenin, and upregulated Wnt target genes such as Snail1, MMP-7, MMP-9, desmin, Fsp1, and PAI-1 in mouse glomeruli, leading to podocyte injury and albuminuria. Consistently, concomitant expression of Dickkopf-1 gene abolished β-catenin activation, inhibited TGF-β1-triggered Wnt target gene expression, and mitigated albuminuria. Thus, canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling mediates TGF-β1-driven podocyte injury and proteinuria. These studies suggest that Wnt/β-catenin signaling may be exploited as a therapeutic target for the treatment of proteinuric kidney diseases.     

毛囊干细胞定向分化过程中Wnt信号通路介导的基因调控

皮肤的毛囊干细胞具有自我复制以及多向分化潜能,在毛囊形态发育和定向分化过程中,Wnt信号通路起决定性作用。参与这条信号通路的重要蛋白质,如Wnt蛋白、Frizzled、B—catenin、GSK313、APC、Axin等研究相对较早,且颇为深入。但对于这条通路下游的调节因子,尤其是细胞核内关键性转录因子Tcf3、Lef1,以及它们所调控的一些重要基因c—myc、eyelinDl等的研究仍处于起步阶段。本文就Wnt信号通路介导的基因调节毛囊干细胞定向分化的研究现状进行综述．为构建组织工程皮肤提供理论参考。     

A rat tail temporary static compression model reproduces different stages of intervertebral disc degeneration with decreased notochordal cell phenotype

The intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus (NP) has two phenotypically distinct cell types—notochordal cells (NCs) and non‐notochordal chondrocyte‐like cells. In human discs, NCs are lost during adolescence, which is also when discs begin to show degenerative signs. However, little evidence exists regarding the link between NC disappearance and the pathogenesis of disc degeneration. To clarify this, a rat tail disc degeneration model induced by static compression at 1.3 MPa for 0, 1, or 7 days was designed and assessed for up to 56 postoperative days. Radiography, MRI, and histomorphology showed degenerative disc findings in response to the compression period. Immunofluorescence displayed that the number of DAPI‐positive NP cells decreased with compression; particularly, the decrease was notable in larger, vacuolated, cytokeratin‐8‐ and galectin‐3‐co‐positive cells, identified as NCs. The proportion of TUNEL‐positive cells, which predominantly comprised non‐NCs, increased with compression. Quantitative PCR demonstrated isolated mRNA up‐regulation of ADAMTS‐5 in the 1‐day loaded group and MMP‐3 in the 7‐day loaded group. Aggrecan‐1 and collagen type 2α‐1 mRNA levels were down‐regulated in both groups. This rat tail temporary static compression model, which exhibits decreased NC phenotype, increased apoptotic cell death, and imbalanced catabolic and anabolic gene expression, reproduces different stages of intervertebral disc degeneration. © 2013 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 32:455–463, 2014.     

Attenuation of the degenerative effects of endothelin-1 on cartilaginous end plate cells by the endothelin receptor antagonist BQ-123 via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Background Context

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is an inflammatory mediator associated with cartilage end plate (CEP) degeneration in the intervertebral disc (IVD). SOX9 is downregulated during CEP degeneration, along with its targets, collagen II and aggrecan. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is associated with CEP degeneration and a downstream target of SOX9; however, the precise mechanism of CEP degeneration and the role of ET-1 are largely unknown.

Wnt/β-catenin通路及靶基因c-myc在肝细胞癌组织中的表达

目的 观察Wnt通路激活在肝细胞癌起源中的作用.方法 应用免疫组织化学方法检测31例肝细胞癌患者肿瘤组织(实验组)与癌旁正常组织(对照组)中Wnt2、β-catenin及其靶基因c-myc的表达.结果 在肿瘤组织与癌旁正常组织中,Wnt2蛋白的表达差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);β-catenin的胞质表达在癌旁组织中明显增高(P＜0.05),而其胞核表达则在肿瘤组织中增高(P＜0.05);c-myc在肿瘤组织中表达增高,两组差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 β-catenin及其靶基因c-myc在肝细胞癌组织中表达增高,提示Wnt通路激活的过程在肝细胞癌的起源中起到重要作用.

