Tian-Fang Li

Inhibition of β-catenin signaling causes defects in postnatal cartilage development

The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is essential for normal skeletal development because conditional gain or loss of function of β-catenin in cartilage results in embryonic or early postnatal death. To address the role of β-catenin in postnatal skeletal growth and development, Col2a1-ICAT transgenic mice were generated. Mice were viable and had normal size at birth, but became progressively runted. Transgene expression was limited to the chondrocytes in the growth plate and articular cartilages and was associated with decreased β-catenin signaling. Col2a1-ICAT transgenic mice showed reduced chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation, and an increase in chondrocyte apoptosis, leading to decreased widths of the proliferating and hypertrophic zones, delayed formation of the secondary ossification center, and reduced skeletal growth. Isolated primary Col2a1-ICAT transgenic chondrocytes showed reduced expression of chondrocyte genes associated with maturation, and demonstrated that VEGF gene expression requires cooperative interactions between BMP2 and β-catenin signaling. Altogether the findings confirm a crucial role for Wnt/β-catenin in postnatal growth.

Smad3-Deficient Chondrocytes Have Enhanced BMP Signaling and Accelerated Differentiation

Smad3 deficiency accelerates chondrocyte maturation and leads to osteoarthritis. Primary chondrocytes without Smad3 lack compensatory increases of TGF‐β signaling factors, but BMP‐related gene expression is increased. Smad2 or Smad3 overexpression and BMP blockade abrogate accelerated maturation in Smad3−/− chondrocytes. BMP signaling is increased in TGF‐β deficiency and is required for accelerated chondrocyte maturation.

TGF-beta signaling in chondrocytes.

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) regulates a large variety of cellular activities. Binding of TGF- beta to its cell surface receptor triggers several signaling cascades, among which the TGF- beta -Smad pathway is the most extensively studied. TGF- beta also activates protein kinases, including MAPK, PKA and PKC, and modulates gene expression via its delicate interaction with other signaling pathways. During endochondral bone formation, TGF- beta acts as a potent inhibitor of the terminal differentiation of epiphyseal growth plate chondrocytes. This effect appears to be primarily mediated by Smad molecules, although MAPK-ATF2 signaling is also involved. The rate of chondrocyte maturation is tightly regulated through the interactions of Smad-mediated signaling, the Wnt signaling pathway, and the transcription factor Runx2. Improving our understanding of the exact mechanisms underlying TGF- beta -mediated signaling pathways and their effects may greatly impact the diagnosis and treatment of many common orthopaedic diseases.

Transforming Growth Factor-β Stimulates Cyclin D1 Expression through Activation of β-Catenin Signaling in Chondrocytes

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays an essential role in chondrocyte maturation. It stimulates chondrocyte proliferation but inhibits chondrocyte differentiation. In this study, we found that TGF-β rapidly induced β-catenin protein levels and signaling in murine neonatal sternal primary chondrocytes. TGF-β-increased β-catenin induction was reproduced by overexpression of SMAD3 and was absent in Smad3-/- chondrocytes treated with TGF-β. SMAD3 inhibited β-transducin repeat-containing protein-mediated degradation of β-catenin and immunoprecipitated with β-catenin following TGF-β treatment. Both SMAD3 and β-catenin co-localized to the nucleus after TGF-β treatment. Although both TGF-β and β-catenin stimulated cyclin D1 expression in chondrocytes, the effect of TGF-β was inhibited with β-catenin gene deletion or SMAD3 loss of function. These results demonstrate that TGF-β stimulates cyclin D1 expression at least in part through activation of β-catenin signaling.

Cervical Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Induced by Unbalanced Dynamic and Static Forces: A Novel in Vivo Rat Model

Study Design. Establishment of a novel in vivo animal model of cervical spondylosis. Objective. To investigate apoptotic, degenerative, and inflammatory changes occurring in the cervical intervertebral discs of rats. Summary of Background Data. Cervical degeneration occurs as the result of imbalance of both static and dynamic spinal stabilizers. The disc degeneration that occurs is characterized by increased local inflammation and increased apoptosis of intervertebral disc cells. Methods. By excising the paraspinal musculature and posterior cervical spinal ligaments of rats, both static and dynamic cervical stabilizers were disrupted. The resultant biomechanical imbalance resulted in biochemical and histologic changes, which were characterized by light microscopy, electron microscopy, immunostaining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization. Results. Histologic analysis showed characteristic degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs and vertebral endplates following surgery. Ultrastructural examination revealed apoptotic changes, which were verified by immunostaining. Instability also resulted in significant up-regulation of inflammatory factors, as shown by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization. Conclusions. By creating static and dynamic posterior instability of the cervical spine, this novel model of cervical spondylosis results in rapid intervertebral disc degeneration characterized by increased apoptosis and local inflammation, such as that seen clinically.

