Dynamic hyaluronic acid hydrogel with covalent linked gelatin as an anti-oxidative bioink for cartilage tissue engineering.

In the past decade, cartilage tissue engineering has arisen as a promising therapeutic option for degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, in the hope of restoring the structure and physiological functions. Hydrogels are promising biomaterials for developing engineered scaffolds for cartilage regeneration. However, hydrogel-delivered mesenchymal stem cells or chondrocytes could be exposed to elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the inflammatory microenvironment after being implanted into injured joints, which may affect their phenotype and normal functions and thereby hinder the regeneration efficacy. To attenuate ROS induced side effects, a multifunctional hydrogel with an innate anti-oxidative ability was produced in this study. The hydrogel was rapidly formed through a dynamic covalent bond between phenylboronic acid grafted hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) and was further stabilized through a secondary crosslinking between the acrylate moiety on HA-PBA and the free thiol group from thiolated gelatin. The hydrogel is cyto-compatible and injectable and can be used as a bioink for 3D bioprinting. The viscoelastic properties of the hydrogels could be modulated through the hydrogel precursor concentration. The presence of dynamic covalent linkages contributed to its shear-thinning property and thus good printability of the hydrogel, resulting in the fabrication of a porous grid construct and a meniscus like scaffold at high structural fidelity. The bioprinted hydrogel promoted cell adhesion and chondrogenic differentiation of encapsulated rabbit adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells. Meanwhile, the hydrogel supported robust deposition of extracellular matrix components, including glycosaminoglycans and type II collagen, by embedded mouse chondrocytesin vitro. Most importantly, the hydrogel could protect encapsulated chondrocytes from ROS induced downregulation of cartilage-specific anabolic genes (ACAN and COL2) and upregulation of a catabolic gene (MMP13) after incubation with H2O2. Furthermore, intra-articular injection of the hydrogel in mice revealed adequate stability and good biocompatibilityin vivo. These results demonstrate that this hydrogel can be used as a novel bioink for the generation of 3D bioprinted constructs with anti-ROS ability to potentially enhance cartilage tissue regeneration in a chronic inflammatory and elevated ROS microenvironment.

Role of Prx1-expressing skeletal cells and Prx1-expression in fracture repair.

The healing capacity of bones after fracture implies the existence of adult regenerative cells. However, information on identification and functional role of fracture-induced progenitors is still lacking. Paired-related homeobox 1 (Prx1) is expressed during skeletogenesis. We hypothesize that fracture recapitulates Prx1's expression, and Prx1 expressing cells are critical to induce repair. To address our hypothesis, we used a combination of in vivo and in vitro approaches, short and long-term cell tracking analyses of progenies and actively expressing cells, cell ablation studies, and rodent animal models for normal and defective fracture healing. We found that fracture elicits a periosteal and endosteal response of perivascular Prx1+ cells that participate in fracture healing and showed that Prx1-expressing cells have a functional role in the repair process. While Prx1-derived cells contribute to the callus, Prx1's expression decreases concurrently with differentiation into cartilaginous and bone cells, similarly to when Prx1+ cells are cultured in differentiating conditions. We determined that bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2), through C-X-C motif-ligand-12 (CXCL12) signaling, modulates the downregulation of Prx1. We demonstrated that fracture elicits an early increase in BMP2 expression, followed by a decrease in CXCL12 that in turn down-regulates Prx1, allowing cells to commit to osteochondrogenesis. In vivo and in vitro treatment with CXCR4 antagonist AMD3100 restored Prx1 expression by modulating the BMP2-CXCL12 axis. Our studies represent a shift in the current research that has primarily focused on the identification of markers for postnatal skeletal progenitors, and instead we characterized the function of a specific population (Prx1+ cells) and their expression marker (Prx1) as a crossroad in fracture repair. The identification of fracture-induced perivascular Prx1+ cells and regulation of Prx1's expression by BMP2 and in turn by CXCL12 in the orchestration of fracture repair, highlights a pathway in which to investigate defective mechanisms and therapeutic targets for fracture non-union.

