Updated on 2024/04/25

写真a

 
MERA Hisashi
 
Organization
University Medical and Dental Hospital Uonuma Institute of Community Medicine Specially Appointed Lecturer
Title
Specially Appointed Lecturer
External link

Degree

  • 医学博士 ( 2009.9   新潟大学 )

Research Areas

  • Life Science / Orthopedics

Research History

  • Niigata University   University Medical and Dental Hospital UONUMA CHIIKI IRYO KYOIKU CENTER JUNBISHITU   Specially Appointed Lecturer

    2015.12

 

Papers

  • Induction of chondrogenesis with a RANKL-binding peptide, WP9QY, in vitro and in vivo in a rabbit model. International journal

    Yuriko Furuya, Hisashi Mera, Maki Itokazu, Shozaburo Terai, Hiroaki Nakamura, Shigeyuki Wakitani, Hisataka Yasuda

    Biochemical and biophysical research communications   602   98 - 104   2022.4

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)  

    WP9QY (W9) is a receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)-binding peptide that inhibits osteoclastogenesis by blunting the RANKL-RANK interaction, and also increases osteoblastogenesis via RANKL reverse signaling. W9 has dual effects on osteoclasts and osteoblasts; however, it is unknown whether the peptide has an effect on chondrocytes. Here, we report that W9 induces proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in vitro and repairs full-thickness articular cartilage defects in vivo. W9 stimulated chondrocyte differentiation in a two-dimensional (2D) culture of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), and transforming growth factor β3 (TGF-β3) showed synergistic effects with W9 on chondrogenesis. W9 enlarged the size of 3D pellet cultures of hMSCs and produced chondrocyte-specific matrices, especially in combined treatment with TGF-β3. The peptide also stimulated proliferation of hMSCs with induction of expression of chondrogenesis-related genes. Several RANKL inhibitors had no effect on chondrocytic differentiation. RANKL-knockdown experiments showed that W9 did not induce chondrogenesis through RANKL, but did induce osteoblastogenesis through RANKL. Intraarticular injection of W9 resulted in significant repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defects in rabbits. Taken together, these results suggest that W9 ameliorates the articular cartilage defects by increasing the volume of cartilaginous matrices with accompanying induction of proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes via mechanisms independent of RANKL inhibition and RANKL reverse signaling. Since no pharmaceuticals are clinically available for treatment of cartilage damage such as osteoarthritis, our findings demonstrate the potential of W9 to address the unmet medical needs.

    DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.019

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  • Irx3 and Bmp2 regulate mouse mesenchymal cell chondrogenic differentiation in both a Sox9-dependent and -independent manner Reviewed

    Yoshihiro Tamamura, Kenichi Katsube, Hisashi Mera, Maki Itokazu, Shigeyuki Wakitani

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY   232 ( 12 )   3317 - 3336   2017.12

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:WILEY  

    Sox9, a master regulator of cartilage development, controls the cell fate decision to differentiate from mesenchymal to chondrogenic cells. In addition, Sox9 regulates the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, as well as the production of cartilage-specific proteoglycans. The existence of Sox9-independent mechanisms in cartilage development remains to be determined. Here, we attempted to identify genes involved in such putative mechanisms via microarray analysis using a mouse chondrogenic cell line, N1511. We first focused on transcription factors that exhibited upregulated expression following Bmp2 treatment, which was not altered by subsequent treatment with Sox9 siRNA. Among these, we selected positive regulators for chondrogenesis and identified Iroquois-related homeobox 3 (Irx3) as one of the candidate genes. Irx3 expression gradually increased with chondrocyte terminal differentiation in a reciprocal manner to Sox9 expression, and promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells upon Bmp2 treatment. Furthermore, Irx3 partially rescued impaired chondrogenesis by upregulating the expression of epiphycan and lumican under reduced Sox9 expression. Finally, Irx3 was shown to act in concert with Bmp2 signaling to activate the p38 MAPK pathway, which in turn stimulated Sox9 expression, as well as the expression of epiphycan and lumican in a Sox9-independent manner. These results indicate that Irx3 represents a novel chondrogenic factor of mesenchymal cells, acts synergistically with Bmp2-mediated signaling, and regulates chondrogenesis independent of the transcriptional machinery associated with Sox9-mediated regulation.

