Kartogenin prevents cartilage degradation and alleviates osteoarthritis progression in mice via the miR-146a/NRF2 axis

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is a common articular degenerative disease characterized by loss of cartilage matrix and subchondral bone sclerosis. Kartogenin (KGN) has been reported to improve chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. However, the therapeutic effect of KGN on OA-induced cartilage degeneration was still unclear. This study aimed to explore the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of KGN on articular cartilage degradation using mice with post-traumatic OA. To mimic the in vivo arthritic environment, in vitro cultured chondrocytes were exposed to interleukin-1β (IL-1β). We found that KGN barely affected the cell proliferation of chondrocytes; however, KGN significantly enhanced the synthesis of cartilage matrix components such as type II collagen and aggrecan in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, KGN markedly suppressed the expression of matrix degradation enzymes such as MMP13 and ADAMTS5. In vivo experiments showed that intra-articular administration of KGN ameliorated cartilage degeneration and inhibited subchondral bone sclerosis in an experimental OA mouse model. Molecular biology experiments revealed that KGN modulated intracellular reactive oxygen species in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes by up-regulating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), while barely affecting its mRNA expression. Microarray analysis further revealed that IL-1β significantly up-regulated miR-146a that played a critical role in regulating the protein levels of NRF2. KGN treatment showed a strong inhibitory effect on the expression of miR-146a in IL-1β-stimulated chondrocytes. Over-expression of miR-146a abolished the anti-arthritic effects of KGN not only by down-regulating the protein levels of NRF2 but also by up-regulating the expression of matrix degradation enzymes. Our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that KGN exerts anti-arthritic effects via activation of the miR-146a-NRF2 axis and KGN is a promising heterocyclic molecule to prevent OA-induced cartilage degeneration.

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Osteoking Decelerates Cartilage Degeneration in DMM-Induced Osteoarthritic Mice Model Through TGF-β/smad-dependent Manner

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.678810 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Houfu Ling ◽

Qinghe Zeng ◽

Qinwen Ge ◽

Jiali Chen ◽

Wenhua Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mrna Expression ◽

Signaling Pathway ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Cartilage Degeneration ◽

Cartilage Degradation ◽

Common Disease ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Wild Type ◽

Bone Sclerosis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common disease characterized by cartilage degeneration. In recent years much attention has been paid to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) since its treatments have shown efficacy for ameliorating cartilage degradation with mild side effects. Osteoking is a TCM prescription that has long been used in OA treatment. However, the exact mechanism of Osteoking are not fully elucidated. In the current study, destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM)-induced OA mice was introduced as a wild type animal model. After 8 weeks of administration of Osteoking, histomorphometry, OARSI scoring, gait analysis, micro-CT, and immunohistochemical staining for Col2, MMP-13, TGFβRII and pSmad-2 were conducted to evaluate the chondroprotective effects of Osteoking in vivo. Further in vitro experiments were then performed to detect the effect of Osteoking on chondrocytes. TGFβRIICol2ER transgenic mice were constructed and introduced in the current study to validate whether Osteoking exerts its anti-OA effects via the TGF-β signaling pathway. Results demonstrated that in wild type DMM mice, Osteoking ameliorated OA-phenotype including cartilage degradation, subchondral bone sclerosis, and gait abnormality. Col2, TGFβRII, and pSmad-2 expressions were also found to be up-regulated after Osteoking treatment, while MMP-13 was down-regulated. In vitro, the mRNA expression of MMP-13 and ADAMTS5 decreased and the mRNA expression of Aggrecan, COL2, and TGFβRII were up-regulated after the treatment of Osteoking in IL-1β treated chondrocytes. The additional treatment of SB505124 counteracted the positive impact of Osteoking on primary chondrocytes. In TGFβRIICol2ER mice, spontaneous OA-liked phenotype was observed and treatment of Osteoking failed to reverse the OA spontaneous progression. In conclusion, Osteoking ameliorates OA progression by decelerating cartilage degradation and alleviating subchondral bone sclerosis partly via the TGF-β signaling pathway.

