基于Wnt/β-catenin信号转导通路的电针抗抑郁中枢效应机制研究

目的:基于Wnt/β-catenin信号转导通路探究电针抗抑郁中枢效应机制。方法:运用随机数字表法将144只SD大鼠分为空白、模型、电针及西药组,每组又分别依据干预时间进一步分为7d、14d、21d 3个亚组。空白组不接受任何刺激。模型组大鼠采取禁食等方式构建CUMS抑郁大鼠模型。电针组选取百会、神庭穴施以电针。西药组每日灌胃给予氟西汀。分别于第1d、7d、14d、21d观测大鼠行为学指标改变情况。采用蛋白免疫印迹法检测大鼠海马内Wnt/β-catenin信号转导通路中关键蛋白表达。结果:模型组大鼠OFT、SPT评分均较空白组有所下降,体质量减轻,电针组和西药组OFT、SPT评分及体质量检测则较模型组明显上升(P0.05)。模型组各亚组大鼠wnt1及β-catenin蛋白表达水平下降,GSK-3β蛋白表达水平有所上升,与模型组相比,电针及西药组大鼠Wnt/β-catenin通路中蛋白含量趋近正常水平,且两组与模型组组间比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:电针可通过调控海马内Wnt/β-catenin信号转导通路中关键蛋白的表达,减轻抑郁症状。     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路对重度子痫前期患者胎盘滋养层细胞侵袭和增殖的影响

为了阐明Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在子痫前期发生发展中的作用机制,本研究应用RT-PCR检测了子痫前期和正常妊娠妇女胎盘中的Wnt1、β-catenin和cyclinD1的mRNA水平。通过Western blotting检测了Wnt1、β-catenin、Dickkopf-1 (DKK1)和糖原合成酶激酶3β(GSK-3β)蛋白的表达水平。使用免疫组化定位胎盘中Wnt1、β-catenin和DKK1蛋白的表达。研究显示,与对照组正常胎盘相比,重度子痫前期胎盘中Wnt1、β-catenin和cyclinD1的mRNA表达水平显著降低。Western blotting结果显示,对照组Wnt1、β-catenin和GSK-3β蛋白表达水平显著升高,而DKK1表达水平显著降低。此外,与对照组相比,子痫前期组胎盘中Wnt1和β-catenin的染色强度较弱,而DKK1的染色强度明显增强。说明子痫前期患者胎盘中Wnt/β-catenin信号通路及其下游靶基因被抑制,导致滋养层的侵袭和增殖能力降低,从而促进了子痫前期的发生发展。     

Wnt/β-catenin信号途径在高糖诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用

目的探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号途径在高糖诱导肾小管上皮细胞转分化中的作用。方法体外培养人近端肾小管上皮细胞（HKC）,分为正常糖组、甘露醇对照组及高糖组。采用免疫细胞化学观察β-连环蛋白（β-catenin）表达情况;Westernblot检测Wnt4、β-catenin、E-钙粘蛋白（E-cadherin）和α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）表达水平;逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测Wnt4和β-cateninmRNA表达水平。结果高糖组较正常糖及渗透浓度对照组Wnt4蛋白及mRNA、α-SMA蛋白表达增高,E-cadherin表达降低,β-catenin总蛋白及mRNA水平无明显变化,细胞浆及核内蛋白表达增强。高糖刺激肾小管上皮细胞Wnt4及核β-catenin蛋白表达呈时间依赖性,于高糖刺激后12h增强,24h达到高峰。结论Wnt/β-catenin信号通路可能参与了高糖介导的肾小管上皮细胞转分化过程。     

红景天苷通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路影响小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞向神经元细胞定向分化