    DOI: 10.1002/jcp.25776

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  • Effects of agitation rate on aggregation during beads-to-beads subcultivation of microcarrier culture of human mesenchymal stem cells Reviewed

    Iori Takahashi, Keigo Sato, Hisashi Mera, Shigeyuki Wakitani, Mutsumi Takagi

    CYTOTECHNOLOGY   69 ( 3 )   503 - 509   2017.6

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:SPRINGER  

    With the aim to utilize human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) grown in large scale for regenerative medicine, effects of agitation rate on aggregation during beads-to-beads subcultivation of microcarrier culture of hMSCs were studied. hMSCs could attach and grew on surface-type microcarriers of Cytodex 1, whereas almost no cell elongation and growth were observed on porous type microcarriers of Cytopores. The percentages of aggregated Cytodex 1 microcarriers at an agitation rate of 60 and 90 rpm were lower than that at 30 rpm, which was the lowest agitation rate necessary for the suspension of Cytodex 1 microcarriers, and the cells grew fastest at 60 rpm. hMSC could be subcultivated on Cytodex 1 by the beads-to-beads method at both 30 and 60 rpm without trypsinization. However, agitation at 60 rpm resulted in a markedly lower percentage of aggregated microcarriers not only before but also after subcultivation. The percentages of CD90- and CD166-positive cells among cells grown on Cytodex 1 at 60 rpm (91.5 and 87.6 %) were comparable to those of cells grown in the pre-culture on dishes. In conclusion, hMSCs could be subcultivated on Cytodex 1 by beads-to-beads method maintaining the expressions of the cell surface antigens CD90 and CD166, while adjusting agitation rate could decrease the microcarrier aggregation.

    DOI: 10.1007/s10616-016-9999-5

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  • Effect of epigallocatechin-3-o-gallate and quercetin on the cryopreservation of cartilage tissue Reviewed

    Nobuhiro Kasai, Hisashi Mera, Shigeyuki Wakitani, Yusuke Morita, Naohide Tomita, Mutsumi Takagi

    BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY   81 ( 1 )   197 - 199   2017.1

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD  

    The effects of epigallocatechin-3-o-gallate (EGCG) and quercetin on the contents of extracellular matrix (ECM) in porcine cartilage at 4 degrees C were investigated. The addition of quercetin at 0.01mM for the incubation of porcine cartilage disks at 4 degrees C for 2 week could suppress the decrease in ECM and the compliance of the disks, markedly greater than those of EGCG (1.0mM).

    DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2016.1232156

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  • Effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on the increase in type II collagen accumulation in cartilage-like MSC sheets Reviewed

    Keigo Sato, Hisashi Mera, Shigeyuki Wakitani, Mutsumi Takagi

    BIOSCIENCE BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY   81 ( 6 )   1241 - 1245   2017

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD  

    With the aim to increase type II collagen content in the scaffold-free cartilage-like cell sheet using human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, we examined the effect of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) addition to the chondrogenic medium for the cell sheet culture. The addition of EGCG (10M) increased the content of type II collagen 2-fold, while the addition did not markedly change the expression level of the genes encoding type II collagen and Sox 9. The reactive oxygen species level in the cells in cell sheets was thought to be too low to suppress the accumulation of type II collagen. On the other hand, the addition of EGCG markedly decreased both the matrix metalloproteinase-13 concentration in the supernatant of cell sheet culture and the type II collagen degradation activity in that supernatant. Taken together, EGCG may enhance the accumulation of type II collagen by suppressing type II collagen degradation.

    DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2017.1282809

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  • Effect of the direct injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in hyaluronic acid and bone marrow stimulation to treat chondral defects in the canine model. International journal

    Shinya Yamasaki, Yusuke Hashimoto, Junsei Takigami, Shozaburo Terai, Hisashi Mera, Hiroaki Nakamura, Shigeyuki Wakitani

    Regenerative therapy   2   42 - 48   2015.12

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    INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to assess the direct injection of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) suspended in hyaluronic acid (HA) combined with drilling as a treatment for chondral defects in a canine model. METHODS: Tibial bone marrow was aspirated, and BMSCs were isolated and cultured. One 8.0-mm diameter chondral defect was created in the femoral groove, and nine 0.9-mm diameter holes were drilled into the defect. BMSCs (2.14 × 107 cells) suspended in HA were injected into the defect. HA alone was injected into a similar defect on the contralateral knee as a control. Animals were sacrificed at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Although the percentage of coverage assessed macroscopically was significantly better at 6 months than at 3 months in both the BMSC (p = 0.02) and control (p = 0.001) groups, there were no significant differences in the International Cartilage Repair Society grades. The Wakitani histological score was significantly better at 6 months than at 3 months in the BMSC and control groups. While the control defects were mostly filled with fibrocartilage, several of the defects in the BMSC group contained hyaline-like cartilage. The mean Wakitani scores of the BMSC group improved from 7.0 ± 1.0 at 3 months to 4.6 ± 0.9 at 6 months, and those of the control group improved from 9.4 ± 1.2 to 6.0 ± 0.6. The BMSC group showed significantly better regeneration than the control group at 3 months (p = 0.04), but the difference at 6 months was not significant (p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: The direct injection of BMSCs in HA combined with drilling enhanced cartilage regeneration.

