Cbfa1/Runx2与成骨细胞分化调控

成骨细胞是由间充质干细胞经骨原细胞和前成骨细胞分化而来的。近年来已鉴定转录因子Cbfal(core binding factor α1)是成骨细胞分化和骨形成的关键调控因子。在成骨细胞分化的过程中,Cbfal通过调控成骨细胞特异性细胞外基质蛋白基因的表达和成骨细胞周期参与成骨细胞的分化过程。新近发现Cbfal能通过自身的PST序列区域与Smads结合形成复合物共同参与成骨细胞的分化调控。     

成骨细胞特异性转录因子Cbfa1重组腺病毒质粒的构建与鉴定

目的:构建成骨细胞特异性转录因子——核心结合因子α1(Cbfa1)重组腺病毒载体,为后期应用Cbfa1基因治疗股骨头坏死、骨折和骨缺损等疾病奠定基础。方法:以目的基因Cbfa1全长cDNA为模板进行PCR扩增,将扩增产物克隆到pShuttle-CMV载体的相应酶切位点,获得目的基因载体pShuttle-CMV-Cbfa1,在大肠杆菌BJ5183中和pAdEasy-1同源重组,筛选阳性克隆,经酶切、PCR及测序鉴定,线性化后用脂质体法转染HEK293细胞进行包装、扩增,用报告基因GFP对病毒滴度和感染效率进行监测,酚氯仿抽提纯化病毒,AdEasy1/Cbfa1感染间充质干细胞(MSC)后检测Cbfa1的表达。结果:测序、酶切及PCR证实Cbfa1基因重组腺病毒载体构建成功,AdEasy1/Cbfa1感染MSC后Cbfa1的表达显著升高。结论:构建了含Cbfa1基因的重组腺病毒载体,该基因能促进MSC向成骨细胞分化,预示其可作为治疗基因应用于股骨头坏死、骨折和骨缺损的治疗。     

骨形成蛋白诱导型真核载体的构建及其表达

成骨分化相关基因骨钙素 (OC)等的启动子内均含有成骨特异性转录因子Cbfa1特异性作用元件 ,而骨形成蛋白 (bonemorphogeneticprotein ,BMP)的促成骨分化作用正是通过其首先引起Cbfa1的升高 ,而后Cbfa1激活这些基因的表达 ,最终出现成骨分化表型 .为解决BMP没有理想的活性测定方法的问题 ,在RT PCR结果证实BMP 2可促进NIH3T3和C2C12细胞Cbfa1表达后 ,构建了串联6个Cbfa1作用元件的小鼠OC部分启动子 (6OCP)控制萤光素酶 (luciferase)报告基因的真核表达质粒 ,以期来放大BMP诱导报告基因表达的作用效果 .即通过细胞转染、rhBMP 2刺激后检测萤光素酶活性变化 ,从而间接定量测定rhBMP 2的生物学活性 .结果表明 ,pcDNA3 6OCP Luc转染细胞后其报告基因的基础活性较pcDNA3 Luc大为降低 ;而且在一定剂量范围内 ,转染细胞的萤光素酶活性 (荧光值 )随rhBMP 2剂量增加而升高 ,并呈线性正相关 ,为建立BMP活性定量测定的方法打下基础     

Adenovirus-mediated transfer of siRNA against Runx2/Cbfa1 inhibits the formation of heterotopic ossification in animal model

The heterotopic ossification of muscles, tendons, and ligaments is a common problem faced by orthopaedic surgeons. Runx2/Cbfa1 plays an essential role during the osteoblast differentiation and is considered as a molecular switch in osteoblast biology. RNA interference technology is a powerful tool for silencing endogenous or exogenous genes in mammalian cells. In this study, we investigated the effect of Runx2/Cbfa1-specific siRNA on osteoblast differentiation and mineralization in osteoblastic cells, and then constructed adenovirus containing siRNA against Runx2/Cbfa1 (Ad-Runx2-siRNA) to inhibit the formation of heterotopic ossification induced by BMP4, demineralized bone matrix, and trauma in animal model. Our results showed that the Runx2/Cbfa1-specific siRNA could inhibit the expression of Runx2/Cbfa1 at the level of mRNA and protein. Analysis of the expression of osteoblast maturation genes including type I collagen, osteopontin, bone sialoprotein, and osteocalcin, alkaline phosphatase activity, and matrix mineralization (von kossa) revealed that osteoblast differentiation was inhibited in cultured primary mouse osteoblasts transduced with Ad-Runx2-siRNA. Furthermore, adenovirus-mediated transfer of siRNA against Runx2/Cbfa1 could inhibit the formation of heterotopic ossification induced by BMP4, demineralized bone matrix, and trauma in animal model. It is likely that the inhibition of Runx2/Cbfa1 by RNAi could be developed as a powerful approach to prevent or treat heterotopic ossification.