TGF-β1通过RUNX2调控人肝星状细胞系LX－2中骨桥蛋白表达

目的：探讨人肝星状细胞系LX-2中促纤维化因子TGF-β1对骨桥蛋白（Osteopontin,OPN）的转录调控作用,研究其潜在关系及作用通路。方法：经重组因子TGF-β1刺激后,westernblot检测人肝星状细胞系LX-2中OPN和RUNX2的表达水平。通过生物信息学分析软件预测RUNX2在OPN启动子序列上的结合位点。构建基于pGL3-Basic的人OPN启动子载体和相应截短体,与RUNX2共转染HEK293细胞,结合双荧光素酶报告基因实验分析RUNX2对OPN启动子的转录调控作用。结果：经TGF－61刺激后,LX-2细胞系中OPN与RUNX2的蛋白表达水平均升高,提示二者均为TGF-81下游效应分子。TESS生物信息学分析显示OPN启动子序列-78-73存在RUNX2的结合位点ACCACA。通过双荧光素酶报告基因实验结果显示：RUNX2对OPN启动予具有正向调控作用,且通过截短删除之前预测的结合位点后,该调控作用消失。结论：TGF-β1可促进人肝星状细胞系中OPN的表达,该作用部分通过其下游转录因子RUNX2作用于OPN启动子区域的ACCACA序列而实现。     

Extracellular matrix-mediated signaling by dentin phosphophoryn involves activation of the Smad pathway independent of bone morphogenetic protein

Cells have ingenious mechanisms for interpreting complex signals from their external microenvironment. Previously, we have shown that phosphophoryn (PP) regulates the expression of bone/dentin marker genes via the integrin/MAPK signaling pathway (Jadlowiec, J., Koch, H., Zhang, X., Campbell, P. G., Seyedain, M., and Sfeir, C. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 53323-53330). We hypothesize that other signaling pathways important for mineralized tissue morphogenesis such as the Smad pathway could be involved in PP signaling. We determined activation of the Smad pathway in human adult mesenchymal stem cells following treatment with recombinant PP (rPP). We observed that PP enhanced phosphorylation of Smad1 within 30 min and Smad1 translocation to the nucleus within 1 h. PP up-regulated the expression of Smad1 target genes, Smad6, Dlx5, and Runx2. The timing of PP activation of Smad1 implies this is a direct effect; however, we also investigated the possible involvement of bone morphogenetic proteins in PP stimulation of the Smad pathway. PP was shown to up-regulate Bmp-2 gene expression 12 h post-treatment with PP, which is much later than initial detection of Smad1 phosphorylation at 30 min. Furthermore, addition of Noggin did not block Smad1 phosphorylation by PP. We propose that PP could signal via the Smad pathway by either directly stimulating the phosphorylation of Smad1 via integrins or other mechanisms. These might include integrin/bone morphogenetic protein receptor interactions or involvement of PP with other growth factors leading to the modulation of intracellular signaling. It is noteworthy that a non-transforming growth factor-beta family member activates the Smad pathway. The role of PP in regulating the Smad pathway raises very interesting questions regarding the role of PP during bone and tooth development.