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Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy
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Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Pathology, Diagnostics, and Therapeutics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2017) | Viewed by 90937

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Charles J. Malemud

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-5076, USA
Interests: inflammation; apoptosis; arthritis; chondrocytes; matrix metalloproteinases; signal transduction; pro-inflammatory; anti-inflammatory & anabolic cytokines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Alexander Remels

E-Mail Website
Co-Guest Editor
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism (NUTRIM), Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+), 6200 MD Maastricht, the Netherlands
Interests: mitochondrial substrate metabolism; inflammation; pro-inflammatory signaling; skeletal muscle metabolism & biology; regulation of mitochondrial oxidative capacity; cardiac energy metabolism

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Musculoskeletal diseases are a significant medical problem, which affect all genders, races, and ethnicities. Recent advances in pharmacotherapy have improved the well-being of individuals with these conditions. However, a great deal of work has yet to be done to the extent of which therapies can be linked to actual cures for these diseases. The major areas, which will be reviewed by the esteemed scientists/clinicians who have agreed to contribute to this Special Issue of IJMS, include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, vasculitis, gout, and systemic lupus erythematosus among the arthritic conditions, fibromyalgia, as well as various myopathies, including muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Prof. Dr. Charles J. Malemud
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

  • fibromyalgia

  • gout

  • muscular dystrophy

  • multiple sclerosis

  • osteoarthritis

  • psoriatic arthritis

  • rheumatoid arthritis

  • systemic lupus erythematosus

  • vasculitis  

Published Papers (16 papers)

