Faculty Profiles - AOYAMA Eriko

Papers - AOYAMA Eriko

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Positive Regulation of S-Adenosylmethionine on Chondrocytic Differentiation via Stimulation of Polyamine Production and the Gene Expression of Chondrogenic Differentiation Factors

Loc Dinh Hoang, Eriko Aoyama, Miki Hiasa, Hiroshi Omote, Satoshi Kubota, Takuo Kuboki, Masaharu Takigawa

International Journal of Molecular Sciences 24 ( 24 ) 17294 - 17294 2023.12

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：MDPI AG

S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) is considered to be a useful therapeutic agent for degenerative cartilage diseases, although its mechanism is not clear. We previously found that polyamines stimulate the expression of differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes. We also found that the cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2) played a huge role in the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes. Therefore, we hypothesized that polyamines and CCN2 could be involved in the chondroprotective action of SAM. In this study, we initially found that exogenous SAM enhanced proteoglycan production but not cell proliferation in human chondrocyte-like cell line-2/8 (HCS-2/8) cells. Moreover, SAM enhanced gene expression of cartilage-specific matrix (aggrecan and type II collagen), Sry-Box transcription factor 9 (SOX9), CCN2, and chondroitin sulfate biosynthetic enzymes. The blockade of the methionine adenosyltransferase 2A (MAT2A) enzyme catalyzing intracellular SAM biosynthesis restrained the effect of SAM on chondrocytes. The polyamine level in chondrocytes was higher in SAM-treated culture than control culture. Additionally, Alcian blue staining and RT-qPCR indicated that the effects of SAM on the production and gene expression of aggrecan were reduced by the inhibition of polyamine synthesis. These results suggest that the stimulation of polyamine synthesis and gene expression of chondrogenic differentiation factors, such as CCN2, account for the mechanism underlying the action of SAM on chondrocytes.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms242417294

Evaluation of the Molecular Interaction Between CCN 2 Protein and Its Binding Partners: A Solid-Phase Binding 3 Assay and Surface Plasmon Resonance Invited Reviewed

Eriko Aoyama, Masaharu Takigawa

Methods in Molecular Biology 2582 77 - 86 2023

Imaging of Molecular Interaction Between CCN Protein 2 and Its Binding Partners: An In Situ Proximity Ligation 3 Assay of Interaction Between CCN2 and Rab14 4 in Chondrocytes Reviewed International journal

Mitsuhiro Hoshijima, Eriko Aoyama, Hiroshi Kamioka, Masaharu Takigawa

Methods in Molecular Biology 2582 31 - 37 2023

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

An in situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) enables visualization of protein interactions in fixed cells. It is a powerful method for investigating protein-protein binding of endogenously expressed proteins. To confirm binding between CCN2 and Rab14 GTPase (Rab14) in chondrocytes, we performed a PLA using chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells. The protocol in this chapter introduces an optimized technique for visualizing intracellular interactions of CCN2 and Rab14 in fixed cells using a PLA.

DOI： 10.1007/978-1-0716-2744-0_4

The Evaluation of Meniscus Regenerative Effects 2 of LIPUS-Induced CCN Proteins: Induction by LIPUS of CCN2 3 and Meniscus-Related Genes in Cultured Meniscus Cells 4 and Meniscus Tissues

Yusuke Kamatsuki, Eriko Aoyama, Takayuki Furumatsu, Toshifumi Ozaki, Masaharu Takigawa

Methods in Molecular Biology 2582 223 - 235 2023

高転移性癌細胞由来の細胞外小胞に搭載されたMMP3によるCtgf/Ccn2発現調節機能と癌転移促進(Extracellular vesicles enriched with moonlighting metalloproteinase are highly transmissive, Pro-tumorigenic, and trans-activates cellular communication network factor(CCN2/CTGF): CRISPR against cancer)

奥舎有加, 江口傑徳, Tran Manh T., 十川千春, 吉田賀弥, 板垣まみ, Taha Eman A., 小野喜章, 青山絵理子, 岡村裕彦, 小崎健一, Calderwood Stuart K., 滝川正春, 岡元邦彰

Journal of Oral Biosciences Supplement 2022 35 - 35 2022.9

S-アデノシルメチオニンはポリアミン産生だけでなく増殖因子の遺伝子発現を促進することによって軟骨分化を促進する(S-adenosylmethionine induces chondrocytic differentiation not only as source of polyamine production but also by stimulating growth factor genes expression)

ホアンディン・ロック, 青山絵理子, 久保田聡, 窪木拓男, 滝川正春

Journal of Oral Biosciences Supplement 2022 134 - 134 2022.9

Fibroblast Growth Factors and Cellular Communication Network Factors: Intimate Interplay by the Founding Members in Cartilage. International journal

