Quantification of cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell markers in healthy and osteoarthritic synovial membranes

[Abstract] Objective. To quantify cells expressing mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) markers in synovial mem- branes from human osteoarthritic (OA) and healthy joints. Methods. Synovial membranes from OA and healthy joints were digested with collagenase and the isolated cells were cultured. Synovial membrane-derived cells were phenotypically characterized for differentiation experiments using flow cytometry to detect the expression of mesenchymal markers (CD29, CD44, CD73, CD90, CD105, CD117, CD166, and STRO-1) and hematopoietic markers (CD34 and CD45). Chondrogenesis was assessed by staining for proteoglycans and collagen type II, adipogenesis by using a stain for lipids, and osteogenesis by detecting calcium deposits. Coexpression of CD44, CD73, CD90, and CD105 was determined using immunofluorescence. Results. Cells expressing MSC markers were diffusely distributed in OA synovial membranes; in healthy synovial membrane these cells were localized in the subintimal zone. More numerous MSC markers in OA synovial membranes were observed in cells also expressing the CD90 antigen. FACS analysis showed that more than 90% of OA synovial membrane-derived cells were positive for CD44, CD73, and CD90, and negative for CD34 and CD45. OA synovial membrane-derived cells were also positive for CD29 (85.23%), CD117 (72.35%), CD105 (45.5%), and STRO-1 (49.46%). Micropellet analyses showed that the culture of cells with transforming growth factor-ß3 stimulated proteoglycan and collagen type II synthesis. Conclusion. Synovial membranes from patients with OA contain more cells positive for CD44, CD90, and CD105 antigens than those from joints with undamaged cartilage

Overexpression of miR-128 specifically inhibits the truncated isoform of NTRK3 and upregulates BCL2 in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neurotrophins and their receptors are key molecules in the regulation of neuronal differentiation and survival. They mediate the survival of neurons during development and adulthood and are implicated in synaptic plasticity. The human neurotrophin-3 receptor gene <it>NTRK3 </it>yields two major isoforms, a full-length kinase-active form and a truncated non-catalytic form, which activates a specific pathway affecting membrane remodeling and cytoskeletal reorganization. The two variants present non-overlapping 3'UTRs, indicating that they might be differentially regulated at the post-transcriptional level. Here, we provide evidence that the two isoforms of <it>NTRK3 </it>are targeted by different sets of microRNAs, small non-coding RNAs that play an important regulatory role in the nervous system.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identify one microRNA (miR-151-3p) that represses the full-length isoform of <it>NTRK3 </it>and four microRNAs (miR-128, miR-485-3p, miR-765 and miR-768-5p) that repress the truncated isoform. In particular, we show that the overexpression of miR-128 - a brain enriched miRNA - causes morphological changes in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells similar to those observed using an siRNA specifically directed against truncated <it>NTRK3</it>, as well as a significant increase in cell number. Accordingly, transcriptome analysis of cells transfected with miR-128 revealed an alteration of the expression of genes implicated in cytoskeletal organization as well as genes involved in apoptosis, cell survival and proliferation, including the anti-apoptotic factor <it>BCL2</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results show that the regulation of <it>NTRK3 </it>by microRNAs is isoform-specific and suggest that neurotrophin-mediated processes are strongly linked to microRNA-dependent mechanisms. In addition, these findings open new perspectives for the study of the physiological role of miR-128 and its possible involvement in cell death/survival processes.</p

Learning induces the translin/trax RNase complex to express activin receptors for persistent memory

Long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity and memory require de novo protein synthesis. Yet, how learning triggers this process to form memory is unclear. Translin/trax is a candidate to drive this learning-induced memory mechanism by suppressing microRNA-mediated translational silencing at activated synapses. We find that mice lacking translin/trax display defects in synaptic tagging, which requires protein synthesis at activated synapses, and long-term memory. Hippocampal samples harvested from these mice following learning show increases in several disease-related microRNAs targeting the activin A receptor type 1C (ACVR1C), a component of the transforming growth factor-beta receptor superfamily. Furthermore, the absence of translin/trax abolishes synaptic upregulation of ACVR1C protein after learning. Finally, synaptic tagging and long-term memory deficits in mice lacking translin/trax are mimicked by ACVR1C inhibition. Thus, we define a new memory mechanism by which learning reverses microRNA-mediated silencing of the novel plasticity protein ACVR1C via translin/trax

Cryopreservation Effect on Proliferative and Chondrogenic Potential of Human Chondrocytes Isolated from Superficial and Deep Cartilage

