circ_0001461靶向抑制miR-30a-5p对骨肉瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨circ_0001461对骨肉瘤细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及调控机制。方法：采用实时荧光定量聚合酶反应（qRT-PCR）检测检测circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织和细胞中的表达水平。在U2OS和HOS细胞中转染sh-NC和sh-circ_0001461后,采用CCK8检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡情况,qRT-PCR检测增殖相关分子Ki-67 mRNA的表达水平,Western Blot检测凋亡相关分子Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白的表达水平。采用双荧光素酶报告基因检测circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p的结合情况。结果：circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织中的表达水平明显高于癌旁正常组织（P<0.05）,circ_0001461在骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS中的表达水平均明显高于成骨细胞NHOst（P<0.05）。低表达circ_0001461能够抑制骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS的增殖和增殖相关分子Ki-67的表达（P<0.05）;促进骨肉瘤细胞U2OS和HOS的凋亡和凋亡相关分子Cleaved-caspase-3蛋白的表达（P<0.05）。双荧光素酶结果显示circ_0001461能够靶向结合miR-30a-5p。低表达circ_0001461能够促进miR-30a-5p的表达（P<0.05）,circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p在骨肉瘤组织中的表达呈负相关（P<0.05）。在U2OS细胞中共转染sh-circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p mimics后能够进一步加强单独转染sh-circ_0001461对U2OS细胞增殖和凋亡的影响（P<0.05）;在HOS细胞中共转染sh-circ_0001461和miR-30a-5p inhibitors后能够逆转单独转染sh-circ_0001461对U2OS细胞增殖和凋亡的影响（P>0.05）。结论：circ_0001461在骨肉瘤组织和细胞中明显高表达,低表达circ_0001461能够靶向促进miR-30a-5p的表达进而抑制骨肉瘤细胞增殖和促进细胞凋亡。     

长非编码RNA SNAI3-AS1调控人软骨细胞C28/I2增殖能力及退变的机制研究

摘要 目的：为了探究长非编码RNA SNAI3-AS1（LncRNA SNAI3-AS1,即SNAI3-AS1）在骨性关节炎（osteoarthritis,OA）进展中的作用与机制。方法：通过全转录组测序筛选出在OA中差异表达的lncRNA SNAI3-AS1,并通过实时荧光定量PCR（qRT-PCR）检测SNAI3-AS1在软骨细胞退变模型中的表达情况。在软骨细胞C28/I2中分别转染SNAI3-AS1特异性siRNA或真核过表达质粒,分别敲低或过表达SNAI3-AS1,通过MTT、平板克隆形成和EdU掺入实验检测细胞增殖活力,Western Blot检测炎症和细胞外基质蛋白的表达情况。通过生物信息学网站预测SNAI3-AS1相互作用的miRNA和下游靶基因,并通过双荧光素酶报告基因和RIP实验进行验证。结果：相较于正常软骨细胞, SNAI3-AS1的表达水平在OA中显著下调。敲低正常软骨细胞中SNAI3-AS1的表达后,软骨细胞的增殖能力减弱并促进了软骨细胞的退变,而在OA模型的软骨细胞中过表达SNAI3-AS1后,软骨细胞的增殖活力加强并抑制了软骨细胞的退变。在机制上,SNAI3-AS1可充当竞争性内源性RNA（ceRNA）,经海绵吸附miR-2278间接上调PRELP,发挥促进软骨细胞增殖和抑制其退变的作用。结论：LncRNA SNAI3-AS1通过LncRNA SNAI3-AS1/ miR-2278/PRELP轴参与骨性关节炎的发生发展过程。     