3D printing of multilayered scaffolds for rotator cuff tendon regeneration.

Repairing massive rotator cuff tendon defects remains a challenge due to the high retear rate after surgical intervention. 3D printing has emerged as a promising technique that enables the fabrication of engineered tissues with heterogeneous structures and mechanical properties, as well as controllable microenvironments for tendon regeneration. In this study, we developed a new strategy for rotator cuff tendon repair by combining a 3D printed scaffold of polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) with cell-laden collagen-fibrin hydrogels. We designed and fabricated two types of scaffolds: one featuring a separate layer-by-layer structure and another with a tri-layered structure as a whole. Uniaxial tensile tests showed that both types of scaffolds had improved mechanical properties compared to single-layered PLGA scaffolds. The printed scaffold with collagen-fibrin hydrogels effectively supported the growth, proliferation, and tenogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Subcutaneous implantation of the multilayered scaffolds demonstrated their excellent in vivo biocompatibility. This study demonstrates the feasibility of 3D printing multilayered scaffolds for application in rotator cuff tendon regeneration.

Fabrication of versatile dynamic hyaluronic acid-based hydrogels.

In this study, an injectable and self-healing hydrogel based on the boronic ester dynamic covalent bond between phenylboronic acid modified hyaluronic acid (HA-PBA) and the commercially available poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) is prepared and should have multi-functions for biomedical applications. The hydrogels were rapidly formed under mild conditions, and the rheological properties and in vitro degradation were systematically characterized. The HA-based hydrogels possessed good injectability and self-healing properties because of the dynamic bond. Moreover, due to the sensitivity of boronic ester to the biologically relevant concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a major reactive oxygen species (ROS), the injectable hydrogel could be used as a H2O2/ROS responsive drug delivery system. The hydrogels supported good viability of encapsulated neural progenitor cells (NPC) and protected NPC from ROS induced damage in vitro when H2O2 was present in the media. The dynamic hydrogels were further applied as bio-inks for 3D printing/bioprinting. Overall, this facilely prepared dynamic hydrogel based on HA-PBA and PVA may have many potential biomedical applications, including drug delivery, 3D culture of cells, and 3D bioprinting.

TGF-ß type 2 receptor-mediated modulation of the IL-36 family can be therapeutically targeted in osteoarthritis.

Mechanisms that govern the shift from joint homeostasis to osteoarthritis (OA) remain unknown. Here, we identify a pathway used for joint development and homeostasis, and its role in OA. Using a combination of transgenic, pharmacological, and surgical conditions in mouse and human tissues, we found that TGF-ß signaling promotes joint homeostasis through regulation of the IL-36 family. We identified IL-36 receptor antagonist (IL-36 in mice and IL-36RN in humans) as a potential disease-modifying OA drug. Specifically, OA development was associated with IL-36α up-regulation and IL-36Ra down-regulation in mice with tissue-specific postnatally induced ablation of Tgfbr2, mice treated with a TGF-ß signaling inhibitor, mice with posttraumatic OA, and aging mice with naturally occurring OA. In human cartilage, OA severity was associated with decreased TGFBR2 and IL-36RN, whereas IL-36α increased. Functionally, intra-articular treatment with IL-36Ra attenuated OA development in mice, and IL-36RN reduced MMP13 in human OA chondrocytes. These findings highlight the relevance of TGFBR2-IL-36 interplay in joint homeostasis and IL-36RN as a potential therapeutic agent for OA.

Tissue engineering a tendon-bone junction with biodegradable braided scaffolds.

