Hyun Ki Kang

Osteoclast Precursors Display Dynamic Metabolic Shifts toward Accelerated Glucose Metabolism at an Early Stage of RANKL-Stimulated Osteoclast Differentiation

Mature osteoclasts have an increased citric acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration to generate high ATP production and ultimately lead to bone resorption. However, changes in metabolic pathways during osteoclast differentiation have not been fully illustrated. We report that glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation characterized by glucose and oxygen consumption as well as lactate production were increased during receptor activator of nuclear factor-ĸB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis from RAW264.7 and bone marrow-derived macrophage cells. Cell proliferation and differentiation varied according to glucose concentrations (0 to 100 mM). Maximal cell growth occurred at 20 mM glucose concentration and differentiation occurred at 5 mM concentration. Despite the similar growth rates exhibited when cultured cells were exposed to either 5 mM or 40 mM glucose, their differentiation was markedly decreased in high glucose concentrations. This finding suggests the possibility that osteoclastogenesis could be regulated by changes in metabolic substrate concentrations. To further address the effect of metabolic shift on osteoclastogenesis, we exposed cultured cells to pyruvate, which is capable of promoting mitochondrial respiration. Treatment of pyruvate synergistically increased osteoclastogenesis through the activation of RANKL-stimulated signals (ERK and JNK). We also found that osteoclastogenesis was retarded by blocking ATP production with either the inhibitors of mitochondrial complexes, such as rotenone and antimycin A, or the inhibitor of ATP synthase, oligomycin. Taken together, these results indicate that glucose metabolism during osteoclast differentiation is accelerated and that a metabolic shift towards mitochondrial respiration allows high ATP production and induces enhanced osteoclast differentiation.

Epidermal cellular response to poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers containing silver nanoparticles.

A heat-treated PVA nanofibrous matrix containing silver (Ag) was prepared by electrospinning an aqueous 10 wt% PVA solution and followed by heat treatment at 150 degrees C for 10 min. The average diameter of the as-spun and heat-treated PVA nanofibers was 330 nm. The heat-treated PVA nanofibrous matrix containing Ag was irradiated with UV light to transform the Ag ions in the nanofibrous matrix into Ag nanoparticles. The in vitro cytotoxicity of the Ag ions and/or nanoparticles on normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEK) and fibroblasts (NHEF) cultures was examined. The PVA nanofibrous matrix containing Ag showed slightly higher level of attachment and spreading in the early stage culture (1 h) than the PVA nanofibers without Ag (control). However, compared with the PVA nanofibers without Ag, the heat-treated and UV-irradiated PVA nanofibers, containing mainly Ag ions and nanoparticles, respectively, showed reduced cell attachment and spreading. This shows that both Ag ions and Ag nanoparticles are cytotoxic to NHEK and NHEF. There was no significant difference in cytotoxicity to NHEK and NHEF between Ag ions and Ag nanoparticles. NHEF appeared to be more sensitive to Ag ions or particles than NHEK. In addition, the residual nitrate ions (NO3(-)) in the PVA nanofibers had an adverse effect on the culture of both cells.

α3β1 integrin promotes cell survival via multiple interactions between 14-3-3 isoforms and proapoptotic proteins

Laminin-5 and alpha3beta1 integrin promote keratinocyte survival; however, the downstream signaling pathways for laminin-5/alpha3beta1 integrin-mediated cell survival had not been fully established. We report the unexpected finding of multiple interactions between 14-3-3 isoforms and proapoptotic proteins in the survival signaling pathway. Ln5-P4 motif within human laminin-5 alpha3 chain promotes cell survival and anti-apoptosis by inactivating Bad and YAP. This effect is achieved through the formation of 14-3-3zeta/p-Bad and 14-3-3sigma/p-YAP complexes, which is initiated by alpha3beta1 integrin and FAK/PI3K/Akt signaling. These complexes result in cytoplasmic sequestration of Bad and YAP and their subsequent inactivation. An increase in Akt1 activity in cells induces 14-3-3zeta and sigma, p-Bad, and p-YAP, promoting cell survival, whereas decreasing Akt activity suppresses the same proteins and inhibits cell survival. Suppression of 14-3-3zeta with RNA-interference inhibits cell viability and promotes apoptosis. These results reveal a new mechanism of cell survival whereby the formation of 14-3-3zeta/p-Bad and 14-3-3sigma/p-YAP complexes is initiated by laminin-5 stimulation via the alpha3beta1 integrin and FAK/PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, thereby resulting in cell survival and anti-apoptosis.

