Tesis sobre el tema "Cartilage cells. Osteoarthritis. Cartilage Cell differentiation"

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Kent State University, 2005.
Title from PDF t.p. (viewed Sept. 5, 2006). Advisor: Walter E. Horton. Keywords: chondrocytes; osteoarthritis; Sox9; Bcl-2; MEK-ERK 1/2. Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-106).

Le cartilage articulaire est un tissu avasculaire et non innervé, ce qui lui confère des capacités de réparation très limitées. Les traitements chirurgicaux actuels ne permettent pas d’obtenir un tissu de réparation similaire au cartilage natif. Les recherches s’orientent depuis de nombreuses années vers l’ingénierie cellulaire et tissulaire du cartilage selon le type de lésions à traiter, focale ou diffuse. Les cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSMs) constituent une source cellulaire intéressante pour l’ingénierie du cartilage. Elles sont facilement accessibles et ont des potentialités de différenciation chondrogénique. Les CSMs issues de la moelle osseuse sont les plus étudiées et constituent la référence. D’autres sources de CSMs sont également très prometteuses. Notre choix s’est porté sur les CSMs issues de la membrane et du liquide synovial. Ces deux tissus articulaires présentent l’avantage de pouvoir être prélevés facilement lors d’un examen arthroscopique et leurs CSMs sont adaptées au microenvironnement (hypoxie, inflammation) de l’articulation. Ce travail a porté sur l’étude de deux sources cellulaires d’origine synoviale dans le traitement des lésions focales et diffuses du cartilage. Ces CSMs d’origine synoviale ont d’abord été caractérisées selon leurs phénotypes et leurs capacités de différenciation vers les voies ostéogénique, adipogénique et chondrogénique, par rapport aux CSMs issues de la moelle osseuse. Ensuite, les capacités chondrogéniques de ces CSMs synoviales destinées à produire un substitut cartilagineux consacré aux traitements des lésions focales du cartilage articulaire ont été étudiées. Les CSMs ont été ensemencées dans un biomatériau collagénique et différentes conditions environnementales (facteurs de croissance et oxymétrie) ont été évaluées afin de définir les conditions de culture les plus appropriées. La chondrogenèse a été induite avec succès par l’utilisation de facteurs de croissance tels que TGF-1 et TGF-3 seuls ou en association avec la BMP-2. L’hypoxie n’a pas montré d’effet bénéfique sur la synthèse matricielle au sein des substituts cartilagineux. Enfin, nous avons évalué les capacités des CSMs issues du liquide synovial à traiter les lésions diffuses du cartilage induites par un modèle de section du ligament croisé antérieur chez le rat athymique. Les deux injections intra-articulaires de CSMs issues du liquide synovial à 1 et 2 semaines après chirurgie n’ont pas permis de prévenir les lésions arthrosiques
Joint cartilage is avascular and not innervated, which gives it very limited repair capabilities. Current surgical treatments do not provide repair tissue similar to native cartilage. For many years, research has been focused on cellular and tissue engineering of cartilage depending on the type of lesions to be treated, focal or diffuse. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are an interesting cellular source for cartilage engineering. They are easily accessible and have the potential for chondrogenic differentiation. MSCs from bone marrow are the most studied and are the gold-standard. Other MSCs sources of are also very promising. We chose MSCs from the synovial membrane and synovial fluid. These both joint tissues have the advantage of being easily retrievable during arthroscopic examination and their MSCs are adapted to the microenvironment (hypoxia, inflammation) of the joint. This thesis work focused on the study of two cellular sources of synovial origin in the treatment of focal and diffuse cartilage lesions. These synovial-derived MSCs were first characterized according to their phenotypes and their ability to differentiate to the osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic pathways, compared to bone marrow derived MSCs. Then, the chondrogenic capacities of these synovial MSCs to produce a cartilage substitute for the treatment of focal lesions of joint cartilage were studied. The MSCs were seeded in a collagenic biomaterial and different environmental conditions (growth factors and oximetry) were evaluated to define the most appropriate culture conditions. Chondrogenesis has been induced with success by the use of growth factors such as TGF-β1 or TGF-β3 alone or in combination with BMP-2. Hypoxia has not exerted a beneficial effect on matrix synthesis in cartilage substitutes.Finally, we evaluated the ability of CSMs from human synovial fluid to treat diffuse cartilage lesions induced by an anterior cruciate ligament section model in athymic rats. The two intra-articular injections of synovial fluid MSCs, 1 and 2 weeks after surgery did not prevent osteoarthritic lesions

’arthropathie dégénérative est une maladie ayant des répercussions socio-économiques majeures chez l’homme et le cheval. Il n’existe pour l’heure aucun traitement curatif de cette maladie, le cartilage articulaire étant dépourvu de pouvoir de cicatrisation spontané. De nombreux espoirs reposent sur l’utilisation de cellules souches mésenchymateuses (CSM), pour leur potentiel pro-régénératif et anti-inflammatoire. Le premier objectif de cette étude était d’évaluer la tolérance des CSM de sang de cordon ombilical (SCO) et de moelle osseuse (MO) dans des articulations saines. L’étude contrôlée en aveugle menée sur 12 chevaux expérimentaux a démontré que l’injection de CSM-MO provoquait significativement plus de signes de réaction inflammatoire que l’injection de CSM-SCO, et que l’injection des CSM, quelle que soit leur origine, provoquait une réaction inflammatoire discrète à modérée, supérieure à celle d’une injection de placébo, avec une grande variabilité individuelle de sensibilité à une même lignée de cellules. Le second objectif était d’évaluer l’efficacité des CSM-MO et -SCO dans un modèle d’arthropathie induite. L’étude contrôlée en aveugle menée sur 8 chevaux expérimentaux a mis en évidence une réduction significative de la progression des signes indicateurs d’arthropathie à l’imagerie après injection de CSM-MO allogéniques par rapport à l’injection du placébo. Ces résultats encourageants, à considérer à la lumière des limites des études menées, indiquent un effet bénéfique des CSM-MO allogéniques dans la prise en charge de l’arthrose chez le cheval. Ils soulignent la nécessité de poursuivre les recherches afin de confirmer ces résultats, et d’optimiser les effets des CSM à travers leur combinaison à un vecteur ou par une approche acellulaire avec administration des nanovésicules qu’elles sécrètent, et considérées être à l’origine de leurs effets thérapeutiques
Osteoarthritis is a common cause of pain and economic loss in both humans and horses. There is currently no curative treatment for osteoarthritis, because of the lack of spontaneous regenerative capacity of the articular cartilage. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) based regenerative medicine comes across as a promising strategy given their pro-regenerative and anti-inflammatory potential. The first objective of this study was to evaluate the safety of umbilical cord blood (UCB) and bone marrow (BM) derived MSC in healthy joints. The blind controlled study conducted on 12 experimental horses showed that the injection of BM-MSC caused significantly more signs of inflammatory reaction than the injection of UCB-MSC, and that the injection of MSC, regardless of their origin, caused a discrete to moderate inflammatory reaction, greater than that of the placebo, with great individual variability in sensitivity to the same cell line. The second objective was to evaluate the efficacy of BM-MSC and UCB-MSC in a model of induced osteoarthritis. The blind controlled study conducted on 8 experimental horses showed a significant reduction in the progression of osteoarthritis associated signs with imaging techniques after injection of allogeneic BM-MSC compared to placebo. These promising results, to be considered in light of the limitations of the studies, indicate a beneficial effect of allogeneic BM-MSC in the management of osteoarthritis in horses. They underline the need for further research to confirm these results, and to optimize the effects of MSC through their combination with a vector or through an acellular approach with administration of the nanovesicles they secrete that ared considered to be responsible for their therapeutic effects