BACKGROUND: Tendons play an important role in transferring stress between muscles and bones and in maintaining the stability of joints. Tendon tears are difficult to heal and are associated with high recurrence rates. So, the objective of this study was to develop a biodegradable scaffold for tendon-bone junction regeneration. METHODS: Two types of polylactic acid (PLA) yarns, having fibers with round and four deep grooved cross-sections, were braided into tubular scaffolds and cultured with murine Transforming growth factor beta type II receptor (Tgfbr2)-expressing joint progenitor cells. The scaffolds were designed to mimic the mechanical, immuno-chemical and biological properties of natural mouse tendon-bone junctions. Three different tubular scaffolds measuring 2 mm in diameter were braided on a Steeger 16-spindle braiding machine and biological and mechanical performance of the three scaffolds were evaluated. RESULTS: The mechanical test results indicated that three different braided scaffold structures provided a wide range of mechanical properties that mimic the components of tendon bone junction and results of the biological tests confirmed cell viability, active cell attachment and proliferation throughout all three scaffolds. CONCLUSIONS: This study has identified that the three proposed types of braided scaffolds with some improvement in their structures have the potential to be used as scaffolds for the regeneration of a tendon bone tissue junction.

Differential Roles of Phospholipase D Proteins in FcεRI-Mediated Signaling and Mast Cell Function.

Phospholipase D (PLD) proteins are enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine to generate an important signaling lipid, phosphatidic acid. Phosphatidic acid is a putative second messenger implicated in the regulation of vesicular trafficking and cytoskeletal reorganization. Previous studies using inhibitors and overexpression of PLD proteins indicate that PLD1 and PLD2 play positive roles in FcεRI-mediated signaling and mast cell function. We used mice deficient in PLD1, PLD2, or both to study the function of these enzymes in mast cells. In contrast to published studies, we found that PLD1 deficiency impaired FcεRI-mediated mast cell degranulation; however, PLD2 deficiency enhanced it. Biochemical analysis showed that PLD deficiency affected activation of the PI3K pathway and RhoA. Furthermore, our data indicated that, although PLD1 deficiency impaired F-actin disassembly, PLD2 deficiency enhanced microtubule formation. Together, our results suggested that PLD1 and PLD2, two proteins that catalyze the same enzymatic reaction, regulate different steps in mast cell degranulation.

BMP2 Regulation of CXCL12 Cellular, Temporal, and Spatial Expression is Essential During Fracture Repair.

The cellular and humoral responses that orchestrate fracture healing are still elusive. Here we report that bone morphogenic protein 2 (BMP2)-dependent fracture healing occurs through a tight control of chemokine C-X-C motif-ligand-12 (CXCL12) cellular, spatial, and temporal expression. We found that the fracture repair process elicited an early site-specific response of CXCL12(+)-BMP2(+) endosteal cells and osteocytes that was not present in unfractured bones and gradually decreased as healing progressed. Absence of a full complement of BMP2 in mesenchyme osteoprogenitors (BMP2(cKO/+)) prevented healing and led to a dysregulated temporal and cellular upregulation of CXCL12 expression associated with a deranged angiogenic response. Healing was rescued when BMP2(cKO/+) mice were systemically treated with AMD3100, an antagonist of CXCR4 and agonist for CXCR7 both receptors for CXCL12. We further found that mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), capable of delivering BMP2 at the endosteal site, restored fracture healing when transplanted into BMP2(cKO/+) mice by rectifying the CXCL12 expression pattern. Our in vitro studies showed that in isolated endosteal cells, BMP2, while inducing osteoblastic differentiation, stimulated expression of pericyte markers that was coupled with a decrease in CXCL12. Furthermore, in isolated BMP2(cKO/cKO) endosteal cells, high expression levels of CXCL12 inhibited osteoblastic differentiation that was restored by AMD3100 treatment or coculture with BMP2-expressing MSCs that led to an upregulation of pericyte markers while decreasing platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM). Taken together, our studies show that following fracture, a CXCL12(+)-BMP2(+) perivascular cell population is recruited along the endosteum, then a timely increase of BMP2 leads to downregulation of CXCL12 that is essential to determine the fate of the CXCL12(+)-BMP2(+) to osteogenesis while departing their supportive role to angiogenesis. Our findings have far-reaching implications for understanding mechanisms regulating the selective recruitment of distinct cells into the repairing niches and the development of novel pharmacological (by targeting BMP2/CXCL12) and cellular (MSCs, endosteal cells) interventions to promote fracture healing.

Synovial joints: from development to homeostasis.