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The Natural Flavonoid Naringenin Inhibits the Cell Growth of WilmsTumorinChildren by Suppressing TLR4/NF-κB Signaling

Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry ◽

10.2174/1871520620999200818155814 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Hongtao Li ◽

Peng Chen ◽

Lei Chen ◽

Xinning Wang

Keyword(s):

Cell Growth ◽

Western Blot ◽

Wilms Tumor ◽

Critical Role ◽

Time Dependent ◽

Luciferase Assay ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Tlr4 Expression ◽

Protein Levels

Background: Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) is usually activated in Wilms tumor (WT) cells and plays a critical role in WT development. Objective: The study purpose was to screen a NF-κB inhibitor from natural product library and explore its effects on WT development. Methods: Luciferase assay was employed to assess the effects of natural chemical son NF-κB activity. CCK-8 assay was conducted to assess cell growth in response to naringenin. WT xenograft model was established to analyze the effect of naringenin in vivo. Quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot were performed to examine the mRNA and protein levels of relative genes, respectively. Results: Naringenin displayed significant inhibitory effect on NF-κB activation in SK-NEP-1 cells. In SK-NEP-1 and G-401 cells, naringenin inhibited p65 phosphorylation. Moreover, naringenin suppressed TNF-α-induced p65 phosphorylation in WT cells. Naringenin inhibited TLR4 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in WT cells. CCK-8 staining showed that naringenin inhibited cell growth of the two above WT cells in dose-and time-dependent manner, whereas Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) over expression partially reversed the above phenomena. Besides, naringenin suppressed WT tumor growth in dose-and time-dependent manner in vivo. Western blot found that naringenin inhibited TLR4 expression and p65 phosphorylation in WT xenograft tumors. Conclusion: Naringenin inhibits WT development viasuppressing TLR4/NF-κB signaling

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Exosomes derived from miR-126-3p-overexpressing synovial fibroblasts suppress chondrocyte inflammation and cartilage degradation in a rat model of osteoarthritis

Cell Death Discovery ◽

10.1038/s41420-021-00418-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yan Zhou ◽

Jianghua Ming ◽

Yaming Li ◽

Bochun Li ◽

Ming Deng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Synovial Fluid ◽

Apoptotic Cell ◽

Synovial Fibroblasts ◽

Cartilage Degeneration ◽

Cartilage Degradation ◽

Exosomal Mirnas ◽

Exosomal Mirna ◽

And Control ◽

And Cartilage

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) encapsulated within exosomes can serve as essential regulators of intercellular communication and represent promising biomarkers of several aging-associated disorders. However, the relationship between exosomal miRNAs and osteoarthritis (OA)-related chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts (SFCs) remain to be clarified. Herein, we profiled synovial fluid-derived exosomal miRNAs and explored the effects of exosomal miRNAs derived from SFCs on chondrocyte inflammation, proliferation, and survival, and further assessed their impact on cartilage degeneration in a surgically-induced rat OA model. We identified 19 miRNAs within synovial fluid-derived exosomes that were differentially expressed when comparing OA and control patients. We then employed a microarray-based approach to confirm that exosomal miRNA-126-3p expression was significantly reduced in OA patient-derived synovial fluid exosomes. At a functional level, miRNA-126-3p mimic treatment was sufficient to promote rat chondrocyte migration and proliferation while also suppressing apoptosis and IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α expression. SFC-miRNA-126-3p-Exos were able to suppress apoptotic cell death and associated inflammation in chondrocytes. Our in vivo results revealed that rat SFC-derived exosomal miRNA-126-3p was sufficient to suppress the formation of osteophytes, prevent cartilage degeneration, and exert anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects on articular cartilage. Overall, our findings indicate that SFC exosome‐delivered miRNA-126-3p can constrain chondrocyte inflammation and cartilage degeneration. As such, SFC-miRNA-126-3p-Exos may be of therapeutic value for the treatment of patients suffering from OA.

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Maltol inhibits the progression of osteoarthritis via the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor-2/heme oxygenase-1 signal pathway in vitro and in vivo

Food & Function ◽

10.1039/d0fo02325f ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ding-Chao Zhu ◽

Yi-Han Wang ◽

Jia-Hao Lin ◽

Zhi-Min Miao ◽

Jia-Jing Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cartilage Degeneration ◽

Degenerative Joint Disease ◽

Signal Pathway ◽

Joint Disease ◽

Heme Oxygenase 1 ◽

Related Factor ◽

Nuclear Factor ◽

Articular Cartilage Degeneration

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and inflammation. Currently, there is hardly any effective treatment for OA due to its complicated pathology and...

