Faculty Profiles - HATTORI Takako

Papers - HATTORI Takako

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Protein Imaging of CCN2 and CCN3 in Living Cells

Takako Hattori, Mitsuhiro Hoshijima, Masaharu Takigawa

Methods in Molecular Biology 211 - 215 2017

Production of Recombinant CCN2 Protein in Escherichia coli

Eriko Aoyama, Takako Hattori, Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa

Methods in Molecular Biology 77 - 84 2017

Protocols for Screening for Binding Partners of CCN Proteins: Yeast Two-Hybrid System

Mitsuhiro Hoshijima, Takako Hattori, Masaharu Takigawa

Methods in Molecular Biology 145 - 154 2017

Involvement of multiple CCN family members in platelets that support regeneration of joint tissues. Reviewed International journal

Chikako Hara, Satoshi Kubota, Takashi Nishida, Miki Hiasa, Takako Hattori, Eriko Aoyama, Yoshinori Moriyama, Hiroshi Kamioka, Masaharu Takigawa

Modern rheumatology 26 ( 6 ) 940 - 949 2016.11

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

OBJECTIVES: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely used to enhance the regeneration of damaged joint tissues, such as osteoarthritic and rheumatoid arthritic cartilage. The aim of this study is to clarify the involvement of all of the CCN family proteins that are crucially associated with joint tissue regeneration. METHODS: Cyr61-CTGF-NOV (CCN) family proteins in human platelets and megakaryocytic cells were comprehensively analyzed by Western blotting analysis. Production of CCN family proteins in megakaryocytes in vivo was confirmed by immunofluorescence analysis of mouse bone marrow cells. Effects of CCN family proteins found in platelets on chondrocytes were evaluated by using human chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells. RESULTS: Inclusion of CCN2, a mesenchymal tissue regenerator, was confirmed. Of note, CCN3, which counteracts CCN2, was newly found to be encapsulated in platelets. Interestingly, these two family members were not detectable in megakaryocytic cells, but their external origins were suggested. Furthermore, we found for the first time CCN5 and CCN1 that inhibits ADAMTS4 in both platelets and megakaryocytes. Finally, application of a CCN family cocktail mimicking platelets onto HCS-2/8 cells enhanced their chondrocytic phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple inclusion of CCN1, 2 and 3 in platelets was clarified, which supports the harmonized regenerative potential of PRP in joint therapeutics.

DOI： 10.3109/14397595.2016.1155255

Assessment of CCN2 Independent Modules Regenerative Capacity on Osteoarthritis and Further Selecting the Most Suitable Among them as a Potential Therapeutic Drug Reviewed

Abdelkader Tarek, Aoyama Eriko, Nishida Takashi, Hattori Takako, Janune Danilo, Hara Emilio S, Ono Mitsuaki, Tabata Yasuhiko, Kuboki Takuo, Kubota Satoshi, Takigawa Masaharu

FASEB JOURNAL 30 2016.4

Role of CCN2 in Amino Acid Metabolism of Chondrocytes. Reviewed International journal

Yurika Murase, Takako Hattori, Eriko Aoyama, Takashi Nishida, Aya Maeda-Uematsu, Harumi Kawaki, Karen M Lyons, Akira Sasaki, Masaharu Takigawa, Satoshi Kubota

Journal of cellular biochemistry 117 ( 4 ) 927 - 37 2016.4

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

CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a multi-functional molecule that promotes harmonized development and regeneration of cartilage through its matricellular interaction with a variety of extracellular biomolecules. Thus, deficiency in CCN2 supply profoundly affects a variety of cellular activities including basic metabolism. A previous study showed that the expression of a number of ribosomal protein genes was markedly enhanced in Ccn2-null chondrocytes. Therefore, in this study, we analyzed the impact of CCN2 on amino acid and protein metabolism in chondrocytes. Comparative metabolome analysis of the amino acids in Ccn2-null and wild-type mouse chondrocytes revealed stable decreases in the cellular levels of all of the essential amino acids. Unexpectedly, uptake of such amino acids was rather enhanced in Ccn2-null chondrocytes, and the addition of exogenous CCN2 to human chondrocytic cells resulted in decreased amino acid uptake. However, as expected, amino acid consumption by protein synthesis was also accelerated in Ccn2-null chondrocytes. Furthermore, we newly found that expression of two genes encoding two glycolytic enzymes, as well as the previously reported Eno1 gene, was repressed in those cells. Considering the impaired glycolysis and retained mitochondrial membrane potential in Ccn2-null chondrocytes, these findings suggest that Ccn2 deficiency induces amino acid shortage in chondrocytes by accelerated amino acid consumption through protein synthesis and acquisition of aerobic energy. Interestingly, CCN2 was found to capture such free amino acids in vitro. Under physiological conditions, CCN2 may be regulating the levels of free amino acids in the extracellular matrix of cartilage.

