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In this study, we propose a simple and effective strategy to prepare injectable macroporous calcium phosphate cements (CPCs) by syringe-foaming via hydrophilic viscous polymeric ...solution, such as using silanized-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (Si-HPMC) as a foaming agent. The Si-HPMC foamed CPCs demonstrate excellent handling properties such as injectability and cohesion. After hardening the foamed CPCs possess hierarchical macropores and their mechanical properties (Young’s modulus and compressive strength) are comparable to those of cancellous bone. Moreover, a preliminary in vivo study in the distal femoral sites of rabbits was conducted to evaluate the biofunctionality of this injectable macroporous CPC. The evidence of newly formed bone in the central zone of implantation site indicates the feasibility and effectiveness of this foaming strategy that will have to be optimized by further extensive animal experiments.
A major challenge in the design of biomaterial-based injectable bone substitutes is the development of cohesive, macroporous and self-setting calcium phosphate cement (CPC) that enables rapid cell invasion with adequate initial mechanical properties without the use of complex processing and additives. Thus, we propose a simple and effective strategy to prepare injectable macroporous CPCs through syringe-foaming using a hydrophilic viscous polymeric solution (silanized-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Si-HPMC) as a foaming agent, that simultaneously meets all the aforementioned aims. Evidence from our in vivo studies shows the existence of newly formed bone within the implantation site, indicating the feasibility and effectiveness of this foaming strategy, which could be used in various CPC systems using other hydrophilic viscous polymeric solutions.
Chronic Periodontitis (CP) is an inflammatory disease of bacterial origin that results in alveolar bone destruction. Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), one of the main periopathogens, initiates an ...inflammatory cascade by host immune cells thereby increasing recruitment and activity of osteoclasts, the bone resorbing cells, through enhanced production of the crucial osteoclastogenic factor, RANK-L. Antibodies directed against some cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) failed to exhibit convincing therapeutic effect in CP. It has been suggested that IL-33, could be of interest in CP.
the present study aims to analyze whether and how IL-33 and RANK-L and/or their interplay are involved in the bone destruction associated to CP.
mRNAs and protein expressions of IL-33 and RANK-L were analyzed in healthy and CP human gingival samples by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and RT-qPCR. Murine experimental periodontitis (EP) was induced using Pg infected ligature and Pg free ligature around the first maxillary molar. Alveolar bone loss was recorded by μCT. Mouse gingival explants were stimulated for 24 hours with IL-33 and RANK-L mRNA expression investigated by RT-qPCR. Human oral epithelial cells were infected by Pg for 6, 12; 24 hours and IL-33 and RANK-L mRNA expressions were analyzed by RT-qPCR.
IL-33 is overexpressed in gingival epithelial cells in human affected by CP as in the murine EP. In human as in murine gingival cells, RANK-L was independently induced by Pg and IL-33. We also showed that the Pg-dependent RANK-L expression in gingival epithelial cells occured earlier than that of IL-33.
Our results evidence that IL-33 overexpression in gingival epithelial cells is associated with CP and may trigger RANK-L expression in addition to a direct effect of Pg. Finally, IL-33 may act as an extracellular alarmin (danger signal) showing proinflammatory properties in CP perpetuating bone resorption induced by Pg infection.
The mechanisms linking fat intake to bone loss remain unclear. By demonstrating the expression of the free fatty acid receptor G-coupled protein receptor 40 (GPR40) in bone cells, we hypothesized ...that this receptor may play a role in mediating the effects of fatty acids on bone remodeling. Using micro-CT analysis, we showed that GPR40−/− mice exhibit osteoporotic features suggesting a positive role of GPR40 on bone density. In primary cultures of bone marrow, we showed that GW9508, a GRP40 agonist, abolished bone-resorbing cell differentiation. This alteration of the receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation occurred via the inhibition of the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway as demonstrated by decrease in gene reporter activity, inhibitor of κB kinase (IKKα/β) activation, inhibitor of κB (IkBα) phosphorylation, and nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1) expression. The GPR40-dependent effect of GW9508 was confirmed using shRNA interference in osteoclast precursors and GPR40−/− primary cell cultures. In addition, in vivo administration of GW9508 counteracted ovariectomy-induced bone loss in wild-type but not GPR40−/− mice, enlightening the obligatory role of the GPR40 receptor. Then, in a context of growing prevalence of metabolic and age-related bone disorders, our results demonstrate for the first time in translational approaches that GPR40 is a relevant target for the design of new nutritional and therapeutic strategies to counter bone complications.
Background: Long chain fatty acids have been shown to activate the membrane-bound receptor GPR40.
