Project description:The vascular wall from diverse human organs is a source of mesenchymal progenitor cells. FACS purified human perivascular stem cells (PSC), identified by expression of CD146 or CD34, were observed to induce mitogenic, pro-migratory, and pro-osteogenic effects on osteoprogenitor cells via elaboration of extracellular vesicles (EV). These EV mediated effects were dependent on surface-associated tetraspanin expression, including CD9 and CD81. PSC derived EV stimulate bone defect repair, and do so via stimulation of skeletal progenitor cell proliferation, migration, and osteodifferentiation. In sum, PSC-EV represent an ‘off the shelf’ alternative for bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Project description:Background: Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. In our lab, we found that cell preparations from bone marrow of many donors had a limited capacity for in vitro-differentiation into the osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages although this is a capacity claimed to be inherent to this kind of cells. Therefore the current study was designed to test the hypothesis whether the amount of heparin used as anti-coagulant during bone marrow harvest has inhibitory influence on the in vitro-differentiation capacity of the isolated MSCs. Methods: Bone marrow was obtained from twelve donors with good physical condition during preparation of the femoral cavity for the implantation of the femoral stem for a total hip arthroplasty in the absence or presence of heparin. Isolated MSCs were characterized by plastic adhesion, morphology, population doubling times, expression of cell surface antigens and in vitro-differentiation into the adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. In addition, transcriptome analyses were performed. Results: Bone marrow prepared in the absence of heparin showed a comparable processability as bone marrow in the presence of heparin. Notably, no coagulation was observed. The number of mononuclear cells retrieved from the density gradient was independent of heparin addition. Moreover, none of the phenotypic or functional parameters assessed correlated with the addition of heparin. Transcriptome and quantitative realtime PCR analyses demonstrated that some selected genes were up- or downregulated in the cells isolated with the addition of heparin. However, this statement held true for only some but not all of the donors investigated in the present study. Conclusions: No correlation with heparin addition was observed with respect to the parameters assessed in the present study. This implies the absence of consequences both for the results of in vitro-investigations and also during in vivo-application, thereby ruling out heparin as a potential source of disparate results that are described in the literature.
Project description:Achieving bone union remains a significant clinical dilemma. The use of osteoinductive agents, specifically BMPs , has gained wide appreciable attention. However, multiple side effects, including increased incidence of cancer, has renewed interest in investigating other alternatives that provide safer, yet effective bone regeneration. Here we demonstrate the robust bone healing capabilities of the main megakaryocyte growth factor, thrombopoietin (TPO) and/or second generation TPO agents in mice, rats, and pigs. This bone healing activity is shown in two fracture models (critical sized defect or CSD and closed fracture) and with local or systemic administration. Our transcriptomic analyses, cellular studies, and protein arrays demonstrate that TPO enhances angiogenesis, an important aspect of successful bone repair. Finally, the therapeutic potential of thrombopoietic agents is high since they are used in the clinic for other indications (e.g. thrombocytopenia).
Project description:Biomaterial-based bone tissue engineering offers a promising prospect for the treatment of bone defects. In particular, the ability of biomaterials to regulate the immune microenvironment of the defect site is essential for effective bone regeneration. Electro-biomaterials have been confirmed to induce macrophage M2 polarization through metabolic pathways, thereby enhancing bone regeneration. Considering the central role of mitochondria in cellular metabolism and their ability to influence the function of neighboring cells through intercellular transfer, and inspired by the fact that tumor cells can uptake mitochondria from immune cells to generate energy, we hypothesize that the metabolic activation of immune cells by electro-materials can be transmitted to preosteoblasts through mitochondria to promote bone repair. Therefore, this study proposed a conductive micro-hydrogel (CMH) system composed of conductive hydrogel microspheres made from GelMA and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), which served as scaffolds for defect filling, and a biomimetic periosteum made from poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and polydopamine (PDA) for microsphere immobilization and isolation of soft tissue. The microspheres exhibited excellent tissue support and degradation properties, their high specific surface area enhanced tissue remodeling, and their good conductivity eliminated free radicals and induced macrophage M2 polarization, which were confirmed by tests of mechanical property, swelling and degradation, conductivity and assays of cellular biocompatibility, ROS generation, and macrophage phenotype. In vivo experiments using a rat mandibular defect model confirmed the excellent bone repair capabilities of the CMH system, and transcriptomics, metabolomics, and metabolic testing revealed that the CMH system upregulated the oxidative phosphorylation pathway of macrophage, enhancing mitochondrial respiration and ATP production. Mitochondrial tracing experiments demonstrated the transfer of macrophage mitochondria to preosteoblasts, resulting in enhanced metabolic activity and osteogenic differentiation of preosteoblasts. This study may be the first suggest that conductive biomaterials facilitate osteogenic immunomodulation through mitochondrial transfer, which provides a promising method for regulating the immune microenvironment and reveals a novel pathway by which M2 macrophages enhance osteogenesis.