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17 pages, 11001 KiB  
Article
Jatrorrhizine Hydrochloride Suppresses Proliferation, Migration, and Secretion of Synoviocytes In Vitro and Ameliorates Rat Models of Rheumatoid Arthritis In Vivo
by Haiwen Qiu, Shengnan Sun, Xuemei Ma, Congcong Cui, Gang Chen, Zhenzhou Liu, Hui Li and Mei Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(5), 1514; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051514 - 18 May 2018
Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4292
Abstract
Jatrorrhizine hydrochloride (JH), an active component isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Coptis chinensis, has been reported to have antimicrobial, antitumor, antihypercholesterolemic, and neuroprotective activities. However, its antirheumatoid arthritis (RA) property remains unknown. In this study, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model [...] Read more.
Jatrorrhizine hydrochloride (JH), an active component isolated from the traditional Chinese herb Coptis chinensis, has been reported to have antimicrobial, antitumor, antihypercholesterolemic, and neuroprotective activities. However, its antirheumatoid arthritis (RA) property remains unknown. In this study, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of JH on RA by using arthritis score, radiological evaluation, and histopathological assessment. The in vitro effects of JH on proliferation, migration, and production of inflammatory mediators in RA-derived fibroblast-like synoviocyte MH7A cells were determined by the EdU incorporation assay, wound healing assay, real-time PCR, and ELISA, respectively. The in vivo studies showed that JH treatment significantly prevented the progression and development of RA in CIA rats through anti-inflammation and suppressing bone destruction. The in vitro studies revealed that JH could effectively attenuate the destructive phenotypes of MH7A cells, including inhibiting proliferation, migration, and production of inflammatory mediators. Further mechanistic analysis demonstrated that JH suppressed tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα)-stimulated activations of nuclear factor of kappaB (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (ERK and p38) leading to the downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, which might be beneficial to the antiproliferative and antimigratory activities of FLS cells. Collectively, our results demonstrated that JH has a great potential to be developed into a novel therapeutic agent for treating RA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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10 pages, 1775 KiB  
Article
Novel Ex Vivo Human Osteochondral Explant Model of Knee and Spine Osteoarthritis Enables Assessment of Inflammatory and Drug Treatment Responses
by Jeroen Geurts, Doria Jurić, Miriam Müller, Stefan Schären and Cordula Netzer
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(5), 1314; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19051314 - 28 Apr 2018
Cited by 33 | Viewed by 5560
Abstract
Osteoarthritis of the knee and spine is highly prevalent in modern society, yet a disease-modifying pharmacological treatment remains an unmet clinical need. A major challenge for drug development includes selection of appropriate preclinical models that accurately reflect clinical phenotypes of human disease. The [...] Read more.
Osteoarthritis of the knee and spine is highly prevalent in modern society, yet a disease-modifying pharmacological treatment remains an unmet clinical need. A major challenge for drug development includes selection of appropriate preclinical models that accurately reflect clinical phenotypes of human disease. The aim of this study was to establish an ex vivo explant model of human knee and spine osteoarthritis that enables assessment of osteochondral tissue responses to inflammation and drug treatment. Equal-sized osteochondral fragments from knee and facet joints (both n = 6) were subjected to explant culture for 7 days in the presence of a toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) agonist and an inhibitor of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) receptor type I signaling. Markers of inflammation, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), but not bone metabolism (pro-collagen-I) were significantly increased by treatment with TLR4 agonist. Targeting of TGF-β signaling resulted in a strong reduction of pro-collagen-I and significantly decreased IL-6 levels. MCP-1 secretion was increased, revealing a regulatory feedback mechanism between TGF-β and MCP-1 in joint tissues. These findings demonstrate proof-of-concept and feasibility of explant culture of human osteochondral specimens as a preclinical disease model, which might aid in definition and validation of disease-modifying drug targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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15 pages, 2581 KiB  
Article
Inhibitory Effects of Human Primary Intervertebral Disc Cells on Human Primary Osteoblasts in a Co-Culture System
by Rahel D. May, Daniela A. Frauchiger, Christoph E. Albers, Lorin M. Benneker, Sandro Kohl and Benjamin Gantenbein
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(4), 1195; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19041195 - 13 Apr 2018
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3466
Abstract
Spinal fusion is a common surgical procedure to address a range of spinal pathologies, like damaged or degenerated discs. After the removal of the intervertebral disc (IVD), a structural spacer is positioned followed by internal fixation, and fusion of the degenerated segment by [...] Read more.
Spinal fusion is a common surgical procedure to address a range of spinal pathologies, like damaged or degenerated discs. After the removal of the intervertebral disc (IVD), a structural spacer is positioned followed by internal fixation, and fusion of the degenerated segment by natural bone growth. Due to their osteoinductive properties, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are applied to promote spinal fusion. Although spinal fusion is successful in most patients, the rates of non-unions after lumbar spine fusion range from 5% to 35%. Clinical observations and recent studies indicate, that the incomplete removal of disc tissue might lead to failure of spinal fusion. Yet, it is still unknown if a secretion of BMP antagonists in intervertebral disc (IVD) cells could be the reason of inhibition in bone formation. In this study, we co-cultured human primary osteoblasts (OB) and IVD cells i.e., nucleus pulposus (NPC), annulus fibrosus (AFC) and cartilaginous endplate cells (CEPC), to test the possible inhibitory effect from IVD cells on OB. Although we could see a trend in lower matrix mineralization in OB co-cultured with IVD cells, results of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and gene expression of major bone genes were inconclusive. However, in NPC, AFC and CEPC beads, an up-regulation of several BMP antagonist genes could be detected. Despite being able to show several indicators for an inhibition of osteoinductive effects due to IVD cells, the reasons for pseudarthrosis after spinal fusion remain unclear. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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10 pages, 18444 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Bone Structural Parameters Reveals Subchondral Cortical Plate Resorption and Increased Trabecular Bone Remodeling in Human Facet Joint Osteoarthritis
by Cordula Netzer, Pascal Distel, Uwe Wolfram, Hans Deyhle, Gregory F. Jost, Stefan Schären and Jeroen Geurts
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(3), 845; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030845 - 14 Mar 2018