Abstract：

Objective To explore the effect of Wnt signaling pathway activation in the origination of hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the expression of Wnt2,β-catenin and target gene c-myc in hepatocellular carcinoma (experimental group) and peficancerous tissue (control group) from 31 patients. Results The expression of Wnt2 had no significantly difference in both groups (P ＞0. 05). The expression of β-catenin in cytoplasm was significantly higher in peficancerous tissue. However,the expression of β-catenin in nucleus was significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma ( P ＜ 0. 05). The expression of c-myc was also significantly higher in hepatocellular carcinoma (P ＜ 0. 01).Conclusion β-catenin and it' s target gene c-myc overexpressed in hepatocellular carcinoma. The activation of Wnt signaling pathway played an important role in the origination of hepatocellular carcinoma.     

Sensitivity of notochordal disc cells to mechanical loading: an experimental animal study

The immature disc nucleus pulposus (NP) consists of notochordal cells (NCs). With maturation NCs disappear in humans, to be replaced by chondrocyte-like mature NP cells (MNPCs); this change in cell phenotype coincidences with early signs of disc degeneration. The reasons for NC disappearance are important to understand disc degeneration, but remain unknown, yet. This study investigated, whether loading induced a change from a notochordal nucleus phenotype to a chondrocyte-like one. An in vivo disc compression model with fixateur externe was used in 36 mature rabbits. Discs were compressed for different time periods (1, 28, 56 days), and compared with uncompressed control discs (56 days without treatment), and discs with sham compression (28 days). Nucleus cell phenotype was determined by histology and immunohistochemistry. NCs, but not MNPCs highly expressed bone-morphogenetic-protein 2 and cytokeratin 8, thus NC and MNPC numbers could be determined. A histologic score was used to detect structural endplate changes after compression (28 days). Control and sham compressed discs contained around 70% NCs and 30% MNPCs, to be decreased to <10% NCs after 28–56 days of loading. NC density fell sharply by >50% after 28–56 days of compression (P < 0.05 vs. controls). Signs of decreased endplate cellularity and increased endplate sclerosis and fibrosis were found after loading. These experiments show that NCs were less resistant to mechanical stress than MNPCs suggesting that increased intradiscal pressures after loading, and limited nutrition through structurally altered endplates could instigate the disappearance of NCs.     

17β-雌二醇对子宫内膜异位症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响

目的研究17β-雌二醇(17β-E2)对子宫内膜异位症(内异症)患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响,探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在介导雌激素促进内异症发生发展的作用。方法体外分离培养内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞。用不同浓度17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞48 h;此后选用10-10mol/L 17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞12、24和48 h,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测17β-E2处理前后子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。同法分析雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780(10-6mol/L)对17β-E2促进β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。免疫组织化学染色观察17β-E2作用后β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞中的定位。结果17β-E2能明显促进内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达,并呈剂量和时间依赖性,于10-10mol/L作用48 h最明显。雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780能明显抑制17β-E2对子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达。免疫组织化学染色发现17β-E2能促进β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞核内的表达。结论雌激素可能通过激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进内异症在位子宫内膜的异位种植。     

Tubule-specific ablation of endogenous β-catenin aggravates acute kidney injury in mice

β-Catenin is a unique intracellular protein functioning as an integral component of the cell-cell adherens complex and a principal signaling protein mediating canonical Wnt signaling. Little is known about its function in adult kidneys in the normal physiologic state or after acute kidney injury (AKI). To study this, we generated conditional knockout mice in which the β-catenin gene was specifically disrupted in renal tubules (Ksp-β-cat-/-). These mice were phenotypically normal with no appreciable defects in kidney morphology and function. In the absence of β-catenin, γ-catenin functionally substituted for it in E-cadherin binding, thereby sustaining the integrity of epithelial adherens junctions in the kidneys. In AKI induced by ischemia reperfusion or folic acid, the loss of tubular β-catenin substantially aggravated renal lesions. Compared with controls, Ksp-β-cat-/- mice displayed higher mortality, elevated serum creatinine, and more severe morphologic injury. Consistently, apoptosis was more prevalent in kidneys of the knockout mice, which was accompanied by increased expression of p53 and Bax, and decreased phosphorylated Akt and survivin. In vitro activation of β-catenin by Wnt1 or stabilization of β-catenin protected tubular epithelial cells from apoptosis, activated Akt, induced survivin, and repressed p53 and Bax expression. Hence, endogenous β-catenin is pivotal for renal tubular protection after AKI by promoting cell survival through multiple mechanisms.     

