Wnt 信号通路与骨髓间充质干细胞成骨之间的关系

Wnt信号通路是由Wnts诱发的一系列相互作用的分子组成。Wnt信号对骨髓间充质干细胞的影响在所有研究中均证实有明显作用,其可调节干细胞增殖、分化及凋亡。研究表明,抑制Wnt信号通路转导可使成骨细胞分化进程受阻,从而抑制骨形成;若诱导Wnt家族成员表达则可使成骨细胞特异性基因表达增加,促进骨形成。本文就Wnt信号通路的作用过程及其与骨髓间充质干细胞成骨诱导的关系做一综述。     

骨髓间充质干细胞定向分化的经典WNT机制

骨髓间充质干细胞的定向分化一直是干细胞研究的重点,在其分化过程中有多条信号通路参与和调节。目前,Wnt通路在骨髓间充质干细胞定向分化过程中的作用是国外的研究热点。研究发现经典Wnt通路的激活与骨髓间充质干细胞的定向分化高度相关,故将其近年来的研究综述如下,从而为骨质疏松等疾病的治疗以及骨组织工程的发展提供必要的参考依据。     

骨髓间充质干细胞向肝细胞分化的相关细胞因子及信号通路的研究进展

骨髓干细胞包括造血干细胞（HSCs）和间充质干细胞（MSCs）,骨髓间充质干细胞（BMSCs）是一类具有自我更新、增殖和多向分化能力的细胞,具有不对称分裂和无限增殖的特点。在肝细胞生长因子（HGF）的作用下,BMSCs可以分化为肝细胞,参与诱导这一分化过程的相关信号通路包括NF-kB信号通路、Notch信号通路、MAPK信号通路、Wnt信号通路和STAT3信号通路。文章主要就BMSCs分化为肝细胞的相关信号通路进行了综述。     

Wnt信号通路调控干细胞成软骨分化

Wnt信号通路调控细胞增殖、再生、分化等多种细胞生物学过程。近年来研究表明,Wnt信号通路参与干细胞成软骨分化的起始、间充质的凝集、分化和肥大等一系列阶段。阐明其具体机制对软骨损伤修复及软骨功能的维持十分重要。该文就经典和非经典Wnt信号通路调控干细胞成软骨分化的研究进展进行综述。     

脱氢表雄酮对骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化相关基因表达的影响

目的使用qRt-PCR技术,分析脱氢表雄酮对骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化过程中相关成骨特征性基因表达的变化及其可能的机制。方法提取3~7天SD乳鼠干细胞,分为空白组和脱氢表雄酮组,分别处理4、7、14天后,采用茜素红验证干细胞成骨分化效果,提取各组总RNA行PCR检测相关成骨基因的表达。结果与空白组比较,脱氢表雄酮组在第14天表现出明显的矿化结节,其中成骨特征性基因Alp、Ocn和ColⅠ较对照组明显上调。结论脱氢表雄酮对干细胞成骨分化有明显促进作用,相关骨形成基因显著上调,并可能通过BMP/RUNX2构成的信号通路调节干细胞的成骨分化。     

间充质干细胞向成骨细胞分化的信号通路

间充质干细胞具有向成骨细胞分化的潜能,可体外分离、培养和扩增,是骨组织工程中理想的种子细胞。近年的研究表明间充质干细胞的成骨分化受到多种信号通路的调控,现就其中研究较为深入的MAPK和Notch通路的情况作一简要综述。     

骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch表达的研究

目的研究骨髓间充质干细胞分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch表达的研究。方法用密度梯度离心法分离培养犬骨髓间充质干细胞,按照酶法及差速贴壁法分离培养心肌细胞。观察干细胞增殖及传代情况。单独培养的干细胞为对照组,实验组将骨髓间充质干细胞与心肌细胞共培养,用RT-PCR、免疫细胞化学、MTT等方法检测干细胞分化为心肌细胞的情况,及干细胞在增殖与分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch信号系统的表达情况。结果骨髓间充质干细胞呈梭形、旋涡样生长,增殖及传代能力强,并可诱导分化为心肌样细胞,免疫荧光示心肌细胞标志物的表达。RT-PCR及免疫细胞化学显示实验组有Notch信号通路受体及配体的表达,而对照组表达微弱。结论骨髓间充质干细胞在增殖及分化过程中存在Notch信号通路,在干细胞分化为心肌细胞过程中Notch信号系统的表达上调。     

