Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament(OPLL)is a degenerative hyperostosis disease characterized by the transformation of the soft and elastic vertebral ligament into bone,resulting in limited spinal mobi...Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament(OPLL)is a degenerative hyperostosis disease characterized by the transformation of the soft and elastic vertebral ligament into bone,resulting in limited spinal mobility and nerve compression.Employing both bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing,we elucidate the molecular characteristics,cellular components,and their evolution during the OPLL process at a single-cell resolution,and validate these findings in clinical samples.This study also uncovers the capability of ligament stem cells to exhibit endothelial cell-like phenotypes in vitro and in vivo.Notably,our study identifies LOXL2 as a key regulator in this process.Through gain-and loss-of-function studies,we elucidate the role of LOXL2 in the endothelial-like differentiation of ligament cells.It acts via the HIF1A pathway,promoting the secretion of downstream VEGFA and PDGF-BB.This function is not related to the enzymatic activity of LOXL2.Furthermore,we identify sorafenib,a broad-spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor,as an effective suppressor of LOXL2-mediated vascular morphogenesis.By disrupting the coupling between vascularization and osteogenesis,sorafenib demonstrates significant inhibition of OPLL progression in both BMP-induced and enpp1 deficiency-induced animal models while having no discernible effect on normal bone mass.These findings underscore the potential of sorafenib as a therapeutic intervention for OPLL.展开更多
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is one of the most aggressive solid malignancies.A specific mechanism of its metastasis has not been established.In this study,we investigated whether Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndr...Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is one of the most aggressive solid malignancies.A specific mechanism of its metastasis has not been established.In this study,we investigated whether Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein(N-WASP)plays a role in distant metastasis of PDAC.We found that N-WASP is markedly expressed in clinical patients with PDAC.Clinical analysis showed a notably more distant metastatic pattern in the N-WASP-high group compared to the N-WASP-low group.N-WASP was noted to be a novel mediator of epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT)via gene expression profile studies.Knockdown of N-WASP in pancreatic cancer cells significantly inhibited cell invasion,migration,and EMT.We also observed positive association of lysyl oxidase-like 2(LOXL2)and focal adhesion kinase(FAK)with the N-WASP-mediated response,wherein EMT and invadopodia function were modulated.Both N-WASP and LOXL2 depletion significantly reduced the incidence of liver and lung metastatic lesions in orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic cancer.These results elucidate a novel role for N-WASP signaling associated with LOXL2 in EMT and invadopodia function,with respect to regulation of intercellular communication in tumor cells for promoting pancreatic cancer metastasis.These findings may aid in the development of therapeutic strategies against pancreatic cancer.展开更多
LOXL2(lysyl oxidase like 2)是赖氨酰氧化酶(LOX)家族的一个重要成员,不仅可促进细胞外基质中胶原蛋白和弹性蛋白的交联,而且在转录调控、细胞信号转导以及细胞粘附等生物学过程中也有重要作用。多篇研究表明,LOXL2在多种肿瘤中高表达...LOXL2(lysyl oxidase like 2)是赖氨酰氧化酶(LOX)家族的一个重要成员,不仅可促进细胞外基质中胶原蛋白和弹性蛋白的交联,而且在转录调控、细胞信号转导以及细胞粘附等生物学过程中也有重要作用。多篇研究表明,LOXL2在多种肿瘤中高表达,且与多种肿瘤细胞的增殖迁移等生物学行为密切相关。LOXL2的表达调控机制目前仍不清楚。为了进一步研究LOXL2的转录调控机制,本研究克隆鉴定了LOXL2的启动子。首先通过数据库对LOXL2基因结构及潜在启动子区域进行了分析,进而以人的基因组DNA为模板,通过PCR定向克隆策略,构建了5个长度不同并覆盖LOXL2基因转录起始位点附近约1.7 kb的LOXL2基因启动子荧光素酶报告基因重组体。启动子活性分析结果表明,与对照组相比,5个重组体均具有启动子活性(P<0.05),提示LOXL2基因核心启动子定位于转录起始位点附近约185 bp的区域内。转录因子结合位点分析结果表明,LOXL2基因启动子缺乏典型的TATA盒,但含有GC盒以及Sp1、NFk B等潜在的转录因子结合位点。外源转染Sp1表达质粒能显著增强LOXL2基因启动子的活性(P<0.05),提示Sp1能直接激活LOXL2的转录。展开更多
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82372431 to L.L.Y.,92168204 and 82225030 to J.L.)the Shanghai Municipal Health Commission(2022LJ007 to L.L.Y.)+3 种基金the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(22ZR1476700 to L.L.Y.)Shanghai Municipal Annual Innovative Medical Device Application Demonstration Project(23SHS05700-06 to L.L.Y.)the Fifth Round Innovation Team of Shanghai Changning District(to L.L.Y.)“Open bidding for selecting the best candidates”cultivation project of Shanghai Changzheng Hospital(2023YJBF-PY10 to L.L.Y.).
文摘Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament(OPLL)is a degenerative hyperostosis disease characterized by the transformation of the soft and elastic vertebral ligament into bone,resulting in limited spinal mobility and nerve compression.Employing both bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing,we elucidate the molecular characteristics,cellular components,and their evolution during the OPLL process at a single-cell resolution,and validate these findings in clinical samples.This study also uncovers the capability of ligament stem cells to exhibit endothelial cell-like phenotypes in vitro and in vivo.Notably,our study identifies LOXL2 as a key regulator in this process.Through gain-and loss-of-function studies,we elucidate the role of LOXL2 in the endothelial-like differentiation of ligament cells.It acts via the HIF1A pathway,promoting the secretion of downstream VEGFA and PDGF-BB.This function is not related to the enzymatic activity of LOXL2.Furthermore,we identify sorafenib,a broad-spectrum tyrosine kinase inhibitor,as an effective suppressor of LOXL2-mediated vascular morphogenesis.By disrupting the coupling between vascularization and osteogenesis,sorafenib demonstrates significant inhibition of OPLL progression in both BMP-induced and enpp1 deficiency-induced animal models while having no discernible effect on normal bone mass.These findings underscore the potential of sorafenib as a therapeutic intervention for OPLL.
基金supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF)grant funded by the Korean Government,Ministry of Science and ICT(MSIT)(2016R1C1B102207,2022R1A2C1004141 and 2022R1A2C-1091712)the National R&D Program for Cancer Control through the National Cancer Center(NCC)funded by the Ministry of Health&Welfare,Republic of Korea(HA22C0053000022).
文摘Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)is one of the most aggressive solid malignancies.A specific mechanism of its metastasis has not been established.In this study,we investigated whether Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein(N-WASP)plays a role in distant metastasis of PDAC.We found that N-WASP is markedly expressed in clinical patients with PDAC.Clinical analysis showed a notably more distant metastatic pattern in the N-WASP-high group compared to the N-WASP-low group.N-WASP was noted to be a novel mediator of epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT)via gene expression profile studies.Knockdown of N-WASP in pancreatic cancer cells significantly inhibited cell invasion,migration,and EMT.We also observed positive association of lysyl oxidase-like 2(LOXL2)and focal adhesion kinase(FAK)with the N-WASP-mediated response,wherein EMT and invadopodia function were modulated.Both N-WASP and LOXL2 depletion significantly reduced the incidence of liver and lung metastatic lesions in orthotopic mouse models of pancreatic cancer.These results elucidate a novel role for N-WASP signaling associated with LOXL2 in EMT and invadopodia function,with respect to regulation of intercellular communication in tumor cells for promoting pancreatic cancer metastasis.These findings may aid in the development of therapeutic strategies against pancreatic cancer.