Cartilage lesion is a fairly common problem in orthopaedic practise. It is often a consequence of traumas, inflammatory conditions, and biomechanics alterations. However, as an avascular and aneural tissue, articular cartilage has minimal healing ability. Over the past decades, surgeons and scientists have proposed a nubmer of treatment strategies to promote restoration of articular cartilage, like arthroscopic lavage, microfracture surgery, osteochoncral autografts and allografts, autologous chondrocyte implantation, and other cell-based repairs. Nevertheless, these solutions often result in fibrocartilage, which has inferior mechanical and biochemical properties, with increased susceptibility to injury, which usually ultimately leads to osteoarthritis (OA). Stem cell therapy techniques are widely applied in treating disease or injury. Many medical researchers have proposed stem cell transplantation treatment for enhancing cartilage repair by using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) along with biocompatible scaffolds. In addition to that, chondrogenic progenitor cells (CPCs) have also been discovered in OA patients and healthy articular cartilage. However, neither the method for isolating CPCs is not well established, nor the origin and function is not fully understood. Stem cells may be measured in CFUs (Colony-forming units). Ideally, adult stem cells should be clonogenic. In other words, a single adult stem cell should be able to generate a line of genetically identical cells. Fully characteraization of stem/progenitor cell potential requires purified population. Single-cell cloned population maybe serve as a convincing source for study of stem/progenitor cells. Therefore, a single cell clonogenecity screening system was developed to identify and isolate putative stem/progenitor cells from cartilage based on fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). Also, genetical and functional characterization of isolated cells was taken.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Bioengineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2006.
Harish Radhakrishna, Committee Member ; Christopher Jacobs, Committee Member ; Andres Garcia, Committee Member ; Marc E. Levenston, Committee Chair ; Barbara Boyan, Committee Member.

Endochondral bone development depends on the progression of chondrocyte proliferation, hypertrophy and terminal differentiation, which requires precise transcriptional regulation and signaling coordination. Disturbance of this process would disrupt chondrocyte differentiation and lead to chondrodysplasias. In cells, a highly conserved mechanism, ER stress signaling, has been developed to sense the protein load and maintain the cellular homeostasis. In humans, mutations in COL10A1 induce ER stress and result in metaphyseal chondrodysplasia type Schmid (MCDS). Previous analysis of a MCDS mouse model (13deltg mouse) had revealed a novel mechanism of chondrocyte adaptation to ER stress. The hypertrophic chondrocytes survive ER stress by reverting to a pre-hypertrophic like state (Tsang et al., 2007). To dissect the underlying mechanisms that coordinate chondrocyte survival, reverted differentiation and adaptation to ER stress, different chondrocyte populations in the wild type and 13del growth plates were fractionated for global gene expression analyses. The genome-wide expression profiles of proliferating chondrocytes, prehypertrophic chondrocytes, hypertrophic chondrocytes and terminally differentiated chondrocytes in the wild type growth plate provide molecular bases to understand the processes underlying both physiological and pathological bone growth. Systematic analyses of these transcriptomic data revealed the gene expression patterns and correlation in the dynamics of endochondral ossification. Genes associated with sterol metabolism and cholesterol biosynthesis are enriched in the prehypertrophic chondrocytes. Selected genes (Wwp2, Zbtb20, Ppa1 and Ptgis) that may potentially contribute to endochondral ossification were identified differentially expressed in the growth plate. Bioinformatics approaches were applied to predict regulatory networks in chondrocytes at different differentiation stages, implying the essential and dominant roles of Sox9 in coordination of stage specific gene expression. We further confirmed that Sox9 directly regulates the transcription of Cyr61, Lmo4, Ppa1, Ptch1 and Trps1, suggesting that Sox9 integrates different steps of chondrocyte differentiation via regulation of its target genes and partially crosstalk with IHH signaling pathway. The information on gene expression and regulation from physiological growth plate provides important basis to understand the molecular defects of chondrodysplasia. The hypertrophic zone in 13del growth plate was fractionated into upper, middle and lower parts for microarray profiling, corresponding for the onset of ER stress, onset of reverted differentiation and adaptation phase. Comparative transcriptomics of wild type and 13del growth plates revealed genes related to glucose, amino acid and lipid metabolisms are up regulated in response to ER stress. Fgf21 was identified as a novel ER stress inducible factor regulated by ATF4. Removal of Fgf21 results in increasing cell apoptosis in 13del hypertrophic zone without affecting the reverted differentiation process. Up regulation of genes expression related to hypoxic stress (Slc2a1, Hyou1, Stc2 and Galectin3) in 13del hypertrophic chondrocytes suggested that survival and adaptation of chondrocytes to ER stress involve cross-regulation by other stress pathways. Our findings have provided a new insight into the mechanisms that facilitate chondrocyte survival under ER stress in vivo, and propose the integrative effects of hypoxic stress pathway during the stress adaptation process, which broaden the molecular horizons underlying chondrodysplasias caused by protein folding mutations.
published_or_final_version
Biochemistry
Doctoral
Doctor of Philosophy

Due to the limited intrinsic healing ability of mature cartilage tissue, stem cell therapies offer the potential to restore cartilage lost due to trauma or arthritis. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source due to their ability to differentiate into various adult tissues under specific biochemical and physical cues. Current MSC chondrogenic differentiation strategies employ large pellets, however, we have previously developed a high-throughput technique to form small MSC aggregates (500-1,000 cells) that may reduce diffusion barriers while maintaining a multicellular structure that is analogous to cartilaginous condensations. The objective of this study was to examine the effects on chondrogenesis of incorporating chondroitin sulfate methacrylate (CSMA) microparticles (MPs) within these small MSC spheroids when cultured in the presence of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) over 21 days. Spheroids +MP induced earlier increases in collagen II and aggrecan gene expression (chondrogenic markers) than spheroids -MP, although no large differences in immunostaining for these matrix molecules were observed by day 21. Collagen I and X was also detected in the ECM of all spheroids by immunostaining. Interestingly, histology revealed that CSMA MPs clustered together near the center of the MSC spheroids and induced circumferential alignment of cells and ECM around the material core. Because chondrogenesis was not hindered by the presence of CSMA MPs, this study demonstrates the utility of this culture system to further examine the effects of matrix molecules on MSC phenotype, as well as potentially direct differentiation in a more spatially controlled manner that better mimics the architecture of specific target tissues.