LncRNA MEG3通过抑制Wnt/β-catenin信号通路对骨关节炎软骨细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的:探讨长链非编码RNA(Long non-coding RNA,LncRNA)人母系表达基因(Maternally expressed gene 3,MEG3)对骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)软骨细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及作用机制。方法:选取我院住院的OA患者和半月板损伤患者各40例,采用RT-PCR检测两组患者软骨组织和细胞中MEG3的表达。在OA软骨细胞中,转染si RNA-MEG3(si-MEG3)或过表达MEG3的慢病毒载体(LV-MEG3),采用CCK8法检测细胞增殖情况,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期和凋亡情况,RT-PCR和western blot检测PCNA、Dvl2、GSK-3β、cyclinD1和β-catenin m RNA和蛋白表达。结果:OA患者膝关节软骨组织中MEG3的表达水平明显低于半月板损伤患者软骨组织(P0.05),同时OA软骨细胞中MEG3的表达水平明显低于正常软骨细胞(P0.05)。OA软骨细胞转染siMEG3后,细胞增殖能力和PCNA表达明显下降(P均0.05),G0/G1期细胞比例明显升高(P0.05),S期细胞比例明显下降(P0.05),细胞凋亡率明显增加(P均0.05)。低表达MEG3能够显著降低Dvl2、GSK-3β、cyclinD1和β-catenin m RNA和蛋白表达水平(P均0.05),增加GSK-3βm RNA和蛋白表达水平(P均0.05)。在OA软骨细胞转染LV-MEG3后,细胞增殖能力和PCNA表达明显升高(P均0.05),G0/G1期细胞比例明显下降(P0.05),S期细胞比例明显增加(P0.05),细胞凋亡率明显减少(P均0.05)。高表达MEG3能够显著增加OA软骨细胞中Dvl2、GSK-3β、cyclinD1和β-catenin m RNA和蛋白表达水平(P均0.05),降低GSK-3βm RNA和蛋白表达(P均0.05)。同时,采用XAV939阻滞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路能够显著逆转过表达MEG3对OA软骨细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。结论:MEG3在OA患者和软骨细胞中均显著低表达,并能够通过阻滞Wnt/β-catenin信号通路激活影响OA软骨细胞增殖和凋亡。MEG3可能成为OA治疗的重要靶分子。     

p14ARF对人黑色素瘤细胞增殖的影响及其作用机理的初探

ARF(alternative reading frame)作为INK4a/ARF的β转录产物,能够稳定p53, 诱导细胞周期阻断或凋亡.利用高表达p14^ARF的人黑色素瘤细胞模型,探讨了ARF抑制细胞增殖的分子作用机理.研究发现p14^ARF高表达能将细胞周期阻断在G1和G2期, p53, p21^cip1和p27^kip1蛋白水平明显增强, 而p-ERK1/2,CyclinD1和CyclinE蛋白水平下降, 明显抑制细胞生长. 提示p14^ARF能通过ERK(extracellular signal-regulated kinase)信号通路相互协调作用抑制A375细胞增殖.     

