Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yanxi Liu, Karan M. Shah, Jian Luo
Summary: Articular cartilage is avascular and has limited ability to repair itself, leading to degenerative joint diseases. Current clinical treatments often result in mechanically inferior cartilage. Understanding factors affecting cartilage homeostasis and exploring emerging regenerative approaches are crucial for future treatment options.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Susumu Takemura, Yoichi Ohta, Ryo Sugama, Yukihide Minoda, Yohei Ohyama, Hiroaki Nakamura
Summary: This study found that eldecalcitol can upregulate articular cartilage markers in superficial zone chondrocytes (SZC) and suppress differentiation markers in deep zone chondrocytes (DZC). This regulation may have potential efficacy in inhibiting the progression of osteoarthritis.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Weirong Xing, Sheila Pourteymoor, Yian Chen, Subburaman Mohan
Summary: Studies show that targeted deletion of the Cldn12 gene in mice increases articular cartilage, potentially by promoting articular chondrocyte phenotype.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xinyue Zhang, Xiaohua Pu, Caixia Pi, Jing Xie
Summary: FGF7, also known as KGF, plays a crucial role in tissue development, wound repair, tumorigenesis, and immune reconstruction. It directs cellular synaptic extension and facilitates functional gap junction communication in the skeletal system. Additionally, it promotes osteogenic differentiation and regulates key molecules in cartilage. However, the molecular mechanism of FGF7 in chondrocyte behaviors and cartilage diseases remains unknown.
Article
Biology
Fan Zhang, Yuanyuan Wang, Ying Zhao, Manqi Wang, Bin Zhou, Xianpeng Ge, Di Chen
Summary: NFATc1 is a crucial regulator of articular chondrocyte differentiation, expressed in the early stage of joint development. It negatively regulates the transcriptional activity of the COL2A1 gene in articular cartilage progenitors, determining the differentiation of articular chondrocytes. These findings highlight the important role of NFATc1 in articular cartilage development.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Shibo Xu, Linna Chang, Xingjun Zhao, Yanan Hu, Yiyi Lin, Zhenhua Chen, Xiuli Ren, Xifan Mei
Summary: In this study, a multifunctional heterostructure nanoplatform with near-infrared sensitivity was developed for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The results showed that this nanoplatform could reduce cartilage damage and promote cartilage regeneration, providing a promising strategy for osteoarthritis treatment.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Christelle Sanchez, Cecile Lambert, Jean-Emile Dubuc, Jessica Bertrand, Thomas Pap, Yves Henrotin
Summary: The research found biochemical differences between articular cartilage in different joint locations, and syndecan-4 could be a biochemical marker specific to knee osteoarthritis.
Article
Immunology
Zhuang Qian, Xin Gao, Xinxin Jin, Xiaomin Kang, Shufang Wu
Summary: The study found that Bmal1 plays an important role in cartilage development and homeostasis. However, its contribution to osteoarthritis (OA) progression is still unclear. This study used cartilage-specific knockout mice to investigate the role of Bmal1 in OA progression. The results showed that the loss of Bmal1 accelerated cartilage degradation and chondrocyte apoptosis, leading to OA progression.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Aimy Sebastian, Jillian L. McCool, Nicholas R. Hum, Deepa K. Murugesh, Stephen P. Wilson, Blaine A. Christiansen, Gabriela G. Loots
Summary: This study analyzed articular cartilage from healthy and injured mouse knee joints at a single-cell resolution, identifying nine chondrocyte subtypes with distinct molecular profiles and revealing early molecular changes in response to injury. The comparison between mouse and human chondrocyte subpopulations highlighted potential mechanisms that trigger cartilage degeneration, expanding our understanding of chondrocyte heterogeneity and rapid molecular changes in response to joint trauma.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Zihuan Yang, Weishi Li, Chunli Song, Huijie Leng
Summary: CTGF is a multifunctional protein that plays different roles in different cells and conditions. CTGF antibodies have the potential to be a new drug for osteoarthritis. Abnormal CTGF expression is associated with inflammation and cartilage degeneration, making CTGF a potential therapeutic target for osteoarthritis treatment.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
James Orman Early, Lauren E. Fagan, Annie M. Curtis, Oran D. Kennedy
Summary: Inflammation is an important biological response to tissue damage, but dysregulation of the process can lead to tissue damage. Mitochondria play a key role in orchestrating the inflammatory response, beyond their traditional function in energy production. Osteoarthritis, previously thought of as non-inflammatory, now appears to involve chronic inflammation as well.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
RuLin Deng, HongJun Zhang, Lei Huang, Xin Xiong, Xiaoling Fu
Summary: This study investigated the effect of miR-186-5p administration on pathogenic signalling in chondrocytes in a KOA rat model. The results showed that miR-186-5p prevented aberrant protein expressions and orchestrated P2X7-mediated regulation of the RUNX2/ADAMTS5 axis, providing insights into potential molecular therapeutic interventions for osteoarthritic cartilage degeneration.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Murad Aladal, Wei You, Rongxiang Huang, Jianghong Huang, Zhiqin Deng, Li Duan, Daping Wang, Wencui Li, Wei Sun
Summary: This article explores the potential of fibronectin 1 (FN1) in cartilage tissue engineering, highlighting its role in promoting chondrocyte differentiation and inhibiting apoptosis. It suggests that further research on FN1 could provide new insights and advanced applications in treating osteoarthritis and cartilage degeneration.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Kai Sun, Jiachao Guo, Xudong Yao, Zhou Guo, Fengjing Guo
Summary: Growth differentiation factor 5 (GDF-5) plays a critical role in cartilage development and maintenance, and its dysregulation is linked to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Studies have shown the protective effects of GDF-5 against cartilage degeneration, making it a potential therapeutic candidate for OA treatment, despite current limitations in its clinical application.