La reconstruction des défauts du cartilage auriculaire nécessite une restauration appropriée par des sources cellulaires adéquates ainsi que la fourniture de supports appropriés pour les tissus. Ce travail visait à étudier différents échafaudages et biomatériaux pour l'ingénierie in vitro du cartilage auriculaire ainsi que la réparation in vivo du cartilage auriculaire chez des modèles de lapin. Nous avons d'abord montré que les périchondrocytes auriculaires sont les meilleurs candidats pour la régénération du cartilage auriculaire et que l'hypoxie n'est pas nécessaire à leur différenciation chondrogénique. Ces cellules ont formé avec succès des feuillets de cellules cartilagineuses que nous avons utilisés pour régénérer le tissu cartilagineux in vitro et pour combler et reconstruire les défauts du cartilage in vivo dans des modèles allogèniques de lapins. Nous avons ensuite testé des tissus dérivés de la cellulose en décellularisant un tissu de pomme. Une fois recolonisés avec des cellules, ces échafaudages ont surpassé les hydrogels d'alginate en augmentant la croissance et en régulant l'expression cartilagineuse dans différentes cellules de mammifères. Dans la dernière partie de la thèse, nous avons examiné des matrices sécrétées par les cellules et les avons utilisées comme revêtement pour différentes applications de culture cellulaire. Il est intéressant de noter que ces supports, une fois lyophilisés, ont favorisé la culture de cellules allo- et xénogéniques, augmenté la prolifération et stimulé la chondrogenèse. Nous avons également mis en évidence la préservation du phénotype lors de l’amplification des chondrocytes par passages successifs. Notre étude fournit de nouveaux outils et approches pour de multiples applications de culture cellulaire
Successful reconstruction of auricular cartilage defects requires the appropriate restoration of the cartilaginous deformities by potential cell sources as well as providing suitable tissue supports. This work aimed to investigate different scaffolds and biomaterials for in vitro auricular cartilage engineering as well as in vivo auricular cartilage repair in rabbit models. We first showed that auricular perichondrocytes are the best candidates for auricular cartilage regeneration and hypoxia is not necessary for their chondrogenic differentiation. These cells successfully formed cartilaginous cell sheets which were used to regenerate cartilage tissue in vitro and to fill and reconstruct cartilage defects in vivo in allogenic rabbit models. Furthermore, we tested cellulose-derived tissue by decellularizing apple tissue and its use as a scaffold. Repopulated with cells, these scaffolds surpassed alginate hydrogels by enhancing colonization and upregulating the cartilaginous expression in different mammalian cells. In the final part of the thesis, we examined cell-secreted matrices and used them as a coating for different cell culture applications. Interestingly, these coatings promoted both allo- and xenogeneic cell culture, increased proliferation, and boosted chondrogenesis. We also highlighted phenotype preservation during chondrocytes expansion on these cell-secreted matrices. Our study provides novel tools and approaches for multiple cell culture applications

El cartílag articular té una capacitat limitada de creixement i regeneració i, els tractaments per restaurar la funció del teixit, després d’una lesió, són limitats i poc entesos per la comunitat mèdica. Existeix, per tant, un gran interès en trobar una solució pràctica i agradable pel pacient que aconsegueixi la reparació del cartílag. La enginyeria de teixits va sorgir per restablir teixits danyats usant noves plataformes terapèutiques basades en cèl·lules i/o biomaterials. Aquestes noves teràpies pretenen crear estructures similars al cartílag que imiten les propietats mecàniques i biològiques que trobem in vivo. En aquest context, l’ús de matrius biomimètiques que reprodueixin estructural i funcionalment el microambient natiu han despertat gran interès en aquest camp. Els pèptids auto-ensamblants representen candidats ideals per crear nínxols cel·lulars, ja que les seves nanofibres i propietats biomecàniques son similars a les de la matriu extracel·lular. En aquesta tesi, s’ha desenvolupat nous biomaterials sintètics amb gran potencial per la reparació de cartílag. Aquests estan basats en el pèptid auto-ensamblant RAD16-I decorat amb motius bioactius, amb l’objectiu de reproduir la matriu del cartílag. Donada la versatilitat del hidrogel RAD16-I, les noves matrius es van formar per simple mescla del pèptid RAD16-I amb molècules d’heparina, condroitin sulfat i decorina. Aquestes matrius bi-composades presenten bona estabilitat química i estructural a pH fisiològic i son capaces d’unir i alliberar, gradualment, factors de creixement. L’avaluació d’aquestes matrius es va dur a terme mitjançant dues estratègies in vitro diferents: la rediferenciació de condròcits articulars humans i la inducció del llinatge condrogènic en cèl·lules mare derivades de teixit adipós. Ambdós tipus cel·lulars son considerats una bona font cel·lular per obtenir constructes que reparin defectes al cartílag. Els resultats presentats en aquest treball mostren diferencies a nivell de comportament cel·lular, patrons d’expressió i propietats mecàniques entre els dos tipus cel·lulars i les diferents condicions de cultiu (matrius i medis). Cal destacar que els dos tipus cel·lulars es diferencien a un llinatge condrogènic en medi d’inducció i que els constructes presenten propietats mecàniques compatibles amb un sistema condrogènic. A més s’ha determinat que la presencia de molècules d’heparina a la matriu promou la supervivència de les cèl·lules mare derivades de teixit adipós. En conjunt, les noves matrius bi-composades representen un material fàcil de preparar i prometedor per promoure la diferenciació condrogènica. Finalment, part d’aquesta tesi s’ha centrat en el desenvolupament d’una nova matriu composta mitjançant la infiltració del pèptid RAD16-I amb cèl·lules en microfibres de policaprolactona (PCL). S’ha demostrat que aquesta nova combinació ofereix una estructura funcional i biomimètica, ja que proporciona suport mecànic per les fibres de PCL i a la vegada, facilita l’adhesió i el creixement cel·lular per l’hidrogel RAD16-I. El cultiu in vitro de condròcits humans desdiferenciats demostra que la nova matriu composada promou la supervivència cel·lular i el restabliment del llinatge condrogènic. En general, les propietats sinèrgiques de la nova matriu composada proporcionen una plataforma terapèutica ideal per ajudar a la reparació del cartílag.