miR-130a-3p调控SOX4对骨关节炎软骨细胞增殖、分化和炎症因子释放的影响

目的:探讨miR-130a-3p对骨关节炎(osteoarthritis, OA)软骨细胞增殖、分化和炎症因子释放的影响及作用机制。方法:收集我院住院的40例半月板损伤患者和40例OA患者,采用RT-PCR检测半月板损伤患者和OA患者膝关节软骨组织中miR-130a-3p的表达。在OA软骨细胞中分别转染miR-NC、miR-130a-3p mimics、miR-130a-3p inhibitors、si RNA-SOX4(si-SOX4)或过表达SOX4的慢病毒载体(LV-SOX4),采用CCK8法检测细胞增殖情况;RT-PCR和western blot检测细胞分化相关分子BMP2和BMP4;RT-PCR检测炎症因子IFN-γ和TNF-α的表达。结果:半月板损伤患者软骨组织和软骨细胞中miR-130a-3p的表达明显高于OA患者(P均0.05),而SOX4的表达水平明显低于OA患者(P0.05)。OA患者膝关节软骨组织中miR-130a-3p和SOX4的表达呈显著负相关(P0.05)。miR-130a-3p mimics能够明显促进OA软骨细胞增殖(P0.05)、增加分化相关分子BMP2和BMP4的表达(P均0.05)以及抑制炎症因子IFN-γ和TNF-α的表达(P均0.05)。miR-130a-3p inhibitors能够明显抑制OA软骨细胞增殖(P0.05)、分化相关分子BMP2和BMP4的表达(P均0.05)以及促进炎症因子IFN-γ和TNF-α的表达(P均0.05)。OA软骨细胞在转染miR-130a-3p mimics后,SOX4 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平明显降低(P均0.05),在转染miR-130a-3p inhibitors后,SOX4 mRNA和蛋白的表达水平明显升高(P均0.05)。双荧光素酶结果显示miR-130a-3p能够靶向结合SOX4。在OA软骨细胞中,采用si RNA低表达SOX4后,明显促进细胞增殖和分化以及抑制炎症因子的释放。共转染miR-130a-3p mimics和LV-SOX4能够逆转过表达miR-130a-3p对OA软骨细胞增殖、分化和炎症因子释放的影响(P均0.05),而共转染miR-130a-3p inhibitors和LV-SOX4能够进一步加强低表达miR-130a-3p对OA软骨细胞增殖、分化和炎症因子的影响(P均0.05)。结论:miR-130a-3p在OA中明显低表达,并能够通过靶向抑制SOX4促进OA软骨细胞增殖、分化和炎症因子释放。     

不同浓度姜黄素对胃癌SGC-7901细胞增殖、自噬性凋亡和TGF-β/Smad信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：研究不同浓度姜黄素（Cur）体外对胃癌SGC-7901细胞增殖、自噬性凋亡和TGF-β/Smad信号通路的影响。方法：体外培养SGC-7901细胞,以不同浓度Cur作用于SGC-7901细胞。MTT法检测不同浓度的Cur对SGC-7901细胞增殖的影响。Hoechst 33258法观察不同浓度Cur对SGC-7901细胞凋亡影响,流式细胞仪检测细胞凋亡率。划痕实验检测不同浓度Cur对SGC-7901迁移能力的影响。免疫印迹法检测细胞凋亡相关蛋白NF-κB、自噬相关蛋白Beclin1、LC3Ⅱ及TGF-β/Smad信号通路蛋白TGF-β和p-smad2/3表达。结果：Cur能够抑制胃癌SGC-7901细胞的增殖和迁移,并且Cur对增殖和迁移的影响具有浓度依赖性。Cur能够促进胃癌SGC-7901细胞自噬性凋亡的发生,Cur浓度越高,SGC-7901细胞凋亡率越高（P<0.05）。Cur处理胃癌SGC-7901细胞后NF-κB、Beclin1、LC3Ⅱ表达明显升高,而TGF-β、p-smad2/3表达明显降低,且NF-κB、Beclin1、LC3Ⅱ、TGF-β和p-smad2/3的变化具有浓度依赖性。结论：Cur能够抑制胃癌SGC-7901细胞增殖和迁移并诱导自噬性凋亡的发生,其机制与促进NF-κB、Beclin1、LC3Ⅱ表达,抑制TGF-β/Smad信号通路激活有关。     

