ABSTRACT: Genome-wide comparative gene expression analysis of callus tissue of osteoporotic mice (Col1a1-Krm2 and Lrp5-/-) and wild-type were performed to identify candidate genes that might be responsible for the impaired fracture healing observed in Col1a1-Krm2 and Lrp5-/- mice. To investigate bone healing in osteoporosis, we performed fracture healing studies in wild-type mice (C57BL/6 genetic background) and the low bone mass strains Col1a1-Krm2 and Lrp5-/- (Schulze et al., 2010; Kato et al., 2002). Osteotomy was set in femora of female mice and stabilized by a semi-rigid fixator to allow fast bone healing (RM-CM-6ntgen et al., 2010). 21 days post surgery we analyzed the fracture calli by biochemical/histological methods, as well as micro-computed tomography, and observed impaired fracture healing in Col1a1-Krm2 and Lrp5-/- mice in comparison to wild-type. To identify genes that may be responsible for the impaired healing in osteoporotic mice, we performed microarray analysis of three independent callus samples of each genotype. The callus tissue was taken 10 days after surgery, because extensive bone formation took place at this point.
Project description:Genome-wide comparative gene expression analysis of callus tissue of osteoporotic mice (Col1a1-Krm2 and Lrp5-/-) and wild-type were performed to identify candidate genes that might be responsible for the impaired fracture healing observed in Col1a1-Krm2 and Lrp5-/- mice.
Project description:alpha-CGRP is a neuropeptide that is also expressed in the fracture callus during bone regeneration. Our aim was to evaluate the role of alpha-CGRP in the context of fracture healing. Therefore we investigated the effect of alpha-CGRP deficiency on fracture callus formation. We used microarray analysis to compare the global gene expression of fracture calli from alpha-CGRP deficient mice and WT mice.
Project description:Bone fractures, the most common musculoskeletal injuries, heal through three main phases: inflammatory, repair, and remodeling. Around 10% of fracture patients suffer from impaired healing that requires surgical intervention, a huge burden on the healthcare system. The rate of impaired healing increases with metabolic diseases such as obesity-associated hyperglycemia/type 2 diabetes (T2D), an increasing concern given the growing incidence of obesity/T2D. Immune cells play pivotal roles in fracture healing, and obesity/T2D is associated with defective immune-cell functions. However, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the stoichiometry of immune cells that populate the callus and how that population changes during different phases of healing. Here, we used complementary global and single-cell techniques to characterize the repertoire of immune cells in the fracture callus and to identify populations specifically enriched in the fracture callus relative to the unfractured bone or bone marrow. Our analyses identified two clear waves of immune-cell infiltration into the callus: the first wave occurs during the early inflammatory phase of fracture healing, while the second takes place during the late repair/early remodeling phase. Innate immune cells were activated during the early inflammatory phase, but in later phases they returned to homeostatic numbers and activation levels. Of the innate immune cells, distinct subsets of activated dendritic cells were particularly enriched in the inflammatory healing hematoma. In contrast to innate cells, lymphocytes, including B and T cells, were enriched and activated in the callus primarily during the late repair phase. The Diet-Induced Obesity (DIO) mouse, an established model of obesity-associated hyperglycemia and insulin resistance, suffers from multiple healing defects. Our data demonstrate that DIO mice exhibit dysregulated innate immune responses during the inflammatory phase, and defects in all lymphocyte compartments during the late repair phase. Taken together, our data characterize, for the first time, immune populations that are enriched/activated in the callus during two distinct phases of fracture healing and identify defects in the healing-associated immune response in DIO mice, which will facilitate future development of immunomodulatory therapeutics for impaired fracture healing.