TGF-β stimulates cyclin D1 expression through activation of β-catenin signaling in chondrocytes

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) plays an essential role in chondrocyte maturation. It stimulates chondrocyte proliferation but inhibits chondrocyte differentiation. In this study, we found that TGF-β rapidly induced β-catenin protein levels and signaling in murine neonatal sternal primary chondrocytes. TGF-β-increased β-catenin induction was reproduced by overexpression of SMAD3 and was absent in Smad3-/- chondrocytes treated with TGF-β. SMAD3 inhibited β-transducin repeat-containing protein-mediated degradation of β-catenin and immunoprecipitated with β-catenin following TGF-β treatment. Both SMAD3 and β-catenin co-localized to the nucleus after TGF-β treatment. Although both TGF-β and β-catenin stimulated cyclin D1 expression in chondrocytes, the effect of TGF-β was inhibited with β-catenin gene deletion or SMAD3 loss of function. These results demonstrate that TGF-β stimulates cyclin D1 expression at least in part through activation of β-catenin signaling.

Aging periosteal progenitor cells have reduced regenerative responsiveness to bone injury and to the anabolic actions of PTH 1-34 treatment.

A stabilized tibia fracture model was used in young (8-week old) and aged (1-year old) mice to define the relative bone regenerative potential and the relative responsiveness of the periosteal progenitor population with aging and PTH 1-34 (PTH) systemic therapy. Bone regeneration was assessed through gene expressions, radiographic imaging, histology/histomorphometry, and biomechanical testing. Radiographs and microCT showed increased calcified callus tissue and enhanced bone healing in young compared to aged mice. A key mechanism involved reduced proliferation, expansion, and differentiation of periosteal progenitor cell populations in aged mice. The experiments showed that PTH increased calcified callus tissue and torsional strength with a greater response in young mice. Histology and quantitative histomorphometry confirmed that PTH increased callus tissue area due primarily to an increase in bone formation, since minimal changes in cartilage and mesenchyme tissue area occurred. Periosteum examined at 3, 5, and 7 days showed that PTH increased cyclin D1 expression, the total number of cells in the periosteum, and width of the periosteal regenerative tissue. Gene expression showed that aging delayed differentiation of both bone and cartilage tissues during fracture healing. PTH resulted in sustained Col10a1 expression consistent with delayed chondrocyte maturation, but otherwise minimally altered cartilage gene expression. In contrast, PTH 1-34 stimulated expression of Runx2 and Osterix, but resulted in reduced Osteocalcin. β-Catenin staining was present in mesenchymal chondroprogenitors and chondrocytes in early fracture healing, but was most intense in osteoblastic cells at later times. PTH increased active β-catenin staining in the osteoblast populations of both young and aged mice, but had a lesser effect in cartilage. Altogether the findings show that reduced fracture healing in aging involves decreased proliferation and differentiation of stem cells lining the bone surface. While PTH 1-34 enhances the proliferation and expansion of the periosteal stem cell population and accelerates bone formation and fracture healing, the effects are proportionately reduced in aged mice compared to young mice. β-Catenin is induced by PTH in early and late fracture healing and is a potential target of PTH 1-34 effects.

