Knockdown of p21(Cip1/Waf1) enhances proliferation, the expression of stemness markers, and osteogenic potential in human mesenchymal stem cells

Mammalian aging of many tissues is associated with a decline in the replicative and functional capacity of somatic stem cells. Understanding the basis of this decline is a major goal of aging research. Human bone marrow-derived multipotent stromal cells (MSCs) have been applied in the treatment of fracture nonunion. Clinical application of MSCs requires abundant cells that can be overcome by ex vivo expansion of cells, but often at the expense of stemness and differentiation potentiality. We first demonstrated that late-passage MSCs exhibited decreased proliferation capacity, reduced expression of stemness markers such as Oct-4 and Nanog, and deterioration of osteogenic potential. Further, late-passage MSCs showed increased expression of p21(Cip1/Waf1) (p21), an inhibitor of the cyclin-dependent kinase. Knockdown of p21 by lentivirus-mediated shRNAs against p21 in late-passage MSCs increased the proliferation capacity, the expression of Oct-4 and Nanog, and osteogenic potential compared with cells transduced with control shRNA. More importantly, reduction in p21 expression in MSCs enhanced the bone repair capacity of MSCs in a rodent calvarial defect model. Knockdown of p21 in MSCs also increased the telomerase activity and telomere length, and did not show chromosomal abnormalities or acquire transformation ability. Therefore, these data successfully demonstrate the involvement of senescence gene in the expression of stemness markers and osteogenic potential of MSCs.     

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound promotes bone morphogenic protein 9-induced osteogenesis and suppresses inhibitory effects of inflammatory cytokines on cellular responses via Rho-associated kinase 1 in human periodontal ligament fibroblasts

Periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLFs) have osteogenic capacity, producing bone matrix proteins. Application of bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs) to PDLFs is a promising approach for periodontal regeneration. However, in chronic bone metabolic disorders, such as periodontitis, proper control of accompanying inflammation is essential for optimizing the effects of BMPs on PDLFs. We have previously shown that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a medical technology that induces mechanical stress using sound waves, significantly promotes osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells. Here, we demonstrate that LIPUS promotes the BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of PDLFs. In contrast, BMP2-induced osteogenic differentiation was not altered by LIPUS, probably due to the LIPUS-induced secretion of Noggin, a BMP2 antagonist, from PDLFs. To examine if LIPUS affects inflammatory responses of PDLFs to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) derived from Porphyromonas gingivalis (LPS-PG), we also simultaneously treated PDLFs with LIPUS and LPS-PG. Treatment with LIPUS significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of ERKs, TANK-binding kinase 1, and interferon regulatory factor 3 in LPS-PG-stimulated PDLFs, in addition to inhibiting the degradation of IκB. Furthermore, LIPUS treatment reduced messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-8, C-C motif chemokine ligand 2, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), CXCL10 and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, and also diminished IL-1ß and tumor necrosis factor a (TNFa)-induced inflammatory reactions. Phosphorylation of Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1) was induced by LIPUS, while ROCK1-specific inhibitor prevented the promotive effects of LIPUS on p38 phosphorylation, mRNA expression of CXCL1 and Noggin, and osteogenesis. The suppressive effects of LIPUS on LPS-PG-stimulated inflammatory reactions were also prevented by ROCK1 inhibition. Moreover, LIPUS treatment blocked inhibitory effects of LPS-PG and IL-1ß on osteogenesis. These results indicate that LIPUS suppresses inflammatory effects of LPS-PG, IL-1ß, and TNFa and also promotes BMP9-induced osteogenesis through ROCK1 in PDLFs.     

Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on the differentiation of C2C12 cells

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is known to accelerate bone regeneration, but the precise cellular mechanism is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of LIPUS on the differentiation of pluripotent mesenchymal cell line C2C12. The cells were cultured in differentiation medium with or without the addition of LIPUS stimulation. The ultrasound signal consisted of 1.5 MHz at an intensity of 70 mW/cm2 for 20 min for all cultures. To verify the cell lineage after LIPUS stimulation, mRNA expression of cellular phenotype-specific markers characterizing osteoblasts (Runx2, Msx2, Dlx5, AJ18), chondroblasts (Sox9), myoblasts (MyoD), and adipocytes (C/EBP, PPARgamma) was studied using real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The protein expression of Runx2 and activated phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) were performed using Western blotting. The mRNA expression of Runx2, Msx2, Dlx5, AJ18, and Sox9 was increased markedly by the LIPUS stimulation, whereas the expression of MyoD, C/EBP, and PPARgamma was drastically decreased. In the Western blot analysis, LIPUS stimulation increased Runx2 protein expression and phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK. Our study demonstrated that LIPUS stimulation converts the differentiation pathway of C2C12 cells into the osteoblast and/or chondroblast lineage via activated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK.     

Role of Nanog in the maintenance of marrow stromal stem cells during post natal bone regeneration

Post natal bone repair elicits a regenerative mechanism that restores the injured tissue to its pre-injury cellular composition and structure and is believed to recapitulate the embryological processes of bone formation. Prior studies showed that Nanog, a central epigenetic regulator associated with the maintenance of embryonic stem cells (ESC) was transiently expressed during fracture healing, Bais et al. In this study, we show that murine bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) before they are induced to undergo osteogenic differentiation express ～50× the background levels of Nanog seen in murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) and the W20-17 murine marrow stromal cell line stably expresses Nanog at ～80× the MEF levels. Nanog expression in this cell line was inhibited by BMP7 treatment and Nanog lentivrial shRNA knockdown induced the expression of the terminal osteogenic gene osteocalcin. Lentivrial shRNA knockdown or lentiviral overexpression of Nanog in bone MSCs had inverse effects on proliferation, with knockdown decreasing and overexpression increasing MSC cell proliferation. Surgical marrow ablation of mouse tibia by medullary reaming led to a ～3-fold increase in Nanog that preceded osteogenic differentiation during intramembranous bone formation. Lentiviral shRNA knockdown of Nanog after surgical ablation led to an initial overexpression of osteogenic gene expression with no initial effect on bone formation but during subsequent remodeling of the newly formed bone a ～50% decrease was seen in the expression of terminal osteogenic gene expression and a ～50% loss in trabecular bone mass. This loss of bone mass was accompanied by an increased ～2- to 5-fold adipogenic gene expression and observed increase of fat cells in the marrow space. In summary these data show that Nanog is expressed during surgically induced marrow bone formation and is functionally involved in post natal marrow stromal cell maintenance and differentiation.     

Epigenetic changes of mesenchymal stem cells in three‐dimensional (3D) spheroids

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold profound promise in tissue repair/regeneration. However, MSCs undergo remarkable spontaneous differentiation and aging during monolayer culture expansion. In this study, we found that 2–3 days of three‐dimensional (3D) spheroid culture of human MSCs (hMSCs) that had been expanded in monolayer for six passages increased their clonogenicity and differentiation potency to neuronal cells. Moreover, in accordance with these changes, the expression levels of miRNA which were involved in stem cell potency were changed and levels of histone H3 acetylation in K9 in promoter regions of Oct4, Sox2 and Nanog were elevated. Our results indicate that spheroid culture increases their multi‐potency and changes the epigenetic status of pluripotent genes in hMSCs.     

Osteogenic potential of rat mesenchymal stem cells after several passages

Osteogenic potential of serially passaged rat bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMCs) was evaluated for clinical feasibility. Osteogenic differentiation in vitro was evaluated by means of the concentration and mRNA expression of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. For in vivo osteogenesis, BMCs in various degrees of differentiation were implanted into the athymic mice. Although elevated levels of osteogenic markers were prominent in the less passaged BMCs continuously cultured with osteogenic supplements (OS group), they decreased with passaging. Similar to the in vitro experiments, abundant bone and cartilage formations inside the membrane were observed in the P0 through P2 cells of the OS group. In the P3 cells, however, the chambers were filled with fibrous tissues showing the failure of osteogenesis. Establishment of the culture conditions that permit the rapid expansion of BMCs while retaining their potential for differentiation will be required for future clinical applications.     