DOI： 10.1002/jcb.25377

Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1002/jcb.25377

Sorcin Expression in the Epiphyseal Growth Plates of Mice Reviewed

Mariko Kawai, Ning Liu, Takako Hattori, Yo-Hei Kataoka, Masaharu Takigawa, Satoshi Kubota, Toshio Yamamoto, Kiyoshi Ohura

JOURNAL OF HARD TISSUE BIOLOGY 25 ( 1 ) 57 - 61 2016.1

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：JOURNAL HARD TISSUE BIOLOGY

Sorcin is a small calcium-binding protein that is widely expressed in many tissues. Sorcin regulates cardiac myocyte apoptosis by modulating mitochondrial Ca2+ cycling and regulates fibroblast cell cycling and apoptosis via Ca2+ signaling through the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). During endochondral ossification, some chondrocytes undergo apoptosis after their terminal differentiation; however, Sorcin's expression in these cells has not been characterized. Here we examined Sorcin's gene expression in the chondrocytes derived from mouse growth plate by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR), and its protein localization in the chondrocytes of femoral growth plate using immunohistochemistry. Sorcin protein was detected in the chondrocytes, and was particularly abundant in the cytoplasm and nuclei of proliferative zone chondrocytes and in the nuclei of hypertrophic chondrocytes. Apoptotic analysis of the growth plate revealed that many of the hypertrophic chondrocytes undergo the DNA fragmentation. We report for the first time the localization of Sorcin in the epiphyseal growth plate in which one of the apoptotic phenomenon was detected.

DOI： 10.2485/jhtb.25.57

Other Link： https://search.jamas.or.jp/index.php?module=Default&action=Link&pub_year=2016&ichushi_jid=J04713&link_issn=&doc_id=20160127380009&doc_link_id=%2Fdq4hdtib%2F2016%2F002501%2F009%2F0057-0061%26dl%3D0&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.medicalonline.jp%2Fjamas.php%3FGoodsID%3D%2Fdq4hdtib%2F2016%2F002501%2F009%2F0057-0061%26dl%3D0&type=MedicalOnline&icon=https%3A%2F%2Fjk04.jamas.or.jp%2Ficon%2F00004_2.gif

Identification of transactivation-responsive DNA-binding protein 43 (TARDBP43; TDP-43) as a novel factor for TNF-alpha expression upon lipopolysaccharide stimulation in human monocytes Reviewed