Notch信号参与BMP4诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化及其机制的初步探讨

目的:探讨Notch信号对骨形态发生蛋白4(bone morphogenetic protein 4,BMP4)诱导间充质干细胞成骨分化的影响以及作用机制。方法:(1)DAPT或Ad-dominant-negative mutants of Notch1(Addn Notch1)和BMP4-CM处理小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞,检测早期成骨指标碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP);(2)茜素红S染色实验检测晚期成骨钙盐沉积情况;(3)半定量反转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测成骨分化相关基因ALP,Runx2,Col1a1的表达;(4)免疫细胞化学检测p-Smad1/5/8的表达;(5)结晶紫染色和流式细胞术检测细胞的增殖及周期改变。结果:(1)DAPT抑制BMP4诱导的早期成骨分化,且呈浓度依赖性;(2)Delta-like 1(DLL1)促进BMP4诱导的成骨分化,DAPT和dn Notch1抑制BMP4诱导的成骨分化;(3)DLL1促进BMP4诱导的成骨相关基因ALP,Runx2,Col1a1的表达,DAPT抑制这些基因的表达;(4)DLL1促进BMP4诱导的细胞核内p-Smad1/5/8的表达,而DAPT抑制其表达;(5)DLL1促进BMP4诱导的细胞增殖,而DAPT抑制BMP4诱导的细胞增殖。结论:Notch信号通过BMP/Smads信号通路促进BMP4诱导的MSCs成骨分化,在此过程中也有促细胞增殖的作用。     

骨形态发生蛋白9通过JNKs激酶途径调控间充质干细胞成骨分化

前期研究发现骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9,BMP9)除了通过经典Smad途径外,也可通过丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(mitogen activated protein kinases,MAPKs)中的p38激酶途径调控间充质干细胞成骨分化．本研究继续探讨MAPKs的重要成员c-Jun氨基末端激酶(c-Jun N-terminal kinases,JNKs)对于BMP9诱导间充质干细胞成骨分化的调控作用．利用BMP9重组腺病毒感染间充质干细胞,通过体外细胞实验和体内动物实验,初步分析BMP9是否可通过JNKs激酶途径调控间充质干细胞成骨分化．结果表明：BMP9可通过促进JNKs激酶磷酸化而导致其活化;JNKs抑制剂SP600125可抑制由BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞的碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)活性、骨桥蛋白(osteocpontin,OPN)和骨钙素(osteocalcin,OCN)表达以及钙盐沉积;利用抑制剂SP600125抑制JNKs激酶活性后,BMP9诱导Runx2的表达和转录活性,以及Smad经典途径的激活也相应受到抑制;RNA干扰导致JNKs基因沉默同样也可抑制BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化以及裸鼠皮下异位成骨．因此,BMP9可通过活化JNKs激酶途径,从而调控间充质干细胞成骨分化．     

调控软骨形成的信号通路及相关因子在骨髓间充质干细胞骨向分化中的作用*

骨髓间充质干细胞是一类具有自我复制和多向分化潜能的成体干细胞,可以通过定向诱导分化为成骨细胞、软骨细胞、脂肪细胞等,是目前骨再生医学和细胞治疗研究最多的理想种子细胞。在骨缺损的修复过程中,骨髓间充质干细胞内成软骨相关基因表达升高进而分化为软骨细胞,后期随着成骨细胞和破骨细胞的形成及血管长入,软骨基质逐步降解并被骨基质所替换。软骨细胞参与了骨缺损前期的修复过程,调控软骨形成的信号通路及相关因子不仅调控骨髓间充质干细胞成软骨细胞分化,同时在成骨细胞分化过程中也发挥着重要的作用。对调控软骨形成的信号通路及相关因子在骨髓间充质干细胞骨向分化中的调控作用和研究现状进行了总结,以期为临床寻找更好的治疗骨缺损的方法提供理论依据和研究方向。     