目的:以小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞系D1细胞为研究对象,探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号通路介导的红景天苷诱导D1细胞向神经细胞的定向分化。方法:实验分为对照组(D/F12完全培养基)和红景天苷诱导组(100μg/mL+D/F12完全培养基).将细胞分别诱导12、24、48和72 h后,采用细胞免疫荧光化学染色方法检测β-catenin和Gsk-3β的阳性细胞率。利用红景天苷分别诱导MSCs 1,2,8,12,24,48和72 h后,利用实时PCR技术检测Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的关键信号分子wnt3a、Axin2、Lrp6和Gsk-3βmRNA的表达;采用Westernblot方法分析D1细胞诱导12、24、48和72 h后,β-catenin和Gsk-3β蛋白的表达;运用Wnt/β-catenin信号通路特异性阻断剂DKK1阻断Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,Western blot方法分析红景天苷对β-catenin和NSE蛋白表达的影响。结果:红景天苷诱导24 h时β-catenin的阳性率可达55.76%,与其他组和对照组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.01),诱导24 h后Gsk-3β的阳性率与其他时间和对照组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实时PCR检测结果显示,红景天苷诱导MSCs不同时间能促进Wnt/β-catenin信号通路中关键信号分子Wnt3a、Ax-in2、Lrp6和Gsk-3βmRNA的表达,诱导不同时间Wnt3a、Axin2、Lrp6和Gsk-3βmRNA的表达不尽相同。Westernblot结果表明,红景天苷诱导D1细胞12 h和24 h时β-catenin蛋白的表达明显上调,且与其他组比较差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);随着作用时间的延长,Gsk-3β蛋白的表达增加且差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05),阻断Wnt/β-catenin信号通路后,β-catenin和NSE蛋白的表达水平明显下调。结论:红景天苷能诱导D1细胞定向分化为神经元样细胞,红景天苷通过激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路实现其诱导MSCs向神经细胞定向分化。     

Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达和肿瘤转移的关系

目的:探讨了Wnt信号通路相关蛋白在胃癌组织中的表达及与肿瘤转移的关系。方法:选取2011年6月到2012年6月我院胃癌术后47例肿瘤标本作为研究对象,并选取同一患者的正常胃组织作为对照研究。采用实时荧光定量PCR和Western blot对胃癌组织和正常胃组织Wnt信号通路相关蛋白进行分析,并分析了肿瘤转移和非转移患者Wnt信号通路相关蛋白的变化。结果:与正常胃组织比较,胃癌组织中Wnt1、Wnt3、Wnt3a、β-catenin、CyclinD1和c-Myc等分子的mRNA水平明显上调,差异有显著统计学意义(P0.05)。胃癌组织中总β-catenin和核内β-catenin蛋白较正常胃组织明显增加,而磷酸化β-catenin较正常组明显下降、差异有显著统计学意义(P0.05)。与非转移组比较,转移组患者胃癌组织中Wnt1、Wnt3、Wnt3a等分子mRNA水平显著上调,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:Wnt信号通路异常激活在胃癌发生和癌细胞转移中发挥着重要的作用,为临床治疗提供了一定靶点。     

RNA干扰c-maf基因表达对多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡的影响及机制研究

目的:探讨RNA干扰c-maf基因表达对多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡的影响及机制。方法:将人骨髓瘤细胞株NCI-H929分为正常对照组、转染si RNA Control的阴性对照组和转染si RNA c-maf基因的沉默组,转染48 h后,提取细胞中的蛋白,Western blot检测各组细胞中c-maf的蛋白表达,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡情况,Western blot检测凋亡相关蛋白Cleaved caspase3及Wnt/β-catenin信号通路相关蛋白β-catenin和Cyclin D1蛋白表达。结果:阴性对照组c-maf的蛋白表达与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05),沉默组c-maf的蛋白表达显著低于正常对照组(P0.01),而阴性对照组c-maf的蛋白表达与正常对照组比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。与阴性对照组比较,沉默组的细胞凋亡率显著升高,Cleaved caspase3蛋白显著上调表达,β-catenin和Cyclin D1蛋白显著下调表达(P0.01)。结论:RNA干扰c-maf基因表达可诱导多发性骨髓瘤细胞凋亡,其机制可能与抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路有关。     