[Abstract] Objectives: To compare the proliferative and chondrogenic potential of fresh and frozen chondrocytes isolated from superficial and deep articular cartilage biopsies. Materials and Methodology: The study included 12 samples of fresh and frozen healthy human knee articular cartilage. Cell proliferation was tested at 3, 6 and 9 days. Studies of mRNA quantification, protein expression and immunofluorescence for proliferation and chondrogenic markers were performed. Results: Stimulation of fresh and frozen chondrocytes from both superficial and deep cartilage with fetal bovine serum produced an increase in the proliferative capacity compared to the non-stimulated control group. In the stimulated fresh cells group, the proliferative capacity of cells from the deep biopsy was greater than that from cells from the superficial biopsy (0.046 vs 0.028, respectively, p<0.05). There was also a significant difference between the proliferative capacity of superficial zone fresh (0.028) and frozen (0.051) chondrocytes (p<0.05). CCND1 mRNA and protein expression levels, and immunopositivity for Ki67 revealed a higher proliferative capacity for fresh articular chondrocytes from deep cartilage. Regarding the chondrogenic potential, stimulated fresh cells showed higher SOX9 and Col II expression in chondrocytes from deep than from superficial zone (p<0.05, T student test). Conclusions: The highest rate of cell proliferation and chondrogenic potential of fresh chondrocytes was found in cells obtained from deep cartilage biopsies, whereas there were no statistically significant differences in proliferative and chondrogenic capacity between biopsy origins with frozen chondrocytes. These results indicate that both origin and cryopreservation affect the proliferative and chondrogenic potential of chondrocytes.Servizo Galego de Saúde; PS07/84Instituto de Salud Carlos III; CIBER BBN CB06-01-0040Ministerio Ciencia e Innovacion; PLE2009-0144Ministerio Ciencia e Innovación; PI 08/202

Analysis of genetic variation in microrna-mediated regulation and the susceptibility to anxiety disorders

We have investigated genetic variation in microRNA-mediated regulation as a susceptibility factor for anxiety disorders following two different approaches. We first studied two isoforms of the candidate gene NTRK3 by re-sequencing its different 3'UTRs in patients with Panic (PD) and Obsessive Compulsive disorders (OCD) as well as controls. Two rare variants that altered microRNA-mediated regulation were identified in PD. Conversely, association of a common SNP with OCD hoarding subtype was found. Moreover, we have also studied a possible involvement of microRNAs in anxiety disorders. Consequently, we have analysed the genomic organisation and genetic variation of miRNA-containing regions to construct a panel of SNPs for association analysis. Case-control studies revealed several associations. However, it is worth remarking the associations of miR-22 and miR-488 with PD; two microRNAs for which functional assays and transcriptome analysis after microRNA overexpression showed significant repression of a subset of genes involved in physiological pathways linked to PD development.Hem investigat la variació genètica a la regulació mediada per microRNAs com a factors de susceptibilitat pels trastorns d'ansietat seguint dues aproximacions diferents. Primer vam estudiar dues isoformes del gen candidat NTRK3 mitjançant la reseqüenciació dels seus diferents 3'UTRs a pacients de pànic (TP), a pacients amb trastorn obsessiu compulsiu (TOC) i a controls. Dues variants rares que alteren la regulació mediada per microRNAs foren identificades per TP. D'altra banda, es trobà associació d'un SNP comú amb el subtipus acumulador de TOC. A més, també hem estudiat la possible implicació dels microRNAs als trastorns d'ansietat. Conseqüentment, hem analitzat l'organització genòmica i la variació genètica a regions que contenen microRNAs per construir un panell d'SNPs per fer anàlisis d'associació. Els estudis cas-control van revelar algunes associacions. Tanmateix, val la pena destacar les associacions del miR-22 i el miR-488 amb TP; dos microRNAs pels quals assajos funcionals i anàlisis de transcriptoma després de la seva sobreexpressió han mostrat una repressió significativa d'un grup de gens implicats en vies fisiològiques lligades al desenvolupament del TP

MicroRNA mediated regulation and the susceptibility to anxiety disorders

Peer Reviewe

Human microRNAs miR-22, miR-138-2, miR-148a, and miR-488 are associated with panic disorder and regulate several anxiety candidate genes and related pathways

