mTORC1 Signaling Promotes Osteoblast Differentiation from Preosteoblasts

Preosteoblasts are precursor cells that are committed to the osteoblast lineage. Differentiation of these cells to mature osteoblasts is regulated by the extracellular factors and environmental cues. Recent studies have implicated mTOR signaling in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation. However, mTOR exists in two distinct protein complexes (mTORC1 and mTORC2), and the specific role of mTORC1 in regulating the progression of preosteoblasts to mature osteoblastis still unclear. In this study, we first deleted Raptor, a unique and essential component of mTORC1, in primary calvarial cells. Deletion of Raptor resulted in loss of mTORC1 but an increase in mTORC2 signaling without overtly affecting autophagy. Under the osteogenic culture condition, Raptor-deficient cells exhibited a decrease in matrix synthesis and mineralization. qPCR analyses revealed that deletion of Raptor reduced the expression of late-stage markers for osteoblast differentiation (Bglap, Ibsp, and Col1a), while slightly increasing early osteoblast markers (Runx2, Sp7, and Alpl). Consistent with the findings in vitro, genetic ablation of Raptor in osterix-expressing cells led to osteopenia in mice. Together, our findings have identified a specific role for mTORC1 in the transition from preosteoblasts to mature osteoblasts.     

Low-Power GaAlAs Laser Irradiation Promotes the Proliferation and Osteogenic Differentiation of Stem Cells via IGF1 and BMP2

Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) has been found to induce various biological effects and cellular processes. Also, LPLI has been shown to promote fracture repair. Until now, it has been unclear how LPLI promotes bone formation and fracture healing. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential mechanism of LPLI-mediated enhancement of bone formation using mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (D1 cells). D1 cells were irradiated daily with a gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser at dose of 0, 1, 2, or 4 J/cm(2). The lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay showed no cytotoxic effects of LPLI on D1 cells, and instead, LPLI at 4 J/cm(2) significantly promoted D1 cell proliferation. LPLI also enhanced osteogenic differentiation in a dose-dependent manner and moderately increased expression of osteogenic markers. The neutralization experiments indicated that LPLI regulated insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) signaling to promote cell proliferation and/or osteogenic differentiation. In conclusion, our study suggests that LPLI may induce IGF1 expression to promote both the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of D1 cells, whereas it may induce BMP2 expression primarily to enhance osteogenic differentiation.     

Tenuigenin Promotes Proliferation and Differentiation of Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells

The present study was to investigate the influence of tenuigenin, an active ingredient of Polygala tenuifolia Willd, on the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells in vitro. Tenuigenin was added to a neurosphere culture and neurosphere growth was measured using MTT assay. The influence of tenuigenin on the proliferation of neural progenitors was examined by Clone forming assay and BrdU detection. In addition, the differentiation of neural stem cells was compared using immunocytochemistry for β III-tubulin and GFAP. The results showed that addition of tenuigenin to the neural stem cell medium increased the number of newly formed neurospheres. More neurons were also obtained when tenuigenin was added in the differentiation medium. These findings suggest that tenuigenin is involved in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of hippocampal neural stem cells. This result may be one of the underlying reasons for tenuigenin’s nootropic and anti-aging effects.     

Periostin Promotes Neural Stem Cell Proliferation and Differentiation following Hypoxic-Ischemic Injury

Neural stem cell (NSC) proliferation and differentiation are required to replace neurons damaged or lost after hypoxic-ischemic events and recover brain function. Periostin (POSTN), a novel matricellular protein, plays pivotal roles in the survival, migration, and regeneration of various cell types, but its function in NSCs of neonatal rodent brain is still unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of POSTN in NSCs following hypoxia-ischemia (HI). We found that POSTN mRNA levels significantly increased in differentiating NSCs. The proliferation and differentiation of NSCs in the hippocampus is compromised in POSTN knockout mice. Moreover, NSC proliferation and differentiation into neurons and astrocytes significantly increased in cultured NSCs treated with recombinant POSTN. Consistently, injection of POSTN into neonatal hypoxic-ischemic rat brains stimulated NSC proliferation and differentiation in the subventricular and subgranular zones after 7 and 14 days of brain injury. Lastly, POSTN treatment significantly improved the spatial learning deficits of rats subjected to HI. These results suggest that POSTN significantly enhances NSC proliferation and differentiation after HI, and provides new insights into therapeutic strategies for the treatment of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.     