β-catenin基因在人骨肉瘤MG63细胞系的表达变化

目的:观察分析β-catenin基因在人骨肉瘤MG63细胞系的表达变化。方法:培养MG63细胞株,用不同浓度的Wnt3a蛋白或相同浓度、不同时间段的Wnt3a蛋白刺激液MG63细胞生长,用FQ-PCR在m RNA水平检测β-catenin在MG63细胞系的表达变化。培养MG63细胞株,用相同浓度的Wnt3a蛋白刺激,比较刺激组与空白对照组的细胞数目的差别。结果:在细胞生长的第0,1天两组的MG63细胞数量对比没有统计学差异(P0.05);而在第2,3,4天对照组细胞增殖速度较刺激组缓缓,经比较(t=4.109,3.892,5.215,均P0.05)。β-catenin基因表达不会因为Wnt3a的浓度增加而增加。100 ng/m L的Wnt3a蛋白刺激β-catenin基因表达最高,其他几个浓度的β-catenin基因表达对比没有统计学差异(P0.05)。在100 ng/m L的Wnt3a蛋白刺激下,β-catenin基因表达会随时间延长而增加,6 h时β-catenin基因表达最高(P0.05),随后β-catenin基因表达则没有统计学差异(P0.005)。结论:Wnt蛋白对MG63细胞有正向增加增殖作用。激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路能促进MG63的细胞增殖。     

TRPM3通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路诱导上皮性卵巢癌细胞上皮间质转化的作用研究

目的:探讨瞬时受体电位离子通道3(Transient receptor potential melastatin 3,TRPM3)对卵巢癌侵袭转移和上皮细胞间质转化(Epithelial mesenchymal transition,EMT)的影响及其分子作用机制。方法:采用小干扰RNA沉默上皮性卵巢癌细胞株中HEY及SKOV3中TRPM3的表达,通过Transwell实验和划痕实验检测上皮性卵巢癌细胞的侵袭和迁移能力的变化,Western Blot检测EMT相关蛋白、Wnt/β-catenin通路相关蛋白的表达情况。结果:与对照组细胞相比,干扰组的上皮性卵巢癌细胞迁移和侵袭能力均明显减弱,EMT相关蛋白的上皮细胞标志分子E-cadherin的表达上调,间质细胞标志分子N-cadherin和EMT相关转录调控因子Snail的表达下调,Wnt/β-catenin通路相关蛋白CyclinD1、β-catenin的表达下调。结论:TRPM3可能通过激活Wnt/β-catenin通路促进卵巢癌细胞的上皮间质转化过程,进而增强其侵袭转移的能力。     

飞燕草素通过Wnt/β-catenin信号通路抑制乳腺癌的机制研究

为研究飞燕草素对乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的影响。免疫组化检测裸鼠乳腺肿瘤组织和肺组织转移瘤Ki-67及乳腺肿瘤组织蛋白水解酶超家族基质金属蛋白酶-7(matrix metallopeptidase 7,MMP-7)的表达水平;Western blot检测移植瘤Wnt/β-catenin通路β-联蛋白(β-catenin)、磷酸糖原合成酶激酶-3β(glycogen synthase kinase-3β,GSK-3β)及通路下游细胞周期相关蛋白cyclinD1、原癌基因c-myc和MMP-7的蛋白水平表达,体内外实验发现飞燕草素不仅能抑制裸鼠异种移植瘤生长及乳腺癌肿瘤组织和肺组织转移瘤Ki-67表达还可以明显降低乳腺癌MDA-MB-231细胞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路β-catenin和p-GSK-3β下游靶基因c-myc、cyclin D1和MMP-7蛋白的表达。本研究证实飞燕草素能通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路,发挥抑制乳腺癌的作用。     