H. Murata, T. Hattori, H. Maeda, S. Takashiba, M. Takigawa, J. Kido, T. Nagata

JOURNAL OF PERIODONTAL RESEARCH 50 ( 4 ) 452 - 460 2015.8

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

Background and ObjectiveTumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-) is a major cytokine implicated in various inflammatory diseases. The nature of the nuclear factors associated with human TNF- gene regulation is not well elucidated. We previously identified a novel region located from -550 to -487 in human TNF- promoter that did not contain the reported binding sites for nuclear factor kappa B (NF-B) but showed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced transcriptional activity. The purpose of this study is to identify novel factors that bind to the promoter region and regulate TNF- expression.
Material and MethodsTo identify DNA-binding proteins that bound to the target region of TNF- promoter, a cDNA library from LPS-stimulated human monocytic cell line THP-1 was screened using a yeast one-hybrid system. Cellular localizations of the DNA-binding protein in the cells were examined by subcellular immunocytochemistry. Nuclear amounts of the protein in LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells were identified by western blot analysis. Expression of mRNA of the protein in the cells was quantified by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays were performed to confirm the DNA-binding profile. Overexpression of the protein and knockdown of the gene were also performed to investigate the role for TNF- expression.
ResultsSeveral candidates were identified from the cDNA library and transactivation-responsive DNA-binding protein 43 (TARDBP43; TDP-43) was focused on. Western blot analysis revealed that nuclear TDP-43 protein was increased in the LPS-stimulated THP-1 cells. Expression of TDP-43 mRNA was already enhanced before TNF- induction by LPS. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay analysis showed that nuclear extracts obtained by overexpressing FLAG-tagged TDP-43 bound to the -550 to -487 TNF- promoter fragments. Overexpression of TDP-43 in THP-1 cells resulted in an increase of TNF- expression. Knockdown of TDP-43 in THP-1 cells downregulated TNF- expression.
ConclusionWe identified TDP-43 as one of the novel TNF- factors and found that it bound to the LPS-responsive element in the TNF- promoter to increase TNF- expression.

DOI： 10.1111/jre.12227

Dual pathways to endochondral osteoblasts: a novel chondrocyte-derived osteoprogenitor cell identified in hypertrophic cartilage Reviewed International journal

Jung Park, Matthias Gebhardt, Svitlana Golovchenko, Francesc Perez-Branguli, Takako Hattori, Christine Hartmann, Xin Zhou, Benoit deCrombrugghe, Michael Stock, Holm Schneider, Klaus von der Mark

BIOLOGY OPEN 4 ( 5 ) 608 - 621 2015.5

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

According to the general understanding, the chondrocyte lineage terminates with the elimination of late hypertrophic cells by apoptosis in the growth plate. However, recent cell tracking studies have shown that murine hypertrophic chondrocytes can survive beyond "terminal'' differentiation and give rise to a progeny of osteoblasts participating in endochondral bone formation. The question how chondrocytes convert into osteoblasts, however, remained open. Following the cell fate of hypertrophic chondrocytes by genetic lineage tracing using BACCol10;Cre induced YFP-reporter gene expression we show that a progeny of Col10Cre-reporter labelled osteoprogenitor cells and osteoblasts appears in the primary spongiosa and participates - depending on the developmental stage - substantially in trabecular, endosteal, and cortical bone formation. YFP+ trabecular and endosteal cells isolated by FACS expressed Col1a1, osteocalcin and runx2, thus confirming their osteogenic phenotype. In searching for transitory cells between hypertrophic chondrocytes and trabecular osteoblasts we identified by confocal microscopy a novel, small YFP(+)Osx(+) cell type with mitotic activity in the lower hypertrophic zone at the chondro-osseous junction. When isolated from growth plates by fractional enzymatic digestion, these cells termed CDOP (chondrocyte-derived osteoprogenitor) cells expressed bone typical genes and differentiated into osteoblasts in vitro. We propose the Col10Cre-labeled CDOP cells mark the initiation point of a second pathway giving rise to endochondral osteoblasts, alternative to perichondrium derived osteoprogenitor cells. These findings add to current concepts of chondrocyte-osteocyte lineages and give new insight into the complex cartilage-bone transition process in the growth plate.

DOI： 10.1242/bio.201411031

Exosomes mediate intercellular transfer of pro-fibrogenic connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) between hepatic stellate cells, the principal fibrotic cells in the liver Reviewed International journal

Alyssa Charrier, Ruju Chen, Li Chen, Sherri Kemper, Takako Hattori, Masaharu Takigawa, David R. Brigstock