Project description:Elevated bone resorption and diminished bone formation have been recognized as the primary features of glucocorticoid-associated skeletal disorders. However, the direct effects of excess glucocorticoids on bone turnover remains unclear. Here, we explored the outcomes of exogenous glucocorticoid treatment on bone loss and delayed fracture healing in mice and found that reduced bone turnover was a dominant feature, resulting in a net loss of bone mass. We investigated the single-cell gene expression profiles of these two models. In the glucocorticoid-induced bone loss model, we sequenced the cell population digested from the bone surface. In the glucocorticoid-associated fracture healing model, we sequenced the cell population digested from the callus. Overall, the cell population on the bone surface was predominantly composed of hematopoietic cells, while only a small fraction represented the bone progenitor cells. In the fracture healing model, the callus contained a significant number of osteogenic and osteoclastic lineage cells. We primarily analyzed the gene expression of functional genes in the fracture healing model and characterized the metabolic profiles. These data provide insights into the multifactorial metabolic mechanisms by which glucocorticoids generate skeletal disorders.
Project description:Current clinical approaches to promote osteoporotic fracture healing primarily target osteoclast biology, overlooking the negative regulatory role of fibroblasts in fracture healing. Perioperative bisphosphonates (BPs) used in anti-osteoporosis treatment for osteoporotic fractures have become a consensus worldwide. However, excessive fibrosis is induced simultaneously, leading to fracture non-union and atypical femur fractures. It is highly desirable to inhibit osteoclasts but block fibrosis. In this study, an magnesium ions (Mg2+)-BPs MOF-based bone adhesive material was designed to down-regulate SOST and weaken SOST/TGF-β signaling pathway through Mg2+ through transcriptome analysis, thus inhibiting fibrotic differentiation and subsequent disordered mineralization.
Project description:Immune cells are essential for proper fracture healing. The goal of this study was to compare the transcriptional profiles of the CD45+ immune cells isolated from the healing fracture callus of old (24 month) and young (3 month) mice (C57BL/6). Analysis of all CD45+ cells was completed via single cell RNAseq. Additional analysis of the macrophages involved in fracture healing in old and young mice was performed via bulk RNAseq. We show that there were multiple subpopulations of macrophages that were transcriptionally heterogenous and present simultaneously within the fracture callus tissue. Attenuated healing in the old mice was associated with a transcriptional profile that shifted towards more pro-inflammatory phenotypes.
Project description:A study of rat femoral fracture healing in young (6 weeks old at fracture), adult (26 weeks old at fracture), and old (52 weeks old at fracture) rats. Samples were collected at time of surgery (intact controls) and at 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks after fracture. Samples were the mid third of the femoral length including the external callus, cortical bone and marrow elements. Fracture was stabilized with an intramedullary rod prior to fracture with a Bonnarens and Einhorn device.
Project description:Periosteum deficiency affects bone regeneration, especially in the case of the bone disorder congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT). We investigated a new mouse model of CPT caused by Nf1 inactivation in boundary cap-derivatives, the Prss56Cre; R26tdTom; Nf1fl/fl model. To investigate altered healing in this CPT model, we generated a dataset of the injured periosteum and fracture callus at day-7 post fracture from Prss56Cre; R26tdTom; Nf1fl/fl mice.
Project description:Fracture healing is a process that involves many cell populations. In this study we characterized gene expression in a subset of cells involved in fracture healing. αSMACreERT2 mice crossed with Ai9 reporter mice that express tdTomato fluorescent protein after Cre-mediated activation were used as an experimental model. αSMA-expressing cells were labeled by tamoxifen administration, then periosteal cells from the tibia were isolated two days later (controls), or tibial fractures were performed and periosteum/soft callus tissue was collected after 2 and 6 days. The tdTomato positive cell population was isolated by flow cytometry, and subjected to microarray analysis. Histology and cell surface marker analysis indicates that αSMACreERT2 labels a mainly mesenchymal population in the periosteum that expands after fracture, and contributes to both osteogenic and chondrogenic elements of the fracture callus. We were therefore able to examine gene expression in a defined population during the early stages of fracture healing. Total RNA was obtained from the tomato positive cells within the periosteal compartment of fractures from αSMACreERT2/Ai9 mice. Control animals were given 2 doses of tamoxifen, and periosteum was collected and labeled cells sorted (8-9 sex-matched mice per group). Fractures were performed after the second dose of tamoxifen, and tomato positive cells from periosteum/callus tissue were isolated 2 and 6 days after fracture (4-8 animals per sample pooled). 3 replicates for each sample are included.