肌成纤维细胞促进小鼠胚胎肝干细胞的增殖和分化

移植细胞的增殖和分化需要微环境支持。作为最重要的微环境成分,肌成纤维细胞在肿瘤的生长过程中发挥着重要作用。该实验Hepa1-6肿瘤细胞上清液在体外激活成纤维细胞分化为肌成纤维细胞,探讨肌成纤维细胞上清对小鼠胚胎肝干细胞（embryonic hepatic stem cells,EHSCs）HP14.5增殖和分化的影响。实验将EHSCs HP14.5分为三组：DMEM培养液处理组（DMEM组）、成纤维细胞上清液处理组（CMFb组）及肌成纤维细胞上清液处理组（CMAFb组）。MTT法绘制三组HP14.5细胞生长曲线图,免疫荧光法及Real-time PCR法检分别测白蛋白（albumin,ALB）、甲胎蛋白（alpha fetoprotein,AFP）、细胞角蛋白18（cytokeratin 18,CK18）的蛋白及mRNA表达情况,PAS染色法检测糖原合成状况。MTT法检测显示,CMAFb组胚胎肝干细胞增殖明显速度较其他两组快。免疫荧光染色及Real-time PCR结果显示,HP14.5培养5 d后,CMAFb组ALB和CK18的蛋白及mRNA表达水平以及糖原合成水平显著高于CMFb组及DMEM组,而AFP蛋白和mRNA表达水平明显降低。该实验表明,Hepa1-6激活的成纤维细胞能促进胚胎干肝细胞的增殖以及分化为有功能的成熟肝细胞。     

The Effects of the Endocannabinoids Anandamide and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol on Human Osteoblast Proliferation and Differentiation

The endocannabinoid system is expressed in bone, although its role in the regulation of bone growth is controversial. Many studies have examined the effect of endocannabinoids directly on osteoclast function, but few have examined their role in human osteoblast function, which was the aim of the present study. Human osteoblasts were treated from seeding with increasing concentrations of anandamide or 2-arachidonoylglycerol for between 1 and 21 days. Cell proliferation (DNA content) and differentiation (alkaline phosphatase (ALP), collagen and osteocalcin secretion and calcium deposition) were measured. Anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol significantly decreased osteoblast proliferation after 4 days, associated with a concentration-dependent increase in ALP. Inhibition of endocannabinoid degradation enzymes to increase endocannabinoid tone resulted in similar increases in ALP production. 2-arachidonoylglycerol also decreased osteocalcin secretion. After prolonged (21 day) treatment with 2-arachidonoylglycerol, there was a decrease in collagen content, but no change in calcium deposition. Anandamide did not affect collagen or osteocalcin, but reduced calcium deposition. Anandamide increased levels of phosphorylated CREB, ERK 1/2 and JNK, while 2-arachidonoylglycerol increased phosphorylated CREB and Akt. RT-PCR demonstrated the expression of CB₂ and TRPV1, but not CB₁ in HOBs. Anandamide-induced changes in HOB differentiation were CB₁ and CB₂-independent and partially reduced by TRPV1 antagonism, and reduced by inhibition of ERK 1/2 and JNK. Our results have demonstrated a clear involvement of anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol in modulating the activity of human osteoblasts, with anandamide increasing early cell differentiation and 2-AG increasing early, but decreasing late osteoblast-specific markers of differentiation.     

重组Osx腺病毒载体的构建及其调控成骨细胞增殖与分化的作用

构建表达成骨相关转录因子Osx的腺病毒,观察Osx对原代培养的小鼠成骨细胞增殖与分化的调控作用。将Osx编码基因克隆入腺病毒载体pAdEasy中,经293A包装后得到重组腺病毒,感染原代培养的小鼠颅骨细胞,茜素红染色观察矿化程度,实时定量RT-PCR检测成骨相关标志基因的转录水平,流式细胞检测细胞周期的改变。结果发现,①得到的病毒滴度为2×109PFU/ml,最佳感染复数为50;②表达Osx并不能够促进成骨细胞的矿化;③定量RT-PCR表明表达Osx 1d、3d、6d后成骨分化标志骨钙素、骨涎蛋白、Ⅰ型胶原蛋白的表达量明显上调(p<0.01);④流式细胞仪的结果表明Osx能够促进成骨细胞的增殖(p<0.01)。通过腺病毒在原代培养的成骨细胞中表达Osx能够促进成骨细胞的增殖,并对其分化具有一定的调控作用,为Osx在各种骨损伤的基因治疗应用方面提供了基础。     