SURGERY 156 ( 3 ) 548 - 555 2014.9

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：MOSBY-ELSEVIER

Background. Fibrogenic pathways in the liver are principally regulated by hepatic stellate cells (HSC), which produce and respond to fibrotic mediators such as connective tissue growth factor (CCN2). The aim of this study was to determine whether CCN2 is shuttled between HSC in membranous nanovesicles, or "exosomes."
Methods. Exosomes were incubated with HSC after isolation from conditioned medium of control or CCN2-green fluorescent protein (GFP)-transfected primary mouse HSC or human LX-2 HSC. Some exosomes were stained fluorescently with PKH26. HSC co-culture experiments were performed in the presence of GW4869 exosome inhibitor. CCN2 or CCN2-GFP were evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase. chain reaction or Western blot.
Results. HSC-derived exosomes contained CCN2 or CCN2 mRNA, each of which increased in concentration during HSC activation or after transfection of HSC with CCN2-GFP. Exosomes, stained with either PKH26 or purified from CCN2-GFP transfected cells, were taken up by activated or quiescent HSC resulting in CCN2-GFP delivery, as shown by their direct addition to recipient cells or by the GW4869-dependency of donor HSC.
Conclusion. CCN2 is packaged into secreted, nano-sized exosomes that mediate its intercellular transfer between HSC. Exosomal CCN2 may amplify or fine tune fibrogenic signaling and, in conjunction with other exosome constituents, may have utility as a noninvasive biomarker to assess hepatic fibrosis.

DOI： 10.1016/j.surg.2014.04.014

Connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) and microRNA-21 are components of a positive feedback loop in pancreatic stellate cells (PSC) during chronic pancreatitis and are exported in PSC-derived exosomes Reviewed International journal

Alyssa Charrier, Ruju Chen, Li Chen, Sherri Kemper, Takako Hattori, Masaharu Takigawa, David R. Brigstock

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING 8 ( 2 ) 147 - 156 2014.6

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

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory condition of the pancreas which, in its chronic form, involves tissue destruction, exocrine and endocrine insufficiency, increased risk of pancreatic cancer, and an extensive fibrotic pathology which is due to unrelenting collagen deposition by pancreatic stellate cells (PSC). In response to noxious agents such as alcohol-excessive consumption of which is a major cause of pancreatitis in the West-normally quiescent PSC undergo a phenotypic and functional transition to activated myofibroblasts which produce and deposit collagen at high levels. This process is regulated by connective tissue growth factor (CCN2), expression of which is highly up-regulated in activated PSC. We show that CCN2 production by activated PSC is associated with enhanced expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) which was detected at high levels in activated PSC in a murine model of alcoholic chronic pancreatitis. A positive feedback loop between CCN2 and miR-21 was identified that resulted in enhancement of their respective expression as well as that of collagen alpha 1(I). Both miR-21 and CCN2 mRNA were present in PSC-derived exosomes, which were characterized as 50-150 nm CD9-positive nanovesicles. Exosomes from CCN2-GFP- or miR-21-GFP-transfected PSC were taken up by other PSC cultures, as shown by direct fluorescence or qRT-PCR for GFP. Collectively these studies establish miR-21 and CCN2 as participants in a positive feedback loop during PSC activation and as components of the molecular payload in PSC-derived exosomes that can be delivered to other PSC. Thus interactions between cellular or exosomal miR-21 and CCN2 represent novel aspects of fibrogenic regulation in PSC. Summary Chronic injury in the pancreas is associated with fibrotic pathology which is driven in large part by CCN2-dependent collagen production in pancreatic stellate cells. This study shows that CCN2 up-regulation in PSC is associated with increased expression of miR-21 which, in turn, is able to stimulate CCN2 expression further via a positive feedback loop. Additionally miR-21 and CCN2 were identified in PSC-derived exosomes which effected their delivery to other PSC. The cellular and exosomal miR-21-CCN2 axis is a novel component in PSC fibrogenic signaling.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-014-0220-3

CCN2 as a Novel Molecule Supporting Energy Metabolism of Chondrocytes Reviewed International journal

Aya Maeda-Uematsu, Satoshi Kubota, Harumi Kawaki, Kazumi Kawata, Yoshiaki Miyake, Takako Hattori, Takashi Nishida, Norifumi Moritani, Karen M. Lyons, Seiji Iida, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY 115 ( 5 ) 854 - 865 2014.5