Synovial joint morphogenesis occurs through the condensation of mesenchymal cells into a non-cartilaginous region known as the interzone and the specification of progenitor cells that commit to the articular fate. Although several signaling molecules are expressed by the interzone, the mechanism is poorly understood. For treatments of cartilage injuries, it is critical to discover the presence of joint progenitor cells in adult tissues and their expression gene pattern. Potential stem cell niches have been found in different joint regions, such as the surface zone of articular cartilage, synovium, and groove of Ranvier. Inherited joint malformations as well as joint-degenerating conditions are often associated with other skeletal defects and may be seen as the failure of morphogenic factors to establish the correct microenvironment in cartilage and bone. Therefore, exploring how joints form can help us understand how cartilage and bone are damaged and develop drugs to reactivate this developing mechanism.

Expression levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 modulate the osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and osteosarcoma cells.

The insulin-like growth factor-1 system, including its critical mediator insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), is involved in regulating osteosarcoma (OS) cell proliferation or differentiation. The aim of this study is to define the role of IRS-1 in OS cells by assessing the contribution of IRS-1 in the differentiation of human and murine OS cell lines and mouse mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and found that the basal level of IRS-1 is important for the initiation of differentiation. Both down-regulation and over-expression of IRS-1 inhibited osteoblastic differentiation. In vivo studies showed that OS cells over-expressing IRS-1 have increased metastatic potential and tumor growth. The proteasome inhibitor MG-132 led to an increase in IRS-1 protein level that inhibited osteoblastic differentiation, suggesting a role for proteasomal regulation in maintaining the appropriate expression level of IRS-1. Thus, precise regulation of IRS-1 expression level is critical for determining the differentiating capacity of MSCs and OS cells, and that derangement of IRS-1 levels can be a critical step in OS transformation.

Joint TGF-ß type II receptor-expressing cells: ontogeny and characterization as joint progenitors.

TGF-ß type II receptor (Tgfbr2) signaling plays an essential role in joint-element development. The Tgfbr2(PRX-1KO) mouse, in which the Tgfbr2 is conditionally inactivated in developing limbs, lacks interphalangeal joints and tendons. In this study, we used the Tgfbr2-ß-Gal-GFP-BAC mouse as a LacZ/green fluorescent protein (GFP)-based read-out to determine: the spatial and temporally regulated expression pattern of Tgfbr2-expressing cells within joint elements; their expression profile; and their slow-cycling labeling with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU). Tgfbr2-ß-Gal activity was first detected at embryonic day (E) 13.5 within the interphalangeal joint interzone. By E16.5, and throughout adulthood, Tgfbr2-expressing cells clustered in a contiguous niche that comprises the groove of Ranvier and the synovio-entheseal complex including part of the perichondrium, the synovium, the articular cartilage superficial layer, and the tendon's entheses. Tgfbr2-expressing cells were found in the synovio-entheseal complex niche with similar temporal pattern in the knee, where they were also detected in meniscal surface, ligaments, and the synovial lining of the infrapatellar fat pad. Tgfbr2-ß-Gal-positive cells were positive for phospho-Smad2, signifying that the Tgfbr2 reporter was accurate. Developmental-stage studies showed that Tgfbr2 expression was in synchrony with expression of joint-morphogenic genes such as Noggin, GDF5, Notch1, and Jagged1. Prenatal and postnatal BrdU-incorporation studies showed that within this synovio-entheseal-articular-cartilage niche most of the Tgfbr2-expressing cells labeled as slow-proliferating cells, namely, stem/progenitor cells. Tgfbr2-positive cells, isolated from embryonic limb mesenchyme, expressed joint progenitor markers in a time- and TGF-ß-dependent manner. Our studies provide evidence that joint Tgfbr2-expressing cells have anatomical, ontogenic, slow-cycling trait and in-vivo and ex-vivo expression profiles of progenitor joint cells.

TGF-ß type II receptor/MCP-5 axis: at the crossroad between joint and growth plate development.

