Tzong-Jen Sheu

The role of Axin2 in calvarial morphogenesis and craniosynostosis

Axin1 and its homolog Axin2/conductin/Axil are negative regulators of the canonical Wnt pathway that suppress signal transduction by promoting degradation of β-catenin. Mice with deletion of Axin1 exhibit defects in axis determination and brain patterning during early embryonic development. We show that Axin2 is expressed in the osteogenic fronts and periosteum of developing sutures during skull morphogenesis. Targeted disruption of Axin2 in mice induces malformations of skull structures, a phenotype resembling craniosynostosis in humans. In the mutants, premature fusion of cranial sutures occurs at early postnatal stages. To elucidate the mechanism of craniosynostosis, we studied intramembranous ossification in Axin2-null mice. The calvarial osteoblast development is significantly affected by the Axin2 mutation. The Axin2 mutant displays enhanced expansion of osteoprogenitors, accelerated ossification, stimulated expression of osteogenic markers and increases in mineralization. Inactivation of Axin2 promotes osteoblast proliferation and differentiation in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, as the mammalian skull is formed from cranial skeletogenic mesenchyme, which is derived from mesoderm and neural crest, our data argue for a region-specific effect of Axin2 on neural crest dependent skeletogenesis. The craniofacial anomalies caused by the Axin2 mutation are mediated through activation of β-catenin signaling, suggesting a novel role for the Wnt pathway in skull morphogenesis.

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.

Osthole Stimulates Osteoblast Differentiation and Bone Formation by Activation of β-Catenin-BMP Signaling

Osteoporosis is defined as reduced bone mineral density with a high risk of fragile fracture. Current available treatment regimens include antiresorptive drugs such as estrogen receptor analogues and bisphosphates and anabolic agents such as parathyroid hormone (PTH). However, neither option is completely satisfactory because of adverse effects. It is thus highly desirable to identify novel anabolic agents to improve future osteoporosis treatment. Osthole, a coumarin‐like derivative extracted from Chinese herbs, has been shown to stimulate osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, but its effect on bone formation in vivo and underlying mechanism remain unknown. In this study, we found that local injection of Osthole significantly increased new bone formation on the surface of mouse calvaria. Ovariectomy caused evident bone loss in rats, whereas Osthole largely prevented such loss, as shown by improved bone microarchitecture, histomorphometric parameters, and biomechanical properties. In vitro studies demonstrated that Osthole activated Wnt/β‐catenin signaling, increased Bmp2 expression, and stimulated osteoblast differentiation. Targeted deletion of the β‐catenin and Bmp2 genes abolished the stimulatory effect of Osthole on osteoblast differentiation. Since deletion of the Bmp2 gene did not affect Osthole‐induced β‐catenin expression and the deletion of the β‐catenin gene inhibited Osthole‐regulated Bmp2 expression in osteoblasts, we propose that Osthole acts through β‐catenin–BMP signaling to promote osteoblast differentiation. Our findings demonstrate that Osthole could be a potential anabolic agent to stimulate bone formation and prevent estrogen deficiency–induced bone loss.

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.

Environmental Toxicants May Modulate Osteoblast Differentiation by a Mechanism Involving the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor

The AHR mediates many of the toxicological effects of aromatic hydrocarbons. We show that AHR expression in osteoblasts parallels the induction of early bone‐specific genes involved in maturation. The AHR may not only mediate the effects of toxicants, but with an as yet unidentified ligand, be involved in the differentiation pathways of osteoblasts.

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.

Heavy metal lead exposure, osteoporotic-like phenotype in an animal model, and depression of Wnt signaling.