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

CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a unique molecule that promotes both chondrocytic differentiation and proliferation through its matricellular interaction with a number of extracellular biomolecules. This apparently contradictory functional property of CCN2 suggests its certain role in basic cellular activities such as energy metabolism, which is required for both proliferation and differentiation. Comparative metabolomic analysis of costal chondrocytes isolated from wild-type and Ccn2-null mice revealed overall impaired metabolism in the latter. Among the numerous metabolites analyzed, stable reduction in the intracellular level of ATP, GTP, CTP, or UTP was observed, indicating a profound role of CCN2 in energy metabolism. Particularly, the cellular level of ATP was decreased by more than 50% in the Ccn2-null chondrocytes. The addition of recombinant CCN2 (rCCN2) to cultured Ccn2-null chondrocytes partly redeemed the cellular ATP level attenuated by Ccn2 deletion. Next, in order to investigate the mechanistic background that mediates the reduction in ATP level in these Ccn2-null chondrocytes, we performed transcriptome analysis. As a result, several metabolism-associated genes were found to have been up-regulated or down-regulated in the mutant mice. Up-regulation of a number of ribosomal protein genes was observed upon Ccn2 deletion, whereas a few genes required for aerobic and anaerobic ATP production were down-regulated in the Ccn2-null chondrocytes. Among such genes, reduction in the expression of the enolase 1 gene was of particular note. These findings uncover a novel functional role of CCN2 as a metabolic supporter in the growth-plate chondrocytes, which is required for skeletogenesis in mammals. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 854-865, 2014. (c) 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DOI： 10.1002/jcb.24728

The regenerative effects of CCN2 independent modules on chondrocytes in vitro and osteoarthritis models in vivo Reviewed International journal

El Kader, Tarek Abd, Kubota Satoshi, Nishida Takashi, Hattori Takako, Aoyama Eriko, Janune Danilo, Hara Emilio S, Ono Mitsuaki, Tabata Yasuhiko, Kuboki Takuo, Takigawa Masaharu

Bone 59 180 - 188 2014

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC

The role of CCN family proteins has been proven to be of extreme importance in the process of cartilage development and endochondral ossification. The second member, CCN2, consists of 4 conserved modules that interact with a number of cofactors to display multiple functions. Although the potentially therapeutic effect of intact CCN2 on cartilage regeneration has been indicated by a number of studies, the regenerative effect of independent modules comprising CCN2 has never been evaluated before. This study aims to discover a more robust and effective CCN2 derivative to induce regeneration through assessing the effect of CCN2 independent modules on regeneration in vitro and in vivo, in comparison to the full length CCN2. In vitro evaluation using human chondrocytic cells showed a remarkable enhancing effect of several single modules on the gene expression of cartilaginous extracellular matrix components; whereas combinations of 2 or 3 modules rather diminished such effects. Interestingly, combination of all 4 modules redeemed the effect of intact CCN2 in vitro. Suspecting the re-assembly of the 4 modules, interaction among the modules was examined by surface plasmon resonance analysis. However, the results did not support the possible formation of a tetramodular complex. Next, the thrombospondin 1 type 1 repeat module (TSP1), which was found most promising in the experiments in vitro, and the combination of 4 modules were forwarded further to in vivo confirmation using 2 rat osteoarthritis (OA) models. As a result, TSP1 displayed more prominent regenerative effects than intact CCN2 on damaged cartilage. Unexpectedly, the combination of 4 modules showed limited effects in vivo. These results indicate the utility of TSP1 in the regenerative therapeutics of OA. Possible molecular mechanism that enables conditional reconstruction of CCN2 by 4 modules is discussed as well. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bone.2013.11.010

E6-AP/UBE3A Protein Acts as a Ubiquitin Ligase toward SOX9 Protein Reviewed International journal

Takako Hattori, Tetsuya Kishino, Shelley Stephen, Heidi Eberspaecher, Sayumi Maki, Masaharu Takigawa, Benoit de Crombrugghe, Hideyo Yasuda

JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 288 ( 49 ) 35138 - 35148 2013.12

Authorship：Lead author,　Corresponding author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：AMER SOC BIOCHEMISTRY MOLECULAR BIOLOGY INC