    DOI: 10.1016/j.reth.2015.10.003

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  • 膝スポーツ外傷update 関節軟骨損傷の治療―最新の知見―

    目良恒, 糸数万紀, 脇谷滋之

    関節外科   34 ( 3 )   288 - 290   2015.3

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  • Systemic Administration of Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor for Osteochondral Defect Repair in a Rat Experimental Model Reviewed

    Tadashi Okano, Hisashi Mera, Maki Itokazu, Takahiro Okabe, Tatsuya Koike, Hiroaki Nakamura, Shigeyuki Wakitani

    CARTILAGE   5 ( 2 )   107 - 113   2014.4

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC  

    Objective. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) on osteochondral defect repair in the rat knee. Design. Twenty-six 12-week-old male Lewis rats were randomly divided into 2 groups. From day 0 to day 4, the G-CSF group received glycosylated G-CSF, and the control group received phosphate-buffered saline. A 1.5-mm diameter and 1.0-mm deep osteochondral defect was introduced in the patellar groove of the bilateral femur in all rats on day 4. The peripheral blood nucleated cells were counted for 14 days from the first day of injection, the appearance of the cartilage repair was observed histologically and macroscopically for 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after surgery. Results. The number of peripheral blood leukocytes increased 3 days and returned to normal levels 7 days after the first injection. Compared with the control group, the G-CSF group had more fibrous and/or bony tissue at earlier points in time. The tissue repair rate, which is defined as the percentage of repaired osteochondral defects, was significantly higher in the G-CSF group 4 weeks after surgery. However, there were no significant differences in the cartilage repair rate and the modified Wakitani score between the 2 groups at each time point. Conclusions. The defect filling was significantly better in the G-CSF group in the early phases. Our findings suggest that G-CSF may promote the repair of osteochondral defects by mediating an increase in the number of peripheral blood nucleated cells.

    DOI: 10.1177/1947603514520628

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  • W9 peptide repaired full-thickness articular cartilage defects in rabbits. - Mechanism of chondrogenic differentiation by W9 peptide - Reviewed

    Yuriko Furuya, Hisashi Mera, Maki Itokazu, Hiroaki Nakamura, Kohji Uchida, Shigeyuki Wakitani, Hisataka Yasuda

    JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH   29   S237 - S238   2014.2

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    Language:English   Publisher:WILEY-BLACKWELL  

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  • Endoglin Is Involved in BMP-2-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Periodontal Ligament Cells through a Pathway Independent of Smad-1/5/8 Phosphorylation Reviewed

    Osamu Ishibashi, Mika Ikegame, Fumio Takizawa, Tatsuya Yoshizawa, Md Ali Moksed, Futabako Iizawa, Hisashi Mera, Akio Matsuda, Hiroyuki Kawashima

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY   222 ( 2 )   465 - 473   2010.2

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:WILEY-LISS  

    The periodontal ligament (PDL), a connective tissue located between the cementum of teeth and the alveolar bone of mandibula, plays a crucial role in the maintenance and regeneration of periodontal tissues. The PDL contains fibroblastic cells of a heterogeneous cell population, from which we have established several cell lines previously. To analyze characteristics unique for PDL at a molecular level, we performed cDNA microarray analysis of the PDL cells versus MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. The analysis followed by validation by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunochemical staining revealed that endoglin, which had been shown to associate with transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) as signaling modulators, was abundantly expressed in PDL cells but absent in osteoblastic cells. The knockdown of endoglin greatly suppressed the BMP-2-induced osteoblastic differentiation of PDL cells and subsequent mineralization. Interestingly, the endoglin knockdown did not alter the level of Smad-1/5/8 phosphorylation induced by BMP-2, while it suppressed the BMP-2-induced expression of IdI, a representative BMP-responsive gene. Therefore, it is conceivable that endoglin regulates the expression of BMP-2-responsive genes in PDL cells at some site downstream of Smad-1/5/8 phosphorylation. Alternatively, we found that Smad-2 as well as Smad-1/5/8 was phosphorylated by BMP-2 in the PDL cells, and that the BMP-2-induced Smad-2 phosphorylation was suppressed by the endoglin knockdown. These results, taken together, raise a possibility that PDL cells respond to BMP2 via a unique signaling pathway dependent on endoglin, which is involved in the osteoblastic differentiation and mineralization of the cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 222: 465-473, 2010. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

    DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21968

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  • PIASx beta is a key regulator of osterix transcriptional activity and matrix mineralization in osteoblasts Reviewed

    Md. Moksed Ali, Tatsuya Yoshizawa, Osamu Ishibashi, Akio Matsuda, Junko Shimomura, Hisashi Mera, Kazuhisa Nakashima, Hiroyuki Kawashima

    JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE   120 ( 15 )   2565 - 2573   2007.8

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    Language:English   Publishing type:Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher:COMPANY OF BIOLOGISTS LTD  

    We recently reported that tensile stress induces osteoblast differentiation and osteogenesis in the mouse calvarial suture in vitro. Using this experimental system, we identified PIASx beta, a splice isoform of Pias2, as one of the genes most highly upregulated by tensile stress. Further study using cell culture revealed that this upregulation was transient and was accompanied by upregulation of other differentiation markers, including osterix, whereas expression of Runx2 was unaffected. Runx2 and osterix are the two master proteins controlling osteoblast differentiation, with Runx2 being upstream of osterix. Targeted knockdown of PIASx beta by small interfering RNA (siRNA) markedly suppressed osteoblastic differentiation and matrix mineralization, whereas transient overexpression of PIASx beta caused the exact opposite effects. Regardless of PIASx beta expression level, Runx2 expression remained constant. Reporter assays demonstrated that osterix enhanced its own promoter activity, which was further stimulated by PIASx beta but not by its sumoylation-defective mutant. NFATc1 and NFATc3 additionally increased osterix transcriptional activity when co-transfected with PIASx beta. Because osterix has no consensus motif for sumoylation, other proteins are probably involved in the PIASx beta-mediated activation and NFAT proteins may be among such targets. This study provides the first line of evidence that PIASx beta is indispensable for osteoblast differentiation and matrix mineralization, and that this signaling molecule is located between Runx2 and osterix.

    DOI: 10.1242/jcs.005090

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  • Osteoinduction with highly purified beta-tricalcium phosphate in dog dorsal muscles and the proliferation of osteoclasts before heterotopic bone formation. International journal

    Naoki Kondo, Akira Ogose, Kunihiko Tokunaga, Hajime Umezu, Katsumitsu Arai, Naoko Kudo, Makiko Hoshino, Hikaru Inoue, Hiroyuki Irie, Koichi Kuroda, Hisashi Mera, Naoto Endo

    Biomaterials   27 ( 25 )   4419 - 27   2006.9

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    The aim of the study was to examine the chronological histology of osteoinduction of highly purified beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) implanted in dog dorsal muscles. Specimens were harvested on days 14, 28, 42, 56, 112 and 168 after implantation, and were analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and silver impregnation. After day 28, abundant TRAP- and cathepsin K-positive multinucleated cells adhered to beta-TCP, suggesting that these cells are osteoclasts that can resorb beta-TCP. On day 56, new bone was formed and alpha1 chain of type I procollagen mRNA-positive osteoblasts lined the newly formed bone. Silver impregnation showed abundant collagen fibrils within the beta-TCP micropores. These results suggest that micropores function as a storage space for extracellular matrix components, including collagen. Newly formed bone never degenerated in the late stage, suggesting that beta-TCP has good biocompatibility and this material retains the conditions appropriate for osteointegration and bioresorption. In conclusion, beta-TCP has osteoinductivity after implantation in dog dorsal muscles without use of bone marrow cells or osteoinductive cytokines. The appearance of a large number of active osteoclasts precedes new bone formation.