益气活血利水汤抑制慢性肝纤维化大鼠肝脏Wnt/β-catenin信号通路

探讨益气活血利水汤对慢性肝纤维化大鼠肝脏Wnt/β-catenin信号通路的影响。将SPF级SD大鼠随机抽取12只作为对照组,其他大鼠造模成功后随机分为模型组、Col组和益气组。Col组采用秋水仙碱0.1 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)灌胃,益气组采用益气活血利水汤成药3.69 m L·kg-1·d-1灌胃,对照组和模型组采用等量生理盐水灌胃。10周后观察大鼠一般情况、组织学形态,采用RT-PCR法检测肝组织中Wnt 1、Wnt 3 a、Wnt 10 b、β-catenin、Cyclin D 1 mRNA表达。研究显示,Col和益气组大鼠的生活状态以及其肝脏的组织形态均有较为明显的改善,另外RT-PCR表明模型组Wnt 1、Wnt 3a、Wnt 10、β-catenin和Cyclin D1的mRNA显著高于对照组(p0.05),肝组织纤维化模型造模成功。Col组和益气组Wnt 1、Wnt 3a、Wnt 10、β-catenin和Cyclin D1的mRNA显著低于模型组(p0.05),说明给药后,大鼠的病情状况有一定的好转。并且益气组的Wnt 1、Wnt3a、Wnt 10、β-catenin和Cyclin D1的mRNA表达要显著低于Col组(p0.05),说明wnt/β-catenin信号通路异常激活可导致肝纤维发生发展,而益气活血利水汤对此通路的抑制效果要明显优于秋水仙碱,此结果也为临床上早期治疗肝组织纤维化提供一个新的方向。     

Inverse agonists and neutral antagonists at µ opioid receptor (MOR): possible role of basal receptor signaling in narcotic dependence

The mu opioid receptor, MOR, displays spontaneous agonist-independent (basal) G protein coupling in vitro. To determine whether basal MOR signaling contributes to narcotic dependence, antagonists were tested for intrinsic effects on basal MOR signaling in vitro and in vivo, before and after morphine pretreatment. Intrinsic effects of MOR ligands were tested by measuring GTPgammaS binding to cell membranes and cAMP levels in intact cells. beta-CNA, C-CAM, BNTX, and nalmefene were identified as inverse agonists (suppressing basal MOR signaling). Naloxone and naltrexone were neutral antagonists (not affecting basal signaling) in untreated cells, whereas inverse agonistic effects became apparent only after morphine pretreatment. In contrast, 6alpha- and 6beta-naltrexol and -naloxol, and 6beta-naltrexamine were neutral antagonists regardless of morphine pretreatment. In an acute and chronic mouse model of morphine-induced dependence, 6beta-naltrexol caused significantly reduced withdrawal jumping compared to naloxone and naltrexone, at doses effective in blocking morphine antinociception. This supports the hypothesis that naloxone-induced withdrawal symptoms result at least in part from suppression of basal signaling activity of MOR in morphine-dependent animals. Neutral antagonists have promise in treatment of narcotic addiction.     

Resveratrol restores sensitivity of glioma cells to temozolamide through inhibiting the activation of Wnt signaling pathway

Malignant gliomas are aggressive primary neoplasms that originate in the glial cells of the brain or the spine with notable resistance to standard treatment options. We carried out the study with the aim to shed light on the sensitization of resveratrol to temozolomide (TMZ) against glioma through the Wnt signaling pathway. Initially, glioma cell lines with strong resistance to TMZ were selected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Then, the glioma cells were subjected to resveratrol, TMZ, Wnt signaling pathway inhibitors, and activators. Cell survival rate and inhibitory concentration at half maximum value were detected by MTT, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining, in vitro proliferation by hanging drop method and β-catenin translocation into nuclei by TOP/FOP-FLASH assay. The expressions of the Wnt signaling pathway-related and apoptosis-related factors were determined by western blot analysis. Nude mice with glioma xenograft were established to detect tumorigenic ability. Glioma cell lines T98G and U138 which were highly resistant to TMZ were selected for subsequent experiments. Resveratrol increased the efficacy of TMZ by restraining cell proliferation, tumor growth, and promoting cell apoptosis in glioma cells. Resveratrol inhibited Wnt2 and β-catenin expressions yet elevated GSK-3β expression. Moreover, the Wnt signaling pathway participates in the sensitivity enhancing of resveratrol to TMZ via regulating O ⁶-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) expression. Resveratrol sensitized TMZ-induced glioma cell apoptosis by repressing the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway and downregulating MGMT expression, which may confer new thoughts to the chemotherapy of glioma.     

The effect of an endogenous compound 1-methyl-1,2,3,4,-tetrahydroisoquinoline on morphine-induced analgesia, dependence and neurochemical changes in dopamine metabolism in rat brain structures.