El cartílago articular tiene una capacidad limitada de crecimiento y regeneración y, los tratamientos para restaurar la función del tejido, después de una lesión, son limitados y poco entendidos por la comunidad médica. Existe, por tanto, un gran interés en encontrar una solución práctica y agradable para el paciente que consiga la reparación del cartílago. La ingeniería de tejidos surgió para restaurar tejidos dañados usando nuevas plataformas terapéuticas basadas en células y/o biomateriales. Estas nuevas terapias pretenden crear estructuras similares al cartílago que imiten las propiedades mecánicas y biológicas que se dan in vivo. En este sentido, el uso de matrices biomiméticas que reproduzcan estructural y funcionalmente el microambiente nativo ha generado gran interés en este campo. Los péptidos auto-ensamblantes representan candidatos ideales para crear nichos celulares dado que, sus nanofibras y propiedades biomecánicas son similares a las de la matriz extracelular. En esta tesis, se han desarrollado nuevos biomateriales sintéticos con gran potencial para la reparación de cartílago. Éstos, están basados en el péptido auto-ensamblante RAD16-I decorado con motivos bioactivos, tratando de reproducir la matriz del cartílago. Dada la versatilidad del hidrogel RAD16-I, las nuevas matrices se formaron por simple mezcla del péptido RAD16-I con moléculas de heparina, condroitin sulfato y decorina. Estas matrices bi-compuestas presentan buena estabilidad química y estructural a pH fisiológico y son capaces de unir y liberar, gradualmente, factores de crecimiento. La evaluación de estas matrices se llevó a cabo mediante dos estrategias in vitro diferentes: la rediferenciación de condrocitos articulares humanos y, la inducción del linaje condrogénico en células madre derivadas de tejido adiposo. Ambos tipos celulares son considerados una buena fuente de células para obtener constructos que reparen defectos en el cartílago. Los resultados presentados en este trabajo muestran diferencias a nivel de comportamiento celular, patrones de expresión y propiedades mecánicas entre los dos tipos celulares y las diferentes condiciones de cultivo (matrices y medios). Cabe destacar que, ambos tipos celulares se diferencian a un linaje condrogénico en medio de inducción y que los constructos presentan propiedades mecánicas compatibles con un sistema condrogénico. Además, se ha determinado que la presencia de moléculas de heparina en la matriz promueve la supervivencia de las células madre derivadas de tejido adiposo. En conjunto, las nuevas matrices bi-compuestas representan un material fácil de preparar y prometedor para promover la diferenciación condrogénica. Por último, parte de esta tesis se ha centrado en el desarrollo de una nueva matriz compuesta mediante la infiltración del péptido RAD16-I con células en microfibras de policaprolactona (PCL). Se ha demostrado que esta nueva combinación ofrece una estructura funcional y biomimética, dado que, proporciona soporte mecánico por las fibras PCL y a su vez, facilita la adhesión y el crecimiento celular debido al hidrogel RAD16-I. El cultivo in vitro de condrocitos humanos desdiferenciados demuestra que la nueva matriz compuesta promueve la supervivencia celular y el restablecimiento del linaje condrogénico. En general, las propiedades sinérgicas de la nueva matriz compuesta proporcionan una plataforma terapéutica ideal para ayudar a la reparación del cartílago.
Adult articular cartilage has a limited capacity for growth and regeneration and, after injury, treatments to restore tissue function remain poorly understood by the medical community. Therefore, there is currently great interest in finding practical and patient-friendly strategies for cartilage repair. Tissue engineering has emerged to restore damaged tissue by using new cellular or biomaterial-based therapeutic platforms. These approaches aim to produce cartilage-like structures that reproduce the complex mechanical and biological properties found in vivo. To this end, the use of biomimetic scaffolds that recreate structurally and functionally the native cell microenvironment has become of increasing interest in the field. Self-assembling peptides are attractive candidates to create artificial cellular niches, because their nanoscale network and biomechanical properties are similar to those of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM). In the present thesis, new composite synthetic biomaterials were developed for cartilage tissue engineering (CTE). They were based on the non-instructive self-assembling peptide RAD16-I and decorated with bioactive motifs, aiming to emulate the native cartilage ECM. We employed a simple mixture of the self-assembling peptide RAD16-I with either heparin, chondroitin sulfate or decorin molecules, taking advantage of the versatility of RAD16-I. The bi-component scaffolds presented good structural and chemical stability at a physiological pH and the capacity to bind and gradually release growth factors. Then, these composite scaffolds were characterized using two different in vitro assessments: re-differentiation of human articular chondrocytes (ACs) and induction of human adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs) to a chondrogenic commitment. Both native chondrocytes and adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), either bone marrow or adipose-tissue derived, are considered good cell sources for CTE applications. The results presented in this work revealed differences in cellular behavior, expression patterns and mechanical properties between cell types and culture conditions (scaffolds and media). Remarkably, both cell types underwent into chondrogenic commitment under inductive media conditions and 3D constructs presented mechanical properties compatible to a system undergoing chondrogenesis. Interestingly, as a consequence of the presence of heparin moieties in the scaffold cell survival of ADSCs was enhanced. Altogether, the new bi-component scaffolds represent a promising "easy to prepare" material for promoting chondrogenic differentiation. Finally, part of this thesis was focus on developing a composite scaffold by infiltrating a three-dimensional (3D) woven microfiber poly (ε-caprolactone) (PCL) scaffold with the RAD16-I self-assembling peptide and cells. This new combination resulted into a multi-scale functional and biomimetic tissue-engineered structure providing mechanical support by PCL scaffold and facilitating cell attachment and growth by RAD16-I hydrogel. The in vitro 3D culture of dedifferentiated human ACs evidenced that the new composite supports cell survival and promotes the reestablishment of the chondrogenic lineage commitment. Overall, the synergistic properties of the novel composite scaffold may provide an ideal therapeutic platform to assist cartilage repair.