Background: Exposure to lead (Pb) from environmental and industrial sources remains an overlooked serious public health risk. Elucidating the effect of Pb on bone cell function is therefore critical for understanding its risk associated with diseases of low bone mass. Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that Pb negatively affects bone mass. We also assessed the underlying mechanisms of Pb on bone signaling pathways. Methods: We used a model of low-level Pb exposure in a rodent beginning before conception and continuing over 18 months. We characterized the effect of Pb on bone quality using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), micro-computed tomography, Raman spectroscopy, and histology. We assessed the effect of Pb on bone and adipocyte formation by mineral deposition, lipid droplet formation, and Western blot and RNA analysis. Results: Pb-exposed animals had decreased bone mass that resulted in bones that were more susceptible to fracture. Pb decreased osteoblastic cell number leading to a depression of bone formation. Accompanying this, Pb exposure elevated sclerostin protein levels in the skeleton, and correspondingly reduced levels of β-catenin and Runx2 in stromal precursor cells. Pb also increased skeletal expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ). These results indicate a shift in mesenchymal differentiation wherein Pb promoted enhanced adipogenesis and decreased osteoblastogenesis. Substantial differences in bone marrow composition were observed, highlighted by an increase in adipocytes. Conclusions: The disruption Pb has on bone mass and bone homeostasis is principally explained by inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, which may provide a molecular basis for novel therapeutic strategies to combat Pb-induced bone pathologies.

Chondrocyte BMP2 signaling plays an essential role in bone fracture healing.

The specific role of endogenous Bmp2 gene in chondrocytes and in osteoblasts in fracture healing was investigated by generation and analysis of chondrocyte- and osteoblast-specific Bmp2 conditional knockout (cKO) mice. The unilateral open transverse tibial fractures were created in these Bmp2 cKO mice. Bone fracture callus samples were collected and analyzed by X-ray, micro-CT, histology analyses, biomechanical testing and gene expression assays. The results demonstrated that the lack of Bmp2 expression in chondrocytes leads to a prolonged cartilage callus formation and a delayed osteogenesis initiation and progression into mineralization phase with lower biomechanical properties. In contrast, when the Bmp2 gene was deleted in osteoblasts, the mice showed no significant difference in the fracture healing process compared to control mice. These findings suggest that endogenous BMP2 expression in chondrocytes may play an essential role in cartilage callus maturation at an early stage of fracture healing. Our studies may provide important information for clinical application of BMP2.

Use of a phage display technique to identify potential osteoblast binding sites within osteoclast lacunae.

There is a temporal coupling between the processes of bone resorption and bone formation in normal skeletal remodeling. That is, osteoblastic activity usually follows episodes of osteoclastic activity. However, what has not been universally appreciated is that there also is a spatial coupling between these processes. Bone formation only occurs in the immediate vicinity of the resorptive event. In this study, we describe a phage display technique that has been used to identify the mechanisms by which osteoblasts recognize components of the prior resorbed lacunar surface. Using a type V tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) as the bait and a random peptide M13 phage display library as the probe, we have identified specific sequences that show a very high affinity for TRAP. One of these peptides, designated clone 5, has a subnanomolar Kd for TRAP, interacts with TRAP in a Far‐Western assay, binds exclusively to TRAP within osteoclast lacunae, is present in osteoblasts, and can effectively block osteoblast binding to resorption surfaces. The clone 5 peptide shows a high homology to glypican 4 (GPC4), a proteoglycan attachment receptor found in a number of cell types.

Stem cells of the suture mesenchyme in craniofacial bone development, repair and regeneration

The suture mesenchyme serves as a growth centre for calvarial morphogenesis and has been postulated to act as the niche for skeletal stem cells. Aberrant gene regulation causes suture dysmorphogenesis resulting in craniosynostosis, one of the most common craniofacial deformities. Owing to various limitations, especially the lack of suture stem cell isolation, reconstruction of large craniofacial bone defects remains highly challenging. Here we provide the first evidence for an Axin2-expressing stem cell population with long-term self-renewing, clonal expanding and differentiating abilities during calvarial development and homeostastic maintenance. These cells, which reside in the suture midline, contribute directly to injury repair and skeletal regeneration in a cell autonomous fashion. Our findings demonstrate their true identity as skeletal stem cells with innate capacities to replace the damaged skeleton in cell-based therapy, and permit further elucidation of the stem cell-mediated craniofacial skeletogenesis, leading to revealing the complex nature of congenital disease and regenerative medicine.