Review
Cell Biology
Guang-Zhi Zhang, Ming-Qiang Liu, Hai-Wei Chen, Zuo-Long Wu, Yi-Cheng Gao, Zhan-Jun Ma, Xue-Gang He, Xue-Wen Kang
Summary: NF-κB is considered a pathogenic factor of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), studying its role and regulatory mechanism in IDD pathology can help in developing targeted therapeutic strategies to reduce potential risks.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zheng-wei Shi, Yuan Tuo, Chao-shuai Feng, Lei Zhu, Zong-rang Song, Tuan-jiang Liu, Ding-jun Hao
Summary: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a common cartilage-degenerative disease and a major cause of low back pain (LBP). The Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling pathway, as an evolutionarily and functionally conserved pathway, plays a crucial role in IVDD progression. This review discusses the regulation of Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling, its role in cartilage homeostasis and IVDD, and the potential of using Hippo-YAP/TAZ signaling for IVDD treatments.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fu Zhang, Songjuan Wang, Manman Gao, Baoliang Li, Zhongyuan He, Tao Tang, Zhengya Zhu, Shaoyu Liu, Zhiyu Zhou
Summary: This study aimed to explore the protective effects and mechanism of hyaluronic acid (HA) on nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). The results demonstrated that HA could protect mitochondrial function in NPCs by activating mitophagy, thereby ameliorating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The involvement of C1QBP in HA-promoted mitophagy and protection against oxidative stress was also observed.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Armita Salahi, Aditya Rane, Li Xiao, Carlos Honrado, Xudong Li, Li Jin, Nathan S. Swami
Summary: Measurement and modulation of macrophage activation is crucial for addressing chronic back pain and immune rejection. Single-cell methods are needed to quantify the heterogeneity of macrophage activation phenotypes. This study presents a high throughput single-cell impedance cytometry for accurately measuring macrophage activation in a dose and duration dependent manner, without relying on specific signaling pathways.
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Xiaohong Tan, Era Jain, Marcos N. Barcellona, Evan Morris, Sydney Neal, Munish C. Gupta, Jacob M. Buchowski, Michael Kelly, Lori A. Setton, Nathaniel Huebsch
Summary: By engineering alginate hydrogels with integrin- and syndecan-binding peptides, higher cell viability, biosynthetic activity, and NP-specific protein expression were observed in human NP cells. This approach shows potential in restoring the juvenile phenotype of NP cells in degenerated intervertebral discs and may be beneficial for future NP cell-transplantation therapies for IVD degeneration.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Honglei Kang, Yimin Dong, Renpeng Peng, Haiyang Liu, Qian Guo, Kehan Song, Meipeng Zhu, Kaixu Yu, Wei Wu, Feng Li
Summary: This study found that IRE1 plays an important role in the progression of IDD, and inhibition of the IRE1 pathway can suppress the degeneration of NP cells and prevent IDD in vivo. These findings suggest that IRE1 may be a potential target for IDD treatment.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Z-M Liu, C-C Lu, P-C Shen, S-H Chou, C-L Shih, J-C Chen, Y. C. Tien
Summary: Suramin has been found to effectively inhibit IL-1 beta-induced apoptosis in NP cells, reduce the expression of catabolic proteins, and upregulate anabolic proteins. It also alleviates IL-1 beta-induced inflammation and proteoglycan depletion, representing a potential therapeutic approach for IDD.
BONE & JOINT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Wei Guo, Luzia Douma, Ming Hsien Hu, David Eglin, Mauro Alini, Sibylle Grad, Xinsheng Peng, Xuenong Zou, Matteo D'Este, Marianna Peroglio
Summary: A hybrid IPN hydrogel based on covalently cross-linked HA and HA-pNIPAM was developed, showing good physicochemical properties and supporting cell encapsulation and matrix deposition in in vitro and ex vivo models. The results suggest the therapeutic potential of this HA-based IPN hydrogel for IVD regeneration.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dong Hyun Lee, Kwang-Sook Park, Hae Eun Shin, Sung Bum Kim, Hyejeong Choi, Seong Bae An, Hyemin Choi, Joo Pyung Kim, Inbo Han
Summary: This study investigated the safety and feasibility of intradiscal administration of matrilin-3-primed adipose-derived stromal cell (ASC) spheroids with hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain. The treatment was found to be safe and feasible, with improvements in pain and function observed in the majority of participants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Young Won Koo, Chang Su Lim, Anjani Darai, JiUn Lee, Wonjin Kim, Inbo Han, Geun Hyung Kim
Summary: In this study, mechanically stable collagen-cryogel and fibrillated collagen with shape-memory were developed for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. The collagen was loaded with hyaluronic acid to alleviate mechanical allodynia, maintain water content, and preserve disc structure by restoring matrix proteins.
