P38 and ERK1/2 MAPKs Act in Opposition to Regulate BMP9-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells

Although previous studies have demonstrated that BMP9 is highly capable of inducing osteogenic differentiation and bone formation, the precise molecular mechanism involved remains to be fully elucidated. In this current study, we explore the possible involvement and detail effects of p38 and ERK1/2 MAPKs on BMP9-indcued osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal progenitor cell (MPCs). We find that BMP9 simultaneously stimulates the activation of p38 and ERK1/2 in MPCs. BMP9-induced early osteogenic marker, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and late osteogenic markers, such as matrix mineralization and osteocalcin (OC) are inhibited by p38 inhibitor SB203580, whereas enhanced by ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059. BMP9-induced activation of Runx2 and Smads signaling are reduced by SB203580, and yet increased by PD98059 in MPCs. The in vitro effects of inhibitors are reproduced with adenoviruses expressing siRNA targeted p38 and ERK1/2, respectively. Using mouse calvarial organ culture and subcutaneous MPCs implantation, we find that inhibition of p38 activity leads to significant decrease in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation and bone formation, however, blockage of ERK1/2 results in effective increase in BMP9-indcued osteogenic differentiation in vivo. Together, our results reveal that p38 and ERK1/2 MAPKs are activated in BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MPCs. What is most noteworthy, however, is that p38 and ERK1/2 act in opposition to regulate BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of MPCs.     

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．     

Shh信号参与调控BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化

目的：观察sonic hedgehog（Shh）信号通路在骨形态发生蛋白9（BMP9）诱导的小鼠间充质干细胞（MSCs）C3H10T1/2和C2C12成骨分化中的作用,并初步探讨其作用机制。方法：Shh信号通路抑制剂Cyclopamine和激活剂Purmorphamine以及过表达Shh腺病毒分别作用于BMP9处理的C3H10T1/2和C2C12细胞,碱性磷酸酶（ALP）检测早期成骨指标ALP,茜素红S染色检测晚期成骨指标钙盐沉积,RT-PCR检测Shh信号相关基因以及成骨关键转录因子的表达,Western blot检测Shh的表达,荧光素酶报告基因检测Smad1/5/8的转录调控活性。结果：BMP9促进Shh信号相关基因的表达,激活Shh信号可增强BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2和C2C12细胞早晚期成骨分化并促进了BMP9诱导的Smad荧光素酶活性,抑制Shh信号后作用相反。结论：激活Shh信号通路可促进BMP9诱导的小鼠MSCs成骨分化,抑制其活性后作用相反。     

SFRP5抑制BMP9诱导人脐带间充质干细胞成骨分化的实验研究

目的:探讨脂肪因子分泌型卷曲相关蛋白(secreted frizzled-related protein 5,SFRP5)对骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9,BMP9)诱导人脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells,hUC-MSCs)成骨分化的影响。方法:将人脐带间充质干细胞根据不同的处理因素分为4组:对照组、BMP9组、BMP9+SFRP5组和SFRP5组;分别在3天、5天和7天进行碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)活性读数,7天进行ALP染色,21天进行茜素红染色检测钙盐沉积及油红O染色;收集不同组的细胞用于裸鼠皮下注射成骨模型的建立,4周后取出离体骨进行Micro-CT扫描和分析,获取的标本进行HE、Masson染色,Alcian blue染色及油红O染色检测。Western blot检测成骨分化相关蛋白Runx2和OPN的表达。结果:BMP9组的ALP活性读数和染色结果和茜素红染色结果均较对照组增加,而BMP9+SFRP5组则较BMP9组降低;BMP9处理后出现少量脂滴,而BMP9+SFRP5组脂滴明显增加,SFRP5组脂滴最多;裸鼠皮下注射成骨模型的观察结果显示,对照组和SFRP5组没有形成肉眼可见的皮下包块,BMP9组和BMP9+SFRP5组能生成异位骨;4周后观测大体标本以及进行MicroCT检测,发现BMP9+SFRP5组的骨密度值小于BMP9组(P0.05)。HE、Masson染色,Alcian blue染色结果显示,BMP9组的骨分化程度大于BMP9+SFRP5,油红O染色结果示BMP9+SFRP5组有较多的成脂分化;SFRP5能抑制BMP9诱导的Runx2、OPN的蛋白质表达。结论:SFRP5抑制BMP9诱导的人脐带间充质干细胞成骨分化。     