A Biologically Active Sequence of the Laminin α2 Large Globular 1 Domain Promotes Cell Adhesion through Syndecan-1 by Inducing Phosphorylation and Membrane Localization of Protein Kinase Cδ

Laminin-2 promotes basement membrane assembly and peripheral myelinogenesis; however, a receptor-binding motif within laminin-2 and the downstream signaling pathways for motif-mediated cell adhesion have not been fully established. The human laminin-2 α2 chain cDNAs cloned from human keratinocytes and fibroblasts correspond to the laminin α2 chain variant sequence from the human brain. Individually expressed recombinant large globular (LG) 1 protein promotes cell adhesion and has heparin binding activities. Studies with synthetic peptides delineate the DLTIDDSYWYRI motif (Ln2-P3) within the LG1 as a major site for both heparin and cell binding. Cell adhesion to LG1 and Ln2-P3 is inhibited by treatment of heparitinase I and chondroitinase ABC. Syndecan-1 from PC12 cells binds to LG1 and Ln2-P3 and colocalizes with both molecules. Suppression of syndecan-1 with RNA interference inhibits cell adhesion to LG1 and Ln2-P3. The binding of syndecan-1 with LG1 and Ln2-P3 induces the recruitment of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) into the membrane and stimulates its tyrosine phosphorylation. A decrease in PKCδ activity significantly reduces cell adhesion to LG1 and Ln2-P3. Taken together, these results indicate that the Ln2-P3 motif and LG1 domain, containing the motif, within the human laminin-2 α2 chain are major ligands for syndecan-1, which mediates cell adhesion through the PKCδ signaling pathway.

A biologically active sequence of the laminin α2 LG1 domain promotes cell adhesion through syndecan-1 by inducing phosphorylation and membrane localization of the PKCδ

Laminin-2 promotes basement membrane assembly and peripheral myelinogenesis; however, a receptor-binding motif within laminin-2 and the downstream signaling pathways for motif-mediated cell adhesion have not been fully established. The human laminin-2 α2 chain cDNAs cloned from human keratinocytes and fibroblasts correspond to the laminin α2 chain variant sequence from the human brain. Individually expressed recombinant large globular (LG) 1 protein promotes cell adhesion and has heparin binding activities. Studies with synthetic peptides delineate the DLTIDDSYWYRI motif (Ln2-P3) within the LG1 as a major site for both heparin and cell binding. Cell adhesion to LG1 and Ln2-P3 is inhibited by treatment of heparitinase I and chondroitinase ABC. Syndecan-1 from PC12 cells binds to LG1 and Ln2-P3 and colocalizes with both molecules. Suppression of syndecan-1 with RNA interference inhibits cell adhesion to LG1 and Ln2-P3. The binding of syndecan-1 with LG1 and Ln2-P3 induces the recruitment of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) into the membrane and stimulates its tyrosine phosphorylation. A decrease in PKCδ activity significantly reduces cell adhesion to LG1 and Ln2-P3. Taken together, these results indicate that the Ln2-P3 motif and LG1 domain, containing the motif, within the human laminin-2 α2 chain are major ligands for syndecan-1, which mediates cell adhesion through the PKCδ signaling pathway.

Titanium Surface Coating with a Laminin-Derived Functional Peptide Promotes Bone Cell Adhesion

Laminin-derived peptide coatings can enhance epithelial cell adhesion to implants, and the positive effect of these peptides on bone cell adhesion has been anticipated. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the improvement in bone cell attachment to and activity on titanium (Ti) scaffolds coated with a laminin-derived functional peptide, Ln2-P3 (the DLTIDDSYWYRI motif). Four Ti disc surfaces were prepared, and a human osteosarcoma (HOS) cell attachment test was performed to select two candidate surfaces for peptide coating. These two candidates were then coated with Ln2-P3 peptide, a scrambled peptide, or left uncoated to measure cell attachment to each surface, following which one surface was chosen to assess alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and osteogenic marker gene expression with quantitative real-time PCR. On the commercially pure Ti surface, the Ln2-P3 coating significantly increased cellular ALP activity and the expression levels of ALP and bone sialoprotein mRNA as compared with the scrambled peptide-coated and uncoated surfaces. In conclusion, although further in vivo studies are needed, the findings of this in vitro study indicate that the Ln2-P3-coated implant surface promotes bone cell adhesion, which has clinical implications for reducing the overall treatment time of dental implant therapy.

The potential of laminin-2-biomimetic short peptide to promote cell adhesion, spreading and migration by inducing membrane recruitment and phosphorylation of PKCδ.