CELL PROLIFERATION
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jhi Biau Foo, Qi Hao Looi, Chee Wun How, Sau Har Lee, Maimonah Eissa Al-Masawa, Pei Pei Chong, Jia Xian Law
Summary: Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles secreted by cells for intercellular communication, with miRNAs being a promising therapeutic factor for cartilage regeneration. They can promote chondrocyte proliferation and matrix secretion, reduce scar tissue formation, and decrease inflammation, but the optimization of exosome therapy for cartilage injuries is still lacking.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Angela Semitela, Andreia Leal Pereira, Catia Sousa, Alexandrina F. Mendes, Paula A. A. P. Marques, Antonio Completo
Summary: The successful engineering of articular cartilage has proven difficult due to challenges in replicating the complex fibril architecture and cellular distribution of native cartilage. A multi-layer approach alternating between polymer electrospinning and chondrocyte electrospraying has shown promise in addressing this issue and improving mechanical properties of resulting meshes. The addition of Alginate significantly increased chondrocyte viability, highlighting the potential for automated chondrocyte integration in cartilage tissue engineering.
JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Orthopedics
Ari Vaarala, Victor Casula, Arttu Peuna, Egor Panfilov, Ali Mobasheri, Marianne Haapea, Eveliina Lammentausta, Miika T. Nieminen
Summary: In this study, a 3D texture analysis method based on gray level co-occurrence matrix was developed for knee cartilage analysis in osteoarthritis studies. The method was able to detect longitudinal changes in cartilage and distinguish different subpopulations based on their progression into radiographically confirmed osteoarthritis. The results showed significant changes in textural features of femoral and tibial cartilages across all groups and tissue layers.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Rheumatology
Vera Francisco, Jesus Pino, Miguel Angel Gonzalez-Gay, Francisca Lago, Jaro Karppinen, Osmo Tervonen, Ali Mobasheri, Oreste Gualillo
Summary: Studies have found that immunometabolic alterations in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are closely related to intervertebral disc degeneration, involving the abnormal production of proteins such as adipokines and exacerbation of inflammatory responses.
NATURE REVIEWS RHEUMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Ignacio Dallo, Riccardo D'Ambrosi, Dawid Szwedowski, Ali Mobasheri, Alberto Gobbi
Summary: Bone marrow lesions (BMLs) are common findings in different knee pathologies, but the etiology and treatment protocol for symptomatic BMLs remain unclear. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes and safety of Osteo Core Plasty technique in treating symptomatic BMLs in the knee, and it shows promising results in reducing pain and improving overall scores.
STEM CELLS AND DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Angela Semitela, Goncalo Ramalho, Ana Capitao, Catia Sousa, Alexandrina F. Mendes, Paula A. A. P. Marques, Antonio Completo
Summary: Electrospinning is widely used in fabricating fibrous scaffolds for cartilage tissue engineering. However, small pores in the scaffold restrict cell infiltration. Bio-electrospraying provides a solution by incorporating chondrocytes into the fibers during electrospinning. Through experiments, it was found that chondrocytes survived and functioned well under certain electrospraying conditions. The combination of electrospraying and polymer electrospinning shows promising results for the delivery and development of cellularized cartilage tissue constructs.
JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Orthopedics
Ursule Kalvaityte, Csaba Matta, Eiva Bernotiene, Peter Natesan Pushparaj, Ata M. Kiapour, Ali Mobasheri
Summary: This article reviews the biological roles of clusterin in cartilage, chondrocytes, and other synovial joint tissues, and discusses its potential as a biomarker in synovial and systemic fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA). Clusterin has cytoprotective functions and may serve as a biomarker of early repair responses in OA.
JOURNAL OF ORTHOPAEDIC TRANSLATION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Almira Ramanaviciene, Anton Popov, Ema Baliunaite, Benediktas Brasiunas, Asta Kausaite-Minkstimiene, Ugur Tamer, Gailute Kirdaite, Eiva Bernotiene, Ali Mobasheri
Summary: This study presents the development of a specific magnetic immunoassay method for the determination of hGH concentration in serum. The method has a low limit of detection, clinically relevant linear range, and negligible non-specific binding. Important technical solutions for the development of this sandwich-type colorimetric magneto-immunoassay are discussed.