Aberrant Hypertrophy in Smad3-Deficient Murine Chondrocytes Is Rescued by Restoring Transforming Growth Factor β-Activated Kinase 1/ Activating Transcription Factor 2 Signaling: A Potential Clinical Implication for Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVEnTo investigate the biologic significance of Smad3 in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA), the crosstalk between Smad3 and activating transcription factor 2 (ATF-2) in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) signaling pathway, and the effects of ATF-2 overexpression and p38 activation in chondrocyte differentiation.nnnMETHODSnJoint disease in Smad3-knockout (Smad3(-/-)) mice was examined by microfocal computed tomography and histologic analysis. Numerous in vitro methods including immunostaining, real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, an ATF-2 DNA-binding assay, and a p38 kinase activity assay were used to study the various signaling responses and protein interactions underlying the altered chondrocyte phenotype in Smad3(-/-) mice.nnnRESULTSnIn Smad3(-/-) mice, an end-stage OA phenotype gradually developed. TGFbeta-activated kinase 1 (TAK1)/ATF-2 signaling was disrupted in Smad3(-/-) mouse chondrocytes at the level of p38 MAP kinase (MAPK) activation, resulting in reduced ATF-2 phosphorylation and transcriptional activity. Reintroduction of Smad3 into Smad3(-/-) cells restored the normal p38 response to TGFbeta. Phosphorylated p38 formed a complex with Smad3 by binding to a portion of Smad3 containing both the MAD homology 1 and linker domains. Additionally, Smad3 inhibited the dephosphorylation of p38 by MAPK phosphatase 1 (MKP-1). Both ATF-2 overexpression and p38 activation repressed type X collagen expression in wild-type and Smad3(-/-) chondrocytes. P38 was detected in articular cartilage and perichondrium; articular and sternal chondrocytes expressed p38 isoforms alpha, beta, and gamma, but not delta.nnnCONCLUSIONnSmad3 is involved in both the onset and progression of OA. Loss of Smad3 abrogates TAK1/ATF-2 signaling, most likely by disrupting the Smad3-phosphorylated p38 complex, thereby promoting p38 dephosphorylation and inactivation by MKP-1. ATF-2 and p38 activation inhibit chondrocyte hypertrophy. Modulation of p38 isoform activity may provide a new therapeutic approach for OA.

Prolonged upright posture induces degenerative changes in intervertebral discs in rat lumbar spine.

Study Design. Both forelimbs of rats were amputated, and these rats were kept in the custom-made cages that kept the rats in prolonged upright posture. Pathologic changes were observed in the lumbar spine at different time points after the surgery. Objective. To investigate the effect of upright posture on intervertebral discs of rat lumbar spine. Summary of Background Data. Previous studies have shown that increased axial forces on the spine can decrease the height of the intervertebral disc, but there are no data to indicate whether or not long-term and repeated assumption of the upright posture could result in degenerative changes. Methods. The forelimbs of 30 rats were amputated when they were 1-month old. These rats were kept in the custom-made cages and were forced to stand upright on their hind-limbs and tails to obtain water and food. Normal rats of the same ages kept in regular cages were used as control. The rats were killed at 5, 7, and 9 months after the surgery, and the intervertebral discs samples of lumbar spine were harvested for histologic and immunohistochemical studies. Total RNA isolated from these samples was used for real-time PCR of type II collagen (Col2&agr;1), type X collagen (Col10&agr;1), matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13), aggrecan, and disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5). Results. Histologic analysis showed degenerative changes of the intervertebral discs after surgery such as disordered collagen structure of endplate cartilage, fragmentation of annulus fibrosus, and decreased height of disc. Immunostaining revealed decreased protein level of type II collagen and increased protein expression of type X collagen. Real-time PCR showed upregulated expression of MMP 13, ADAMTS-5, and Col10&agr;1 mRNA and downregulated mRNA expression of Col2&agr;1 and aggrecan. Conclusion. Long-term and repeated assumption of the upright stance accelerates disc degeneration in rats.

Prostaglandin E2 Inhibits BMP Signaling and Delays Chondrocyte Maturation

While cyclooxygenases are important in endochondral bone formation during fracture healing, mechanisms involved in prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) regulation of chondrocyte maturation are incompletely understood. The present study was undertaken to determine if PGE2 effects on chondrocyte differentiation are related to modulation of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway. In primary murine sternal chondrocytes, PGE2 differentially regulated genes involved in differentiation. PGE2 induced type II collagen and MMP‐13, had minimal effects on alkaline phosphatase, and inhibited the expression of the maturational marker, type X collagen. In BMP‐2–treated cultures, PGE2 blocked the induction of type X collagen. All four EP receptors were expressed in chondrocytes and tended to be inhibited by BMP‐2 treatment. RCJ3.1C5.18 chondrocytes transfected with the protein kinase A (PKA) responsive reporter, CRE‐luciferase, showed luciferase induction following exposure to PGE2, consistent with activation of PKA signaling and the presence of the EP2 and EP4 receptors. Both PGE2 and the PKA agonist, dibutyryl cAMP, blocked the induction of the BMP‐responsive reporter, 12XSBE, by BMP‐2 in RCJ3.1C5.18 chondrocytes. In contrast, PGE2 increased the ability of TGF‐β to activate the TGF‐β‐responsive reporter, 4XSBE. Finally, PGE2 down‐regulated BMP‐mediated phosphorylation of Smads 1, 5, and 8 in RCJ3.1C5.18 cells and in primary murine sternal chondrocytes. Altogether, the findings show that PGE2 regulates chondrocyte maturation in part by targeting BMP/Smad signaling and suggest an important role for PGE2 in endochondral bone formation.