紫丁香苷调控PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路诱导乳腺癌细胞凋亡的研究

目的 研究紫丁香苷的抗乳腺癌作用及分子机制，为紫丁香苷的临床应用提供理论依据。方法 MTT检测紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞增殖的抑制作用；台盼蓝、TUNEL和Annexin V-FITC/PI染色检测细胞的凋亡状况，Western bolt检测Caspase-3的活化情况，判断细胞凋亡是否发生；检测凋亡相关蛋白B淋巴细胞瘤2（Bcl-2）的表达，结合JC-1染色探讨紫丁香苷对线粒体凋亡途径的影响；运用PI3K激动剂Recilisib做对比，qRT-PCR和Western bolt检测紫丁香苷调控PI3K/Akt/mTOR通路诱导癌细胞凋亡的作用。结果 紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞的增殖具有时间和剂量依赖的抑制作用，能诱导癌细胞发生凋亡。进一步研究发现，紫丁香苷处理后，细胞内Caspase-3被激活，Bcl-2表达下降，线粒体膜电位明显丧失，PI3K、Akt和mTOR的mRNA与蛋白质水平表达无明显变化，但蛋白质磷酸化水平明显下降；Recilisib处理后部分抵消了紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞凋亡的作用。结论 紫丁香苷对乳腺癌细胞MDA-MB-231和MCF-7具有良好的抑制作用，其通过抑制PI3K/Akt/mTOR信号通路的活化来抑制细胞增殖并诱导细胞发生线粒体途径的凋亡。紫丁香苷是具有开发潜力的抗乳腺癌药物。     

MiR-127-5p通过靶向调节adipoR1促进骨关节炎软骨细胞的增殖

脂联素（adiponection）与骨关节炎（osteoarthritis, OA）的发病密切相关,且主要通过其受体adipoR1发挥作用。而骨关节炎中脂联素的表达是否受miRNA表达的影响却未见报道。本文旨在研究miR-127-5p对骨关节炎软骨细胞中脂联素及细胞增殖的影响。分离培养人原代OA软骨细胞及对应正常细胞,甲苯胺蓝染色和II型胶原免疫细胞化学染色进行鉴定。 Real-time PCR结果表明,OA软骨细胞中miR-127-5p的表达与正常软骨细胞中的相比较显著下降。MiR-127-5p转染可显著降低荧光素酶报告基因的荧光强度（P<0.05）,表明adipoR1为miR-127-5p的靶向基因。MiR-127-5p mimic转染软骨细胞后,MTT法研究结果表明,miR-127-5p mimic 可显著促进软骨细胞增殖,Western 印迹结果表明,脂联素及其受体（adipoR1）表达显著上升,p65的表达以及p38、ERK1/2以及IkBα的磷酸化水平显著下降。ELISA结果表明,MMP-1、MMP-3、MMP-13的含量显著下降。实验结果提示,miR-127-5p通过靶向下调adipoR1及脂联素的表达,促进软骨细胞增殖,并且抑制NF-κB信号通路,进而抑制炎性反应。     