阻断ERK1/2激酶可增强骨形态发生蛋白9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化

骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9,BMP9)具有很强的诱导间充质干细胞定向成骨分化的能力.但对于其所涉及的相关分子机理了解并不深入.利用BMP9重组腺病毒感染间充质干细胞,Western blot检测ERK1/2激酶的磷酸化,ERK1/2的特异性抑制剂PD98059阻断ERK1/2活性,或以RNA干扰抑制ERK1/2表达,通过体外细胞实验和体内动物实验,初步分析和揭示ERK1/2对于BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化的调控作用及其可能机制.结果发现:BMP9可以促进ERK1/2激酶的磷酸化,ERK1/2抑制剂PD98059可增强由BMP9诱导的碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)活性、骨桥蛋白(osteopontin,OPN)表达和钙盐沉积,并促进由BMP9诱导的Runx2基因的表达和转录活性,以及Smad经典途径的活化;而RNA干扰导致ERK1/2基因沉默同样也可进一步促进BMP9诱导的ALP活性和钙盐沉积,并促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞在裸鼠皮下异位成骨.因此,BMP9可以促进ERK1/2蛋白激酶的活化,而阻断ERK1/2蛋白激酶可进一步增强BMP9诱导的成骨分化,ERK1/2极可能对于BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化起着负向调控作用.     

BMP9诱导人脐带间充质干细胞体内外成骨分化的作用研究

目的:探讨人骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9)在体内外诱导人脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells,hUC-MSCs)成骨分化的作用研究。方法:设立Ad-BMP9处理组和Ad-GFP对照组感染hUC-MSCs,两组细胞分别于3天、5天、7天进行ALP活性检测,14天后采用免疫组织化学染色检测骨钙素(Osteocalcin,OCN)、骨桥蛋白(Osteopotin,OPN)的表达情况,21天后茜素红染色检测矿化结节的形成;然后收集不同分组hUC-MSC用于裸鼠皮下注射成骨模型的建立,4周后取出离体骨进行Micro-CT扫描和分析,并进行H&E、Masson Trichrome、Alcain Blue染色。结果:BMP9处理组的ALP活性和矿化结节形成明显高于对照组,免疫组化染色结果显示BMP9诱导组的OCN、OPG的阳性表达明显高于对照组;裸鼠皮下注射成骨模型的观察结果显示,空白对照组没有形成肉眼可见的皮下包块,仅感染Ad-BMP9的hUC-MSCs能生成异位骨,且形成的异位骨骨量明显,骨密度平均值为396.05±0.60;H&E染色结果显示BMP9诱导生成的异位骨中形成部分成熟的骨基质和骨小梁,Masson Trichrome染色结果显示BMP9明显诱导hUC-MSCs的基质矿化作用,Alcain Blue染色结果显示BMP9明显诱导hUC-MSCs的软骨内成骨作用。结论:BMP9成功诱导人脐带间充质干细胞的体内外成骨作用,为临床骨组织工程的细胞疗法提供了明确的可行性。     

Runx1促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞MEFs的成骨分化

目的:研究Runx1在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9)诱导小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(mouse embryonic fibroblasts,MEFs)成骨分化中的作用。方法:用BMP9腺病毒感染MEFs细胞,利用RT-PCR和Western blot分别在mRNA和蛋白质水平检测Runx1的内源性表达;构建过表达Runx1的重组腺病毒Ad-Runx1,并在mRNA和蛋白质水平验证Ad-Runx1的效果;用Ad-Runx1和BMP9条件培养基共处理MEFs,检测成骨早期指标碱性磷酸酶(ALP)染色和活性,茜素红S染色检测成骨晚期指标钙盐沉积;RT-PCR和Western blot分别检测成骨关键转录因子Runx2在mRNA和蛋白质水平的变化。结果:Ad-BMP9处理MEFs细胞后,可使Runx1在mRNA和蛋白质水平表达上调;构建的Ad-Runx1处理MEFs后,可使Runx1在mRNA和蛋白质水平表达上调;Ad-Runx1处理BMP9诱导的MEFs细胞后,增强了ALP活性和钙盐沉积以及Runx2在mRNA和蛋白质水平的表达。结论:Runx1可以促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞MEFs的成骨分化。     

Osteogenic Differentiation Capacity of Human Skeletal Muscle-Derived Progenitor Cells