Wnt5a induces homodimerization and activation of Ror2 receptor tyrosine kinase

Wnts are secreted glycoproteins that control vital biological processes, including embryogenesis, organogenesis and tumorigenesis. Wnts are classified into several subfamilies depending on the signaling pathways they activate, with the canonical subfamily activating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and the non-canonical subfamily activating a variety of other pathways, including the Wnt/calcium signaling and the small GTPase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase pathway. Wnts bind to a membrane receptor Frizzled and a co-receptor, the low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein. More recently, both canonical and non-canonical Wnts were shown to bind the Ror2 receptor tyrosine kinase. Ror2 is an orphan receptor that plays crucial roles in skeletal morphogenesis and promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. Here we examine the effects of a canonical Wnt3a and a non-canonical Wnt5a on the signaling of the Ror2 receptor. We demonstrate that even though both Wnt5a and Wnt3a bound Ror2, only Wnt5a induced Ror2 homo-dimerization and tyrosine phosphorylation in U2OS human osteoblastic cells. Furthermore, Wnt5a treatment also resulted in increased phosphorylation of the Ror2 substrate, 14-3-3beta scaffold protein, indicating that Wnt5a binding causes activation of the Ror2 signaling cascade. Functionally, Wnt5a recapitulated the Ror2 activation phenotype, enhancing bone formation in the mouse calvarial bone explant cultures and potentiating osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells. The effect of Wnt5a on osteoblastic differentiation was largely abolished upon Ror2 down-regulation. Thus we show that Wnt5a activates the classical receptor tyrosine kinase signaling cascade through the Ror2 receptor in cells of osteoblastic origin.     

Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide inhibits the osteoblastic differentiation of preosteoblasts by activating Notch1 signaling

Although Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (P‐LPS) is known to inhibit osteoblast differentiation, the exact molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. Here, we investigated the role of Notch signaling in the osteoblastic differentiation of both MC3T3E‐1 cells and primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). P‐LPS stimulation activated the Notch1 signaling cascade and increased expression of the Notch target genes HES1 and HEY1. P‐LPS can also act as an inhibitor because it is capable of suppressing Wnt/β‐catenin signaling in preosteoblasts by decreasing both glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) phosphorylation and the expression of nuclear β‐catenin. These effects were rescued, however, by inhibiting Notch1 signaling. Furthermore, P‐LPS treatment inhibited osteoblast differentiation in preosteoblasts as demonstrated by reductions in alkaline phosphatase activity, osteoblast gene expression, and mineralization, all of which were rescued by suppression of Notch1 signaling. Moreover, inhibition of GSK‐3β, HES1, or HEY1 partially reversed the P‐LPS‐induced inhibition of osteoblast differentiation. Together, these findings suggest that P‐LPS inhibits osteoblast differentiation by promoting the expression of Notch target genes and suppressing canonical Wnt/β‐catenin signaling. J. Cell. Physiol. 225: 106–114, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Activation of non-canonical Wnt/JNK pathway by Wnt3a is associated with differentiation fate determination of human bone marrow stromal (mesenchymal) stem cells

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway can determine human bone marrow stromal (mesenchymal) stem cell (hMSC) differentiation fate into osteoblast or adipocyte lineages. However, its downstream targets in MSC are not well characterized. Thus, using DNA microarrays, we compared global gene expression patterns induced by Wnt3a treatment in two hMSC lines: hMSC-LRP5^T253 and hMSC-LRP5^T244 cells carrying known mutations of Wnt co-receptor LRP5 (T253I or T244M) that either enhances or represses canonical Wnt signaling, respectively. Wnt3a treatment of hMSC activated not only canonical Wnt signaling, but also the non-canonical Wnt/JNK pathway through upregulation of several non-canonical Wnt components e.g. naked cuticle 1 homolog (NKD1) and WNT11. Activation of the non-canonical Wnt/JNK pathway by anisomycin enhanced osteoblast differentiation whereas its inhibition by SP600125 enhanced adipocyte differentiation of hMSC. In conclusion, canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling cooperate in determining MSC differentiation fate.     