Laminin α2 chain plays an important role in basement membrane assembly and peripheral myelinogenesis; however, the integrin binding motif within human laminin α2 chain and the signaling pathways downstream of this ligand-receptor interaction are poorly understood. We identified a motif, RNIPPFEGCIWN (Ln2-LG3-P2), within LG3 domain of human laminin α2 chain as a major site for both α3β1 integrin and cellular activities such as cell adhesion, spreading, and migration. Binding of α3β1 integrin with Ln2-LG3-P2 induced the membrane recruitment of protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) and stimulated its tyrosine phosphorylation. The cellular activities induced by Ln2-LG3-P2 and the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) were inhibited by rottlerin, a PKCδ inhibitor, but not by Gö6976, a PKCα/β inhibitor. These results indicate that RNIPPFEGCIWN motif within human laminin α2 chain is a major ligand for α3β1 integrin, and that binding of α3β1 integrin mediates cellular activities through membrane recruitment and tyrosine phosphorylation of PKCδ and FAK phosphorylation.

A laminin‐2‐derived peptide promotes early‐stage peripheral nerve regeneration in a dual‐component artificial nerve graft

The DLTIDDSYWYRI motif (Ln2‐P3) of human laminin‐2 has been reported to promote PC12 cell attachment through syndecan‐1; however, the in vivo effects of Ln2‐P3 have not been studied. In Schwann cells differentiated from skin‐derived precursors, the peptide was effective in promoting cell attachment and spreading in vitro. To examine the effects of Ln2‐P3 in peripheral nerve regeneration in vivo, we developed a dual‐component poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPD)/poly(lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) (PLGA) artificial nerve graft. The novel graft was coated with scrambled peptide or Ln2‐P3 and used to bridge a 10 mm defect in rat sciatic nerves. The dual‐component nerve grafts provided tensile strength comparable to that of a real rat nerve trunk. The Ln2‐P3‐treated grafts promoted early‐stage peripheral nerve regeneration by enhancing the nerve regeneration rate and significantly increased the myelinated fibre density compared with scrambled peptide‐treated controls. These findings indicate that Ln2‐P3, combined with tissue‐engineering scaffolds, has potential biomedical applications in peripheral nerve injury repair. Copyright

The potential of mouse skin-derived precursors to differentiate into mesenchymal and neural lineages and their application to osteogenic induction in vivo

Although previous studies indicate that skin-derived precursors (SKPs) are multipotent dermal precursors that share similarities with neural crest stem cells (NCSCs), a shared ability for multilineage differentiation toward neural crest lineages between SKPs and NCSCs has not been fully demonstrated. Here, we report the derivation of SKPs from adult mouse skin and their directed multilineage differentiation toward neural crest lineages. Under controlled in vitro conditions, mouse SKPs were propagated and directed toward peripheral nervous system lineages such as peripheral neurons and Schwann cells, and mesenchymal lineages, such as osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic, and smooth muscle cells. To ask if SKPs could generate these same lineages in vivo, a mixture of SKP-derived mesenchymal stem cells and hydroxyapatite/tricalcium phosphate was transplanted into the rat calvarial defects. Over the ensuing 4 weeks, we observed formation of osteogenic structure in the calvarial defect without any evidence of teratomas. These findings demonstrate the multipotency of adult mouse SKPs to differentiate into neural crest lineages. In addition, SKP-derived mesenchymal stem cells represent an accessible, potentially autologous source of precursor cells for tissue-engineered bone repair.

A Transcriptional Roadmap to the Senescence and Differentiation of Human Oral Keratinocytes

Human epithelial cells undergo morphological and molecular changes leading to terminal differentiation and replicative senescence after a finite number of cell divisions during serial subculture. However, the target genes and their functional significance in the senescence and differentiation in normal human oral keratinocytes have been poorly defined. Here, we demonstrated normal human oral keratinocytes transcriptional signature profiling to senescence and differentiation. Using microarray analysis, our findings indicated that the gene expression profiles induced by serial subculture are distinct classes of gene. The greatest number of these altered genes was identified as being related to biological pathways of transport, cell proliferation, cell cycle, defense and immune response, cell death, transcription, apoptosis, and inflammatory response, suggesting that the serial subculture is able to induce a multitude of specific gene expression changes during senescence and differentiation. Several highly upregulated genes (IL-1β, S100A8, S100A9, MMP1, MMP9, IL-8, BHLHB2, HES1, and TWIST1) in response to the serial subculture in normal human oral keratinocytes were observed. In vitro and in vivo studies also exhibited a close relationship between senescence and differentiation of primary oral keratinocytes and expression of inflammatory molecules. These results suggest a new approach to determine the biological events underlying the pathogenesis of oral keratinocyte aging.