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is defined as the formation of ectopic bone in soft tissue outside the skeletal tissue. HO is thought to result from aberrant differentiation of osteogenic progenitors within skeletal muscle. However, the precise origin of HO is still unclear. Skeletal muscle contains two kinds of progenitor cells, myogenic progenitors and mesenchymal progenitors. Myogenic and mesenchymal progenitors in human skeletal muscle can be identified as CD56⁺ and PDGFRα⁺ cells, respectively. The purpose of this study was to investigate the osteogenic differentiation potential of human skeletal muscle-derived progenitors. Both CD56⁺ cells and PDGFRα⁺ cells showed comparable osteogenic differentiation potential in vitro. However, in an in vivo ectopic bone formation model, PDGFRα⁺ cells formed bone-like tissue and showed successful engraftment, while CD56⁺ cells did not form bone-like tissue and did not adapt to an osteogenic environment. Immunohistological analysis of human HO sample revealed that many PDGFRα⁺ cells were localized in proximity to ectopic bone formed in skeletal muscle. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate many biological processes including osteogenic differentiation. We investigated the participation of miRNAs in the osteogenic differentiation of PDGFRα⁺ cells by using microarray. We identified miRNAs that had not been known to be involved in osteogenesis but showed dramatic changes during osteogenic differentiation of PDGFRα⁺ cells. Upregulation of miR-146b-5p and -424 and downregulation of miR-7 during osteogenic differentiation of PDGFRα⁺ cells were confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Inhibition of upregulated miRNAs, miR-146b-5p and -424, resulted in the suppression of osteocyte maturation, suggesting that these two miRNAs have the positive role in the osteogenesis of PDGFRα⁺ cells. Our results suggest that PDGFRα⁺ cells may be the major source of HO and that the newly identified miRNAs may regulate osteogenic differentiation process of PDGFRα⁺ cells.     

骨形态发生蛋白9定向诱导多潜能干细胞成骨分化

为确认和评价骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9, BMP9)定向诱导多潜能干细胞成骨分化的能力,以鼠间充质干细胞C3H10、小鼠胚胎成纤维细胞(mouse embryonic fibroblasts,MEFs)和骨髓基质细胞(bone marrow stromal cell, BMSC)三种多潜能干细胞为目标细胞,用重组腺病毒的方法将BMP9导入细胞,通过荧光素酶报告基因实验、碱性磷酸酶(alkaline phosphatase,ALP)定量测定、钙盐沉积实验、real time PCR、动物实验和组织化学染色等方法,观察BMP9对于多潜能干细胞成骨分化的定向诱导作用．结果提示,BMP9能诱导C3H10、MEFs和BMSC细胞ALP的表达,且具有剂量依赖性．BMP9在体外能够促进C3H10细胞和MEFs细胞的钙盐沉积．经BMP9刺激后,C3H10细胞成骨相关基因ALP、Runx2、骨桥素(osteopontin, OPN)和骨钙素(osteocalcin, OC)的mRNA水平均增加．荧光素酶报告基因实验证实,BMP9可以活化Smad和成骨关键基因Runx2．动物实验和组织化学染色检查显示,BMP9可以诱导C3H10细胞在裸鼠皮下异位成骨,因此,BMP9具有定向诱导多潜能干细胞成骨分化的能力．     

BMP9经JNK激酶途径调控间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化

为了证实JNK激酶在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9) 诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化中的作用,利用重组腺病毒将BMP9导入间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2. 通过碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性测定、钙盐沉积实验、荧光素酶报告基因检测、Western印迹和组织化学染色等方法,检测BMP9是否可经JNK激酶途径调控间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2向成骨分化.动物实验验证在RNA沉默JNK蛋白激酶后,对BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2向成骨分化的影响．结果发现,BMP9可以增强JNK 激酶的磷酸化;利用JNK抑制剂SP600125抑制JNK激酶活性后,BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2的早期成骨指标ALP活性和晚期指标钙盐沉积均受到抑制,而且经典SMAD信号的活化也相应受到抑制;RNA干扰沉默JNK基因表达后,同样也可抑制BMP9 诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性和裸鼠皮下异位成骨．因此表明,BMP9可活化JNK激酶途径从而诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2向成骨分化．     