Tissue engineering strategies represent exciting potential therapies to repair cartilage injuries; however, difficulty regenerating the complex extracellular matrix (ECM) organization of native cartilage remains a significant challenge. Cartilaginous ECM molecules, specifically chondroitin sulfate (CS) glycosaminoglycan, may possess the ability to promote and direct MSC differentiation down a chondrogenic lineage. CS may interact with the stem cell microenvironment through its highly negative charge, generation of osmotic pressure, and sequestration of growth factors; however, the role of CS in directing differentiation down a chondrogenic lineage remains unclear. The overall goal of this dissertation was to develop versatile biomaterial platforms to control CS presentation to mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in order to improve understanding of the interactions with CS that promote chondrogenic differentiation. To investigate chondrogenic response to a diverse set of CS materials, progenitor cells were cultured in the presence of CS proteoglycans and CS chains in a variety of 2D and 3D material systems. Surfaces were coated with aggrecan proteoglycan to alter cell morphology, CS-based nano- and microspheres were developed as small particle carriers for growth factor delivery, and desulfated chondroitin hydrogels were synthesized to examine electrostatic interactions with growth factors and the role of sulfation in the chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs. Together these studies provided valuable insight into the unique ability of CS-based materials to control cellular microenvironments via morphological and material cues to promote chondrogenic differentiation in the development of tissue engineering strategies for cartilage regeneration and repair.

Introdução: As células-tronco são células indiferenciadas que apresentam capacidade de auto renovação, ou seja, são capazes de se multiplicar, mantendo seu estado indiferenciado, o que proporciona uma reposição ativa de sua população de maneira constante nos tecidos; e, possui também, a capacidade de se diferenciar em diversos tipos celulares. Desta forma, acredita-se que células tronco presentes nos diferentes tecidos tenham papel regenerativo quando estes sofrem uma lesão ou injúria. Atualmente tem aumentado o número de estudos que envolvem a utilização de células tronco mesenquimais de tecido adiposo (ADSCs) na medicina regenerativa e curativa, estando o avanço desta terapia ligado à identificação de mecanismos e de moléculas que controlam e mediam a diferenciação de uma linhagem específica. Entre estas moléculas está o colágeno, proteína estrutural responsável pelas propriedades mecânicas, forma e organização tecidual. Dentre os 28 tipos de colágeno, o tipo V (Col V) e o XI são considerados nucleadores da fibrilogênese e modulam a adesão e proliferação celular. Além disso, o Col V é altamente expresso em tecido embrionário, sugerindo que ele possa atuar na interação célula-matriz no remodelamento e reparo de tecidos lesados, como a cartilagem. Dentre as doenças com acometimento articular, a osteoartrite (OA) é considerada a artropatia mais comum e, ainda, sem tratamento eficaz, culminando, em casos avançados, em intervenção cirúrgica. Estudos recentes mostram que as ADSCs seriam uma alternativa no restabelecimento do tecido cartilaginoso. Por esta razão a proposta do estudo foi avaliar a resposta das ADSCs, frente ao estímulo com Col V in vitro, e se o transplante autólogo dessas células poderia apresentar um efeito na regeneração da cartilagem articular na OA induzida em coelhos. Métodos: Foram cultivadas ADSCs, derivadas do tecido adiposo de coelhos (CEUA 123/14), estimuladas com Col V, para a avaliação da síntese dos principais componentes da matriz cartilaginosa: proteoglicanos e colágeno II. A preservação do fenótipo celular frente ao estímulo com Col V foi avaliada através da expressão do colágeno dos tipos I, II, III, CD34 e vimentina e dos genes COL2A1, ACAN e POU5F1. Os animais (n=24) foram submetidos à indução de OA, por meniscectomia parcial, e divididos nos grupos: OA (n=8), sem tratamento; OA/ADSCs (n=8), tratado com injeções mensais de ADSCs, e OA/ADSCs/V (n=8), tratado com injeções mensais de ADSCs, estimuladas previamente com Col V. As articulações foram coletadas após 22 semanas, descalcificadas e coradas com Hematoxilina e Eosina para histomorfometria da celularidade e espessura da cartilagem, perda de proteoglicanos pela Safranina O/Fast green e imunomarcação para colágeno II e Fas-L, usando o software Image Pro-Plus 6.0®. Resultados: As células estimuladas com Col V apresentaram-se negativas para colágeno I, III e CD34 e positivas para vimentina, colágeno total e proteoglicanos in vitro. Ainda, foi obtido um aumento significativo da expressão de colágeno II e dos genes COL2A1 e ACAN e a expressão de POU5F1 não foi significativa após estímulo. A análise morfológica da cartilagem indicou aumento da quantidade de condrócitos, da espessura da cartilagem e diminuição da perda de proteoglicanos nos grupos OA/ADSCs/V e OA/ADSCs, em relação ao grupo OA. Também foi observado um aumento da quantidade de colágeno II e diminuição de condrócitos apoptóticos no grupo OA/ADSCs/V. Conclusão: O Col V atua como mediador da condrogênese in vitro, estimulando colágeno II e proteoglicanos, além de aumentar a expressão dos genes COL2A1 e ACAN. A terapia com ADSCs estimuladas com Col V atenuou significativamente o processo osteoartrítico em coelhos, sugerindo uma nova perspectiva para o tratamento da OA
Introduction: Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are capable of self-renewal, that is, they are capable of multiplying maintaining their undifferentiated state, which provides an active replacement of their population in a constant way in the tissues; stem cells also have the ability to differentiate into several cell types. Thus, it is believed that stem cells present in tissues have a regenerative role when they suffer an injury. The number of studies involving the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) in regenerative medicine has increased and the progress of this therapy is link to the identification of mechanisms and molecules that control and mediate the specific lineage\'s differentiation. Collagen is among these molecules and it is a structural protein responsible for the mechanical properties, shape and tissue organization. Among 28 types of collagen, type V (Col V) and XI are considered nucleators of fibrillogenesis and they modulate cell adhesion and cell proliferation. In addition, Col V is highly expressed in embryonic tissue, suggesting that it may act on cell-matrix interaction in remodeling and repair of damaged tissues such as cartilage. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common arthropathy among the diseases with joint involvement and, it has no effective treatment that results in surgical intervention in advanced cases. Recent studies show that ADSCs would be an alternative in restoring cartilaginous tissue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the response of ADSCs to the Col V stimulus in vitro and the effect of these autologous cells on the regeneration of articular cartilage of rabbits with OA. Methods: ADSCs from rabbit (CEUA 123/14) were cultured with Col V to evaluate the synthesis of the main components of the cartilaginous tissue as proteoglycans, collagen type II. The preservation of the cellular phenotype was evaluated through the collagen I, II, III, CD34 and vimentin expression and COL2A1, ACAN and POU5F1 genes. Rabbits (n=24) were submitted to OA induction though partial meniscectomy and divided into the following groups: OA (n=8), without treatment; OA/ADSCs (n=8), treated with monthly injections of ADSCs and OA/ADSCs/V (n=8), monthly injections of ADSCs previously treated with Col V. Joints were collected after 22 weeks, decalcified and stained with H&E for cellular histomorphometry and cartilage thickness. Safranin O/fast green staining was used for proteoglycan evaluation and immunostaining for collagen type II and Fas-L expression using Image Pro Plus 6.0 software. Results: ADSCs stimulated with Col V were negative for collagen I, III and CD34 and positive for vimentin, total collagen and proteoglycans in vitro. Furthermore, a significant increase in the expression of collagen II, COL2A1 and, ACAN genes was obtained, but the POU5F1 gene expression was not significant after stimulation. Morphological analysis of cartilage indicated increased in the number of chondrocytes, cartilage thickness, and decrease in loss of proteoglycans in the OA/ADSCs/V and OA/ADSCs groups, compared to the OA group. In addition, an increase in the amount of collagen II and decrease of apoptotic chondrocytes in the OA/ADSCs/V group was observed. Conclusion: Col V acts as a mediator of chondrogenesis in vitro stimulating collagen II, proteoglycans and COL2A1, ACAN genes expression. Therapy with Col V-stimulated ADSCs significantly attenuate the osteoarthritic process in rabbits, suggesting a new perspective for the treatment of OA

Understanding the molecular networks that maintain articular cartilage and regulate chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are important prerequisites for the improvement of cartilage repair strategies. The first study within this thesis demonstrates that equine cord blood-derived MSCs induced towards a chondrogenic phenotype showed significantly increased miR-140 expression from day 0 to day 14, which was accompanied by decreased expression of previously identified miR-140 targets; ADAMTS-5 and CXCL12. The second study shows that in vitro chondrogenesis on fibronectin coated-PTFE inserts results in more homogeneous hyaline-like cartilage with an increased number of differentiated cells compared with pellet cultures. Finally, the expression of miR-140, miR-9, miR-155 and miR-146a was investigated in an in vitro model of osteoarthritis and suggests a possible role for miR-146a. These results suggest that microRNAs may be useful for directing or enhancing eCB-MSC chondrogenic differentiation and for developing novel biomarker panels of in vivo joint health.
Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation; Equine Guelph; Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation; BioE.

Die progrediente, muskuloskelettale Erkrankung Ostheoarthrose wird aufgrund der immer älter werdenden Weltbevölkerung im Jahre 2020 einer der häufigsten Invaliditätsgründe sein. Koelling et al. beschrieb 2009 eine migrierende, chondrogene Progenitorzelllinie (CPC) im Reparaturgewebe der fortgeschrittenen Gonarthrose des Menschen, die Stammzelleigenschaften besitzt. Sie sind multipotent, klonal und besitzen ein osteochondrogenes Expressionsmuster, wodurch sie sich für neue Behandlungsmöglichkeiten bei der Ostheoarthrosetherapie eignen könnten. In dieser Arbeit wurden in vitro drei Klone einer humanen CPC-Population aus osteoarthrotisch verändertem Knorpel hinsichtlich ihrer multipotenten Eigenschaften, Proliferationsgeschwindigkeit und unterschiedlicher Phänotypen gegenübergestellt, da sich bei anderen Stammzelllinien Zusammenhänge zwischen diesen Eigenschaften zeigen, die mit fortgeschrittener Ausdifferenzierung der Stammzellen begründet wird. Die drei Klone IF-8, IIB-6 und IID-4 wurden 12 Tage unter Standardbedingungen in 2D-Flaschenkultur gehalten und anschließend ihr normaler Phänotyp ausgewertet. Dabei zeigte sich, dass IF-8 und IIB-6 eher einen fibroblastenartigen Phänotyp ausbildeten, während sich bei IID-4 erst kugelige Zellen bildeten, die später teils in eine längliche Form übergingen. Die fibroblastenartige Form entsprach der von CPCs aus heterogenen Kulturen, wohingegen der Phänotyp von IID-4 auf Dedifferenzierung oder fortgeschrittenere Differenzierung schließen ließ. Die Klone für die Differenzierungsversuche wurden mit zwei verschiedenen Zelldichten ausgesät, um auch eventuelle Einflüsse der Zelldichte mit in die Untersuchung einzubeziehen. Es wurde pro Well einmal die Anfangskonzentration von 1000 Zellen gewählt und einmal 3000 Zellen pro Well. Nach sechs Tagen wurden morphologische Veränderungen unter dem Mikroskop ausgewertet. Die Differenzierung in Adipozyten und Osteoblasten erfolgte insgesamt über zehn Tage mit anschließendem Differenzie- rungsnachweis mittels Oil-Red-Färbung von Adipozyten, bzw. der Alkalischen-Phosphatase-Reaktion der Osteoblasten. Es wurde zusätzlich mit der Immunfluoreszenzzytochemie kontrolliert, ob in den differenzierten Zellen auch spezifische Proteine exprimiert wurden und sich zwischen den Klonen ein quantitativer Unterschied ergibt, der auf einen veränderten Differenzierungsgrad der Klone schließen konnte. Für die Adipozyten wurden Antikörper gegen dieLipoproteinlipase und PPARγ gewählt, bei den Osteoblasten kamen Antikörper gegen Osteocalcin und den osteogenen Transkriptionsfaktor runx-2 zum Einsatz. Allen Differenzierungsversuchen wurden jeweils Kontrollgruppen gegenübergestellt. Die Ergebnisse zeigten morphologische Unterschiede zwischen den Klonen und den verschiedenen Zelldichten, die bei der osteogenen Differenzierung nicht so stark ausgeprägt waren wie bei der adipogenen. Der Klon-IID-4 zeigte auch hier die am Stärksten ausgeprägtesten morphologischen Unterschiede zwischen den Zellen selber und der verschiedenen Dichtegrade. Die quantitative Auswertung mittels Oil-Red und Alkalischer-Phosphatase, bzw. die Ergebnisse der Immunzytochemie ergaben hingegen keine Abweichungen zwischen den Klonen und keine Veränderung in Abhängigkeit zur Zelldichte. Dadurch konnte gezeigt werden, dass bei den CPCs ein veränderter Phänotyp kein Hinweis auf eine fortgeschrittene Zellalterung und verminderte Differenzierbarkeit ist. Auch die Zelldichte nimmt auf die Differenzierung in andere Zelllinien keinen positiven oder negativen Einfluss. Deutliche Unterschiede zwischen den Klonen zeigten sich hinsichtlich ihrer Proliferationsgeschwindigkeit und ihres osteochondrogenen Grundmusters. Für das Proliferationsassay wurden über den Zeitraum von sieben Tagen die Zellzahlen gemessen. Dabei wurde festgestellt, dass sich Klon-IF-8 am langsamsten teilte, danach folgte IID-4 und am Ende IIB-6. Im Zusammenhang mit dem Western-Blot, bei dem der osteogene Transkriptionsfaktor runx-2 und der chondrogene Transkrip-tionsfaktor sox-9 miteinander verglichen wurden, konnte eine Beziehung zwischen Proliferationsgeschwindigkeit und der Ausprägung der Transkriptionsfaktoren festgestellt werden. Mit Abnahme der Proliferationsgeschwindigkeit nimmt die Expression von runx-2 zu, während die Expression von sox-9 abnimmt. Dadurch konnte nachgewiesen werden, dass die CPCs mit abnehmender Zellteilung in einen vermehrt osteogenen Zustand übergehen und ihren osteochondrogenen Charakter verlieren. Dieser Übergang hat jedoch keinen Einfluss auf ihre multipotenten Eigenschaften. Mit den Ergebnissen konnte gezeigt werden, dass sich CPCs, ähnlich wie andere Progenitorzellen auch, in ihrer Entwicklung weiter ausdifferenzieren und sich dadurch innerhalb einer Population verschiedene Entwicklungszustände ergeben, die eine genauere Charakterisierung der CPCs weiter erschweren.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Alberta, 2010.