N-cadherin、 β-连环素在肝癌组织中的表达及与Wnt信号途径的关系

目的 观察肝癌(HCC)中N-cadherin分子是否调控β-连环素(β-catenin)的表达及Wnt信号途径的活化。方法 免疫组织化学分析64例肝癌组织中N-cadherin及β-catenin的表达及相互关系。调控肝癌细胞株HCCLM3、SMMC-7721中N-cadherin表达并检测β-catenin的表达及Wnt信号途径的活化。结果 64例肝癌中,N-cadherin表达缺失34例;β-catenin在细胞膜上表达,无细胞核内聚集,且13例细胞膜表达缺失;细胞膜上β-catenin表达缺失与N-cadherin表达缺失呈正相关(P＜0.05)。下调HCCLM3细胞或上调SMMC-7721细胞中的N-cadherin表达导致细胞膜上β-catenin表达减弱或增强,但均未导致Wnt信号途径的活化。结论 在肝癌中,N-cadherin表达与细胞膜上β-catenin的表达水平呈正相关,但N-cadherin分子并不参与Wnt信号途径的调控。     

外源性肿瘤坏死因子-α诱发兔椎间盘退变中β-catenin蛋白的表达及意义

目的 通过外源性肿瘤坏死因子(TNF)-α注射构建兔椎间盘退变动物模型,探讨该模型中β-catenin蛋白的表达及意义和炎性细胞因子在促进腰椎间盘退变过程中Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的作用.方法 选取12只健康成年日本白兔,雌雄随机,体质量2.5～3.0kg.手术暴露L2～5 3个间隙共36个椎间盘.随机分为4组,分别注入生理盐水、TNF-α 5 ng、TNF-α 10ng、TNF-α 20 ng,于术后第8周统一处死,取椎间盘髓核组织作苏木素-伊红(HE)-番红O染色病理切片进行形态学观察;各组分别随机选取4个椎间盘髓核组织标本,采用蛋白印迹法(Western blot)测定β-catenin蛋白含量并比较各组间差异.结果 HE-番红O染色病理切片显示,在5、10、20 ng组椎间盘组织中髓核细胞数量减少,正常网状结构破坏,细胞形态发生改变,出现肥大空泡样软骨细胞,组织基质蛋白聚糖含量明显降低,番红O淡染,生理盐水对照组椎间盘形态基本正常,无退变发生.蛋白印迹结果显示β-catenin蛋白含量在注射TNF-α组明显增加,各组吸光度比值分别为:0.142±0.036、0.351±0.041、0.472±0.052和0.710±0.063,组间差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)且与TNF-α浓度相关.结论 通过外源性TNF-α盘内注射能够成功构建兔椎间盘退变动物模型,且退变程度与TNF-α呈浓度依赖性;在退变模型髓核组织中β-catenin蛋白含量增高且与TNF-α浓度正相关,提示炎症细胞因子触发了Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,在椎间盘退变过程中可能发挥了重要作用.     

非接触共培养脊索细胞诱导骨髓间充质干细胞向类软骨细胞分化的实验研究

目的:分离兔髓核脊索细胞(notochordal cells,NC)及骨髓间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cell,MSC),通过非接触共培养探讨NC对MSC细胞表型的影响。方法:4～6周龄新西兰兔8只,取胸腰段脊柱的髓核,用密度梯度离心提取NC,同时取其股骨骨髓用FICOLL液分离MSC,将NC和MSC等比例(1∶1)通过transwell培养板进行非接触共培养作为实验组,单纯MSC细胞培养作为对照组,光镜下观察细胞的生长情况。对两组的MSC行免疫组化及RT-PCR、Western-blot检测MSC细胞表型的改变情况。结果:原代NC呈圆形或椭圆形,细胞体积大,细胞增殖不明显;MSC贴壁生长,呈三角形或梭形,漩涡状排列。甲苯胺蓝染色:对照组MSC细胞核淡染,胞体染色不明显,染色阴性;实验组MSC可见从第3天开始胞体及胞外基质出现紫红色,第5天染色更加明显。Ⅱ型胶原免疫组化对照组MSC淡染,细胞形态不清楚;实验组第3天出现MSC内出现棕黄色深染,随着时间推移细胞染色加深呈阳性表现。RT-PCR检测,经过5d非接触共培养后实验组蛋白聚糖的基因表达为对照组的2.35倍(P<0.05),Ⅱ型胶原的基因表达为对照组的1.61倍(P<0.05),对照组Ⅰ型胶原的基因表达为实验组的2.56倍(P<0.05)。Western-blot检测后发现:经过5d非接触共培养,实验组蛋白聚糖的含量为对照组的1.61倍(P<0.05),Ⅱ型胶原的表达为对照组的10.04倍(P<0.05)(P<0.05)。结论:在非接触共培养条件下脊索细胞可以诱导骨髓间充质干细胞表型发生变化,向类软骨细胞方向分化,这将为组织工程化髓核的种子细胞筛选提供新选择。     