DLX1对BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化的影响

目的:分析和确认转录因子DLX1在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic protein 9,BMP9)诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化中的作用。方法:首先,BMP9腺病毒感染C3H10T1/2细胞,RT-PCR和Western blot检测DLX1表达变化;随后,利用重组腺病毒技术分别过表达DLX1和RNA干扰(RNA Intenference,RNAi)抑制DLX1的表达,并利用碱性磷酸酶(Alkaline Phosphatase,ALP)染色、钙盐沉积实验(茜素红染色),免疫细胞化学检测骨钙素(osteocalcin,OCN)表达和裸鼠皮下异位成骨实验分析DLX1对于BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化的影响。荧光素酶报告基因实验和Western blot分析DLX1对于BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞Smad1/5/8信号途径的影响。结果:BMP9可以促进C3H10T1/2细胞中DLX1基因和蛋白表达水平;过表达DLX1在体外可进一步促进BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性、钙盐沉积以及OCN的表达,过表达DLX1亦可促进BMP9诱导的裸鼠皮下异位成骨;反之,RNAi抑制DLX1表达后,由BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性、钙盐沉积、OCN表达和裸鼠皮下异位成骨均相应受到抑制。过表达DLX1可进一步增强BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞中Smad/1/5/8的转录调控活性,RNAi降低DLX1表达则可抑制BMP9诱导Smad/1/5/8的转录调控活性。但是,无论过表达DLX1和RNAi降低DLX1表达均不会对BMP9诱导的Smad/1/5/8磷酸化造成影响。结论:DLX1可以调节BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化,其调节作用可能是通过影响Smad1/5/8信号的转录调控活性而实现的。     

RUNX2对BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化的影响

目的:研究和确认RUNX2在骨形态发生蛋白9(BMP9)诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化中的作用。方法:通过Western blot、RT-PCR、荧光素酶活性分析检测BMP9对RUNX2表达的影响;分别在过表达RUNX2和RNA干扰抑制RUNX2表达的情况下,利用碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性测定和染色、钙盐沉积实验,免疫细胞化学和裸鼠皮下异位成骨实验分析RUNX2对于BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞成骨分化的影响。结果:BMP9可以促进RUNX2的表达;RUNX2体外可促进BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2的ALP活性和钙盐沉积,却抑制了OCN表达,RUNX2还可促进BMP9诱导的裸鼠皮下异位成骨;而在降低RUNX2表达后,BMP9诱导的C3H10T1/2细胞的ALP活性、钙盐沉积、OCN表达和裸鼠皮下异位成骨均受到抑制。结论:RUNX2可以促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化。     

机械力对间充质干细胞向成骨细胞分化的力学响应机制研究

间充质干细胞的分化受多种因素的影响,其中力学是重要因素之一.为了探讨力学信号在间充质干细胞分化中的传导机制,利用力学加载装置在成骨细胞诱导体系条件下,对小鼠骨髓间充质干细胞系(D1细胞)加载不同拉伸应变,运用RT-PCR方法、Flou-3-AMCa2 染色技术、激光共聚焦显微镜技术及5种信号阻断剂,SB203580(p38MAPK特异抑制剂)、PD98059(MEK-1/2MAPK特异抑制剂)、LY294002(PI3Ks特异抑制剂)、细胞松弛素B(微丝结构阻断剂)、EGTA(Ca2 螯合剂),探讨力学信号的基本传导途径.结果显示:3%的拉伸应变能明显提高细胞内Ca2 水平;细胞微丝结构破坏后,延迟了3%拉伸应变对细胞内Ca2 水平增加的影响;细胞外Ca2 螯合后,拉伸应变不能促进细胞内Ca2 水平的升高,该结果提示,拉伸应变对细胞内Ca2 水平的影响主要通过细胞外Ca2 的内流实现.5种信号阻断剂能完全阻断干细胞向成骨细胞分化过程中关键基因骨钙蛋白(osteocalcin,OCN)和OSX mRNA的表达.p38MAPK途径、MEK-1/2MAPK途径被阻断后,拉伸应变激活了OCN和Osterix(OSX,与成骨细胞分化相关的关键基因)mRNA的表达;PI3Ks途径阻断后,拉伸应变部分激活了OCN和OSX mRNA的表达;细胞微丝破坏及胞外Ca2 螯合后,拉伸应变不能促进OCN和OSXmRNA的表达.上述结果表明:力学信号通过Ca2 信号、细胞微丝结构以及PI3Ks信号途径引起细胞的应答反应和生物学效应.     