Satoshi Kubota, Eriko Aoyama, Masaharu Takigawa, Takashi Nishida

International journal of molecular sciences 23 ( 15 ) 2022.8

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

Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) constitute a large family of signaling molecules that act in an autocrine/paracrine, endocrine, or intracrine manner, whereas the cellular communication network factors (CCN) family is composed of six members that manipulate extracellular signaling networks. FGFs and CCNs are structurally and functionally distinct, except for the common characteristics as matricellular proteins. Both play significant roles in the development of a variety of tissues and organs, including the skeletal system. In vertebrates, most of the skeletal parts are formed and grow through a process designated endochondral ossification, in which chondrocytes play the central role. The growth plate cartilage is the place where endochondral ossification occurs, and articular cartilage is left to support the locomotive function of joints. Several FGFs, including FGF-2, one of the founding members of this family, and all of the CCNs represented by CCN2, which is required for proper skeletal development, can be found therein. Research over a decade has revealed direct binding of CCN2 to FGFs and FGF receptors (FGFRs), which occasionally affect the biological outcome via FGF signaling. Moreover, a recent study uncovered an integrated regulation of FGF and CCN genes by FGF signaling. In this review, after a brief introduction of these two families, molecular and genetic interactions between CCN and FGF family members in cartilage, and their biological effects, are summarized. The molecular interplay represents the mutual involvement of the other in their molecular functions, leading to collaboration between CCN2 and FGFs during skeletal development.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms23158592

S-アデノシルメチオニンによる軟骨細胞分化促進作用とそのメカニズムの解析

ほあん・ろっく, 青山絵理子, 久保田聡, 窪木拓男, 滝川正春

日本骨代謝学会学術集会プログラム抄録集 39回 139 - 139 2021.10

S-アデノシルメチオニンによる軟骨細胞分化促進作用とそのメカニズムの解析

ほあん・ろっく, 青山絵理子, 久保田聡, 窪木拓男, 滝川正春

日本骨代謝学会学術集会プログラム抄録集 39回 139 - 139 2021.10

Gel-Free 3D Tumoroids with Stem Cell Properties Modeling Drug Resistance to Cisplatin and Imatinib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer. International journal

Chiharu Sogawa, Takanori Eguchi, Yuri Namba, Yuka Okusha, Eriko Aoyama, Kazumi Ohyama, Kuniaki Okamoto

Cells 10 ( 2 ) 2021.2

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

Researchers have developed several three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, including spheroids, organoids, and tumoroids with increased properties of cancer stem cells (CSCs), also called cancer-initiating cells (CICs). Drug resistance is a crucial issue involving recurrence in cancer patients. Many studies on anti-cancer drugs have been reported using 2D culture systems, whereas 3D cultured tumoroids have many advantages for assessing drug sensitivity and resistance. Here, we aimed to investigate whether Cisplatin (a DNA crosslinker), Imatinib (a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor), and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU: an antimetabolite) alter the tumoroid growth of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Gene expression signatures of highly metastatic aggregative CRC (LuM1 cells) vs. low-metastatic, non-aggregative CRC (Colon26 and NM11 cells) were analyzed using microarray. To establish a 3D culture-based multiplexing reporter assay system, LuM1 was stably transfected with the Mmp9 promoter-driven ZsGreen fluorescence reporter gene, which was designated as LuM1/m9 cells and cultured in NanoCulture Plate®, a gel-free 3D culture device. LuM1 cells highly expressed mRNA encoding ABCG2 (a drug resistance pump, i.e., CSC/CIC marker), other CSC/CIC markers (DLL1, EpCAM, podoplanin, STAT3/5), pluripotent stem cell markers (Sox4/7, N-myc, GATA3, Nanog), and metastatic markers (MMPs, Integrins, EGFR), compared to the other two cell types. Hoechst efflux stem cell-like side population was increased in LuM1 (7.8%) compared with Colon26 (2.9%), both of which were markedly reduced by verapamil treatment, an ABCG2 inhibitor. Smaller cell aggregates of LuM1 were more sensitive to Cisplatin (at 10 μM), whereas larger tumoroids with increased ABCG2 expression were insensitive. Notably, Cisplatin (2 μM) and Imatinib (10 μM) at low concentrations significantly promoted tumoroid formation (cell aggregation) and increased Mmp9 promoter activity in mCRC LuM1/m9, while not cytotoxic to them. On the other hand, 5-FU significantly inhibited tumoroid growth, although not completely. Thus, drug resistance in cancer with increased stem cell properties was modeled using the gel-free 3D cultured tumoroid system. The tumoroid culture is useful and easily accessible for the assessment of drug sensitivity and resistance.