A thesis submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Experimental Surgery, Department of Surgery. Title from pdf file main screen (viewed on April 24, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) strategies make use of selective cell differentiation to engineer biomimetic tissues through a series of factors, with a recent focus on mechanotransduction-based differentiation. Such mechanobiology-based TERM (or Mech-TERM) strategies make use of the mechanical forces in any given system to steer tissue formation towards desired pathways. This is performed by attempting to emulate the forces present in the tissue that we want to replicate, bringing as such an entirely new layer of biomimicry to TE systems. One such form of systems is bioencapsulation with liquefied capsules, due to its highly customizable nature and potential for application through minimally invasive procedures. This type of system also ensures high cell viability and proliferation, as well as immunoprotection. In this work, human adipose stem cells (hASCs) were co-encapsulated with microparticles of distinct stiffnesses, acting as 3D scaffolds for cellular adhesion and development. Our hypothesis is that scaffolds with stiffnesses emulating those of bone or articular cartilage will be able to guide cell differentiation into osteogenic or chondrogenic lineages, respectively, through the process of mechanotransduction. For that, hASCs were co-encapsulated with gelatin-grafted polycaprolactone (PCL) microparticles (STIFF+ capsules) or with gelatin microparticles (STIFF- capsules) and cultured for 28 days in basal (BAS), osteogenic (OST), and chondrogenic (CHO) differentiation media, followed by a series of analysis to determine the extent of cell viability, proliferation, and differentiation into the osteogenic and chondrogenic lineages. This system showed that high cell viability and proliferation were overall maintained, and that traces of osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation were observed in both capsule types. Hydroxyapatite (HA) formation was detected in STIFF+ capsules cultured in BAS and OST media, and in STIFF- capsules in OST medium, at 21 days. Collagen type II was detected in both capsule types and in all media, in different amounts, at day 28. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG) content profiles overall indicated that STIFF+ and STIFF- capsules had, respectively, favored osteogenic and chondrogenic differentiation. Future studies involving more specific assays, such as identifying and/or quantifying expression of key osteogenic and chondrogenic genes and pathways in hASCs, are suggested to fully validate this hypothesis.
Estratégias de engenharia de tecidos e medicina regenerativa fazem uso de diferenciação celular seletiva para engenhar tecidos biomiméticos através de vários factores, com um foco recente na diferenciação por mecanotransdução. Tais estratégias com base em mecanobiologia fazem uso de forças mecânicas em qualquer dado sistema para guiar a formação de tecidos por vias desejadas. Isto é alcançado tentando simular as forças presentes no tecido que queremos replicar, trazendo dessa forma uma nova camada de biomimetismo a sistemas de engenharia de tecidos. Um destes sistemas é o bioencapsulamento com cápsulas liquefeitas, devido à sua natureza altamente customizável e ao seu potencial para aplicação através de procedimentos minimamente invasivos. Este género de sistema também assegura viabilidade e proliferação celular elevadas, juntamente com proteção contra respostas imunitárias do paciente. Neste trabalho, células estaminais mesenquimais isoladas do tecido adiposo (hASCs) foram co-encapsuladas com micropartículas, de rigidez distinta. As micropartículas têm o objetivo de fornecer pontos para adesão e desenvolvimento celular. Numa tentativa de determinar os efeitos da rigidez na diferenciação celular através de mecanotransdução, foram desenvolvidas micropartículas de rigidez distinta. Para tal, hASCs foram co-encapsuladas com micropartículas de policaprolactona (PCL) com um revestimento de gelatina (cápsulas STIFF+) ou com micropartículas de gelatina (cápsulas STIFF-). As diferentes cápsulas foram incubadas durante 28 dias em meio de cultura basal (BAS), ou com fatores de diferenciação osteogénica (OST) ou condrogénica (CHO). Diferentes análises foram efetuadas para determinar a extensão de viabilidade e proliferação celular, bem como de diferenciação em linhagens osteogénicas e condrogénicas. Este sistema demonstrou manter elevada viabilidade e proliferação celulares em geral, e diferenciações osteogénicas e condrogénicas foram observadas em ambos os tipos de cápsulas. Formação de hydroxyapatite (HA) foi detetada em cápsulas STIFF+ em meio BAS e OST, e em cápsulas STIFF- em meio OST, aos 21 dias. Colagénio tipo II foi detetado em ambos os tipos de cápsulas e em todos os meios, em quantidades diferentes, aos 28 dias. Perfis de actividade de fosfatase alcalina (ALP) e conteúdos de glicoasminoglicanos sulfatados (sGAG) indicaram em geral que as cápsulas STIFF+ e STIFF-, respectivamente, favoreceram mais a diferenciação osteogénica e condrogénica. Estudos futuros envolvendo análises mais específicas, tais como identificar e/ou quantificar a expressão de genes e vias osteogénicas e condrogénicas chave em hASCs, são sugeridos para validar completamente esta hipótese.