Sonic Hedgehog Regulates Osteoblast Function by Focal Adhesion Kinase Signaling in the Process of Fracture Healing

Several biological studies have indicated that hedgehog signaling plays an important role in osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, and sonic hedgehog (SHH) expression is positively correlated with phosphorylated focal adhesion kinase (FAK) Tyr³⁹⁷. However, the relationship between them and their role in the process of normal fracture repair has not been clarified yet. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that SHH and pFAK Tyr³⁹⁷ were expressed in bone marrow cells and that pFAK Tyr³⁹⁷ was also detected in ALP-positive osteoblasts near the TRAP-positive osteoclasts in the fracture site in the ribs of mice on day 5 after fracture. SHH and pFAK Tyr³⁹⁷ were detectable in osteoblasts near the hypertrophic chondrocytes on day 14. In vitro analysis showed that SHH up-regulated the expression of FAK mRNA and pFAK Tyr³⁹⁷ time dependently in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. Functional analysis revealed that 5 lentivirus encoding short hairpin FAK RNAs (shFAK)-infected MC3T3-E1 cell groups displayed a round morphology and decreased proliferation, adhesion, migration, and differentiation. SHH stimulated the proliferation and differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, but had no effect on the shFAK-infected cells. SHH also stimulated osteoclast formation in a co-culture system containing MC3T3-E1 and murine CD11b⁺ bone marrow cells, but did not affect the shFAK-infected MC3T3-E1 co-culture group. These data suggest that SHH signaling was activated in osteoblasts at the dynamic remodeling site of a bone fracture and regulated their proliferation and differentiation, as well as osteoclast formation, via FAK signaling.     

Targeted Delivery of Lovastatin and Tocotrienol to Fracture Site Promotes Fracture Healing in Osteoporosis Model: Micro-Computed Tomography and Biomechanical Evaluation

Osteoporosis is becoming a major health problem that is associated with increased fracture risk. Previous studies have shown that osteoporosis could delay fracture healing. Although there are potential agents available to promote fracture healing of osteoporotic bone such as statins and tocotrienol, studies on direct delivery of these agents to the fracture site are limited. This study was designed to investigate the effects of two potential agents, lovastatin and tocotrienol using targeted drug delivery system on fracture healing of postmenopausal osteoporosis rats. The fracture healing was evaluated using micro CT and biomechanical parameters. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into 6 groups. The first group was sham-operated (SO), while the others were ovariectomized (OVx). After two months, the right tibiae of all rats were fractured at metaphysis region using pulsed ultrasound and were fixed with plates and screws. The SO and OVxC groups were given two single injections of lovastatin and tocotrienol carriers. The estrogen group (OVx+EST) was given daily oral gavages of Premarin (64.5 µg/kg). The Lovastatin treatment group (OVx+Lov) was given a single injection of 750 µg/kg lovastatin particles. The tocotrienol group (OVx+TT) was given a single injection of 60 mg/kg tocotrienol particles. The combination treatment group (OVx+Lov+TT) was given two single injections of 750 µg/kg lovastatin particles and 60 mg/kg tocotrienol particles. After 4 weeks of treatment, the fractured tibiae were dissected out for micro-CT and biomechanical assessments. The combined treatment group (OVx+Lov+TT) showed significantly higher callus volume and callus strength than the OVxC group (p<0.05). Both the OVx+Lov and OVx+TT groups showed significantly higher callus strength than the OVxC group (p<0.05), but not for callus volume. In conclusion, combined lovastatin and tocotrienol may promote better fracture healing of osteoporotic bone.     