Background: Although the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is thought to regulate the level of SOX9, the ubiquitin ligase involved has not yet been determined. Results: E6-AP/UBE3A was found to bind and ubiquitinate SOX9. Conclusion: E6-AP/UBE3A functions as a ubiquitin ligase toward SOX9 both in vitro and in vivo. Significance: These data provide the regulatory mechanism of the SOX9 level in chondrocytes by ubiquitin ligase.
SOX9 is a transcription factor that acts as a key regulator at various stages of cartilage differentiation. There is ample evidence that intracellular SOX9 protein levels are tightly regulated both by sumoylation and by degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Using a proteomics approach, here we report the identification of a SOX9-binding protein, E6-AP/UBE3A, that may act as a ubiquitin ligase toward Sox9. E6-AP bound SOX9 through the region consisting mostly of its high mobility group domain in vitro. In nuclear lysates, FLAG-tagged E6-AP coprecipitated with Sox9 and its high mobility group domain. This finding was estimated using nuclear lysates from a chondrocytic cell line that endogenously expresses E6-AP and SOX9. Accordingly, ectopically expressed E6-AP and SOX9 colocalized in the nucleus. We show that E6-AP ubiquitinates SOX9 in vitro and in vivo and that SOX9 levels are enhanced after addition of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib. Similar, siRNA knockdown of E6-AP and the E2 ligase Ubc9 increased cellular SOX9 amounts, supporting the notion that SOX9 may be ubiquitinated in hypertrophic chondrocytes by E6-AP and degraded by proteasomes. This is in accordance with the distribution of SOX9 levels, which are high in proliferating and prehypertrophic chondrocytes but low in hypertrophic chondrocytes, whereas E6-AP levels are high in hypertrophic chondrocytes and low in prehypertrophic chondrocytes. Furthermore, E6-AP-deficient mice showed SOX9 accumulation in chondrocytes and the brain. These findings support the concept that E6-AP regulates SOX9 levels in developing cartilage by acting as a ubiquitin ligase.

DOI： 10.1074/jbc.M113.486795

CCN Family Member 2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2/CTGF) Has Anti-Aging Effects That Protect Articular Cartilage from Age-Related Degenerative Changes Reviewed International journal

Shinsuke Itoh, Takako Hattori, Nao Tomita, Eriko Aoyama, Yasutaka Yutani, Takashi Yamashiro, Masaharu Takigawa

PLOS ONE 8 ( 8 ) e71156 2013.8

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

To examine the role of connective tissue growth factor CCN2/CTGF (CCN2) in the maintenance of the articular cartilaginous phenotype, we analyzed knee joints from aging transgenic mice (TG) overexpressing CCN2 driven by the Col2a1 promoter. Knee joints from 3-, 14-, 40-, and 60-day-old and 5-, 12-, 18-, 21-, and 24-month-old littermates were analyzed. Ccn2-LacZ transgene expression in articular cartilage was followed by X-gal staining until 5 months of age. Overexpression of CCN2 protein was confirmed through all ages in TG articular cartilage and in growth plates. Radiographic analysis of knee joints showed a narrowing joint space and other features of osteoarthritis in 50% of WT, but not in any of the TG mice. Transgenic articular cartilage showed enhanced toluidine blue and safranin-O staining as well as chondrocyte proliferation but reduced staining for type X and I collagen and MMP-13 as compared with those parameters for WT cartilage. Staining for aggrecan neoepitope, a marker of aggrecan degradation in WT articular cartilage, increased at 5 and 12 months, but disappeared at 24 months due to loss of cartilage; whereas it was reduced in TG articular cartilage after 12 months. Expression of cartilage genes and MMPs under cyclic tension stress (CTS) was measured by using primary cultures of chondrocytes obtained from wild-type (WT) rib cartilage and TG or WT epiphyseal cartilage. CTS applied to primary cultures of mock-transfected rib chondrocytes from WT cartilage and WT epiphyseal cartilage induced expression of Col1a1, ColXa1, Mmp-13, and Mmp-9 mRNAs; however, their levels were not affected in CCN2-overexpressing chondrocytes and TG epiphyseal cartilage. In conclusion, cartilage-specific overexpression of CCN2 during the developmental and growth periods reduced age-related changes in articular cartilage. Thus CCN2 may play a role as an anti-aging factor by stabilizing articular cartilage.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0071156

Deletion of beta catenin in hypertrophic growth plate chondrocytes impairs trabecular bone formation. Reviewed International journal