BIOMATERIALS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marwa Monier Mahmoud Refaie, Rehab Ahmed Rifaai, Asmaa M. A. Bayoumi, Sayed Shehata
Summary: This study evaluated the cardioprotective effect of Sac/Val against cisplatin-induced cardiac injury. The results showed that Sac/Val could alleviate cisplatin-induced heart damage through the involvement of eNOS.
JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Changchun Tseng, Yingchao Han, Zhendong Lv, Qingxin Song, Kun Wang, Hongxing Shen, Zhi Chen
Summary: Chronic inflammation induces apoptosis through CRL4(DCAF6) E3 ligase-dependent mechanism, accelerating intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). TSC01131, a small molecule targeting CUL4-DDB1 interaction, inhibits CtBP1/2 ubiquitination, reduces BBC3 expression level, and prevents apoptosis signaling. This study reveals the relationship between chronic inflammation and CRL4(DCAF6) E3 ligase, and TSC01131 might represent a novel therapeutic strategy for IDD treatment.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE-JMM
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tongde Wu, Xuebing Jia, Hang Feng, Desheng Wu
Summary: ACTG1 gene mutation leads to hearing loss in humans and is involved in regulating tumor cell proliferation and migration, as well as playing an important role in intervertebral disc degeneration. The expression of ACTG1 gene is negatively correlated with the severity of disc degeneration, and the absence of ACTG1 exacerbates IDD development.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Victoria Gudino, Sebastian Other-Gee Pohl, Caroline V. Billard, Patrizia Cammareri, Alfonso Bolado, Stuart Aitken, David Stevenson, Adam E. Hall, Mark Agostino, John Cassidy, Colin Nixon, Alex von Kriegsheim, Paz Freile, Linda Popplewell, George Dickson, Laura Murphy, Ann Wheeler, Malcolm Dunlop, Farhat Din, Douglas Strathdee, Owen J. Sansom, Kevin B. Myant
Summary: Current therapeutic options for colorectal cancer are limited in efficacy, often resulting in acquired resistance during treatment. Research has identified RAC1B as a key mediator of colorectal tumourigenesis and a potential target for enhancing EGFR inhibitor treatment. Inhibition of RAC1B has been shown to sensitize cetuximab-resistant colorectal cancer cells to EGFR inhibitors, presenting a promising therapeutic target for improving clinical efficacy.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Orthopedics
Shangbin Cui, Wenyue Li, Graciosa Q. Teixeira, Cornelia Neidlinger-Wilke, Hans-Joachim Wilke, Lisbet Haglund, Hongwei Ouyang, R. Geoff Richards, Sibylle Grad, Mauro Alini, Zhen Li
Summary: This study investigates the spatial and temporal changes of aggrecan and collagen neoepitopes during intervertebral disc degeneration. The results show that different degeneration types are associated with specific neoepitope expression profiles, which may serve as biomarkers for early disc degeneration and indicators of different degeneration phenotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ann-Katrin Hopp, Federico Teloni, Lavinia Bisceglie, Corentin Gondrand, Fabio Raith, Kathrin Nowak, Lukas Muskalla, Anna Howald, Patrick G. A. Pedrioli, Kai Johnsson, Matthias Altmeyer, Deena M. Leslie Pedrioli, Michael O. Hottiger
Summary: Mitochondrial ADP-ribosylation is a dynamic cellular process that impacts nuclear ADP-ribosylation, demonstrating evidence for NAD(+)-mediated mitochondrial-nuclear crosstalk.