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SOST Deficiency Aggravates Osteoarthritis in Mice by Promoting Sclerosis of Subchondral Bone

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2019/7623562 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Jingyu Li ◽

Junjie Xue ◽

Yan Jing ◽

Manyi Wang ◽

Rui Shu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Subchondral Bone ◽

Cruciate Ligament ◽

Cartilage Degradation ◽

Cell Number ◽

Blue Staining ◽

Sham Operation ◽

Knee Oa ◽

Sost Gene ◽

Bone Sclerosis ◽

The Difference

As the initial part in the development of osteoarthritis (OA), subchondral bone sclerosis has been considered to be initiated by excess mechanical loading and proven to be correlated to other pathological changes. Sclerostin, which is an essential mechanical stress response protein, is encoded by the SOST gene. It is expressed in osteocytes and mature chondrocytes and has been proven to be closely correlated to OA. However, the relationship and mechanism between the SOST gene and the development of OA remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the SOST gene in OA pathogenesis in the subchondral bone. A knee anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) mouse osteoarthritis (OA) model on SOST-knockout (SOST KO) and wild-type (WT) mice was established. The pathogenic and phenotypic changes in the subchondral bone were investigated by histology, micro-CT, immunohistochemistry, TRAP staining, Masson staining, and Toluidine blue staining. It was found that sclerostin expression decreased in both the calcified cartilage and mineralized subchondral structures during the development of OA. Joint instability induced a severe cartilage degradation phenotype, with higher OARSI scores in SOST KO mice, when compared to WT mice. SOST KO mice with OA exhibited a higher BMD and BV/TV ratio, as well as a higher rate of bone remodeling and TRAP-positive cell number, when compared to the WT counterparts, but the difference was not significant between the sham-operation groups. It was concluded that loss of sclerostin aggravates knee OA in mice by promoting subchondral bone sclerosis and increasing catabolic activity of cartilage.

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Mn Inhibits GSH Synthesis via Downregulation of Neuronal EAAC1 and Astrocytic xCT to Cause Oxidative Damage in the Striatum of Mice

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity ◽

10.1155/2018/4235695 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Xinxin Yang ◽

Haibo Yang ◽

Fengdi Wu ◽

Zhipeng Qi ◽

Jiashuo Li ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Oxidative Damage ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Key Factor ◽

Protein Sulfhydryl ◽

Mrna And Protein Expression ◽

The Brain

Excessive manganese (Mn) can accumulate in the striatum of the brain following overexposure. Oxidative stress is a well-recognized mechanism in Mn-induced neurotoxicity. It has been proven that glutathione (GSH) depletion is a key factor in oxidative damage during Mn exposure. However, no study has focused on the dysfunction of GSH synthesis-induced oxidative stress in the brain during Mn exposure. The objective of the present study was to explore the mechanism of Mn disruption of GSH synthesis via EAAC1 and xCT in vitro and in vivo. Primary neurons and astrocytes were cultured and treated with different doses of Mn to observe the state of cells and levels of GSH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) and measure mRNA and protein expression of EAAC1 and xCT. Mice were randomly divided into seven groups, which received saline, 12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg MnCl2, 500 mg/kg AAH (EAAC1 inhibitor) + 50 mg/kg MnCl2, 75 mg/kg SSZ (xCT inhibitor) + 50 mg/kg MnCl2, and 100 mg/kg NAC (GSH rescuer) + 50 mg/kg MnCl2 once daily for two weeks. Then, levels of EAAC1, xCT, ROS, GSH, malondialdehyde (MDA), protein sulfhydryl, carbonyl, 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and morphological and ultrastructural features in the striatum of mice were measured. Mn reduced protein levels, mRNA expression, and immunofluorescence intensity of EAAC1 and xCT. Mn also decreased the level of GSH, sulfhydryl, and increased ROS, MDA, 8-OHdG, and carbonyl in a dose-dependent manner. Injury-related pathological and ultrastructure changes in the striatum of mice were significantly present. In conclusion, excessive exposure to Mn disrupts GSH synthesis through inhibition of EAAC1 and xCT to trigger oxidative damage in the striatum.

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Eukaryotic initiation factor EIF-3.G augments mRNA translation efficiency to regulate neuronal activity

10.1101/2021.03.15.435499 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Stephen M Blazie ◽

Seika Takayanagi-Kiya ◽

Katherine A McCulloch ◽

Yishi Jin

Keyword(s):

Rna Binding ◽

Mrna Translation ◽

Initiation Factor ◽

Translation Efficiency ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Control Activity ◽

C Elegans ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Neuronal Protein

AbstractThe translation initiation complex eIF3 imparts specialized functions to regulate protein expression. However, understanding of eIF3 activities in neurons remains limited despite widespread dysregulation of eIF3 subunits in neurological disorders. Here, we report a selective role of theC. elegansRNA-binding subunit EIF-3.G in shaping the neuronal protein landscape. We identify a missense mutation in the conserved Zinc-Finger (ZF) of EIF-3.G that acts in a gain-of-function manner to dampen neuronal hyperexcitation. Using neuron type-specific seCLIP, we systematically mapped EIF-3.G-mRNA interactions and identified EIF-3.G occupancy on GC-rich 5′UTRs of a select set of mRNAs enriched in activity-dependent functions. We demonstrate that the ZF mutation in EIF-3.G alters translation in a 5′UTR dependent manner. Our study reveals anin vivomechanism for eIF3 in governing neuronal protein levels to control activity states and offers insights into how eIF3 dysregulation contributes to neuronal disorders.