TMED10对骨关节炎中TGF-β/Smads信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：探究跨膜P24转运蛋白10（TMED10）对骨关节炎中转化生长因子-β（TGF-β）/Smads信号通路的影响。方法：将大鼠软骨细胞分为Control组、IL-1β组、NC-sh+IL-1β组、TMED10-sh+IL-1β组、NC-OE+IL-1β组和TMED10-OE+IL-1β组。Control组和IL-1β组细胞不进行转染处理,NC-sh+IL-1β组、TMED10-sh+IL-1β组、NC-OE+IL-1β组和TMED10-OE+IL-1β组细胞分别转染NC-sh、TMED10-sh、NC-OE和TMED10-OE。转染后,除Control组之外,其他组软骨细胞均用白介素-1β（IL-1β）（10 ng/mL）处理24 h模拟OA软骨细胞的病理微环境。通过MTT法检测细胞增殖,通过TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡。采用前交叉韧带切断加内侧半月板部分切除法建立OA大鼠模型,将OA大鼠分为OA组、OA+NC-sh组和OA+TMED10-sh组（n=12）,Sham组（n=12）大鼠进行假手术操作。Sham组和OA组大鼠关节腔内注射40 μL生理盐水,OA+NC-sh组和OA+TMED10-sh组大鼠关节腔内分别注射40 μL的NC-sh和TMED10-sh（滴度为1×10⁹ TU/mL）,每周注射1次,共4周。采用番红O/固绿染色法评价膝关节软骨形态,采用TUNEL法检测软骨细胞凋亡。采用RT-qPCR检测软骨细胞和大鼠关节软骨中TMED10的mRNA水平,采用Western blot检测软骨细胞和大鼠关节软骨中TMED10、TGF-β1、Smad2、p-Smad2、Smad3、p-Smad3、Collagen II和MMP-13的蛋白表达水平。结果：与Control组比较,IL-1β组TUNEL阳性率、TMED10 mRNA和TMED10、MMP-13蛋白水平均升高（P<0.05）,相对细胞活力以及TGF-β1、p-Smad2/Smad2、p-Smad3/Smad3和Collagen II的蛋白水平均降低（P<0.05）。与IL-1β组和NC-sh+IL-1β组比较,TMED10-sh+IL-1β组TUNEL阳性率、TMED10 mRNA水平和TMED10、MMP-13的蛋白水平均降低（P<0.05）,相对细胞活力以及TGF-β1、p-Smad2/Smad2、p-Smad3/Smad3和Collagen II的蛋白水平均升高（P<0.05）。与IL-1β组和NC-OE+IL-1β组比较,TMED10-OE+IL-1β组TUNEL阳性率、TMED10 mRNA水平和TMED10、MMP-13的蛋白水平均升高（P<0.05）,相对细胞活力以及TGF-β1、p-Smad2/Smad2、p-Smad3/Smad3和Collagen II的蛋白水平均降低（P<0.05）。与Sham组比较,OA组大鼠的OARSI评分、TUNEL阳性率、TMED10 mRNA水平以及TMED10和MMP-13的蛋白水平均升高（P<0.05）,TGF-β1、p-Smad2/Smad2、p-Smad3/Smad3和Collagen II蛋白水平均降低（P<0.05）。与OA组和OA+NC-sh组比较,OA+TMED10-sh组大鼠的OARSI评分、TUNEL阳性率、TMED10 mRNA水平以及TMED10和MMP-13的蛋白水平均降低（P<0.05）,TGF-β1、p-Smad2/Smad2、p-Smad3/Smad3和Collagen II蛋白水平均升高（P<0.05）。结论：本研究表明TMED10可能通过抑制TGF-β/Smads信号通路导致软骨细胞丢失和软骨退变,TMED10/TGF-β/Smads信号通路可能是治疗OA的新靶标。     

TREM1对软骨细胞线粒体动力学及细胞凋亡的影响

摘要 目的：探讨髓系细胞表达激发受体分子1(triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1,TREM1)对软骨细胞线粒体动力学及细胞凋亡的影响,以期为骨关节炎治疗提供新的研究方向。方法：使用白细胞介素-1β（Interleukin-1β,IL-1β）刺激ATDC5小鼠软骨细胞以模拟骨关节炎软骨细胞炎症,qPCR检测白介素-6（IL-6）表达以验证炎性软骨细胞诱导情况,同时检测目标基因TREM1的表达。为观测抑制TREM1对炎性软骨细胞的影响,将细胞分为对照组、IL-1β组及IL-1β+LR12（TREM1抑制剂）组,分别通过Mito-Tracker染色、TUNEL染色观察三组细胞的线粒体动力学和凋亡情况。接着探究过表达TREM1对正常ATDC5软骨细胞的影响,设置空载质粒组、TREM1过表达组及过表达TREM1+LR12处理组,使用Mito-Tracker染色及TUNEL染色检测三组细胞线粒体动力学和凋亡情况。此外,PCR Array检测过表达TREM1对软骨细胞代谢的影响。结果：与对照组相比,IL-1β组IL-6基因表达增加,表明炎性软骨细胞造模成功;TREM1在IL-1β处理后的骨关节炎细胞中表达升高,使用TREM1抑制剂（LR12）处理可有效抑制TREM1的表达,且能明显抑制软骨细胞的炎性因子IL-6的表达。IL-1β组软骨细胞的线粒体动力学失衡和凋亡增加,而IL-1β+LR12组上述情况得到改善。另外,与空载质粒组相比,过表达TREM1组出现线粒体动力学失衡和凋亡增加,但在TREM1+LR12组软骨细胞中线粒体失衡和凋亡增加得到缓解。此外,PCR Array发现过表达TREM1可引起ATDC5细胞的代谢紊乱。结论：TREM1可一定程度损害软骨细胞线粒体动力学平衡及促进细胞凋亡,靶向TREM1可能为骨关节炎治疗提供新的方向。     