Svitlana Golovchenko, Takako Hattori, Christine Hartmann, Matthias Gebhardt, Sonja Gebhard, Andreas Hess, Friederike Pausch, Britta Schlund, Klaus von der Mark

Bone 55 ( 1 ) 102 - 12 2013.7

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

In order to elucidate the role of β-catenin in hypertrophic cartilage zone of the growth plate, we deleted the β-catenin gene ctnnb1specifically from hypertrophic chondrocytes by mating ctnnb1(fl/fl) mice with BAC-Col10a1-Cre-deleter mice. Surprisingly, this resulted in a significant reduction of subchondral trabecular bone formation in BACCol10Cre; ctnnb1(Δ/Δ) (referred to as Cat-ko) mice, although Cre expression was restricted to hypertrophic chondrocytes. The size of the Col10a1 positive hypertrophic zone was normal, but qRT-PCR revealed reduced expression of Mmp13, and Vegfa in Cat-ko hypertrophic chondrocytes, indicating impaired terminal differentiation. Immunohistological and in situ hybridization analysis revealed the substantial deficiency of collagen I positive mature osteoblasts, but equal levels of osterix-positive cells in the subchondral bone marrow space of Cat-ko mice, indicating that the supply of osteoblast precursor cells was not reduced. The fact that in Cat-ko mice subchondral trabeculae were lacking including their calcified cartilage core indicated a strongly enhanced osteoclast activity. In fact, TRAP staining as well as in situ hybridization analysis of Mmp9 expression revealed denser occupation of the cartilage erosion zone with enlarged osteoclasts as compared to the control growth plate, suggesting increased RANKL or reduced osteoprotegerin (Opg) activity in this zone. This notion was confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis of mRNA extracted from cultured hypertrophic chondrocytes or from whole epiphyses, showing increased Rankl mRNA levels in Cat-ko as compared to control chondrocytes, whereas changes in OPG levels were not significant. These results indicate that β-catenin levels in hypertrophic chondrocytes play a key role in regulating osteoclast activity and trabecular bone formation at the cartilage-bone interface by controlling RANKL expression in hypertrophic chondrocytes.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bone.2013.03.019

Cartilage-Specific Over-Expression of CCN Family Member 2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor (CCN2/CTGF) Stimulates Insulin-Like Growth Factor Expression and Bone Growth Reviewed International journal

Nao Tomita, Takako Hattori, Shinsuke Itoh, Eriko Aoyama, Mayumi Yao, Takashi Yamashiro, Masaharu Takigawa

PLoS ONE 8 ( 3 ) e59226 2013.3

Authorship：Lead author Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

Previously we showed that CCN family member 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2) promotes the proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of growth cartilage cells in vitro. To elucidate the specific role and molecular mechanism of CCN2 in cartilage development in vivo, in the present study we generated transgenic mice overexpressing CCN2 and analyzed them with respect to cartilage and bone development. Transgenic mice were generated expressing a ccn2/lacZ fusion gene in cartilage under the control of the 6 kb-Col2a1-enhancer/promoter. Changes in cartilage and bone development were analyzed histologically and immunohistologically and also by micro CT. Primary chondrocytes as well as limb bud mesenchymal cells were cultured and analyzed for changes in expression of cartilage-related genes, and non-transgenic chondrocytes were treated in culture with recombinant CCN2. Newborn transgenic mice showed extended length of their long bones, increased content of proteoglycans and collagen II accumulation. Micro-CT analysis of transgenic bones indicated increases in bone thickness and mineral density. Chondrocyte proliferation was enhanced in the transgenic cartilage. In in vitro short-term cultures of transgenic chondrocytes, the expression of col2a1, aggrecan and ccn2 genes was substantially enhanced
and in long-term cultures the expression levels of these genes were further enhanced. Also, in vitro chondrogenesis was strongly enhanced. IGF-I and IGF-II mRNA levels were elevated in transgenic chondrocytes, and treatment of non-transgenic chondrocytes with recombinant CCN2 stimulated the expression of these mRNA. The addition of CCN2 to non-transgenic chondrocytes induced the phosphorylation of IGFR, and ccn2-overexpressing chondrocytes showed enhanced phosphorylation of IGFR. Our data indicates that the observed effects of CCN2 may be mediated in part by CCN2-induced overexpression of IGF-I and IGF-II. These findings indicate that CCN2-overexpression in transgenic mice accelerated the endochondral ossification processes, resulting in increased length of their long bones. Our results also indicate the possible involvement of locally enhanced IGF-I or IGF-II in this extended bone growth. © 2013 Tomita et al.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0059226