1,2,3,4-Tetrahydroisoquinolines, among them the most interesting neuroprotective substance, an inhibitor of MAO, 1-methyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (1MeTIQ), are endogenous compounds present in the central nervous system of mammals and humans. In this study, we investigated the effect of 1MeTIQ on morphine-induced analgesia, tolerance and abstinence syndrome as well as its effect on morphine-induced changes in dopamine metabolism in rat brain structures (nucleus accumbens, striatum, substantia nigra) using HPLC methodology. The experiments were carried out on male Wistar rats. Morphine analgesia was measured in the "hot-plate" test. To induce tolerance, morphine was given chronically (20 mg/kg i.p.) alone or following 1MeTIQ (50 mg/kg i.p.) injection. The development of dependence was assessed in the naloxone (2 mg/kg i.p.) precipitation test, after 10 days of morphine administration. The behavioral studies have shown that an endogenous compound, 1MeTIQ produced strong potentiation of morphine analgesia, prevented the development of morphine tolerance and inhibited expression of morphine abstinence syndrome in morphine-dependent rats. In neurochemical studies, we have demonstrated that 1MeTIQ antagonized morphine-induced changes in dopamine metabolism observed in rat brain structures. The main finding of this study was demonstration for the first time of an anti-abuse effect of an endogenous compound, 1MeTIQ, and its efficiency in counteracting morphine-induced addiction in the way useful from clinical point of view. The obtained results suggested a possibility of clinical application of 1MeTIQ in morphine addiction.     

MiR-125b regulates the proliferation and metastasis of triple negative breast cancer cells via the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and EMT

Background/aim: MiR-125b plays an important role in breast cancer. The current study was to explore the expression and function of miR-125b in triple negative breast cancer cells. Materials and methods: The expression of miR-125b in human TNBC samples and cell lines were examined by qRT-PCR. MTT, scratch assays and transwell assays were utilized to observe the proliferation, migration and invasion ability. MiR-125b’s target gene and downstream signaling pathways were investigated by Luciferase Reporter Assays, qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence assays and western bolt. Results: MiR-125b was highly expressed in human TNBC tissues and cell lines. Inhibiting miR-125b expression suppressed the proliferation, cell migration and invasion. The three-prime untranslated region (3´-UTR) of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) mRNA contains miR-125b binding sites, and inhibiting miR-125b expression suppressed the activity of the intracellular Wnt/β-catenin pathways and EMT. Conclusion: Inhibiting miR-125b regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and EMT to suppress the proliferation and migration of MDA-MB-468 TNBC cells.     

Imbalance of Wnt/Dkk Negative Feedback Promotes Persistent Activation of Pancreatic Stellate Cells in Chronic Pancreatitis

The role of persistent activation of pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs) in the fibrosis associated with chronic pancreatitis (CP) is increasingly being recognized. Recent studies have shown that Wnt signaling is involved in the development of fibrosis in multiple organs, however, the role of specific Wnts in pancreatic fibrosis remains unknown. We investigated the role of Wnt signaling during PSC activation in CP and the effect of β-catenin inhibition and Dickkopf-related protein 1 (Dkk1) restoration on the phenotype of PSCs. CP was induced in mice by repetitive caerulein injection and mouse PSCs were isolated and activated in vitro. The expression of Wnts, β-catenin, secreted frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) and Dkks was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. The canonical Wnt signaling pathway was examined by immunofluorescence and western blot detection of nuclear β-catenin expression. The effect of recombinant mouse Dkk-1 (rmDkk-1) on cell proliferation and apoptosis was assessed by flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) analysis. The expression of β-catenin, collagen1α1, TGFβRII, PDGFRβ and α-SMA in PSCs treated with different concentrations of rmDkk-1 or siRNA against β-catenin was determined by quantitative RT-PCR and western blotting. Wnt2 was the only Wnt whose expression was significantly upregulated in response to PSC activation, and Wnt2 and β-catenin protein levels were significantly increased in the pancreas of CP mice, whereas Dkk-1 expression was evidently decreased. Nuclear β-catenin levels were markedly increased in activated PSCs, and rmDkk-1 suppressed the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and the proliferation and extracellular matrix production of PSCs through the downregulation of PDGFRβ and TGFβRII. Upregulation of Dkk-1 expression increased apoptosis in cultured PSCs. These results indicate that Wnt signaling may mediate the profibrotic effect of PSC activation, and Wnt2/Dkk-1 could be potential therapeutic targets for CP.     

