Fibroblast activation protein(Fap)is a serine protease that degrades denatured type I collagen,α2-antiplasmin and FGF21.Fap is highly expressed in bone marrow stromal cells and functions as an osteogenic suppressor a...Fibroblast activation protein(Fap)is a serine protease that degrades denatured type I collagen,α2-antiplasmin and FGF21.Fap is highly expressed in bone marrow stromal cells and functions as an osteogenic suppressor and can be inhibited by the bone growth factor Osteolectin(Oln).Fap is also expressed in synovial fibroblasts and positively correlated with the severity of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).However,whether Fap plays a critical role in osteoarthritis(OA)remains poorly understood.Here,we found that Fap is significantly elevated in osteoarthritic synovium,while the genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of Fap significantly ameliorated posttraumatic OA in mice.Mechanistically,we found that Fap degrades denatured type II collagen(Col II)and Mmp13-cleaved native Col II.Intra-articular injection of r Fap significantly accelerated Col II degradation and OA progression.In contrast,Oln is expressed in the superficial layer of articular cartilage and is significantly downregulated in OA.Genetic deletion of Oln significantly exacerbated OA progression,which was partially rescued by Fap deletion or inhibition.Intra-articular injection of r Oln significantly ameliorated OA progression.Taken together,these findings identify Fap as a critical pathogenic factor in OA that could be targeted by both synthetic and endogenous inhibitors to ameliorate articular cartilage degradation.展开更多
A distinct population of skeletal stem/progenitor cells(SSPCs)has been identified that is indispensable for the maintenance and remodeling of the adult skeleton.However,the cell types that are responsible for age-rela...A distinct population of skeletal stem/progenitor cells(SSPCs)has been identified that is indispensable for the maintenance and remodeling of the adult skeleton.However,the cell types that are responsible for age-related bone loss and the characteristic changes in these cells during aging remain to be determined.Here,we established models of premature aging by conditional depletion of Zmpste24(Z24)in mice and found that Prx1-dependent Z24 deletion,but not Osx-dependent Z24 deletion,caused significant bone loss.However,Acan-associated Z24 depletion caused only trabecular bone loss.Single-cell RNA sequencing(sc RNA-seq)revealed that two populations of SSPCs,one that differentiates into trabecular bone cells and another that differentiates into cortical bone cells,were significantly decreased in Prx1-Cre;Z24^(f/f)mice.Both premature SSPC populations exhibited apoptotic signaling pathway activation and decreased mechanosensation.Physical exercise reversed the effects of Z24depletion on cellular apoptosis,extracellular matrix expression and bone mass.This study identified two populations of SSPCs that are responsible for premature aging-related bone loss.The impairment of mechanosensation in Z24-deficient SSPCs provides new insight into how physical exercise can be used to prevent bone aging.展开更多
基金National Key R&D Program of China(2022YFA1103200,2017YFA0106400,2021YFA1100900)Ministry of Science and Technology of China(2020YFC2002804)+3 种基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(91749124,81772389,82070108)Major Program of Development Fund for Shanghai Zhangjiang National Innovation Demonstration Zone(ZJ2018-ZD-004)Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(22120190149 and kx0200020173386)Peak Disciplines(Type IV)of Institutions of Higher Learning in Shanghai。
文摘Fibroblast activation protein(Fap)is a serine protease that degrades denatured type I collagen,α2-antiplasmin and FGF21.Fap is highly expressed in bone marrow stromal cells and functions as an osteogenic suppressor and can be inhibited by the bone growth factor Osteolectin(Oln).Fap is also expressed in synovial fibroblasts and positively correlated with the severity of rheumatoid arthritis(RA).However,whether Fap plays a critical role in osteoarthritis(OA)remains poorly understood.Here,we found that Fap is significantly elevated in osteoarthritic synovium,while the genetic deletion or pharmacological inhibition of Fap significantly ameliorated posttraumatic OA in mice.Mechanistically,we found that Fap degrades denatured type II collagen(Col II)and Mmp13-cleaved native Col II.Intra-articular injection of r Fap significantly accelerated Col II degradation and OA progression.In contrast,Oln is expressed in the superficial layer of articular cartilage and is significantly downregulated in OA.Genetic deletion of Oln significantly exacerbated OA progression,which was partially rescued by Fap deletion or inhibition.Intra-articular injection of r Oln significantly ameliorated OA progression.Taken together,these findings identify Fap as a critical pathogenic factor in OA that could be targeted by both synthetic and endogenous inhibitors to ameliorate articular cartilage degradation.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) (82230082,81991512 to W.Z.,82202742 to J.S.,82070108 to R.Y.)the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFA0806600 to W.Z.,2022YFA1103200 to R.Y.)CAS Project for Young Scientists in Basic Research (YSBR077 to W.Z.)。
文摘A distinct population of skeletal stem/progenitor cells(SSPCs)has been identified that is indispensable for the maintenance and remodeling of the adult skeleton.However,the cell types that are responsible for age-related bone loss and the characteristic changes in these cells during aging remain to be determined.Here,we established models of premature aging by conditional depletion of Zmpste24(Z24)in mice and found that Prx1-dependent Z24 deletion,but not Osx-dependent Z24 deletion,caused significant bone loss.However,Acan-associated Z24 depletion caused only trabecular bone loss.Single-cell RNA sequencing(sc RNA-seq)revealed that two populations of SSPCs,one that differentiates into trabecular bone cells and another that differentiates into cortical bone cells,were significantly decreased in Prx1-Cre;Z24^(f/f)mice.Both premature SSPC populations exhibited apoptotic signaling pathway activation and decreased mechanosensation.Physical exercise reversed the effects of Z24depletion on cellular apoptosis,extracellular matrix expression and bone mass.This study identified two populations of SSPCs that are responsible for premature aging-related bone loss.The impairment of mechanosensation in Z24-deficient SSPCs provides new insight into how physical exercise can be used to prevent bone aging.