Mestrado em Bioquímica

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Mechanical force environment is a major factor that influences cellular homeostasis and remodeling. The prevailing wisdom in this field demonstrated that a threshold of mechanical forces or deformation was required to affect cell signaling. However, by using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based approach, we found that C28/I2 chondrocytes exhibited an increase in RhoA activities in response to high shear stress (10 or 20 dyn/cm2), while they showed a decrease in their RhoA activities to intermediate shear stress at 5 dyn/cm2. No changes were observed under low shear stress (2 dyn/ cm2). The observed two-level switch of RhoA activities was closely linked to the shear stress-induced alterations in actin cytoskeleton and traction forces. In the presence of constitutively active RhoA (RhoA-V14), intermediate shear stress suppressed RhoA activities, while high shear stress failed to activate them. Collectively, these results herein suggest that intensities of shear stress are critical in differential activation and inhibition of RhoA activities in chondrocytes.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
Articular cartilage is subjected to dynamic mechanical loading during normal daily activities. This complex mechanical loading, including cell deformation and interstitial fluid flow, affects chondrocyte mechano-chemical signaling and subsequent cartilage homeostasis and remodeling. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Src are known to be main mechanotransduction proteins, but little is known about the effect of mechanical loading on FAK and Src under its varying magnitudes and types. In this study, we addressed two questions using C28/I2 chondrocytes subjected to the different types and magnitudes of mechanical loading: Does a magnitude of the mechanical loading affect activities of FAK and Src? Does a type of the mechanical loading also affect their activities? Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based FAK and Src biosensor in live C28/I2 chondrocytes, we monitored the effects of interstitial fluid flow and combined effects of cell deformation/interstitial fluid flow on FAK and Src activities. The results revealed that both FAK and Src activities in C28/I2 chondrocytes were dependent on the different magnitudes of the applied fluid flow. On the other hand, the type of mechanical loading differently affected FAK and Src activities. Although FAK and Src displayed similar activities in response to interstitial fluid flow only, simultaneous application of cell deformation and interstitial fluid flow induced differential FAK and Src activities possibly due to the additive effects of cell deformation and interstitial fluid flow on Src, but not on FAK. Collectively, the data suggest that the intensities and types of mechanical loading are critical in regulating FAK and Src activities in chondrocytes.

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease of load-bearing synovial joints that is currently treated with drugs that exhibit numerous side effects and are only temporarily effective on pain, the main symptom of the disease. Consequently, there is an acute need for novel, safe and more effective chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of osteoarthritis and related arthritic diseases. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin stilbene produced naturally by plants including red grapes, peanuts and various berries. Recent research in various cell models has demonstrated that resveratrol is safe and has potent anti-inflammatory properties. However, its potential for treating arthritic conditions has not been explored. In this study we provide experimental evidence that resveratrol inhibits the expression of VEGF, MMP-3, MMP-9 and COX-2 in human articular chondrocytes stimulated with the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta. Since these gene products are regulated by the transcription factor NF-kappaB, we investigated the effects of resveratrol on IL-1beta-induced NF-kappaB signaling pathway. Resveratrol, like N-Ac-Leu-Leu-norleucinal (ALLN) suppressed IL-1beta-induced proteasome function and the degradation of IkappaBalpha (an inhibitor of NF-kappaB) without affecting IkappaBalpha kinase activation, IkappaBalpha-phosphorylation or IkappaBalpha-ubiquitination which suppressed nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB and its phosphorylation. Furthermore, we observed that resveratrol as well as ALLN inhibited IL-1beta-induced apoptosis, caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage in human articular chondrocytes. In summary, our results suggest that resveratrol suppresses apoptosis and inflammatory signaling through its actions on the NF-kappaB pathway in human chondrocytes. We propose that resveratrol should be explored further for the prophylactic treatment of osteoarthritis in humans and companion animals.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI)
The PRL family of enzymes constitutes a unique class of protein tyrosine phosphatase, consisting of three highly homologous members (PRL-1, PRL-2, and PRL-3). Family member PRL-3 is highly expressed in a number of tumor types and has recently gained much interest as a potential prognostic indicator of increased disease aggressiveness and poor clinical outcome for multiple human cancers. PRL-1 and PRL-2 are also known to promote a malignant phenotype in vitro, however, prior to the present study, little was known about their expression in human normal or tumor tissues. In addition, the biological function of all three PRL enzymes remains elusive and the underlying mechanisms by which they exert their effects are poorly understood. The current project was undertaken to expand our knowledge surrounding the normal cellular function of the PRL enzymes, the signaling pathways in which they operate, and the roles they play in the progression of human disease. We first characterized the tissue distribution and cell-type specific localization of PRL-1 and PRL-2 transcripts in a variety of normal and diseased human tissues using in situ hybridization. In normal, adult human tissues we found that PRL-1 and PRL-2 messages were almost ubiquitously expressed. Only highly specialized cell types, such as fibrocartilage cells, the taste buds of the tongue, and select neural cells displayed little to no expression of either transcript. In almost every other tissue and cell type examined, PRL-2 was expressed strongly while PRL-1 expression levels were variable. Each transcript was widely expressed in both proliferating and quiescent cells indicating that different tissues or cell types may display a unique physiological response to these genes. In support of this idea, we found alterations of PRL-1 and PRL-2 transcript levels in tumor samples to be highly tissue-type specific. PRL-1 expression was significantly increased in 100% of hepatocellular and gastric carcinomas, but significantly decreased in 100% of ovarian, 80% of breast, and 75% of lung tumors as compared to matched normal tissues from the same subjects. Likewise, PRL-2 expression was significantly higher in 100% of hepatocellular carcinomas, yet significantly lower in 54% of kidney carcinomas compared to matched normal specimens. PRL-1 expression was found to be associated with tumor grade in the prostate, ovary, and uterus, with patient gender in the bladder, and with patient age in the brain and skeletal muscle. These results suggest an important, but pleiotropic role for PRL-1 and PRL-2 in both normal tissue function and in the neoplastic process. These molecules may have a tumor promoting effect in some tissue types, but inhibit tumor formation or growth in others. To further elucidate the signaling pathways in which the PRLs operate, we focused on PRL-1 and used microarray and microRNA gene expression profiling to examine the global molecular changes that occur in response to stable PRL-1 overexpression in HEK293 cells. This analysis led to identification of several molecules not previously associated with PRL signaling, but whose expression was significantly altered by exogenous PRL-1 expression. In particular, Filamin A, RhoGDIalpha, and SPARC are attractive targets for novel mediators of PRL-1 function. We also found that PRL-1 has the capacity to indirectly influence the expression of target genes through regulation of microRNA levels and we provide evidence supporting previous observations suggesting that PRL-1 promotes cell proliferation, survival, migration, invasion, and metastasis by influencing multi-functional molecules, such as the Rho GTPases, that have essential roles in regulation of the cell cycle, cytoskeletal reorganization, and transcription factor function. The combined results of these studies have expanded our current understanding of the expression and function of the PRL family of enzymes as well as of the role these important signaling molecules play in the progression of human disease.