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Noggin Inhibits IL-1β and BMP-2 Expression, and Attenuates Cartilage Degeneration and Subchondral Bone Destruction in Experimental Osteoarthritis

Cells ◽

10.3390/cells9040927 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 927 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Szu-Yu Chien ◽

Chun-Hao Tsai ◽

Shan-Chi Liu ◽

Chien-Chung Huang ◽

Tzu-Hung Lin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Articular Cartilage ◽

Signaling Pathways ◽

Bone Remodeling ◽

Subchondral Bone ◽

Bone Destruction ◽

Cartilage Degeneration ◽

Cartilage Degradation ◽

Mitogen Activated Protein Kinase ◽

Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 ◽

Joint Disease

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic inflammatory and progressive joint disease that results in cartilage degradation and subchondral bone remodeling. The proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) is abundantly expressed in OA and plays a crucial role in cartilage remodeling, although its role in the activity of chondrocytes in cartilage and subchondral remodeling remains unclear. In this study, stimulating chondrogenic ATDC5 cells with IL-1β increased the levels of bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2), promoted articular cartilage degradation, and enhanced structural remodeling. Immunohistochemistry staining and microcomputed tomography imaging of the subchondral trabecular bone region in the experimental OA rat model revealed that the OA disease promotes levels of IL-1β, BMP-2, and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) expression in the articular cartilage and enhances subchondral bone remodeling. The intra-articular injection of Noggin protein (a BMP-2 inhibitor) attenuated subchondral bone remodeling and disease progression in OA rats. We also found that IL-1β increased BMP-2 expression by activating the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and specificity protein 1 (Sp1) signaling pathways. We conclude that IL-1β promotes BMP-2 expression in chondrocytes via the MEK/ERK/Sp1 signaling pathways. The administration of Noggin protein reduces the expression of IL-1β and BMP-2, which prevents cartilage degeneration and OA development.

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Dexamethasone induces apoptosis in proliferative canine tendon cells and chondrocytes

Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology ◽

10.3415/vcot-07-06-0060 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 21 (04) ◽

pp. 337-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

M. A. Hossain ◽

J. Park ◽

S. H. Choi ◽

G. Kim

Keyword(s):

Cell Proliferation ◽

Cartilage Degeneration ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Tendon Cells ◽

Cartilage Cells ◽

In Vitro Effects ◽

Nuclear Apoptosis ◽

And Cartilage

SummaryDexamethasone (Dexa) has been commonly used in humans and domestic animals, particularly in the treatment of tendon injuries and cartilage degeneration. However, it is often associated with tendon rupture and impaired tendon and cartilage healing. In the present study, we investigated Dexa’s in vitro effects on the growth of cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis in canine Achilles tendon cells and chondrocytes. Cell proliferation after treatment with Dexa for two to six days was quantified by a 2,3-bis{2-methoxy- 4-nitro-5-sulfophenyl}-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxyanilide inner salt assay (XTT). The results showed that Dexa could inhibit the proliferation of tendon cells and chondrocytes at increasing concentrations (0.1–50 μg/ml) compared with untreated cells. Cell apoptosis was induced by Dexa, as evidenced by the typical nuclear apoptosis using Hoechst 33258 staining. Dexa increased the apoptosis of canine tendon cells and chondrocytes in a time-dependent manner. In canine tendon cells and chondrocytes that were treated with 25 and 50 μg/ml concentration of Dexa, the number of condensed apoptotic nuclei was significantly increased. In addition, culturing with Dexa and the glucocorticoid receptor blocker, mifepristone, significantly arrested apoptosis of tendon cells and chondrocytes. Based on our in vitro data, we hypothesized that in vivo treatment with glucocorticoids may diminish the proliferation of tendon and cartilage cells by increasing apoptosis and suppressing the proliferation. Our findings suggest that Dexa could be used with caution in dogs with articular or tendon problems.

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