Article
Pathology
Fabio Aimi, Holger Moch, Peter Schraml, Michael O. Hottiger
Summary: The study used a new anti-ADP-ribose antibody to assess ADPR levels in various cancer types, finding predominant cytoplasmic ADPR staining. Strong cytoplasmic ADPR levels were associated with better overall survival in specific breast and ovarian cancer types. Different cyADPR staining patterns correlated with early tumor stages and absence of lymph node metastasis, potentially influencing response rates to PARP inhibitors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Bernhard Luscher, Ivan Ahel, Matthias Altmeyer, Alan Ashworth, Peter Bai, Paul Chang, Michael Cohen, Daniela Corda, Francoise Dantzer, Matthew D. Daugherty, Ted M. Dawson, Valina L. Dawson, Sebastian Deindl, Anthony R. Fehr, Karla L. H. Feijs, Dmitri V. Filippov, Jean-Philippe Gagne, Giovanna Grimaldi, Sebastian Guettler, Nicolas C. Hoch, Michael O. Hottiger, Patricia Korn, W. Lee Kraus, Andreas Ladurner, Lari Lehtio, Anthony K. L. Leung, Christopher J. Lord, Aswin Mangerich, Ivan Matic, Jason Matthews, George-Lucian Moldovan, Joel Moss, Gioacchino Natoli, Michael L. Nielsen, Mario Niepel, Friedrich Nolte, John Pascal, Bryce M. Paschal, Krzysztof Pawlowski, Guy G. Poirier, Susan Smith, Gyula Timinszky, Zhao-Qi Wang, Jose Yelamos, Xiaochun Yu, Roko Zaja, Mathias Ziegler
Summary: ADP-ribosylation, a post-translational modification of proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites, plays diverse roles in cellular processes such as stress responses, signaling, and transcriptional regulation. Recent advances in research have identified a wide range of cellular pathways regulated by ADP-ribosylation, highlighting the importance of understanding this mechanism in cell biology.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jean Schoeller, Fabian Itel, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Sandra Gaiser, Nicolas Luisier, Dirk Hegemann, Stephen J. Ferguson, Giuseppino Fortunato, Rene M. Rossi
Summary: Surface functionalization of electrospun nanofibers allows for the introduction of additional functionalities while retaining high porosity and surface-to-volume ratio. In this study, chitosan and alginate were sequentially deposited on PLGA nanofibers to form a polyelectrolyte complex for controlled release of ibuprofen. Chitosan with a positive surface charge regulated the interactions between the drug and the coating, resulting in slower release at acidic pH compared to neutral pH.
Article
Cell Biology
Markus Rimann, Astrid Juengel, Sara Mousavi, Nicole Moeschlin, Maurizio Calcagni, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Florian Brunner, Stefan Dudli, Oliver Distler, Christian Adlhart
Summary: This study demonstrated the suitability of two synthetic polymers in creating electrospun scaffolds for 3D skin cell models, with P(AN-MA) mats showing enhanced cell compatibility and infiltration compared to Pul/PVA/PAA mats.
Review
Cell Biology
Emily Lazarus, Paola Bermudez-Lekerika, Daniel Farchione, Taylor Schofield, Sloan Howard, Iskender Mambetkadyrov, Mikkael Lamoca, Iris V. Rivero, Benjamin Gantenbein, Christopher L. Lewis, Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Summary: Sulfated hydrogels play a crucial role in maintaining the phenotype of chondrocytes and chondrocyte-like cells, as well as in the sustained delivery of growth factors. Current research focuses on identifying and summarizing the knowledge about different sulfated hydrogels, highlighting their benefits in cartilage and disc research, and reviewing the biofabrication processes to ensure quality assurance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lin Liu, Jarrod J. Sandow, Deena M. Leslie Pedrioli, Andre L. Samson, Natasha Silke, Tobias Kratina, Rebecca L. Ambrose, Marcel Doerflinger, Zhaoqing Hu, Emma Morrish, Diep Chau, Andrew J. Kueh, Cheree Fitzibbon, Marc Pellegrini, Jaclyn S. Pearson, Michael O. Hottiger, Andrew Webb, Najoua Lalaoui, John Silke
Summary: Tankyrase-1 plays a role in regulating TNF-induced cell death by mediating the degradation and limitation of cell death through PARylation of complex 2. Expression of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 macrodomain sensitizes cells to TNF-induced death by abolishing complex 2 PARylation, suggesting that disrupting ADP-ribosylation during an infection can lead to inflammatory cell death.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Andrea De Pieri, Keegan Ocorr, Kyle Jerreld, Mikkael Lamoca, Wolfgang Hitzl, Karin Wuertz-Kozak
Summary: This study successfully encapsulated resveratrol into poly(epsilon-caprolactone) microparticles to prolong and protect its release and activity. These microparticles showed no cytotoxicity and stimulated collagen deposition, while reducing inflammation and proteolysis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofia Spataro, Concetta Guerra, Andrea Cavalli, Jacopo Sgrignani, Jonathan Sleeman, Lina Poulain, Andreas Boland, Leonardo Scapozza, Solange Moll, Marco Prunotto
Summary: CEMIP, also known as KIAA1199 or HYBID, is a protein involved in the depolymerization of hyaluronic acid and has been shown to play a key role in tumor progression and various inflammatory diseases. Despite its association with these diseases, the biology of CEMIP remains elusive. This review article summarizes the scientific evidence regarding its structure, function, and expression, aiming to shed light on the protein's role in inflammation-related conditions.