Kallistatin antagonizes Wnt/β-catenin signaling and cancer cell motility via binding to low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6

Kallistatin, a plasma protein, exerts pleiotropic effects in inhibiting angiogenesis, inflammation and tumor growth. Canonical Wnt signaling is the primary pathway for oncogenesis in the mammary gland. In this study, we demonstrate that kallistatin bound to the Wnt coreceptor low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6), thus, blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Wnt-mediated growth and migration in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. Kallistatin inhibited Wnt3a-induced proliferation, migration, and invasion of cultured breast cancer cells. Moreover, kallistatin was bound to LRP6 in breast cancer cells, as identified by immunoprecipitation followed by western blot. Kallistatin suppressed Wnt3a-mediated phosphorylation of LRP6 and glycogen synthase kinase-3β, and the elevation of cytosolic β-catenin levels. Furthermore, kallistatin antagonized Wnt3a-induced expression of c-Myc, cyclin D1, and vascular endothelial growth factor. These findings indicate a novel role of kallistatin in preventing breast tumor growth and mobility by direct interaction with LRP6, leading to blockade of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway.     

Dishevelled proteins and CYLD reciprocally regulate each other in CML cell lines

Dishevelled (Dvl) proteins are activated by Wnt pathway stimulation and have crucial roles in the regulation of β-catenin destruction complex. CYLD is a tumor suppressor and a deubiquitination enzyme. CYLD negatively regulates the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway by deubiquitinating Dvl proteins. Loss of function and mutations of CYLD were linked to different types of solid tumors. Loss of function in CYLD is associated with Dvl hyper ubiquitination, resulting in the transmission of Wnt signaling to downstream effectors. β-catenin upregulation is observed during disease progression in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Deregulated Dvl signaling may be a reason for β-catenin activation in CML; and CYLD may contribute to Dvl deregulation. First, we evaluated mRNA expression in three CML cell lines and mRNA expression of the CYLD gene was found to be present in all (K562, MEG01, KU812). Unlike solid tumors sequencing revealed no mutations in the coding sequences of the CYLD gene. DVL genes were silenced by using a pool of siRNA oligonucleotides and gene expression differences in CYLD was determined by RT-PCR and western blot. CYLD protein expression decreased after Dvl silencing. An opposite approach of overexpressing Dvl proteins resulted in upregulated CYLD expression. While previous reports have described CYLD as a regulator of DVL proteins; our data suggests the presence of a more complicated reciprocal regulatory mechanism in CML cell lines.     

Parathyroid hormone regulates osteoblast differentiation in a Wnt/β-catenin-dependent manner

Intermittent parathyroid hormone (PTH) administration shows an anabolic effect on bone. However, the mechanisms are not fully studied. Recent studies suggest that Wnt signaling is involved in PTH-induced bone formation. The current study was to examine if Wnt/β-catenin pathway is required during PTH-induced osteoblast differentiation. Osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells were treated with human PTH (1-34) (hPTH [1-34]) and expression levels of osteoblast differentiation markers were detected by real-time PCR. RNA levels of β-catenin, Runx2, Osteocalcin, Alkaline phosphatase, and Bone sialoprotein were significantly up-regulated after treatment with 10(-8) M of hPTH (1-34) for 6 h. Alkaline phosphatase activity and protein expression of β-catenin were also increased after 6 days of intermittent treatment with hPTH (1-34) in MC3T3-E1 cells. hPTH (1-34) significantly enhanced Topflash Luciferase activity after 6 h of treatment. More important, PTH-induced Alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly inhibited by knocking down β-catenin expression in cells using siRNA. Real-time RT-PCR results further showed down regulation of Runx2, Osteocalcin, Alkaline phosphatase, Bone sialoprotein gene expression in β-catenin siRNA transfected cells with/without PTH treatment. These results clearly indicate that PTH stimulates Wnt/β-catenin pathway in MC3T3-E1 cells and osteoblast differentiation markers expression was up-regulated by activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Our study demonstrated that PTH-induced osteoblast differentiation mainly through activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells.     