Results: GPR40 agonist alters bone-resorbing cell differentiation through inhibition of the NF-κB system.
Conclusion: GPR40 exerts protective effects in vivo on bone tissue.
Significance: GPR40 is a nutritional and therapeutic target opening up new avenues for clinical investigations in terms of metabolic and age-related bone disorders.
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus that is able to infect fibroblastic, epithelial, endothelial and hematopoietic cells. Over the past ten years, several groups have provided ...direct evidence that dendritic cells (DCs) fully support the HCMV lytic cycle. We previously demonstrated that the C-type lectin dendritic cell-specific intercellular adhesion molecule-3-grabbing non-integrin (DC-SIGN) has a prominent role in the docking of HCMV on monocyte-derived DCs (MDDCs). The DC-SIGN/HCMV interaction was demonstrated to be a crucial and early event that substantially enhanced infection in trans, i.e., from one CMV-bearing cell to another non-infected cell (or trans-infection), and rendered susceptible cells fully permissive to HCMV infection. Nevertheless, nothing is yet known about how HCMV enters MDDCs. In this study, we demonstrated that VHL/E HCMV virions (an endothelio/dendrotropic strain) are first internalized into MDDCs by a macropinocytosis-like process in an actin- and cholesterol-dependent, but pH-independent, manner. We observed the accumulation of virions in large uncoated vesicles with endosomal features, and the virions remained as intact particles that retained infectious potential for several hours. This trans-infection property was specific to MDDCs because monocyte-derived macrophages or monocytes from the same donor were unable to allow the accumulation of and the subsequent transmission of the virus. Together, these data allowed us to delineate the early mechanisms of the internalization and entry of an endothelio/dendrotropic HCMV strain into human MDDCs and to propose that DCs can serve as a "Trojan horse" to convey CMV from entry sites to other locations that may favor the occurrence of either latency or acute infection.
The nutritional benefits of pomegranate have attracted great scientific interest. The pomegranate, including the pomegranate peel, has been used worldwide for many years as a fruit with medicinal ...activity, mostly antioxidant properties. Among chronic diseases, osteoporosis, which is associated with bone remodelling impairment leading to progressive bone loss, could eventually benefit from antioxidant compounds because of the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of osteopenia. In this study, with in vivo and ex vivo experiments, we investigated whether the consumption of pomegranate peel extract (PGPE) could limit the process of osteopenia. We demonstrated that in ovariectomized (OVX) C57BL/6J mice, PGPE consumption was able to significantly prevent the decrease in bone mineral density (-31.9%; p < 0.001 vs. OVX mice) and bone microarchitecture impairment. Moreover, the exposure of RAW264.7 cells to serum harvested from mice that had been given a PGPE-enriched diet elicited reduced osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption, as shown by the inhibition of the major osteoclast markers. In addition, PGPE appeared to substantially stimulate osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity at day 7, mineralization at day 21 and the transcription level of osteogenic markers. PGPE may be effective in preventing the bone loss associated with ovariectomy in mice, and offers a promising alternative for the nutritional management of this disease.
Despite recent improvements in therapeutic management of osteosarcoma, ongoing challenges in improving the response to chemotherapy warrants new strategies still needed to improve overall patient ...survival. In this study, we investigated in vivo the effects of RAD001 (Everolimus), a new orally available mTOR inhibitor, on the growth of human and mouse osteosarcoma cells either alone or in combination with zoledronate (ZOL), an anti-osteoporotic drug used to treat bone metastases. RAD001 inhibited osteosarcoma cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner with no modification of cell-cycle distribution. Combination with ZOL augmented this inhibition of cell proliferation, decreasing PI3K/mTOR signaling compared with single treatments. Notably, in contrast to RAD001, ZOL downregulated isoprenylated membrane-bound Ras concomitantly with an increase of nonisoprenylated cytosolic Ras in sensitive and resistant osteosarcoma cell lines to both drugs. Moreover, ZOL and RAD001 synergized to decrease Ras isoprenylation and GTP-bound Ras levels. Further, the drug combination reduced tumor development in two murine models of osteoblastic or osteolytic osteosarcoma. We found that ZOL could reverse RAD001 resistance in osteosarcoma, limiting osteosarcoma cell growth in combination with RAD001. Our findings rationalize further study of the applications of mTOR and mevalonate pathway inhibitors that can limit protein prenylation pathways.