大戟苷抑制大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞成骨分化

目的:观察泽漆主要活性成分大戟苷(euphornin)对大鼠骨髓间充质干细胞(rMSC)成骨分化的影响。方法:从大鼠股骨中分离培养rMSC,并诱导其成骨分化。用MTT法检测细胞增殖情况,通过茜素红染色,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性检测和钙含量测定分别定性、定量地判断其在成骨分化中的效果。实时定量PCR(Q-PCR)检测主要成骨标志因子骨桥蛋白(OPN)和一型胶原蛋白(COL-Ⅰ)及主要转录因子骨形成蛋白2(BMP2)、Runt相关转录因子2(Runx2)和Osterix(Osx)mRNA的表达。结果:大戟苷能剂量依赖性地抑制rMSC成骨分化,并一定程度地抑制其细胞增殖。COL-Ⅰ和OPN的表达在第4、8天分别有显著下降。BMP2、Runx2和Osx等关键转录因子的表达也被明显抑制。结论:大戟苷能抑制rMSC成骨分化,其作用主要是通过抑制BMP通路相关因子的表达而实现的。     

SATB2促进BMP9诱导C2C12细胞的成骨分化

目的:研究特异AT序列结合蛋白2(Special AT-rich sequence-binding protein 2,SATB2)在骨形态发生蛋白9(bone morphogenetic proteins 9,BMP9)诱导的间充质干细胞(mesenchymal stem cells,MSCs)C2C12成骨分化中的作用。方法:首先用Ad-BMP9感染C2C12细胞,RT-PCR检测SATB2在基因水平上的表达变化,Western blot检测SATB2在蛋白水平上的变化;构建过表达SATB2重组腺病毒Ad-SATB2,感染C2C12细胞后,Western blot验证Ad-SATB2表达情况;用AdSATB2处理BMP9诱导的C2C12细胞,碱性磷酸酶(ALP)活性和染色检测成骨早期ALP的变化,茜素红S染色检测成骨晚期指标钙盐沉积的变化。结果:Ad-BMP9处理C2C12细胞后,比对照组SATB2在基因水平和蛋白水平上表达量上调;Ad-SATB2可以在细胞中成功表达SATB2蛋白;用Ad-SATB2处理BMP9诱导的C2C12细胞后,ALP以及钙盐的沉积与对照比较均上调。结论:SATB2可以促进BMP9诱导的间充质干细胞C2C12的成骨分化。     

MiR-21协同BMP9促进间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化

目的:探讨miR-21与BMP9之间的关系,明确miR-21在BMP9诱导间充质干细胞成骨分化中的作用。方法:(1)Ad-BMP9感染C3H10T1/2细胞,Real-time-PCR检测miR-21表达。RT-PCR检测ALP的表达。(2)MiR-21转染C3H10T1/2细胞,Real-time-PCR检测miR-21和BMP9表达。(3)MiR-21和BMP9-CM处理C3H10 T1/2细胞,ALP活性和染色实验检测C3H10 T1/2细胞早期成骨能力。茜素红S染色实验检测钙盐沉积情况。(4)MiR-21和BMP9-CM处理C3H10 T1/2细胞,Real-time-PCR检测成骨分化相关因子ALP,OCN的表达。(5)MiR-21和BMP9-CM处理C3H10T1/2细胞,Western blot检测p-Smad1/5蛋白水平的表达。结果:(1)BMP9暂时降低miR-21的表达。MiR-21也可以暂时降低BMP9的表达。(2)MiR-21可以协同BMP9增强ALP和钙盐沉积。(3)MiR-21协同BMP9增加了p-Smad1/5蛋白水平的表达。结论:MiR-21与BMP9存在相互关系,两者可以互相调节表达。MiR-21可以协同BMP9促进间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化,这一过程与增强BMP9/Smad信号的激活程度有关。     