Article
Rheumatology
Federico Angelini, Pawel Widera, Ali Mobasheri, Joseph Blair, Andre Struglics, Melanie Uebelhoer, Yves Henrotin, Anne Ca Marijnissen, Margreet Kloppenburg, Francisco J. Blanco, Ida K. Haugen, Francis Berenbaum, Christoph Ladel, Jonathan Larkin, Anne C. Bay-Jensen, Jaume Bacardit
Summary: The study found three dominant endotypes associated with three phenotypes: low tissue turnover, structural damage, and systemic inflammation. Each endotype presented different disease characteristics, indicating the potential for personalized treatment strategies in the future.
ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catia Sousa, Alexandrina Ferreira Mendes
Summary: SIRT1, an NAD-dependent enzyme, plays a crucial role in regulating various biological processes such as energy metabolism, stress response, and circadian rhythm. Enhancing SIRT1 activity can extend lifespan and improve age-related diseases. Natural and synthetic SIRT1 activators and inhibitors have been developed, including polyphenols and non-polyphenolic monoterpenoids. These compounds have shown potential as SIRT1 activators and may have therapeutic applications in age-related diseases.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gabriela Moco, Catia Sousa, Ana Capitao, Stephen Scott MacKinnon, Alcino Jorge Leitao, Alexandrina Ferreira Mendes
Summary: The study aimed to synthesize chemical derivatives of carvone to improve its bioavailability and activity. Fourteen derivatives were synthesized and confirmed for their chemical structures. Among them, four compounds showed significant anti-inflammatory effects and dual effects on pro-IL-1 protein levels. Prediction and analysis indicated that these compounds have permeability and do not inhibit P-gp or interact with major receptors. Although they have low potency and specificity, further chemical modification may yield more promising drugs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Catia Sousa, Bruno Miguel Neves, Alcino Jorge Leitao, Alexandrina Ferreira Mendes
Summary: In this study, the anti-inflammatory activity of (R)-(-)-carvone was explored. The results showed that (R)-(-)-carvone could inhibit the signaling pathways involving MAPKs and NF-kappa B. It was found that (R)-(-)-carvone significantly decreased the phosphorylation of JNK1 and inhibited the transcriptional activity of NF-kappa B. Moreover, (R)-(-)-carvone might exert its anti-inflammatory effect through the activation of Nrf2.
Review
Cell Biology
Csaba Matta, Roland Takacs, Laszlo Ducza, Rana Abdelsattar Ebeid, Heonsik Choi, Ali Mobasheri
Summary: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, progressive, and debilitating musculoskeletal condition with chronic pain as one of its main symptoms. The true source of OA pain is still unclear, despite ongoing research into its pathomechanisms. Ion channels and transporters play a key role in nociceptive pain, and this review article provides an update on their distribution and function in synovial joint tissues. It also proposes directions for the development of future analgesic therapies for OA pain.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ilona Uzieliene, Daiva Bironaite, Rokas Miksiunas, Edvardas Bagdonas, Raminta Vaiciuleviciute, Ali Mobasheri, Eiva Bernotiene
Summary: This study investigated the role of intracellular calcium (iCa(2+)) and its regulation through voltage-operated calcium channels (VOCC) in the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells. Results showed that chondrocytes had the highest level of iCa(2+), while MenSCs had the largest iCa(2+) store capacity and proliferation ability. The expression of the CaV1.2 gene was highest in MenSCs during chondrogenic differentiation. Nifedipine, a CaV1.2 antagonist, could suppress iCa(2+) and proliferation in all cells and affect iCa(2+) stores, especially in BMMSCs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ana Teresa Rufino, Mariana Lucas, Artur M. S. Silva, Daniela Ribeiro, Eduarda Fernandes
Summary: The study found that 2-SC can reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the NF-kappa B pathway. However, one of the 2-SC also has the ability to suppress the NF-kappa B pathway, further reducing the expression of inflammatory factors. These results suggest that 2-SC may be potential drugs for new therapeutic strategies for rheumatoid arthritis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mohammad Mehdi Ommati, Ali Mobasheri, Hossein Niknahad, Mohammad Rezaei, Sepideh Alidaee, Abdollah Arjmand, Sahra Mazloomi, Narges Abdoli, Issa Sadeghian, Samira Sabouri, Mohsen Saeed, Khadijeh Mousavi, Asma Najibi, Reza Heidari
Summary: Ammonium ion (NH4+) is suspected to be the main molecule responsible for neurological complications in hepatic encephalopathy. This study investigated the effects of the NMDA receptor antagonist ketamine on hyperammonemic mice and found that it significantly improved locomotor activity, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and decreased proinflammatory cytokines. These findings suggest that ketamine may have neuroprotective mechanisms against NH4+-induced neurotoxicity.
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2023)