Project description:data-independent Acquisition (DIA) proteomics technology was utilized to identify differentially expressed proteins within bone tissue in Osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Project description:The mechanisms of obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D)-associated impaired fracture healing are poorly studied. In a murine model of T2D reflecting both hyperinsulinemia induced by high fat diet (HFD) and insulinopenia induced by treatment with streptozotocin (STZ), we examined bone healing in a tibia cortical bone defect. A delayed bone healing was observed during hyperinsulinemia as newly formed bone was reduced by – 28.4±7.7% and was associated with accumulation of marrow adipocytes at the defect site +124.06±38.71%, and increased density of SCA1+ (+74.99± 29.19%) but not Runx2+osteoprogenitor cells. We also observed increased in reactive oxygen species production (+101.82± 33.05%), senescence gene signature (≈106.66± 34.03%) and LAMIN B1- senescent cell density (+225.18± 43.15%), suggesting accelerated senescence phenotype. During insulinopenia, a more pronounced delayed bone healing was observed with decreased newly formed bone to -34.9± 6.2% which was inversely correlated with glucose levels (R2=0.48, p<0.004) and callus adipose tissue area (R2=0.3711, p<0.01). Finally, to investigate the relevance to human physiology, we observed that sera from obese and T2D patients exerted inhibitory effects on osteoblastic and enhanced adipocyte differentiation of human bone marrow stromal stem cells. Our data demonstrate that T2D exerts negative effects on bone healing through inhibition of osteoblast differentiation of skeletal stem cells and induction of accelerated bone senescence and that the hyperglycaemia per se and not just insulin levels is detrimental for bone healing.
Project description:Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-derived exosomes (exo) have shown comprehensive application prospects over the years. Despite similar functions, exomes from different origins present heterogeneous characteristics and components; however, there are no relevant proteomic analyses. In this study, we isolated exosomes from MSCs, derived from different tissues, by ultracentrifugation. A total of 1014 proteins were detected using a label-free method and analyzed with bioinformatics tools. The results revealed their shared function in the extracellular matrix receptor. Bone marrow-MSCs-derived exosomes showed superior regeneration ability. Likewise, adipose tissue-MSCs-derived exosomes played a significant role in immune regulation. Whereas, umbilical cord-MSCs-derived exosomes were more prominent in tissue damage repair.
Project description:Intercellular mitochondrial transfer has recently been discovered as a strategy for local microenvironment regulation and repair. However, improving the efficiency of mitochondrial transfer and reducing immune rejection caused by implants is challenging for its application in bone regeneration tissue engineering. We found that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC)s can obtain mitochondria from macrophages through tunnel nanotubes (TNT)s. Mitochondria are crucial for the metabolism and function of BMSC. We further designed a composite hydrogel based on aldehyde sodium hyaluronate and chitosan as the network matrix, containing anti-inflammatory dimethyl itaconate (DMI) and macrophage-targeted zwitterionic nanoparticles (MDVNPs). The acidic bone injury microenvironment triggers a reversible Schiff base reaction in response to pH; further, the released DMI upregulates the M2 phenotype of macrophages by reducing the ROS level. Subsequently, MDVNPs with targeting, high transfection, and low immunogenicity accelerated the efficiency of mitochondrial transfer between macrophages and BMSC by increasing the expression of the mitochondrial transfer regulatory protein Rho GTPase 1 (Miro1). In vitro studies have confirmed that promoting mitochondrial transfer can effectively increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) levels in BMSC, promoting osteoblastic differentiation. In the mouse model of critical defect, the composite hydrogel (Gel@MDI) can reduce inflammatory reactions, improve energy metabolism, and enhance bone repair by promoting the balance between the immune system and bone metabolism. This study establishes a potential method for the immune microenvironment to enhance cellular mitochondrial bioenergy and achieve tissue regeneration by regulating mitochondrial transfer between cells.