Midkine promotes articular chondrocyte proliferation through the MK-LRP1-nucleolin signaling pathway

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common disease of joint tissues; unfortunately, there are currently no curative therapies available for OA. Chondrocytes, the only cell type residing in cartilage, secrete many types of collagen (the mainly one is type II collagen) and aggrecan, which are the main components of the cartilage matrix. Chondrocyte apoptosis can lead to OA degenerative progression. We previously indicated that recombinant human midkine (rhMK), as a chondrocyte growth factor has a significant reparative effect on cartilage injury animal models. However, the molecular mechanism of this restorative function remains under investigation. Herein, we focused on the molecular mechanism underlying the role of MK in promoting the proliferation of chondrocytes cultured in vitro. Chondrocytes from rats and OA patients were successfully isolated by the digestion of articular cartilage using type II collagenase, and their proliferation was evaluated by a CCK8 assay and flow cytometry. rhMK stimulated the proliferation of chondrocytes from both OA patients and rats. Furthermore, qRT-PCR, shRNA-mediated knockdown, Western blot and immunoprecipitation (IP) assays were performed to identify the receptor and key elements responsible for the role of MK in promoting chondrocyte proliferation. Low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) was identified as the dominant MK receptor in chondrocytes that, as a translocator, mediates the endocytosis of MK. After being transferred into chondrocytes, MK was shown to form a complex with nucleolin that interacts with the active form of K-Ras. Upon the activation of ERK1/2, cyclin D1 expression was upregulated, promoting the chondrocyte cell cycle. Our data reveal for the first time the role of the MK-LRP1-nucleolin signaling pathway in facilitating MK-induced chondrocyte proliferation, thus providing a strong theoretical foundation for the further use of MK in OA clinical therapy.     

miR-382-3p靶向RASA1基因调控骨关节炎软骨细胞增殖和凋亡

目的:探讨mi R-382-3p对骨关节炎软骨细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及其机制。方法:用100 ng/mL的脂多糖(LPS)处理软骨细胞,记为LPS组,以正常培养的软骨细胞作为正常对照(NC)组。mi R-NC、mi R-382-3p、anti-miR-NC、anti-miR-382-3p转染至软骨细胞中,记为mi R-NC组、mi R-382-3p组、anti-miR-NC组、anti-miR-382-3p组;将mi R-NC、mi R-382-3p、si-NC、si-RASA1转染至软骨细胞后再用100 ng/mL的LPS处理,记为mi R-NC+LPS组、mi R-382-3p+LPS组、si-NC+LPS组、si-RASA1+LPS组;将mi R-382-3p分别与pcDNA-NC、pcDNA-RASA1共转染至软骨细胞后再用100 ng/mL的LPS处理,记为mi R-382-3p+pcDNA-NC+LPS组、mi R-382-3p+pcDNA-RASA1+LPS组。实时荧光定量PCR(RT-qPCR)检测mi R-382-3p和Ras p21蛋白活化因子1(RASA1)m RNA表达水平;蛋白质印迹(Western blot)法检测RASA1、细胞周期蛋白D1(CyclinD1)、裂解的半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3(Cleaved-caspase-3)蛋白表达;四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法(MTT)检测细胞存活率;流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡;荧光素酶报告实验检测mi R-382-3p和RASA1的靶向关系。结果:LPS诱导的软骨细胞中mi R-382-3p表达水平显著降低,RASA1表达水平显著升高,CyclinD1表达水平显著降低,Cleaved-caspase-3表达水平显著升高,细胞存活率显著降低,细胞凋亡率显著升高(P0.05)。过表达mi R-382-3p和敲减RASA1,LPS诱导的软骨细胞中CyclinD1表达水平显著升高,Cleaved-caspase-3表达水平显著降低,细胞存活率显著升高,细胞凋亡率显著降低(P0.05)。mi R-382-3p靶向调控RASA1,高表达RASA1部分逆转了mi R-382-3p高表达对LPS处理的软骨细胞增殖和凋亡的影响。结论:过表达mi R-382-3p促进软骨细胞增殖,抑制LPS诱导的软骨细胞凋亡,其机制可能与RASA1有关。     