Quercetin Promotes Proliferation and Differentiation of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells After Oxygen/Glucose Deprivation-Induced Injury

The aim of this study was to investigate quercetin’s (Qu) ability to promote proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) under oxygen/glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced injury in vitro. The results showed that after OGD, OPCs survival rate was significantly increased by Qu as measured by Cell Counting Kit-8. Furthermore, Qu treatment reduced apoptosis of OPCs surveyed by Hoechst 33258 nuclear staining. Qu at 9 and 27 μM promoted the proliferation of OPCs the most by Brdu and Olig2 immunocytochemical staining after OGD 3 days. Also, Qu treatment for 8 days after OGD, the differentiation of OPCs to oligodendrocyte was detected by immunofluorescence staining showing that O4, Olig2, and myelin basic protein (MBP) positive cells were significantly increased compared to control group. Additionally, the protein levels of Olig2 and MBP of OPCs were quantified using western blot and mRNA levels of Olig2 and Inhibitor of DNA binding 2 (Id2) were measured by RT-PCR. Western blot showed a significant increase in Olig2 and MBP expression levels compared with controls after OGD and Qu treatment with a linear does–response curve from 3 to 81 μM. After treatment with Qu compared to its control group, Olig2 mRNA level was significantly up-regulated, whereas Id2 mRNA level was down-regulated. In conclusion, Qu at 3–27 μM can promote the proliferation and differentiation of OPCs after OGD injury and may regulate the activity of Olig2 and Id2.     

Long-Term Potentiation Promotes Proliferation/Survival and Neuronal Differentiation of Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells

Neural stem cell (NSC) replacement therapy is considered a promising cell replacement therapy for various neurodegenerative diseases. However, the low rate of NSC survival and neurogenesis currently limits its clinical potential. Here, we examined if hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), one of the most well characterized forms of synaptic plasticity, promotes neurogenesis by facilitating proliferation/survival and neuronal differentiation of NSCs. We found that the induction of hippocampal LTP significantly facilitates proliferation/survival and neuronal differentiation of both endogenous neural progenitor cells (NPCs) and exogenously transplanted NSCs in the hippocampus in rats. These effects were eliminated by preventing LTP induction by pharmacological blockade of the N-methyl-D-aspartate glutamate receptor (NMDAR) via systemic application of the receptor antagonist, 3-[(R)-2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl]-propyl-1-phosphonic acid (CPP). Moreover, using a NPC-neuron co-culture system, we were able to demonstrate that the LTP-promoted NPC neurogenesis is at least in part mediated by a LTP-increased neuronal release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its consequent activation of tropomysosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) receptors on NSCs. Our results indicate that LTP promotes the neurogenesis of both endogenous and exogenously transplanted NSCs in the brain. The study suggests that pre-conditioning of the host brain receiving area with a LTP-inducing deep brain stimulation protocol prior to NSC transplantation may increase the likelihood of success of using NSC transplantation as an effective cell therapy for various neurodegenerative diseases.     

维生素C通过调控脂肪形成相关基因的转录促进猪前体脂肪细胞的增殖与分化

探讨维生素C（Vit C）诱导猪前体脂肪细胞增殖分化最佳浓度及在分化过程中,5种脂肪形成相关基因peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma(PPARγ)和retinoid X receptor alpha(RXRα),脂肪细胞分化标志基因lipoprotein lipase (LPL),生脂基因phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase(PEPCK)、stearoyl CoA desaturase(SCD) mRNA表达时序性的变化. 以3　d龄猪前体脂肪细胞为实验对象,用Vit C诱导猪前体脂肪细胞增殖分化,分别在增殖分化第2、4、6和8 d收获细胞,利用MTT测定其增殖程度;油红O染色提取法检测其脂肪含量;采用SQ RT PCR法检测脂肪生成相关基因PPARγ、RXRα、LPL、PEPCK和SCD mRNA表达的变化. 结果显示,PPARγ mRNA在诱导分化第2 d时有低水平表达,在诱导分化过程中表达量逐步升高,在终末分化阶段仍保持高水平表达;RXRα mRNA在诱导分化第2和4 d表达量很低,诱导分化第6 d时表达增加.在诱导分化第8 d,RXRα mRNA表达与第6 d相比差异不显著,直至终末分化. 脂肪细胞分化标志基因LPL在第2 d开始表达,第4和6 d逐步升高,在终末分化阶段仍保持高水平的表达;生脂基因PEPCK和SCD mRNA在第2和4 d开始表达,第6和8 d仍保持高水平的表达. 研究结果表明,100 μmol/L的Vit C促进猪前体脂肪细胞增殖能力最强;250 μmol/L Vit C能显著促进猪前体脂肪细胞分化. 其作用机制可能是通过对转录因子PPARγ和RXRα及标志基因LPL mRNA时序性表达的调控来进行的,促进生脂基因的表达,从而诱导脂肪细胞的分化.