Article
Oncology
Cristina L. Cotarelo, Arno Schad, Marcus Schmidt, Arnd Hoenig, Jonathan P. Sleeman, Sonja Thaler
Summary: Oncogene-induced senescence can prevent carcinogenesis by arresting cells at risk of malignant transformation. However, recent findings suggest that senescent cells may promote tumor growth and metastatic progression through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). In patients with breast cancer, similarities were observed between primary tumors and their corresponding metastases, indicating a potential role for senescent tumor cells in metastatic progression. Targeting senescent tumor cells with anti-senescent drugs may represent a novel approach for cancer treatment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael Saup, Nidhi Nair, Jingyi Shen, Anja Schmaus, Wilko Thiele, Boyan K. Garvalov, Jonathan P. Sleeman
Summary: The role of circulating osteopontin (cOPN) in melanoma progression was studied. It was found that increased cOPN promotes primary tumor growth but does not significantly affect spontaneous metastasis of melanoma cells to lymph nodes or lungs.
Article
Pathology
Peter Schraml, Fabio Aimi, Martin Zoche, Domingo Aguilera-Garcia, Fabian Arnold, Holger Moch, Michael O. Hottiger
Summary: In this study, decreased cytoplasmic ADPR levels were associated with late tumor stage, high-ISUP grade, presence of necrosis, dense lymphocyte infiltration, and worse patient survival in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients. Absence of nuclear ADPR staining in ccRCC and papillary RCC was correlated with worse patient outcome. Increased ARID1A mutations were found in ccRCC with high cytoplasmic ADPR and PARP1 expression.
JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY CLINICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Florian Falkner, Simon Andreas Mayer, Benjamin Thomas, Sarah Onon Zimmermann, Sonja Walter, Patrick Heimel, Wilko Thiele, Jonathan Paul Sleeman, Amir Khosrow Bigdeli, Herbert Kiss, Bruno Karl Podesser, Ulrich Kneser, Helga Bergmeister, Karl Heinrich Schneider
Summary: This study evaluated the use of decellularized submillimeter vascular grafts from the human placenta for vascular replacement. The grafts were modified to prevent thrombotic events and implanted into rats for evaluation. The grafts showed a patency rate of 71% and induced no immunological responses, indicating their potential for use as super-microsurgical vascular replacements.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michael Albrecht, Carsten Sticht, Tabea Wagner, Steffen A. Hettler, Carolina De la Torre, Jiedong Qiu, Norbert Gretz, Thomas Albrecht, Benito Yard, Jonathan P. Sleeman, Boyan K. Garvalov
Summary: In this study, a co-culture system was used to investigate the effects of high glucose and methylglyoxal on gene expression in glomerular endothelial cells (GECs) and podocytes. The results showed that these metabolic factors have distinct effects on the two cell types, and the interaction between GECs and podocytes plays a central role in regulating these responses.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Katrin Stosch-Wiechert, Karin Wuertz-Kozak, Wolfgang Hitzl, Ulrike Szeimies, Axel Staebler, Christoph J. Siepe
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of anterior stand-alone fusion (ASAF) at the lumbosacral junction. The results showed a high satisfaction rate and significant improvements in VAS and ODI scores after a mid- to long-term follow-up of 5 years. However, the incidence of adjacent level degeneration was higher than expected, and patients with preexisting degeneration were at a higher risk of requiring reoperation. Adequate intraoperative segmental lordosis reconstruction was identified as a key protective factor for preserving the adjacent segment.