Downregulation of microRNA-23b protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury via p53 signaling pathway by upregulating MDM4 in rats

Total knee arthroplasty is a commonly performed safe procedure and typically executed in severe knee arthritis, but it also triggers ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). More recently, microRNAs (miRs) have been reported to play a contributory role in IRI through the key signaling pathway. Hence, the current study aimed to investigate the effect and specific mechanism of microRNA-23b (miR-23b), murine double minute 4 (MDM4), and the p53 signaling pathway in IRI rat models. First, the IRI model was established, and the expression pattern of miR-23b, MDM4, and the p53 signaling pathway-related genes was characterized in cartilaginous tissues. Then, miR-23b mimics or inhibitors were applied for the elevation or the depletion of the miR-23b expression and siRNA-MDM4 for the depletion of the MDM4 expression in the articular chondrocytes. By means of immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis, IRI rats exhibited increased miR-23b expression, activated p53 signaling pathway, and decreased MDM4 expression. MDM4 was verified as a target gene of miR-23b through. Downregulated miR-23b increased the expression of MDM4, AKT, and Bcl-2, but decreased the expression of p53, p21, and Bax. In addition, a series of cell experiments demonstrated that downregulated miR-23b promoted articular chondrocyte proliferation and cell cycle entry, but inhibited articular chondrocyte apoptosis. The absence of the effects of miR-23b was observed after MDM4 knocked down. Our results indicate that silencing miR-23b could act to attenuate IRI and reduce the apoptosis of articular chondrocytes through inactivation of the p53 signaling pathway by upregulating MDM4, which provide basic therapeutic considerations for a novel target against IRI.     

Overexpression of Spry1 in chondrocytes causes attenuated FGFR ubiquitination and sustained ERK activation resulting in chondrodysplasia

The FGF signaling pathway plays essential roles in endochondral ossification by regulating osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, chondrocyte proliferation, hypertrophy, and apoptosis. FGF signaling is controlled by the complementary action of both positive and negative regulators of the signal transduction pathway. The Spry proteins are crucial regulators of receptor tyrosine kinase-mediated MAPK signaling activity. Sprys are expressed in close proximity to FGF signaling centers and regulate FGFR-ERK-mediated organogenesis. During endochondral ossification, Spry genes are expressed in prehypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes. Using a conditional transgenic approach in chondrocytes in vivo, the forced expression of Spry1 resulted in neonatal lethality with accompanying skeletal abnormalities resembling thanatophoric dysplasia II, including increased apoptosis and decreased chondrocyte proliferation in the presumptive reserve and proliferating zones. In vitro chondrocyte cultures recapitulated the inhibitory effect of Spry1 on chondrocyte proliferation. In addition, overexpression of Spry1 resulted in sustained ERK activation and increased expression of p21 and STAT1. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that Spry1 expression in chondrocyte cultures resulted in decreased FGFR2 ubiquitination and increased FGFR2 stability. These results suggest that constitutive expression of Spry1 in chondrocytes results in attenuated FGFR2 degradation, sustained ERK activation, and up-regulation of p21Cip and STAT1 causing dysregulated chondrocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation.     