Activation of the Cpx phosphorelay signal transduction system in acidic phospholipid-deficient pgsA mutant cells of Escherichia coli

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been used as a safe and effective modality to enhance fracture healing. As the most abundant cells in bone, osteocytes orchestrate biological activities of effector cells via direct cell-to-cell contacts and by soluble factors. In this study, we have used the osteocytic MLO-Y4 cells to study the effects of conditioned medium from LIPUS-stimulated MLO-Y4 cells on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Conditioned media from LIPUS-stimulated MLO-Y4 cells (LIPUS-Osteocyte-CM) were collected and added on MC3T3-E1 cell cultures. MC3T3-E1 cells cultured in LIPUS-Osteocyte-CM demonstrated a significant inhibition of proliferation and an increased alkaline phosphatase activity. The results of PGE(2) and NO assay showed that LIPUS could enhance PGE(2) and NO secretion from MLO-Y4 cells at all time points within 24h after LIPUS stimulation. We conclude that LIPUS regulates proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts through osteocytes in vitro. Increased secretion of PGE(2) from osteocytes may play a role in this effect.     

High affinity leptin receptors are present in human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from control and osteoporotic donors

There are disparate observations on central and peripheral effects of leptin, but several studies consistently support its role as a link between fat and bone. Bone marrow stroma contains mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which differentiate into osteoblasts and adipocytes, among others. In this study we assessed the expression of leptin receptors protein in MSCs from control and osteoporotic postmenopausal donors and their change during osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Also, we assessed the effects of leptin on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of these cells. We demonstrated high affinity leptin binding (KD = 0.36 +/- 0.02 nM) in both types of cells. Binding was very low under basal, but increased significantly (2-3 times) through osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. Osteoporotic MSCs showed lower leptin binding capacity than control cells at an early osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation time, which could restrict cell sensitivity to the protective action of leptin. In this regard, we observed that leptin significantly inhibited adipocyte differentiation in control but not in osteoporotic MSCs, while it exerted a low stimulatory effect on calcium deposition (10%-20%) in both types of MSCs cells. In summary, we report the presence of high affinity leptin receptors on control and osteoporotic MSCs, which were modified distinctly by osteogenic and adipogenic stimulation and a direct and distinct effect of leptin on both type of cells.     

Phospholipase C-gamma1 interacts with conserved phosphotyrosyl residues in the linker region of Syk and is a substrate for Syk.

Antigen receptor ligation on lymphocytes activates protein tyrosine kinases and phospholipase C-gamma (PLC-gamma) isoforms. Glutathione S-transferase fusion proteins containing the C-terminal Src-homology 2 [SH2(C)] domain of PLC-gamma1 bound to tyrosyl phosphorylated Syk. Syk isolated from antigen receptor-activated B cells phosphorylated PLC-gamma1 on Tyr-771 and the key regulatory residue Tyr-783 in vitro, whereas Lyn from the same B cells phosphorylated PLC-gamma1 only on Tyr-771. The ability of Syk to phosphorylate PLC-gamma1 required antigen receptor ligation, while Lyn was constitutively active. An mCD8-Syk cDNA construct could be expressed as a tyrosyl-phosphorylated chimeric protein tyrosine kinase in COS cells, was recognized by PLC-gamma1 SH2(C) in vitro, and induced tyrosyl phosphorylation of endogenous PLC-gamma1 in vivo. Substitution of Tyr-525 and Tyr-526 at the autophosphorylation site of Syk in mCD8-Syk substantially reduced the kinase activity and the binding of this variant chimera to PLC-gamma1 SH2(C) in vitro; it also failed to induce tyrosyl phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1 in vivo. In contrast, substitution of Tyr-348 and Tyr-352 in the linker region of Syk in mCD8-Syk did not affect the kinase activity of this variant chimera but almost completely eliminated its binding to PLC-gamma1 SH(C) and completely eliminated its ability to induce tyrosyl phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1 in vivo. Thus, an optimal kinase activity of Syk and an interaction between the linker region of Syk with PLC-gamma1 are required for the tyrosyl phosphorylation of PLC-gamma1.     

