激活Shh信号通路促进BMP9诱导的小鼠成肌细胞C2C12向成骨分化

近年来骨组织工程技术迅猛发展,小鼠成肌细胞C2C12因其来源广泛等优点可望成为有效的种子细胞应用于组织工程. 然而,对于C2C12细胞的成骨分化机制仍需深入研究. 为了观察Sonic hedgehog（Shh）信号通路对骨形态发生蛋白9（bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9）诱导的C2C12细胞成骨分化的影响,构建过表达腺病毒Ad Shh,并作用于BMP9处理的C2C12细胞,检测碱性磷酸酶（alkaline phosphatase , ALP）的变化,茜素红S染色检测钙盐沉积,RT PCR检测Shh、骨桥蛋白(osteopontin,OPN)、骨钙素（osteocalcin,OCN）、Runx2、Dlx5、Id1和Id2基因表达,Western印迹检测Shh、OPN、OCN、Runx2和Dlx5的蛋白质表达,Micro-CT和H&E染色检测裸鼠皮下异位成骨包块情况. 结果表明,活化Shh信号通路可促进BMP9诱导的C2C12细胞早晚期成骨分化,以及裸鼠皮下异位成骨.体内外实验证明,Shh信号通路能促进BMP9诱导小鼠成肌细胞C2C12向成骨分化.     

Discovery of sonic hedgehog expression in postnatal growth plate chondrocytes: differential regulation of sonic and Indian hedgehog by retinoic acid

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a key signal protein in early embryological patterning of limb bud development. Its analog, Indian hedgehog (Ihh), primarily expressed during early cartilage development in prehypertrophic chondrocytes, regulates proliferation and suppresses terminal differentiation of postnatal growth plate (GP) chondrocytes. We report here for the first time that both Shh and Ihh mRNA are expressed in the GP of rapidly growing 6-week-old broiler-strain chickens. They are also expressed in other tissues such as articular chondrocytes, kidney, and bone. In situ hybridization and RT-PCR analyses reveal Shh in all zones of the GP, with peak expression in late hypertrophy. Using primary cultures of GP chondrocytes in serum-containing medium, we followed the patterns of Shh and Ihh mRNA expression as the cultures matured and mineralized. We find a cyclical expression of both hedgehog genes during the early period of culture development between day 10 and 14; when one is elevated, the other tended to be suppressed, suggesting that the two hedgehogs may play complementary roles during GP development. Retinoic acid (RA), a powerful modulator of gene expression in cell differentiation, stimulates GP chondrocytes toward terminal differentiation, enhancing mineral formation. We find that RA strongly suppresses Ihh, but enhances expression of Shh in this system. While Ihh suppresses maturation of GP chondrocytes to hypertrophy, we hypothesize that Shh acts to push these cells toward hypertrophy.     

Temporal and spatial expression of osteoactivin during fracture repair

We previously identified osteoactivin (OA) as a novel secreted osteogenic factor with high expression in developing long bones and calvaria, and that stimulates osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization in vitro. In this study, we report on OA mRNA and protein expression in intact long bone and growth plate, and in fracture calluses collected at several time points up to 21 days post‐fracture (PF). OA mRNA and protein were highly expressed in osteoblasts localized in the metaphysis of intact tibia, and in hypertrophic chondrocytes localized in growth plate, findings assessed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Using a rat fracture model, Northern blot analysis showed that expression of OA mRNA was significantly higher in day‐3 and day‐10 PF calluses than in intact rat femurs. Using in situ hybridization, we examined OA mRNA expression during fracture healing and found that OA was temporally regulated, with positive signals seen as early as day‐3 PF, reaching a maximal intensity at day‐10 PF, and finally declining at day‐21 PF. At day‐5 PF, which correlates with chondrogenesis, OA mRNA levels were significantly higher in the soft callus than in intact femurs. Similarly, we detected high OA protein immunoexpression throughout the reparative phase of the hard callus compared to intact femurs. Interestingly, the secreted OA protein was also detected within the newly made cartilage matrix and osteoid tissue. Taken together, these results suggest the possibility that OA plays an important role in bone formation and serves as a positive regulator of fracture healing. J. Cell. Biochem. 111: 295–309, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Longitudinal Analysis of Osteogenic and Angiogenic Signaling Factors in Healing Models Mimicking Atrophic and Hypertrophic Non-Unions in Rats

Impaired bone healing can have devastating consequences for the patient. Clinically relevant animal models are necessary to understand the pathology of impaired bone healing. In this study, two impaired healing models, a hypertrophic and an atrophic non-union, were compared to physiological bone healing in rats. The aim was to provide detailed information about differences in gene expression, vascularization and histology during the healing process. The change from a closed fracture (healing control group) to an open osteotomy (hypertrophy group) led to prolonged healing with reduced mineralized bridging after 42 days. RT-PCR data revealed higher gene expression of most tested osteogenic and angiogenic factors in the hypertrophy group at day 14. After 42 days a significant reduction of gene expression was seen for Bmp4 and Bambi in this group. The inhibition of angiogenesis by Fumagillin (atrophy group) decreased the formation of new blood vessels and led to a non-healing situation with diminished chondrogenesis. RT-PCR results showed an attempt towards overcoming the early perturbance by significant up regulation of the angiogenic regulators Vegfa, Angiopoietin 2 and Fgf1 at day 7 and a further continuous increase of Fgf1, -2 and Angiopoietin 2 over time. However µCT angiograms showed incomplete recovery after 42 days. Furthermore, lower expression values were detected for the Bmps at day 14 and 21. The Bmp antagonists Dan and Twsg1 tended to be higher expressed in the atrophy group at day 42. In conclusion, the investigated animal models are suitable models to mimic human fracture healing complications and can be used for longitudinal studies. Analyzing osteogenic and angiogenic signaling patterns, clear changes in expression were identified between these three healing models, revealing the importance of a coordinated interplay of different factors to allow successful bone healing.