Phasic modulation of Wnt signaling enhances cardiac differentiation in human pluripotent stem cells by recapitulating developmental ontogeny

Cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) offer immense value in studying cardiovascular regenerative medicine. However, intrinsic biases and differential responsiveness of hPSCs towards cardiac differentiation pose significant technical and logistic hurdles that hamper human cardiomyocyte studies. Tandem modulation of canonical and non-canonical Wnt signaling pathways may play a crucial role in cardiac development that can efficiently generate cardiomyocytes from pluripotent stem cells. Our Wnt signaling expression profiles revealed that phasic modulation of canonical/non-canonical axis enabled orderly recapitulation of cardiac developmental ontogeny. Moreover, evaluation of 8 hPSC lines showed marked commitment towards cardiac-mesoderm during the early phase of differentiation, with elevated levels of canonical Wnts (Wnt3 and 3a) and Mesp1. Whereas continued activation of canonical Wnts was counterproductive, its discrete inhibition during the later phase of cardiac differentiation was accompanied by significant up-regulation of non-canonical Wnt expression (Wnt5a and 11) and enhanced Nkx2.5⁺ (up to 98%) populations. These Nkx2.5⁺ populations transited to contracting cardiac troponin T-positive CMs with up to 80% efficiency. Our results suggest that timely modulation of Wnt pathways would transcend intrinsic differentiation biases of hPSCs to consistently generate functional CMs that could facilitate their scalable production for meaningful clinical translation towards personalized regenerative medicine.     

Global transcriptome analysis of human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) reveals proliferative, mobile and interactive cells that produce abundant extracellular matrix proteins, some of which may affect BMSC potency

Background aimsBone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) are being used for immune modulatory, anti-inflammatory and tissue engineering applications, but the properties responsible for these effects are not completely understood. Human BMSC were characterized to identify factors that might be responsible for their clinical effects and biomarkers for assessing their quality.MethodsEarly passage BMSC prepared from marrow aspirates of seven healthy subjects were compared with three human embryonic stem cell (hESC) samples, CD34⁺ cells from three healthy subjects and three fibroblast cell lines. The cells were analyzed with oligonucleotide expression microarrays with more than 35 000 probes.ResultsBMSC gene expression signatures of BMSC differed from those of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), hESC and fibroblasts. Genes upregulated in BMSC were involved with cell movement, cell-to-cell signaling and interaction and proliferation. The upregulated genes most probably belonged to pathways for integrin signaling, integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling, NF-E2-related factor-2 (NFR2)-mediated oxidative stress response, regulation of actin-based motility by Rho, actin cytoskeletal signaling, caveolar-mediated endocytosis, clathrin-mediated endocytosis and Wingless-type MMTV integration site (Wnt/β catenin signaling. Among the most highly upregulated genes were structural extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins (α5 and β5 integrin chains, fibronectin and collagen type IIIα1 and Vα1) and functional EMC proteins [connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), transforming growth factor beta-induced protein (TGFBI) and A disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM12)].ConclusionsGlobal analysis of human BMSC suggests that they are mobile, metabolically active, proliferative and interactive cells that make use of integrins and integrin signaling. They produce abundant ECM proteins that may contribute to their clinical immune modulatory and anti-inflammatory effects.     

Comprehensive Expression of Wnt Signaling Pathway Genes during Development and Maturation of the Mouse Cochlea

Background

In the inner ear Wnt signaling is necessary for proliferation, cell fate determination, growth of the cochlear duct, polarized orientation of stereociliary bundles, differentiation of the periotic mesenchyme, and homeostasis of the stria vascularis. In neonatal tissue Wnt signaling can drive proliferation of cells in the sensory region, suggesting that Wnt signaling could be used to regenerate the sensory epithelium in the damaged adult inner ear. Manipulation of Wnt signaling for regeneration will require an understanding of the dynamics of Wnt pathway gene expression in the ear. We present a comprehensive screen for 84 Wnt signaling related genes across four developmental and postnatal time points.

Results

We identified 72 Wnt related genes expressed in the inner ear on embryonic day (E) 12.5, postnatal day (P) 0, P6 and P30. These genes included secreted Wnts, Wnt antagonists, intracellular components of canonical signaling and components of non-canonical signaling/planar cell polarity.

Conclusion

A large number of Wnt signaling molecules were dynamically expressed during cochlear development and in the early postnatal period, suggesting complex regulation of Wnt transduction. The data revealed several potential key regulators for further study.