Abstract This study is the first report of a clinical evaluation of an injectable bone substitute (IBS). This IBS was prepared by suspending biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) particles with diameters ...ranging between 80 and 200 μm in a water-soluble cellulose polymer carrier phase. It was used for filling bone defects after tooth extractions in 11 patients. The first objective of the study was to investigate the safety of the filler material. The second objective was to investigate the efficacy of the material for filling human tooth sockets and preventing alveolar bone loss. Radiographic density measurements of the surgical sites gradually increased to those of the surrounding host bone. Three years after surgery, small biopsies of the implanted areas were harvested and analyzed by using micro-computed tomography, non-decalcified histology and histomorphometry. The BCP granules appeared in direct contact with mineralized bone tissue, thereby supporting bone growth. A gradual substitution of the filler by bone tissue was observed thus preserving the height of the alveolar bone crest.
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Autologous bone graft is considered as the gold standard in bone reconstructive surgery. However, the quantity of bone available is limited and the harvesting procedure requires a ...second surgical site resulting in severe complications. Due to these limits, scientists and clinicians have considered alternatives to autologous bone graft. Calcium phosphates (CaPs) biomaterials including biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) ceramics have proven efficacy in numerous clinical indications. Their specific physico-chemical properties (HA/TCP ratio, dual porosity and subsequent interconnected architecture) control (regulate/condition) the progressive resorption and the bone substitution process.
By describing the most significant biological responses reported in the last 30years, we review the main events that made their clinical success. We also discuss about their exciting future applications as osteoconductive scaffold for delivering various bioactive molecules or bone cells in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Nowadays, BCPs are definitely considered as the gold standard of bone substitutes in bone reconstructive surgery. Among the numerous clinical studies in literature demonstrating the performance of BCP, Passuti et al. and Randsford et al. studies largely contributed to the emergence of the BCPs. It could be interesting to come back to the main events that made their success and could explain their large adhesion from scientists to clinicians. This paper aims to review the most significant biological responses reported in the last 30years, of these BCP-based materials. We also discuss about their exciting future applications as osteoconductive scaffold for delivering various bioactive molecules or bone cells in bone tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Osteosarcoma is the most frequent primary bone tumor that develops mainly in the young, the median age of diagnosis being 18 years. Despite improvement in osteosarcoma treatment, survival rate is ...only 30% at 5 years for patients with pulmonary metastases at diagnosis. This warrants exploration of new therapeutic options, and among them, osteoprotegerin (OPG), a naturally occurring protein that inhibits bone resorption, is very promising in blocking the vicious cycle between bone resorption and tumor proliferation that takes place during tumor development in bone site. As OPG binds and inhibits the activity of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, the truncated form of murine OPG 1-194 was used. The cDNA encoding OPG was administered by gene transfer using replication-defective adenoviral vector or was associated with an amphiphilic polymer in two models of rodent osteosarcoma. In both models, OPG gene transfer was effective in preventing the formation of osteolytic lesions associated with osteosarcoma development, in reducing the tumor incidence and the local tumor growth, leading to a 4-fold augmentation of mice survival 28 days postimplantation. On the contrary, OPG did not prevent the development of pulmonary metastasis alone, suggesting that bone environment is necessary for OPG therapeutic efficacy. Because OPG has no direct activity on osteosarcoma cells in vitro (cell binding, cell proliferation, apoptosis, or cell cycle distribution), we show that OPG exerts indirect inhibitory effect on tumor progression through the inhibition of RANKL whose production is enhanced in bone tumor environment, leading to osteolysis inhibition as reflected by osteoclast number decrease.
The formation of hydroxyapatite crystals and their insertion into collagen fibrils of the matrix are essential steps for bone mineralization. As phosphate is a main structural component of apatite ...crystals, its uptake by skeletal cells is critical and must be controlled by specialized membrane proteins. In mammals, in vitro studies have suggested that the high-affinity sodium-phosphate cotransporter PiT1 could play this role. In vivo, PiT1 expression was detected in hypertrophic chondrocytes of murine metatarsals, but its implication in bone physiology is not yet deciphered. As the complete deletion of PiT1 results in embryonic lethality at E12.5, we took advantage of a mouse model bearing two copies of PiT1 hypomorphic alleles to study the effect of a low expression of PiT1 on bone mineralization in vivo. In this report, we show that a 85% down-regulation of PiT1 in long bones resulted in a slight (6%) but significant reduction of femur length in young mice (15- and 30-day-old). However, despite a defect in alcian blue / alizarin red S and Von Kossa staining of hypomorphic 1-day-old mice, using X-rays micro-computed tomography, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and histological staining techniques we could not detect differences between hypomorphic and wild-type mice of 15- to 300-days old. Interestingly, the expression of PiT2, the paralog of PiT1, was increased 2-fold in bone of PiT1 hypomorphic mice accounting for a normal phosphate uptake in mutant cells. Whether this may contribute to the absence of bone mineralization defects remains to be further deciphered.