Anti-fibrotic effect of CCN3 accompanied by altered gene expression profile of the CCN family Reviewed International journal

Tarek Abd El Kader, Satoshi Kubota, Danilo Janune, Takashi Nishida, Takako Hattori, Eriko Aoyama, Bernard Perbal, Takuo Kuboki, Masaharu Takigawa

Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling 7 ( 1 ) 11 - 18 2013.3

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

CCN family proteins 2 and 3 (CCN2 and CCN3) belong to the CCN family of proteins, all having a high level of structural similarity. It is widely known that CCN2 is a profibrotic molecule that mediates the development of fibrotic disorders in many different tissues and organs. In contrast, CCN3 has been recently suggested to act as an anti-fibrotic factor in several tissues. This CCN3 action was shown earlier to be exerted by the repression of the CCN2 gene expression in kidney tissue, whereas different findings were obtained for liver cells. Thus, the molecular action of CCN3 yielding its anti-fibrotic effect is still controversial. Here, using a general model of fibrosis, we evaluated the effect of CCN3 overexpression on the gene expression of all of the CCN family members, as well as on that of fibrotic marker genes. As a result, repression of CCN2 gene expression was modest, while type I collagen and α-smooth muscle actin gene expression was prominently repressed. Interestingly, not only CCN2, but also CCN4 gene expression showed a decrease upon CCN3 overexpression. These findings indicate that fibrotic gene induction is under the control of a complex molecular network conducted by CCN family members functioning together. © 2012 The International CCN Society.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-012-0180-4

Novel chondrogenic and chondroprotective effects of the natural compound harmine Reviewed International journal

Emilio Satoshi Hara, Mitsuaki Ono, Satoshi Kubota, Wataru Sonoyama, Yasutaka Oida, Takako Hattori, Takashi Nishida, Takayuki Furumatsu, Toshifumi Ozaki, Masaharu Takigawa, Takuo Kuboki

Biochimie 95 ( 2 ) 374 - 381 2013.2

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

A significant number of natural compounds have been shown to regulate the behavior of the cells, in collaboration with cellular proteins. CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) has been reported to have essential roles in cartilage development, chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation as well as regulation of the extracellular matrix metabolism. Previous studies demonstrated the capability of CCN2 to regenerate surgical defects in articular cartilage of rat knee. Also, transgenic mice over-expressing cartilage-specific CCN2 were shown to be more resistant to aging-related cartilage degradation. We hypothesized that small molecules that induce CCN2 in chondrocytes could be novel candidates to increase the resistance to aging-related cartilage degradation, or even to correct cartilage degenerative changes incurred in OA. Therefore, this study screened a compound library and identified the β-carboline alkaloid harmine as a novel inducer of CCN2 in human chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells and osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes. Harmine increased the expression of the cartilage markers aggrecan and COL2α1, as well as that of the master regulator of chondrogenesis, SOX-9. Moreover, harmine notably induced chondrogenesis of prechondrocytic ATDC5 cells in micromass cultures. The chondroprotective effect of harmine was investigated under inflammatory condition by stimulation with TNFα, and harmine was shown to ameliorate TNFα-induced decrease in expression of CCN2 and cartilage markers. These findings uncover novel chondrogenic effects of harmine and indicate harmine as a potential drug for prevention and/or repair of cartilage degradation.

DOI： 10.1016/j.biochi.2012.10.016

The CCN2-inducer harmine promotes chondrogenesis and protects against TNFα-induced ablation of chondrocytic phenotype Reviewed

Hara, E.S, M. Ono, S. Kubota, W. Sonoyama, Y. Oida, T. Hattori, T. Nishida, T. Furumatsu, T. Ozaki, M. Takigawa, T. Kuboki

Biochimie 95 374 - 381 2013

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