Platelet-derived growth factor-BB(PDGF-BB)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β(PDGFR-β)pathway is conventionally considered as an important pathway to promote osteogenesis;however,recent study suggested its role during osteogenesis to be controversial.Regarding the differential functions of this pathway during 3 stages of bone healing,we hypothesized that temporal inhibition of PDGF-BB/PDGFR-βpathway could shift the proliferation/differentiation balance of skeletal stem and progenitor cells,toward osteogenic lineage,which leads to improved bone regeneration.We first validated that inhibition of PDGFR-βat late stage of osteogenic induction effectively enhanced differentiation toward osteoblasts.This effect was also replicated invivo by showing accelerated bone formation when block PDGFR-βpathway at late stage of critical bone defect healing mediated using biomaterials.Further,we found that such PDGFR-βinhibitor-initiated bone healing was also effective in the absence of scaffold implantation when administrated intraperitoneally.Mechanistically,timely inhibition of PDGFR-βblocked extracellular regulated protein kinase 1/2 pathway,which shift proliferation/differentiation balance of skeletal stem and progenitor cell to osteogenic lineage by upregulating osteogenesis-related products of Smad to induce osteogenesis.This study offered updated understanding of the use of PDGFR-βpathway and provides new insight routes of action and novel therapeutic methods in the field of bone repair.
●AIM:To evaluate the role of semaphorin 7A(Sema7A)and its associated regulatory mechanisms in modulating the barrier function of cultured human corneal epithelial cells(HCEs).●METHODS:Barrier models of HCEs were treated with recombinant human Sema7A at concentrations of 0,125,250,or 500 ng/mL for 24,48,or 72h in vitro.Transepithelial electrical resistance(TEER)as well as Dextran-fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)permeability assays were conducted to assess barrier function.To quantify tight junctions(TJs)such as occludin and zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)at the mRNA level,reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)analysis was performed.Immunoblotting was used to examine the activity of the nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway and the production of TJs proteins.Immunofluorescence analyses were employed to localize the TJs.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and RT-PCR were utilized to observe changes in interleukin(IL)-1βlevels.To investigate the role of NF-κB signaling activation and IL^(-1)βin Sema7A’s anti-barrier mechanism,we employed 0.1μmol/L IκB kinase 2(IKK2)inhibitor IV or 500 ng/mL IL^(-1)receptor(IL-1R)antagonist.●RESULTS:Treatment with Sema7A resulted in decreased TEER and increased permeability of Dextran-FITC in HCEs through down-regulating mRNA and protein levels of TJs in a time-and dose-dependent manner,as well as altering the localization of TJs.Furthermore,Sema7A stimulated the activation of inhibitor of kappa B alpha(IκBα)and expression of IL-1β.The anti-barrier function of Sema7A was significantly suppressed by treatment with IKK2 inhibitor IV or IL-1R antagonists.●CONCLUSION:Sema7A disrupts barrier function through its influence on NF-κB-mediated expression of TJ proteins,as well as the expression of IL-1β.These findings suggest that Sema7A could be a potential therapeutic target for the diseases in corneal epithelium.
Cheng-Cheng YangXiu-Xia YangXiao-Jing ZhaoHeng WangZi-Han GuoKai JinYang LiuBin-Hui Li