Despite its clinical significance, the mechanisms of joint morphogenesis are elusive. By combining laser-capture microdissection for RNA sampling with microarrays, we show that the setting in which joint-forming interzone cells develop is distinct from adjacent growth plate chondrocytes and is characterized by downregulation of chemokines, such as monocyte-chemoattractant protein-5 (MCP-5). Using in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro approaches, we show that low levels of interzone-MCP-5 are essential for joint formation and contribute to proper growth plate organization. Mice lacking the TGF-ß-type-II-receptor (TßRII) in their limbs (Tgfbr2(Prx1KO)), which lack joint development and fail chondrocyte hypertrophy, show upregulation of interzone-MCP-5. In vivo and ex vivo blockade of the sole MCP-5 receptor, CCR2, led to the rescue of joint formation and growth plate maturation in Tgfbr2(Prx1KO) but an acceleration of growth plate mineralization in control mice. Our study characterized the TßRII/MCP-5 axis as an essential crossroad for joint development and endochondral growth.

Systemically delivered insulin-like growth factor-I enhances mesenchymal stem cell-dependent fracture healing.

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of systemic subcutaneous delivery of recombinant Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I concurrently with primary cultured bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplant on fracture repair. We found that the fracture callus volume increased in mice with a stabilized tibia fracture that received IGF-I+MSC when compared with that in either untreated or MSC alone treated mice. In evaluating the callus tissue components, we found that the soft and new bone tissue volumes were significantly increased in IGF-I+MSC recipients. Histological and in-situ hybridization analyses confirmed a characteristic increase of newly forming bone in IGF-I+MSC recipients and that healing progressed mostly through endochondral ossification. The increase in soft and new bone tissue volumes correlated with increased force and toughness as determined by biomechanical testing. In conclusion, MSC transplant concurrent with systemic delivery of IGF-I improves fracture repair suggesting that IGF-I+MSC could be a novel therapeutic approach in patients who have inadequate fracture repair.

Mesenchymal stem cells expressing insulin-like growth factor-I (MSCIGF) promote fracture healing and restore new bone formation in Irs1 knockout mice: analyses of MSCIGF autocrine and paracrine regenerative effects.

Failures of fracture repair (nonunions) occur in 10% of all fractures. The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in tissue regeneration appears to be rationale, safe, and feasible. The contributions of MSC to the reparative process can occur through autocrine and paracrine effects. The primary objective of this study is to find a novel mean, by transplanting primary cultures of bone marrow-derived MSCs expressing insulin-like growth factor-I (MSC(IGF)), to promote these seed-and-soil actions of MSC to fully implement their regenerative abilities in fracture repair and nonunions. MSC(IGF) or traceable MSC(IGF)-Lac-Z were transplanted into wild-type or insulin-receptor-substrate knockout (Irs1(-/-)) mice with a stabilized tibia fracture. Healing was assessed using biomechanical testing, microcomputed tomography (µCT), and histological analyses. We found that systemically transplanted MSC(IGF) through autocrine and paracrine actions improved the fracture mechanical strength and increased new bone content while accelerating mineralization. We determined that IGF-I adapted the response of transplanted MSC(IGF) to promote their differentiation into osteoblasts. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that IGF-I-induced osteoglastogenesis in MSCs was dependent of an intact IRS1-PI3K signaling. Furthermore, using Irs1(-/-) mice as a nonunion fracture model through altered IGF signaling, we demonstrated that the autocrine effect of IGF-I on MSC restored the fracture new bone formation and promoted the occurrence of a well-organized callus that bridged the gap. A callus that was basically absent in Irs1(-/-) left untransplanted or transplanted with MSCs. We provided evidence of effects and mechanisms for transplanted MSC(IGF) in fracture repair and potentially to treat nonunions.

Mesenchymal stem cells at the intersection of cell and gene therapy.