microRNA-206 is required for osteoarthritis development through its effect on apoptosis and autophagy of articular chondrocytes via modulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B-mTOR pathway by targeting insulin-like growth factor-1

microRNA (miR) has been shown to be involved in the treatment of diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to investigate the role of miR-206 in regulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in chondrocyte autophagy and apoptosis in an OA rat model via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (P13K)/protein kinase B (AKT)-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Wistar rats were used to establish the OA rat model, followed by the observation of histopathological changes, Mankin score, and the detection of IGF-1-positive expression and tissue apoptosis. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of miR-206 were analyzed in concert with treatment by an miR-206 mimic, an miR-206 inhibitor, or small interfering RNA against IGF-1 in chondrocytes isolated from OA rats. Then, the expression of miR-206, IGF-1, and related factors in the signaling pathway, cell cycle, and apoptosis, as well as inflammatory factors, were determined. Subsequently, chondrocyte proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, autophagy, and autolysosome were measured. OA articular cartilage tissue exhibited a higher Mankin score, promoted cell apoptotic rate, increased expression of IGF-1, Beclin1, light chain 3 (LC3), Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), autophagy-related 5 (Atg5), caspase-3, and Bax, yet exhibited decreased expression of miR-206, P13K, AKT, mTOR, and Bcl-2. Besides, miR-206 downregulated the expression of IGF-1 and activated the P13K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, miR-206 overexpression and IGF-1 silencing inhibited the interleukins levels (IL-6, IL-17, and IL-18), cell apoptotic rate, the formation of autolysosome, and cell autophagy while promoting the expression of IL-1β and cell proliferation. The findings from our study provide a basis for the efficient treatment of OA by investigating the inhibitory effects of miR-206 on autophagy and apoptosis of articular cartilage in OA via activating the IGF-1-mediated PI3K/AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.     

p53调控骨关节炎软骨细胞凋亡

肿瘤抑制蛋白p53是一种可以有效调节哺乳动物细胞生长的核磷酸化蛋白质。p53表达增加能够激活一系列细胞基因,通过抑制多个细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶导致细胞周期停滞并凋亡。有研究表明,骨关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)软骨细胞中,p53的表达高于正常软骨细胞,通过下调p53表达能够减少软骨细胞凋亡,进而预防和缓解骨关节炎病变,这可能与线粒体凋亡途径密切相关,但是具体机制尚不明确。本文通过综述近年来p53调控骨关节炎软骨细胞凋亡的文献资料,为骨关节炎机制和治疗有关研究提供理论基础。     

microRNA-186 inhibition of PI3K–AKT pathway via SPP1 inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis in mice with osteoarthritis

Chondrocyte apoptosis has been implicated as a major pathological osteoarthritis (OA) change in humans and experimental animals. We evaluate the ability of miR-186 on chondrocyte apoptosis and proliferation in OA and elucidate the underlying mechanism concerning the regulation of miR-186 in OA. Gene expression microarray analysis was performed to screen differentially expressed messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in OA. To validate the effect of miR-186 on chondrocyte apoptosis, we upregulated or downregulated endogenous miR-186 using mimics or inhibitors. Next, to better understand the regulatory mechanism for miR-186 governing SPP1, we suppressed the endogenous expression of SPP1 by small interfering RNA (siRNA) against SPP1 in chondrocytes. We identified SPP1 is highly expressed in OA according to an mRNA microarray data set GSE82107. After intra-articular injection of papain into mice, the miR-186 is downregulated while the SPP1 is reciprocal, with dysregulated PI3K–AKT pathway in OA cartilages. Intriguingly, miR-186 was shown to increase chondrocyte survival, facilitate cell cycle entry in OA chondrocytes, and inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis in vitro by modulation of pro- and antiapoptotic factors. The determination of luciferase activity suggested that miR-186 negatively targets SPP1. Furthermore, we found that the effect of miR-186 suppression on OA chondrocytes was lost when SPP1 was suppressed by siRNA, suggesting that miR-186 affected chondrocytes by targeting and depleting SPP1, a regulator of PI3K–AKT pathway. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism by which miR-186 inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis in OA by interacting with SPP1 and regulating PI3K–AKT pathway. Restoring miR-186 might be a future therapeutic strategy for OA.