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5770
Abstract
Facet joint osteoarthritis is a prominent feature of degenerative spine disorders, highly prevalent in ageing populations, and considered a major cause for chronic lower back pain. Since there is no targeted pharmacological therapy, clinical management of disease includes analgesic or surgical treatment. The [...] Read more.
Facet joint osteoarthritis is a prominent feature of degenerative spine disorders, highly prevalent in ageing populations, and considered a major cause for chronic lower back pain. Since there is no targeted pharmacological therapy, clinical management of disease includes analgesic or surgical treatment. The specific cellular, molecular, and structural changes underpinning facet joint osteoarthritis remain largely elusive. The aim of this study was to determine osteoarthritis-related structural alterations in cortical and trabecular subchondral bone compartments. To this end, we conducted comparative micro computed tomography analysis in healthy (n = 15) and osteoarthritic (n = 22) lumbar facet joints. In osteoarthritic joints, subchondral cortical plate thickness and porosity were significantly reduced. The trabecular compartment displayed a 42 percent increase in bone volume fraction due to an increase in trabecular number, but not trabecular thickness. Bone structural alterations were associated with radiological osteoarthritis severity, mildly age-dependent but not gender-dependent. There was a lack of association between structural parameters of cortical and trabecular compartments in healthy and osteoarthritic specimens. The specific structural alterations suggest elevated subchondral bone resorption and turnover as a potential treatment target in facet joint osteoarthritis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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12 pages, 18703 KiB  
Article
Alterations of Subchondral Bone Progenitor Cells in Human Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Lead to a Bone Sclerosis Phenotype
by Daniel Bianco, Atanas Todorov, Tomislav Čengić, Geert Pagenstert, Stefan Schären, Cordula Netzer, Thomas Hügle and Jeroen Geurts
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 475; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020475 - 06 Feb 2018
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 7002
Abstract
Subchondral bone tissue plays a key role in the initiation and progression of human and experimental osteoarthritis and has received considerable interest as a treatment target. Elevated bone turnover and remodeling leads to subchondral bone sclerosis that is characterized by an increase in [...] Read more.
Subchondral bone tissue plays a key role in the initiation and progression of human and experimental osteoarthritis and has received considerable interest as a treatment target. Elevated bone turnover and remodeling leads to subchondral bone sclerosis that is characterized by an increase in bone material that is less mineralized. The aim of this study was to investigate whether perturbations in subchondral bone-resident progenitor cells might play a role in aberrant bone formation in osteoarthritis. Colony formation assays indicated similar clonogenicity of progenitor cells from non-sclerotic and sclerotic subchondral trabecular bone tissues of osteoarthritic knee and hip joints compared with controls from iliac crest bone. However, the osteogenic potential at the clonal level was approximately two-fold higher in osteoarthritis than controls. An osteogenic differentiation assay indicated an efficient induction of alkaline phosphatase activity but blunted in vitro matrix mineralization irrespective of the presence of sclerosis. Micro-computed tomography and histology demonstrated the formation of de novo calcified tissues by osteoblast-like cells in an ectopic implantation model. The expression of bone sialoprotein, a marker for osteoblast maturation and mineralization, was significantly less in sclerotic progenitor cells. Perturbation of resident progenitor cell function is associated with subchondral bone sclerosis and may be a treatment target for osteoarthritis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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15 pages, 4391 KiB  
Article
Affinity Purification and Comparative Biosensor Analysis of Citrulline-Peptide-Specific Antibodies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
by Eszter Szarka, Petra Aradi, Krisztina Huber, Judit Pozsgay, Lili Végh, Anna Magyar, Gergő Gyulai, György Nagy, Bernadette Rojkovich, Éva Kiss, Ferenc Hudecz and Gabriella Sármay
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(1), 326; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19010326 - 22 Jan 2018
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5949
Abstract
Background: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPAs) are responsible for disease onset and progression, however, our knowledge is limited on ligand binding affinities of autoantibodies with different citrulline-peptide specificity. Methods: Citrulline-peptide-specific ACPA IgGs were affinity purified and tested by ELISA. Binding [...] Read more.
Background: In rheumatoid arthritis (RA), anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPAs) are responsible for disease onset and progression, however, our knowledge is limited on ligand binding affinities of autoantibodies with different citrulline-peptide specificity. Methods: Citrulline-peptide-specific ACPA IgGs were affinity purified and tested by ELISA. Binding affinities of ACPA IgGs and serum antibodies were compared by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. Bifunctional nanoparticles harboring a multi-epitope citrulline-peptide and a complement-activating peptide were used to induce selective depletion of ACPA-producing B cells. Results: KD values of affinity-purified ACPA IgGs varied between 10−6 and 10−8 M and inversely correlated with disease activity. Based on their cross-reaction with citrulline-peptides, we designed a novel multi-epitope peptide, containing Cit-Gly and Ala-Cit motifs in two–two copies, separated with a short, neutral spacer. This peptide detected antibodies in RA sera with 66% sensitivity and 98% specificity in ELISA and was recognized by 90% of RA sera, while none of the healthy samples in SPR. When coupled to nanoparticles, the multi-epitope peptide specifically targeted and depleted ACPA-producing B cells ex vivo. Conclusions: The unique multi-epitope peptide designed based on ACPA cross-reactivity might be suitable to develop better diagnostics and novel therapies for RA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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3599 KiB  
Article
Hypoxia Is a Critical Parameter for Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Umbilical Cord Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Type I/III Collagen Sponges
by Tangni Gómez-Leduc, Mélanie Desancé, Magalie Hervieu, Florence Legendre, David Ollitrault, Claire De Vienne, Michel Herlicoviez, Philippe Galéra and Magali Demoor
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(9), 1933; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18091933 - 08 Sep 2017
Cited by 36 | Viewed by 7606
Abstract
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive alternative to bone marrow for isolation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat articular cartilage defects. Here, we set out to determine the growth factors (bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1)) and [...] Read more.
Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive alternative to bone marrow for isolation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to treat articular cartilage defects. Here, we set out to determine the growth factors (bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β1)) and oxygen tension effects during chondrogenesis of human UCB-MSCs for cartilage engineering. Chondrogenic differentiation was induced using 3D cultures in type I/III collagen sponges with chondrogenic factors in normoxia (21% O2) or hypoxia (<5% O2) for 7, 14 and 21 days. Our results show that UCB-MSCs can be committed to chondrogenesis in the presence of BMP-2+TGF-β1. Normoxia induced the highest levels of chondrocyte-specific markers. However, hypoxia exerted more benefit by decreasing collagen X and matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP13) expression, two chondrocyte hypertrophy markers. However, a better chondrogenesis was obtained by switching oxygen conditions, with seven days in normoxia followed by 14 days in hypoxia, since these conditions avoid hypertrophy of hUCB-MSC-derived chondrocytes while maintaining the expression of chondrocyte-specific markers observed in normoxia. Our study demonstrates that oxygen tension is a key factor for chondrogenesis and suggests that UBC-MSCs 3D-culture should begin in normoxia to obtain a more efficient chondrocyte differentiation before placing them in hypoxia for chondrocyte phenotype stabilization. UCB-MSCs are therefore a reliable source for cartilage engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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8830 KiB  
Article
RNA Interference and BMP-2 Stimulation Allows Equine Chondrocytes Redifferentiation in 3D-Hypoxia Cell Culture Model: Application for Matrix-Induced Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation
by Rodolphe Rakic, Bastien Bourdon, Magalie Hervieu, Thomas Branly, Florence Legendre, Nathalie Saulnier, Fabrice Audigié, Stéphane Maddens, Magali Demoor and Philippe Galera
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(9), 1842; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18091842 - 24 Aug 2017
Cited by 24 | Viewed by 5743
Abstract
As in humans, osteoarthritis (OA) causes considerable economic loss to the equine industry. New hopes for cartilage repair have emerged with the matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). Nevertheless, its limitation is due to the dedifferentiation occurring during the chondrocyte amplification phase, leading to [...] Read more.
As in humans, osteoarthritis (OA) causes considerable economic loss to the equine industry. New hopes for cartilage repair have emerged with the matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI). Nevertheless, its limitation is due to the dedifferentiation occurring during the chondrocyte amplification phase, leading to the loss of its capacity to produce a hyaline extracellular matrix (ECM). To enhance the MACI therapy efficiency, we have developed a strategy for chondrocyte redifferentiation, and demonstrated its feasibility in the equine model. Thus, to mimic the cartilage microenvironment, the equine dedifferentiated chondrocytes were cultured in type I/III collagen sponges for 7 days under hypoxia in the presence of BMP-2. In addition, chondrocytes were transfected by siRNA targeting Col1a1 and Htra1 mRNAs, which are overexpressed during dedifferentiation and OA. To investigate the quality of the neo-synthesized ECM, specific and atypical cartilage markers were evaluated by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Our results show that the combination of 3D hypoxia cell culture, BMP-2 (Bone morphogenetic protein-2), and RNA interference, increases the chondrocytes functional indexes (Col2a1/Col1a1, Acan/Col1a1), leading to an effective chondrocyte redifferentiation. These data represent a proof of concept for this process of application, in vitro, in the equine model, and will lead to the improvement of the MACI efficiency for cartilage tissue engineering therapy in preclinical/clinical trials, both in equine and human medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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668 KiB  
Article
Polymorphisms within Genes Involved in Regulation of the NF-κB Pathway in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis
by Katarzyna Gębura, Jerzy Świerkot, Barbara Wysoczańska, Lucyna Korman, Beata Nowak, Piotr Wiland and Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(7), 1432; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18071432 - 04 Jul 2017
Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4929
Abstract
Genes involved in regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)—pathway are suggested to play a role in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, genetic polymorphisms of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 and NF-κB1 genes were investigated to assess their associations with [...] Read more.
Genes involved in regulation of the nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)—pathway are suggested to play a role in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In the present study, genetic polymorphisms of TLR2, TLR4, TLR9 and NF-κB1 genes were investigated to assess their associations with RA susceptibility, progression and response to anti-TNF-α therapy. A group of 110 RA patients and 126 healthy individuals were genotyped for TLR2 (rs111200466), TLR4 (rs4986790, rs4986791), TLR9 (rs5743836, rs187084) and NF-κB1 (rs28362491) alleles. The presence of the TLR9 −1486 T variant (p < 0.0001) and its homozygosity (p < 0.0001) were found to be associated with disease susceptibility. The TLR9 −1237 C allele was associated with predisposition to RA in females only (p = 0.005). Moreover, the TLR4 rs4986791 G (rs4986790 T) alleles were more frequently detected among patients with the stage IV disease (p = 0.045), and were associated with more effective response to anti-TNF-α therapy (p = 0.012). More efficient response to anti-TNF-α treatment was also observed in patients with del within the NF-κB1 gene (p = 0.047), while for the TLR9 −1486 T homozygotes, the treatment was ineffective (p = 0.018). TLR polymorphisms affect disease susceptibility and response to therapy with TNF-α inhibitors in RA patients of Caucasian origin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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211 KiB  
Article
The Balloon-Based Manometry Evaluation of Swallowing in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
by Jerzy Tomik, Barbara Tomik, Sebastian Gajec, Piotr Ceranowicz, Małgorzata Pihut, Rafał Olszanecki, Paweł Stręk and Jacek Składzień
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(4), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18040707 - 27 Mar 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3856
Abstract
The aim of the study was to analyse the disturbances of the oro-pharyngeal swallowing phase of dysphagia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with the use of specific manometric measurements and to evaluate their plausible association with the duration of the disease. Seventeen [...] Read more.