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD: Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Along with differentiation, MSCs can modulate inflammation, home to damaged tissues and secrete bioactive molecules. These properties can be enhanced through genetic-modification that would combine the best of both cell and gene therapy fields to treat monogenic and multigenic diseases. AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW: Findings demonstrating the immunomodulation, homing and paracrine activities of MSCs followed by a summary of the current research utilizing MSCs as a vector for gene therapy, focusing on skeletal disorders, but also cardiovascular disease, ischemic damage and cancer. WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN: MSCs are a possible therapy for many diseases, especially those related to the musculoskeletal system, as a standalone treatment, or in combination with factors that enhance the abilities of these cells to migrate, survive or promote healing through anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, differentiation, angiogenesis or delivery of cytolytic or anabolic agents. TAKE HOME MESSAGE: Genetically-modified MSCs are a promising area of research that would be improved by focusing on the biology of MSCs that could lead to identification of the natural and engrafting MSC-niche and a consensus on how to isolate and expand MSCs for therapeutic purposes.

Use of glycol chitosan modified by 5beta-cholanic acid nanoparticles for the sustained release of proteins during murine embryonic limb skeletogenesis.

Murine embryonic limb cultures have invaluable roles in studying skeletogenesis. Substance delivery is an underdeveloped area in developmental biology that has primarily relied on Affi-Gel-Blue-agarose-beads. However, the lack of information about the efficiency of agarose-bead loading and release and difficulties for a single-bead implantation represent significant limitations. We optimized the use of glycol chitosan-5beta-cholanic acid conjugates (HGC) as a novel protein delivery system in mouse embryonic limbs. To this purpose, we loaded HGC either with recombinant Noggin, or bovine serum albumin (BSA). The size, morphology and stability of the protein-loaded-HGC were determined by transmission electron microscopy and dynamic-light-scattering. HGC-BSA and HGC-Noggin loading efficiencies were 80-90%. Time-course study revealed that Noggin and BSA were 80-90% released after 48 h. We developed several techniques to implant protein-loaded-HGC into murine embryonic joints from embryonic age E13.5 to E15.5, including a micro-injection system dispensing nanoliters. HGC did not interfere with skeletogenesis. Using CBR-3BA staining, we detected HGC nanoparticles within implanted tissues. Furthermore, a sustained release of BSA and Noggin was demonstrated in HGC-BSA and HGC-Noggin injected regions. HGC-released Noggin was biologically active in blocking the BMP signaling in in vitro mesenchyme limb micromasses as well as in ex-vivo limb cultures. Results reveal that HGC is a valuable protein-delivery system in developmental biology.

Subcellular localization of IRS-1 in IGF-I-mediated chondrogenic proliferation, differentiation and hypertrophy of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSC) can differentiate into chondrocytes. Understanding the mechanisms and growth factors that control the MSC stemness is critical to fully implement their therapeutic use in cartilage diseases. The activated type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR), interacting with the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1), can induce cancer cell proliferation and transformation. In cancer or transformed cells, IRS-1 has been shown to localize in the cytoplasm where it activates the canonical Akt pathway, as well as in the nucleus where it binds to nuclear proteins. We have previously demonstrated that IGF-I has distinct time-dependent effect on primary BM-MSC chondrogenic pellets: initially (2-day culture), IGF-I induces proliferation; subsequently, IGF-I promotes chondrocytic differentiation (7-day culture). In the present study, by using MSC from the BM of IRS-1(- / - ) mice we show that IRS-1 mediates almost 50% of the IGF-I mitogenic response and the MAPK-MEK/ERK signalling accounts for the other 50%. After stimulation with IGF-I, we found that in 2-day old human and mouse derived BM-MSC pellets, IRS-1 (total and phosphorylated) is nuclearly localized and that proliferation prevails over differentiation. The IGF-I mitogenic effect is Akt-independent. In 7-day MSC pellets, IGF-I stimulates the chondrogenic differentiation of MSC into chondrocytes, pre-hypertrophic and hypertrophic chondrocytes and IRS-1 accumulates in the cytoplasm. IGF-I-dependent differentiation is exclusively Akt-dependent. Our data indicate that in the physiologically relevant model of primary cultured MSC, IGF-I induces a temporally regulated nuclear or cytoplasmic localization of IRS-1 that correlate with the transition from proliferation to chondrogenic differentiation.

Identification and functional characterization of a novel interleukin 17 receptor: a possible mitogenic activation through ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway.