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MISC

  • 最先端の関節軟骨再生 骨髄間葉系細胞を用いた関節軟骨再生治療の研究開発

    目良 恒, 石橋 宰, 高木 睦, 脇谷 滋之

    JOSKAS   40 ( 4 )   114 - 114   2015.6

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    Language:Japanese   Publisher:(一社)日本関節鏡・膝・スポーツ整形外科学会  

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  • 【整形外科基礎の最前線2015】 骨髄間葉系幹細胞からの軟骨様細胞シートの作製および移植(前臨床試験)

    糸数 万紀, 目良 恒, 玉村 禎宏, 高木 睦, 脇谷 滋之

    関節外科   34 ( 4月増刊 )   108 - 117   2015.4

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  • ヒト骨髄細胞由来scaffold-free再生軟骨様細胞シート作製の工夫

    糸数 万紀, 目良 恒, 佐藤 康史, 中村 博亮, 高木 睦, 脇谷 滋之

    日本整形外科学会雑誌   88 ( 8 )   S1629 - S1629   2014.8

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  • WP9QY(W9)ペプチドの関節内投与は関節軟骨欠損の修復を促進する

    目良恒, 古屋優, 糸数万紀, 吉原裕, 中村博亮, 内田浩二, 脇谷滋之, 保田尚孝

    JOSKAS   39 ( 4 )   143 - 143   2014.7

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  • 分化誘導ペプチドW9によるウサギ軟骨欠損の修復―軟骨細胞分化メカニズムの解析―

    古屋優里子, 目良恒, 糸数万紀, 中村博亮, 内田浩二, 脇谷滋之, 保田尚孝

    日本骨代謝学会学術集会プログラム抄録集   32nd   259 - 259   2014.7

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  • ヒト骨髄細胞(hBMSCs)由来scaffold-free再生軟骨様細胞シート作製の工夫

    糸数 万紀, 目良 恒, 佐藤 康史, 中村 博亮, 高木 睦, 脇谷 滋之

    JOSKAS   39 ( 4 )   143 - 143   2014.7

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  • ヒト骨髄由来間葉系細胞を用いたスキャホールドフリー軟骨様細胞シート作製の工夫

    目良 恒, 糸数 万紀, 高木 睦, 脇谷 滋之

    新潟整形外科研究会会誌   30 ( 1 )   76 - 77   2014.6

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Research Projects

  • Elucidation of the mechanism underlying osteoclastic differentiation and functional regulation by ligand-independent GPCR activation

    Grant number:19K05954

    2019.4 - 2023.3

    System name:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

    Research category:Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

    Awarding organization:Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

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    Grant amount:\4290000 ( Direct Cost: \3300000 、 Indirect Cost:\990000 )

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  • Functional analysis of an osteoclast-specific G protein-coupled receptor, GPR137B, and exploration of its regulatory molecules

    Grant number:16K08145

    2016.4 - 2019.3

    System name:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

    Research category:Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

    Awarding organization:Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

    Ishibashi Osamu, MERA Hisashi, YOSHIYA Shin-ichi, ISLAM Zohirul

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    Grant amount:\4940000 ( Direct Cost: \3800000 、 Indirect Cost:\1140000 )

    GPR137B is a ligand-unidentified orphan GPCR, of which expression has been demonstrated to be upregulated through osteoclast differentiation. In this study, the Gpr137b gene in RAW264, a pre-osteoclastic mouse macrophage/monocyte cell line, was knocked out by the Crispr/Cas9 genome editing technique, and its role in osteoclast differentiation and macrophage polarization was investigated. We found that GPR137B regulates the NF-kB signaling system downstream of RANKL, an inducer of osteoclastic differentiation, and thus plays a crucial role in osteoclast differentiation. We further identified that GPR137B is also involved in M2 macrophage polarization but not in M1 macrophage polarization.

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  • Role of Irx3 in chondrogenic differentiation and chondrocyte maturation of mouse mesenchymal cells

    Grant number:26462805

    2014.4 - 2017.3

    System name:Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research

    Research category:Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

    Awarding organization:Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

    Tamamura Yoshihiro, WAKITANI Shigeyuki, MERA Hisashi

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    Grant amount:\4940000 ( Direct Cost: \3800000 、 Indirect Cost:\1140000 )

    Sox9 is known to be a master regulator of cartilage development. In this study, we attempted to identify genes involved in Sox9-independent regulatory mechanisms of chondrocyte differentiation and focused on Irx3. Irx3 expression gradually increased with chondrocyte terminal differentiation and promoted the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal cells upon Bmp2 treatment. Irx3 partially rescued impaired chondrogenesis via upregulating the expression of epiphycan and lumican by activating the p38 MAPK pathway under reduced Sox9 expression. Moreover, Irx3 stimulates chondrocyte maturation by Wnt signaling. This function of Irx3 might be resulted in part from activation of Wnt signaling augmented by R-spondin1-Lgr6 interaction. These results indicate that Irx3 represents a novel regulatory factor of chondrocyte differentiation and regulates chondrogenesis independent of the transcriptional machinery associated with Sox9-mediated regulation.

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