The aim of the study was to analyse the disturbances of the oro-pharyngeal swallowing phase of dysphagia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients with the use of specific manometric measurements and to evaluate their plausible association with the duration of the disease. Seventeen patients with ALS were evaluated with manometric examinations of the oral and pharyngeal part of the gastrointestinal tract. Tests were carried out by using the oesophageal balloon-based method with four balloon transducers located 5 cm away from each other. The following manometric parameters were analysed: the base of tongue contraction (BTC) and the upper oesophageal sphincter pressure (UESP), and the hypopharyngeal suction pump (HSP) as well as the oro-pharyngeal, pharyngeal and hypopharyngeal transit time and average pharyngeal bolus velocity (oropharyngeal transit time (OTT), pharyngeal transit time (PTT), hypopharyngeal transit time (HTT) and average pharyngeal bolus velocity (APBV), respectively). Manomatric examinations during swallowing in patients with ALS showed significant weakness of BTC, a decrease of HSP and a decrease of the velocity of bolus transit inside the pharynx which were particularly marked between the first and the third examination. Manometric examinations of the oro-pharyngeal part of the gastrointestinal tract are useful and supportive methods in the analysis of swallowing disturbances in ALS patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
447 KiB  
Article
Role and Function of A2A and A3 Adenosine Receptors in Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis, Psoriatic Arthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
by Annalisa Ravani, Fabrizio Vincenzi, Alessandra Bortoluzzi, Melissa Padovan, Silvia Pasquini, Stefania Gessi, Stefania Merighi, Pier Andrea Borea, Marcello Govoni and Katia Varani
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(4), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18040697 - 24 Mar 2017
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 5328
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases that affect joints, causing debilitating pain and disability. Adenosine receptors (ARs) play a key role in the mechanism of inflammation, and the activation of A2A and A [...] Read more.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are chronic inflammatory rheumatic diseases that affect joints, causing debilitating pain and disability. Adenosine receptors (ARs) play a key role in the mechanism of inflammation, and the activation of A2A and A3AR subtypes is often associated with a reduction of the inflammatory status. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of ARs in patients suffering from early-RA (ERA), RA, AS and PsA. Messenger RNA (mRNA) analysis and saturation binding experiments indicated an upregulation of A2A and A3ARs in lymphocytes obtained from patients when compared with healthy subjects. A2A and A3AR agonists inhibited nuclear factor κ-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) activation and reduced inflammatory cytokines release, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6. Moreover, A2A and A3AR activation mediated a reduction of metalloproteinases (MMP)-1 and MMP-3. The effect of the agonists was abrogated by selective antagonists demonstrating the direct involvement of these receptor subtypes. Taken together, these data confirmed the involvement of ARs in chronic autoimmune rheumatic diseases highlighting the possibility to exploit A2A and A3ARs as therapeutic targets, with the aim to limit the inflammatory responses usually associated with RA, AS and PsA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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247 KiB  
Article
Knee Viscosupplementation: Cost-Effectiveness Analysis between Stabilized Hyaluronic Acid in a Single Injection versus Five Injections of Standard Hyaluronic Acid
by Francisco J. Estades-Rubio, Alvaro Reyes-Martín, Victor Morales-Marcos, Mercedes García-Piriz, Juan J. García-Vera, Macarena Perán, Juan A. Marchal and Elvira Montañez-Heredia
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(3), 658; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18030658 - 17 Mar 2017
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 5904
Abstract
Given the wide difference in price per vial between various presentations of hyaluronic acid, this study seeks to compare the effectiveness and treatment cost of stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) in a single injection with standard preparations of hyaluronic acid (HA) in five injections [...] Read more.
Given the wide difference in price per vial between various presentations of hyaluronic acid, this study seeks to compare the effectiveness and treatment cost of stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA) in a single injection with standard preparations of hyaluronic acid (HA) in five injections in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Fifty-four patients with knee osteoarthritis (Kellgren–Lawrence Grade II and III) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score greater than 7, with a homogeneous distribution of age, sex, BMI, and duration of disease, were included in this study. Patients were randomized into two groups: Group I was treated with NASHA (Durolane®) and Group II with HA (Go-ON®). Patient’s evolution was followed up at the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 8th, 12th, and 26th week after treatment. A statistically significant improvement in WOMAC score was observed for patients treated with NASHA versus those who received HA at Week 26. In addition, the need for analgesia was significantly reduced at Week 26 in the NASHA-treated group. Finally, the economic analysis showed an increased cost of overall treatment with HA injections. Our data support the use of the NASHA class of products in the treatment of knee OA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
4880 KiB  
Article
Exogenous PTHrP Repairs the Damaged Fracture Healing of PTHrP+/− Mice and Accelerates Fracture Healing of Wild Mice
by Yinhe Wang, Xin Fang, Chun Wang, Congzhu Ding, Hua Lin, Anlong Liu, Lei Wang and Yang Cao
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(2), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18020337 - 06 Feb 2017
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 5621
Abstract
Bone fracture healing is a complicated physiological regenerative process initiated in response to injury and is similar to bone development. To demonstrate whether an exogenous supply of parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP) helps in bone fracture healing, closed mid-diaphyseal femur fractures were created and [...] Read more.
Bone fracture healing is a complicated physiological regenerative process initiated in response to injury and is similar to bone development. To demonstrate whether an exogenous supply of parathyroid hormone–related protein (PTHrP) helps in bone fracture healing, closed mid-diaphyseal femur fractures were created and stabilized with intramedullary pins in eight-week-old wild-type (WT) PTHrP+/+ and PTHrP+/− mice. After administering PTHrP for two weeks, callus tissue properties were analyzed at one, two, and four weeks post-fracture (PF) by various methods. Bone formation–related genes and protein expression levels were evaluated by real-time reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction and Western blots. At two weeks PF, mineral density of callus, bony callus areas, mRNA levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I collagen, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx-2), and protein levels of Runx-2 and insulin-like growth factor-1 decreased in PTHrP+/− mice compared with WT mice. At four weeks PF, total collagen-positive bony callus areas, osteoblast number, ALP-positive areas, and type I collagen-positive areas all decreased in PTHrP+/− mice. At both two and four weeks PF, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase–positive osteoclast number and surface decreased a little in PTHrP+/− mice. The study indicates that exogenous PTHrP provided by subcutaneous injection could redress impaired bone fracture healing, leading to mutation of activated PTHrP by influencing callus areas, endochondral bone formation, osteoblastic bone formation, and bone turnover. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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Review