Interleukin-17 receptor (IL-17R) is increasingly emerged as a distinct receptor family functioning in diverse cellular processes including inflammation and cancer. In this study, we uncovered a novel member of IL-17R from mouse tissue that was named mouse IL-17RE (mIL-17R). Mouse IL-17RE cDNA is composed of at least 14 exons and presents at least 6 spliced isoforms (mIL-17RE1-6) with a molecular weight ranging from 34.2 to 70.1 kD. Mouse IL-17RE is expressed in limited tissues such as lung, kidney, stomach, intestine and testis, etc., and is mainly localized in the cytoplasm and on cell membrane. IL-17RE can also be detected in numerous tumor cell lines. Importantly, a mitogenic effect was detected in BaF3 cells stably transfected with the chimeric receptor fused by the ectodomain of erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) with the transmembrane and endomain of IL-17RE in a serum-dependent but EPO-independent manner. Moreover, ERK1/2 phosphorylation was significantly up-regulated as the dose of mIL-17RE increased. Specific RNAi targeting at mIL-17RE dramatically inhibited the activation of ERK1/2, indicating that mIL-17RE could functionally activate RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. Using dominant negative MEK (Dn-MEK) or RAS (Dn-RAS) as a signaling blocker, we were able to show that mIL-17RE probably activated RAS/MAPK signaling at or upstream of RAS. Overall, our results strongly indicate that mIL-17RE may belong to a novel growth-receptor like molecule that has the capability to support cellular mitogenesis through RAS/MAPK pathway.

A novel protein tyrosine kinase NOK that shares homology with platelet- derived growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptors induces tumorigenesis and metastasis in nude mice.

Receptor protein tyrosine kinases (RPTKs) play important roles in the regulation of a variety of cellular processes including cell migration, proliferation, and protection from apoptosis. Here, we report the identification and characterization of a novel RPTK-like molecule that has a critical role in induction of tumorigenesis and metastasis and is termed Novel Oncogene with Kinase-domain (NOK). NOK contains a putative single transmembrane domain and a conserved intracellular tyrosine kinase domain that shares homology with members of the platelet-derived growth factor/fibroblast growth factor receptor superfamily. NOK was exclusively located in the cytoplasm. NOK mRNAs were detected in limited human organs and expressed with the highest abundance in the prostate. A variety of tumor cells also expressed the NOK mRNAs. We demonstrated that NIH3T3 and BaF3 cells could be strongly transformed by the expression of the NOK gene as examined by colony formation experiment. In addition, BaF3 cells with the stable expression of NOK induced rapid tumorigenesis in nude mice. Interestingly, these NOK-expressing tumor cells could promptly invade and spread into various distinct organs and form metastatic foci, eventually leading to the rapid death of these animals. Moreover, molecular mechanism studies indicated that NOK could concomitantly activate both MAP kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinases (PI3K) pathways in stable BaF3 cells. Thus, our results both in vitro and in vivo suggest that NOK is a novel oncogene with the capacity of promoting cell transformation, tumorigenesis, and metastasis.

Silencing SARS-CoV Spike protein expression in cultured cells by RNA interference.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been one of the most epidemic diseases threatening human health all over the world. Based on clinical studies, SARS-CoV (the SARS-associated coronavirus), a novel coronavirus, is reported as the pathogen responsible for the disease. To date, no effective and specific therapeutic method can be used to treat patients suffering from SARS-CoV infection. RNA interference (RNAi) is a process by which the introduced small interfering RNA (siRNA) could cause the degradation of mRNA with identical sequence specificity. The RNAi methodology has been used as a tool to silence genes in cultured cells and in animals. Recently, this technique was employed in anti-virus infections in human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C/B virus. In this study, RNAi technology has been applied to explore the possibility for prevention of SARS-CoV infection. We constructed specific siRNAs targeting the S gene in SARS-CoV. We demonstrated that the siRNAs could effectively and specifically inhibit gene expression of Spike protein in SARS-CoV-infected cells. Our study provided evidence that RNAi could be a tool for inhibition of SARS-CoV.