长期培养人脐带间充质干细胞分化能力改变的研究

目的:分析体外传代培养至23代,人脐带间充质干细胞(human umbilical cord-MSCs, hUC-MSCs)多向分化能力的改变,以探索hUC-MSCs体外诱导分化的最佳时间窗。方法:采用胶原酶消化法提取hUC-MSCs,并用胰酶消化传代;收集不同代细胞,用流式细胞术检测细胞表面抗原及细胞周期;MTT法检测不同代细胞的增殖活性;取不同代细胞进行成骨、成软骨及成脂肪诱导鉴定;并利用实时定量PCR分别检测OCT-4、SOX-2、Nanog的mRNA表达水平。结果:用胶原酶消化法可获得形态均一,可稳定传代23代以上的hUC-MSCs;体外传代培养至23代,细胞表面标志物表达率无明显改变;细胞生长曲线形态相似;细胞周期亦无明显差异,(73.04±1.15)%的细胞处于G0/G1期;细胞均可被诱导成骨细胞、软骨细胞和脂肪细胞;不同代细胞OCT-4、SOX-2、Nanog 的mRNA表达无显著差异。结论:体外培养至23代,随着传代次数的增加,hUC-MSCs的多向分化能力并未受影响。     

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．     

Forced expression of Sox2 or Nanog in human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells maintains their expansion and differentiation capabilities

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human bone marrow have capability to differentiate into cells of mesenchymal lineage. The cells have already been applied in various clinical situations because of their expansion and differentiation capabilities. The cells lose their capabilities after several passages, however. With the aim of conferring higher capability on human bone marrow MSCs, we introduced the Sox2 or Nanog gene into the cells. Sox2 and Nanog are not only essential for pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells, but also expressed in somatic stem cells that have superior expansion and differentiation potentials. We found that Sox2-expressing MSCs showed consistent proliferation and osteogenic capability in culture media containing basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) compared to control cells. Significantly, in the presence of bFGF in culture media, most of the Sox2-expressing cells were small, whereas the control cells were elongated in shape. We also found that Nanog-expressing cells even in the absence of bFGF had much higher capabilities for expansion and osteogenesis than control cells. These results demonstrate not only an effective way to maintain proliferation and differentiation potentials of MSCs but also an important implication about the function of bFGF for self-renewal of stem cells including MSCs.     

Effect of TAK1 on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by regulating BMP-2 via Wnt/β-catenin and MAPK pathway

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. In vitro osteogenic differentiation is critical but the molecular mechanism has yet to be further clarified. The role of TGF-β activated kinase 1 (TAK1) in MSCs osteogenesis differentiation has not been reported. By adding si-TAK1 and rhTAK1, the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs was measured. Expression levels of the osteoblastic marker genes during osteogenic differentiation of MSCs were checked. As well as molecules involved in BMP and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways. The phosphorylation of p38 and JNK was also checked. TAK1 is essential for mineralization of MSCs at low concentration, but excessive rhTAK1 inhibits mineralization of MSCs. It up regulates the expression levels of bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteocalcin (OSC), Alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and RUNX2 during osteogenic differentiation of MSCs. It can also promote TGF-β/BMP-2 gene expression and β-catenin expression, and down regulate GSK-3β expression. Meanwhile, TAK1 promotes the phosphorylation of p38 and JNK. Additionally, TAK1 up regulates the expression of BMP-2 at all concentration under the inhibition of p38 and JNK. Our results suggested that TAK1 is essential in MSCs osteogenesis differentiation, and functions as a double-edged sword, probably through regulation of β-catenin and p38/JNK.