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27 pages, 1645 KiB  
Review
Do Neuroendocrine Peptides and Their Receptors Qualify as Novel Therapeutic Targets in Osteoarthritis?
by Susanne Grässel and Dominique Muschter
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(2), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020367 - 26 Jan 2018
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 6688
Abstract
Joint tissues like synovium, articular cartilage, meniscus and subchondral bone, are targets for neuropeptides. Resident cells of these tissues express receptors for various neuroendocrine-derived peptides including proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, i.e., α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and β-endorphin (β-ED), and sympathetic neuropeptides like vasoactive [...] Read more.
Joint tissues like synovium, articular cartilage, meniscus and subchondral bone, are targets for neuropeptides. Resident cells of these tissues express receptors for various neuroendocrine-derived peptides including proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, i.e., α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) and β-endorphin (β-ED), and sympathetic neuropeptides like vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and neuropeptide y (NPY). Melanocortins attained particular attention due to their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects in several tissues and organs. In particular, α-MSH, ACTH and specific melanocortin-receptor (MCR) agonists appear to have promising anti-inflammatory actions demonstrated in animal models of experimentally induced arthritis and osteoarthritis (OA). Sympathetic neuropeptides have obtained increasing attention as they have crucial trophic effects that are critical for joint tissue and bone homeostasis. VIP and NPY are implicated in direct and indirect activation of several anabolic signaling pathways in bone and synovial cells. Additionally, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) proved to be chondroprotective and, thus, might be a novel target in OA. Taken together, it appears more and more likely that the anabolic effects of these neuroendocrine peptides or their respective receptor agonists/antagonists may be exploited for the treatment of patients with inflammatory and degenerative joint diseases in the future. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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Review
Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies: A Review of the Classification and Impact of Pathogenesis
by Dana E. Mandel, Charles J. Malemud and Ali D. Askari
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2017, 18(5), 1084; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms18051084 - 18 May 2017
Cited by 41 | Viewed by 8624
Abstract
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of autoimmune muscle diseases with significant morbidity and mortality. This review details and updates the pathogenesis and emerging importance of myositis-specific antibodies in the development of IIMs. An increase in the understanding of how these myositis-specific [...] Read more.
Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of autoimmune muscle diseases with significant morbidity and mortality. This review details and updates the pathogenesis and emerging importance of myositis-specific antibodies in the development of IIMs. An increase in the understanding of how these myositis-specific antibodies play a role in IIMs has led to the further categorization of IIMs from the traditional polymyositis versus dermatomyositis, to additional subcategories of IIMs such as necrotizing autoimmune myositis (NAM). The diagnosis of IIMs, including manual muscle testing, laboratory studies, and non-invasive imaging have become important in classifying IIM subtypes and for identifying disease severity. Treatment has evolved from an era where glucocorticoid therapy was the only option to a time now that includes traditional steroid-sparing agents along with immunoglobulin therapy and biologics, such as rituximab. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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Other