替米沙坦通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路影响非小细胞肺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移和凋亡的研究

目的 研究替米沙坦对非小细胞肺癌A549细胞增殖、迁移和凋亡的影响,并探讨其机制.方法 体外培养非小细胞肺癌细胞株A549,采用CCK-8法检测不同浓度替米沙坦对A549细胞增殖活性的影响,以克隆形成实验检测不同浓度替米沙坦处理下A549的存活分数,以划痕实验检测不同浓度替米沙坦对A549细胞迁移能力的影响,Hoech...     

TC-1 (c8orf4) enhances aggressive biologic behavior in lung cancer through the Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Background

The thyroid cancer-1 (TC-1) or c8orf4 gene encodes a 106-residue naturally disordered protein that has been found to be associated with thyroid, gastric, and breast cancer. A recent study has indicated that the protein functions as a positive regulator in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human breast cancer. However, no research has been done in the area of lung cancer. Therefore, the goal of the present study was to confirm the relationship among TC-1, lung cancer, and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Materials and methods

The expression of TC-1 was immunohistochemically examined in 147 patients with non–small-cell lung cancer. TC-1–overexpressed and silenced A549 cells were infected using lentivirus and MTT cell proliferation analysis, and Matrigel invasion assays and scratch-wound assays were performed to confirm the biologic behavioral changes in different A549 cell subsets. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, key gene β-catenin, target genes of vascular endothelial growth factor, cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase-7, c-myc, and survivin were tested at the mRNA and protein level.

Results

TC-1 was detected in 97 of the 147 non–small-cell lung cancer primary tumor specimens, and its expression correlated with the TNM stage and regional lymph node metastasis (P < 0.01). In vitro experiments demonstrated that TC-1 expression affected both proliferation and invasion in the A549 cell line. Furthermore, expression of TC-1 protein affected the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway’s downstream genes, such as vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-7, at the mRNA and protein level.

Conclusions

TC-1 expression is associated with aggressive biologic behavior in lung cancer and might coordinate with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway as a positive upstream regulator that induces these behaviors.     

Wnt/β-Catenin信号通路在肝癌发生中的分子机制研究

目的探讨Wnt/β-Catenin信号通路在肝癌细胞增殖、迁移方面的影响和其在肝癌发生发展中的可能作用。方法体外培养HepG2和L02细胞,采用免疫荧光和Western Blot检测Wnt/β-catenin信号通路关键蛋白β-catenin、GSK3β、cyclin D1和c-myc蛋白的表达水平。培养的HepG2细胞分别用浓度100ng/ml的Wnt3α和20 ng/ml的DKK1处理,采用CCK-8检测细胞增殖活力,流式细胞实验检测细胞周期,Western Blot检测β-catenin、GSK3β、cyclin D1和c-myc蛋白的表达水平,Trans-well检测HepG2的迁移情况。结果与正常肝细胞L02相比,HepG2细胞高表达β-catenin,cyclin D1和c-myc,低表达GSK3β。Wnt3α能够显著促进HepG2细胞的增殖活力,而DKK1能够显著抑制其增殖。与Wnt3α组相比,DKK1处理组细胞G0/G1期细胞比例增加,(68.6±0.5)%VS(47.5±1.5)%(P0.01),而S期细胞比例减少(17.4±0.5)%VS(28.6±0.5)%,(P0.01)。Western Blot检测结果说明,Wnt3α提高了β-catenin、cyclin D1和c-myc的表达水平,抑制了GSK3β的表达,而DKK1抑制了β-catenin、cyclin D1和c-myc的表达。迁移实验透膜细胞数对照组为(176.40±12.98)、Wnt3α组为(238.20±18.38)、DKK1组为(110.40±9.46),P0.05。结论 Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在促进HepG2细胞的增殖和迁移方面起重要作用,在肝癌的发生发展和转移中起着重要的作用,是肝癌发生的重要分子机制。