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。     

过表达miR-155抑制BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化

目的:研究过表达miR-155对BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化的影响。方法:(1)用重组腺病毒Ad-BMP9(BMP9)诱导C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化,定量PCR(qPCR)检测miR-155的表达,RT-PCR检测Runx2和ALP的表达。(2)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,qPCR检测miR-155的表达,ALP活性和染色检测早期成骨能力。(3)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,诱导分化14d茜素红S染色检测晚期成骨能力。(4)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,qPCR检测成骨分化相关基因Runx2、OSX、COL1A1、ALP、OCN和OPN的表达。(5)miR-155和BMP9共同处理C3H10T1/2细胞,Western blot检测p-Smad1/5/8、OCN和OPN蛋白水平的表达。(6)qPCR和Western blot分别检测HIF1α和VEGF的mRNA表达水平和蛋白质表达水平。(7)应用荧光素酶报告基因对miR-155的靶基因进行筛选和验证。结果:在BMP9诱导C3H10T1/2细胞成骨分化过程中,过表达miR-155降低ALP活性及染色;减少钙盐沉积;成骨分化相关基因Runx2、OSX、COL1A1、ALP、OCN和OPN表达降低;抑制p-Smad1/5/8、OCN和OPN蛋白水平的表达;HIF1α和VEGF的mRNA和蛋白表达水平减少。在对靶基因的检测中,过表达miR-155可以抑制HIF1α蛋白水平的表达,但对其mRNA水平无明显影响。结论:miR-155过表达减弱BMP9诱导间充质干细胞C3H10T1/2成骨分化,可能是通过抑制Smad/BMP信号通路发挥作用,也有可能是通过抑制靶基因HIF1α的表达来发挥作用。     

Morphology-Based Prediction of Osteogenic Differentiation Potential of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) are widely used cell source for clinical bone regeneration. Achieving the greatest therapeutic effect is dependent on the osteogenic differentiation potential of the stem cells to be implanted. However, there are still no practical methods to characterize such potential non-invasively or previously. Monitoring cellular morphology is a practical and non-invasive approach for evaluating osteogenic potential. Unfortunately, such image-based approaches had been historically qualitative and requiring experienced interpretation. By combining the non-invasive attributes of microscopy with the latest technology allowing higher throughput and quantitative imaging metrics, we studied the applicability of morphometric features to quantitatively predict cellular osteogenic potential. We applied computational machine learning, combining cell morphology features with their corresponding biochemical osteogenic assay results, to develop prediction model of osteogenic differentiation. Using a dataset of 9,990 images automatically acquired by BioStation CT during osteogenic differentiation culture of hBMSCs, 666 morphometric features were extracted as parameters. Two commonly used osteogenic markers, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and calcium deposition were measured experimentally, and used as the true biological differentiation status to validate the prediction accuracy. Using time-course morphological features throughout differentiation culture, the prediction results highly correlated with the experimentally defined differentiation marker values (R>0.89 for both marker predictions). The clinical applicability of our morphology-based prediction was further examined with two scenarios: one using only historical cell images and the other using both historical images together with the patient''s own cell images to predict a new patient''s cellular potential. The prediction accuracy was found to be greatly enhanced by incorporation of patients'' own cell features in the modeling, indicating the practical strategy for clinical usage. Consequently, our results provide strong evidence for the feasibility of using a quantitative time series of phase-contrast cellular morphology for non-invasive cell quality prediction in regenerative medicine.     

Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Mineralized Alginate Matrices

Mineralized biomaterials are promising for use in bone tissue engineering. Culturing osteogenic cells in such materials will potentially generate biological bone grafts that may even further augment bone healing. Here, we studied osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in an alginate hydrogel system where the cells were co-immobilized with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) for gradual mineralization of the microenvironment. MSC were embedded in unmodified alginate beads and alginate beads mineralized with ALP to generate a polymer/hydroxyapatite scaffold mimicking the composition of bone. The initial scaffold mineralization induced further mineralization of the beads with nanosized particles, and scanning electron micrographs demonstrated presence of collagen in the mineralized and unmineralized alginate beads cultured in osteogenic medium. Cells in both types of beads sustained high viability and metabolic activity for the duration of the study (21 days) as evaluated by live/dead staining and alamar blue assay. MSC in beads induced to differentiate in osteogenic direction expressed higher mRNA levels of osteoblast-specific genes (RUNX2, COL1AI, SP7, BGLAP) than MSC in traditional cell cultures. Furthermore, cells differentiated in beads expressed both sclerostin (SOST) and dental matrix protein-1 (DMP1), markers for late osteoblasts/osteocytes. In conclusion, Both ALP-modified and unmodified alginate beads provide an environment that enhance osteogenic differentiation compared with traditional 2D culture. Also, the ALP-modified alginate beads showed profound mineralization and thus have the potential to serve as a bone substitute in tissue engineering.