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8 pages, 2403 KiB  
Brief Report
Genetic Determinants of Antibody Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Multiple Sclerosis: Possible Links to Endogenous Retroviruses
by Alexander Emmer, Christine Brütting, Malte Kornhuber and Martin S. Staege
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2018, 19(3), 786; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms19030786 - 09 Mar 2018
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3680
Abstract
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been clarified. In addition to environmental factors; genetic determinants have been implicated in the pathogenesis of MS. Furthermore, endogenous retroviruses (ERV) might play a role in MS. The presence of oligoclonal immunoglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid [...] Read more.
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been clarified. In addition to environmental factors; genetic determinants have been implicated in the pathogenesis of MS. Furthermore, endogenous retroviruses (ERV) might play a role in MS. The presence of oligoclonal immunoglobulin in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a typical feature of MS. Recently, genetic polymorphisms in loci on human chromosomes 6, 14 and 18 have been identified as major determinants of CSF antibody levels in MS. The functional relevance of these single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) remains unclear and none of them is located in an open reading frame. In previous studies, we identified ERV sequences in the vicinity of MS associated SNPs. Here, we describe the identification of ERV sequences in the neighborhood of SNPs associated with CSF antibody levels. All of the identified SNPs are located in the vicinity of ERV sequences. One of these sequences has very high homology to a sequence derived from the so-called MS-associated retrovirus (MSRV). Another cluster of three ERV sequences from the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus has retained the typical organization of retroviral genomes. These observations might shed new light on a possible association between ERVs and MS pathogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Musculoskeletal Diseases Therapy)
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