Disponible desde www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. -- Autores: Muiños-Gimeno, Margarita ... [et al.][Background] The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity suggests a role for miRNAs in psychiatric disorders; association analyses and functional approaches were used to evaluate the implication of miRNAs in the susceptibility for panic disorder.[Methods] Case-control studies for 712 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging 325 human miRNA regions were performed in 203 Spanish patients with panic disorder and 341 control subjects. A sample of 321 anxiety patients and 642 control subjects from Finland and 102 panic disorder patients and 829 control subjects from Estonia was used as a replica. Reporter-gene assays and miRNA overexpression experiments in neuroblastoma cells were used to functionally evaluate the spectrum of genes regulated by the associated miRNAs.[Results] Two SNPs associated with panic disorder: rs6502892 tagging miR-22 (p < .0002), and rs11763020 tagging miR-339 (p < .00008). Other SNPs tagging miR-138-2, miR-488, miR-491, and miR-148a regions associated with different panic disorder phenotypes. Replication in the north-European sample supported several of these associations, although they did not pass correction for multiple testing. Functional studies revealed that miR-138-2, miR-148a, and miR-488 repress (30%–60%) several candidate genes for panic disorder—GABRA6, CCKBR and POMC, respectively—and that miR-22 regulates four other candidate genes: BDNF, HTR2C, MAOA, and RGS2. Transcriptome analysis of neuroblastoma cells transfected with miR-22 and miR-488 showed altered expression of a subset of predicted target genes for these miRNAs and of genes that might be affecting physiological pathways related to anxiety.[Conclusions] This work represents the first report of a possible implication of miRNAs in the etiology of panic disorder.Este trabajo fue financiado por el "Instituto Carlos III y el Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias" (nº CIBER-CB06/02/0058, CIBER-SAM, FIS/ISCIII: P1052565, ISCIII: GO3/184, FI05/0006 para Margarita Muiños-Gimeno), la "Fundación Marató-TV3" (nº 014 331), el "Departament d'Universitats Innovació i Empresa, Generalitat de Catalunya" (nº 2005SGR00008 y 2009SGR1435), el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (nº SAF2008-00357), Sexto Programa Marco de la Unión Europea Proyecto Integrado SIROCCO (nº LSHG-CT-2006-037900). Andres Metspalu fue apoyado por el Séptimo Programa Marco Unión de la Europea (nº ENGAGE 201413, ECOGENE # 205419 EBC, y OPENGENE # 245536), la Unión Europea a través del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (Centro de Excelencia en Genómica) y el Gobierno de Estonia (nº SF0180142s08). El Centro Español Nacional de Genotipado (CeGen) fue apoyado por "Genoma España". Academia de Finlandia, Yrjö and Tuulikki Ilvonen Foundation y la Fundación Sigrid Juselius. Fundación Científica de Estonia (nº 7034).Peer reviewe

Human microRNAs miR-22, miR-138-2, miR-148a, and miR-488 are associated with panic disorder and regulate several anxiety candidate genes and related pathways

Disponible desde www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. -- Autores: Muiños-Gimeno, Margarita ... [et al.][Background] The involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in neuronal differentiation and synaptic plasticity suggests a role for miRNAs in psychiatric disorders; association analyses and functional approaches were used to evaluate the implication of miRNAs in the susceptibility for panic disorder.[Methods] Case-control studies for 712 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) tagging 325 human miRNA regions were performed in 203 Spanish patients with panic disorder and 341 control subjects. A sample of 321 anxiety patients and 642 control subjects from Finland and 102 panic disorder patients and 829 control subjects from Estonia was used as a replica. Reporter-gene assays and miRNA overexpression experiments in neuroblastoma cells were used to functionally evaluate the spectrum of genes regulated by the associated miRNAs.[Results] Two SNPs associated with panic disorder: rs6502892 tagging miR-22 (p < .0002), and rs11763020 tagging miR-339 (p < .00008). Other SNPs tagging miR-138-2, miR-488, miR-491, and miR-148a regions associated with different panic disorder phenotypes. Replication in the north-European sample supported several of these associations, although they did not pass correction for multiple testing. Functional studies revealed that miR-138-2, miR-148a, and miR-488 repress (30%–60%) several candidate genes for panic disorder—GABRA6, CCKBR and POMC, respectively—and that miR-22 regulates four other candidate genes: BDNF, HTR2C, MAOA, and RGS2. Transcriptome analysis of neuroblastoma cells transfected with miR-22 and miR-488 showed altered expression of a subset of predicted target genes for these miRNAs and of genes that might be affecting physiological pathways related to anxiety.[Conclusions] This work represents the first report of a possible implication of miRNAs in the etiology of panic disorder.Este trabajo fue financiado por el "Instituto Carlos III y el Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias" (nº CIBER-CB06/02/0058, CIBER-SAM, FIS/ISCIII: P1052565, ISCIII: GO3/184, FI05/0006 para Margarita Muiños-Gimeno), la "Fundación Marató-TV3" (nº 014 331), el "Departament d'Universitats Innovació i Empresa, Generalitat de Catalunya" (nº 2005SGR00008 y 2009SGR1435), el Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (nº SAF2008-00357), Sexto Programa Marco de la Unión Europea Proyecto Integrado SIROCCO (nº LSHG-CT-2006-037900). Andres Metspalu fue apoyado por el Séptimo Programa Marco Unión de la Europea (nº ENGAGE 201413, ECOGENE # 205419 EBC, y OPENGENE # 245536), la Unión Europea a través del Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (Centro de Excelencia en Genómica) y el Gobierno de Estonia (nº SF0180142s08). El Centro Español Nacional de Genotipado (CeGen) fue apoyado por "Genoma España". Academia de Finlandia, Yrjö and Tuulikki Ilvonen Foundation y la Fundación Sigrid Juselius. Fundación Científica de Estonia (nº 7034).Peer reviewe