Dimethyloxalylglycine Prevents Bone Loss in Ovariectomized C57BL/6J Mice through Enhanced Angiogenesis and Osteogenesis

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α (HIF-1α) plays a critical role in angiogenesis-osteogenesis coupling during bone development and bone regeneration. Previous studies have shown that 17β-estradiol activates the HIF-1α signaling pathway and that mice with conditional activation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway in osteoblasts are protected from ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss. In addition, it has been shown that hypoxia facilitates the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and modulates Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Therefore, we hypothesized that activation of the HIF-1α signaling pathway by hypoxia-mimicking agents would prevent bone loss due to estrogen deficiency. In this study, we confirmed the effect of dimethyloxalylglycine (DMOG), a hypoxia-mimicking agent, on the HIF-1α signaling pathway and investigated the effect of DMOG on MSC osteogenic differentiation and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. We then investigated the effect of DMOG treatment on OVX-induced bone loss. Female C57BL/6J mice were divided into sham, OVX, OVX+L-DMOG (5 mg/kg/day), and OVX+H-DMOG (20 mg/kg/day) groups. At sacrifice, static and dynamic bone histomorphometry were performed with micro computed tomography (micro-CT) and undecalcified sections, respectively. Bone strength was assessed with the three-point bending test, and femur vessels were reconstructed and analyzed by micro-CT. Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), osteocalcin, and C-terminal telopeptides of collagen type(CTX) were measured by ELISA. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was used to assess osteoclast formation. Alterations in the HIF-1α and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in the bone were detected by western blot. Our results showed that DMOG activated the HIF-1α signaling pathway, which further activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and enhanced MSC osteogenic differentiation. The micro-CT results showed that DMOG treatment improved trabecular bone density and restored the bone microarchitecture and blood vessels in OVX mice. Bone strength was also partly restored in DMOG-treated OVX mice. Dynamic bone histomorphometric analysis of the femur metaphysic revealed that DMOG increased the mineralizing surface, mineral apposition rate, and bone formation rate. The serum levels of VEGF and osteocalcin were higher in DMOG-treated OVX mice. However, there were no significant differences in serum CTX or in the number of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-stained cells between DMOG-treated OVX mice and OVX mice. Western blot results showed that DMOG administration partly rescued the decrease in HIF-1α and β-catenin expression following ovariectomy. Collectively, these results indicate that DMOG prevents bone loss due to ovariectomy in C57BL/6J mice by enhancing angiogenesis and osteogenesis, which are associated with activated HIF-1α and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.     

Receptor for Advanced Glycation End-Products (RAGE) Blockade Do Damage to Neuronal Survival via Disrupting Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling in Spinal Cord Injury

Wnt signaling are recognized key factors in neuronal development, cell proliferation and axonal guidance. However, RAGE effect on wnt signaling after spinal cord injury (SCI) are poorly understood. Our study aims to explore RAGE blockade effect on wnt signaling after SCI. We constructed Allen SCI model and micro-injected with RAGE neutralizing antibody or IgG after injury. We determined β-catenin, wnt3a and its receptor frizzled-5 via Western blot. We determined β-catenin/NeuN expression at 2 weeks after SCI via immunofluorescence (IF). We found that β-catenin, wnt3a and wnt receptor frizzled5 expression were activated after SCI at 3 days after injury. However, RAGE blockade inhibit β-catenin, wnt3a and frizzled5 expression. We found that β-catenin accumulation in NeuN cells were activated after SCI via IF, however, RAGE blockade reduced β-catenin and NeuN positive cells. RAGE blockade attenuated number of survived neurons and decreased area of spared white matter around the epicenter. RAGE signaling may involved in disrupting wnt signaling to aids neuronal recovery after SCI.