DOI： 10.3390/cells10020344

Liquid-based 3D Cultured Tumoroids Modeling Resistance to Cisplatin and Imatinib in Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Chiharu Sogawa, Takanori Eguchi, Yuri Namba, Eriko Aoyama, Kazumi Ohyama, Kuniaki Okamoto

2020.12

Publisher：MDPI AG

Researchers have developed and used several three-dimensional (3D) culture systems, including spheroids, organoids, and tumoroids. Drug resistance is a crucial issue involving recurrence in cancer patients. Many studies on anticancer drugs have been done in 2D culture systems, where-as 3D cultured tumoroids have many advantages for assessing drug sensitivity and resistance. Here, we aim to investigate whether Cisplatin (a DNA crosslinker), Imatinib (a multiple tyro-sine kinase inhibitor), and 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU: an antimetabolite) alter tumoroid growth of metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). To establish a liquid-based 3D multiplexing reporter assay system, LuM1 (a murine mCRC cell line) was stably transfected with the Mmp9 promoter-driven ZsGreen reporter gene, which was designated as LuM1/m9 cells and cultured in NanoCulture Plate (NCP), a 3D culture device. The larger tumoroids were not sensitive to Cisplatin and ex-pressed ABCG2 (a marker of cancer stem cells, a.k.a. a drug efflux transporter), whereas smaller cell-aggregates were more sensitive to Cisplatin. Both Imatinib and Cisplatin significantly in-creased tumoroid growth (larger than 300 &mu;m2) and Mmp9 promoter activity and were not cytotoxic to the mCRC tumoroids. On the other hand, 5-FU was cytotoxic to the tumoroids and significantly inhibited tumoroid growth, although not completely. Thus, platinum resistance and imatinib resistance in mCRC were modeled using the liquid-based 3D cultured tumoroid system. The tumoroid culture is useful and easily accessible for the assessment of drug sensitivity and resistance.

DOI： 10.20944/preprints202012.0582.v1

Roles of Interaction between CCN2 and Rab14 in Aggrecan Production by Chondrocytes. Reviewed International journal

Mitsuhiro Hoshijima, Takako Hattori, Eriko Aoyama, Takashi Nishida, Satoshi Kubota, Hiroshi Kamioka, Masaharu Takigawa

International journal of molecular sciences 21 ( 8 ) 2020.4

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

To identify proteins that cooperate with cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2), we carried out GAL4-based yeast two-hybrid screening using a cDNA library derived from the chondrocytic cell line HCS-2/8. Rab14 GTPase (Rab14) polypeptide was selected as a CCN2-interactive protein. The interaction between CCN2 and Rab14 in HCS-2/8 cells was confirmed using the in situ proximity ligation assay. We also found that CCN2 interacted with Rab14 through its IGFBP-like domain among the four domains in CCN2 protein. To detect the colocalization between CCN2 and Rab14 in the cells in detail, CCN2, wild-type Rab14 (Rab14WT), a constitutive active form (Rab14CA), and a dominant negative form (Rab14DN) of Rab14 were overexpressed in monkey kidney-tissue derived COS7 cells. Ectopically overexpressed Rab14 showed a diffuse cytosolic distribution in COS7 cells; however, when Rab14WT was overexpressed with CCN2, the Rab14WT distribution changed to dots that were evenly distributed within the cytosol, and both Rab14 and CCN2 showed clear colocalization. When Rab14CA was overexpressed with CCN2, Rab14CA and CCN2 also showed good localization as dots, but their distribution was more widespread within cytosol. The coexpression of Rab14DN and CCN2 also showed a dotted codistribution but was more concentrated in the perinuclear area. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis revealed that the reduction in RAB14 or CCN2 mRNA by their respective siRNA significantly enhanced the expression of ER stress markers, BIP and CHOP mRNA in HCS-2/8 chondrocytic cells, suggesting that ER and Golgi stress were induced by the inhibition of membrane vesicle transfer via the suppression of CCN2 or Rab14. Moreover, to study the effect of the interaction between CCN2 and its interactive protein Rab14 on proteoglycan synthesis, we overexpressed Rab14WT or Rab14CA or Rab14DN in HCS-2/8 cells and found that the overexpression of Rab14DN decreased the extracellular proteoglycan accumulation more than the overexpression of Rab14WT/CA did in the chondrocytic cells. These results suggest that intracellular CCN2 is associated with Rab14 on proteoglycan-containing vesicles during their transport from the Golgi apparatus to endosomes in chondrocytes and that this association may play a role in proteoglycan secretion by chondrocytes.

DOI： 10.3390/ijms21082769

Extracellular Vesicles Enriched with Moonlighting Metalloproteinase Are Highly Transmissive, Pro-Tumorigenic, and Trans-Activates Cellular Communication Network Factor (CCN2/CTGF): CRISPR against Cancer

Yuka Okusha, Takanori Eguchi, Manh T. Tran, Chiharu Sogawa, Kaya Yoshida, Mami Itagaki, Eman A. Taha, Kisho Ono, Eriko Aoyama, Hirohiko Okamura, Ken-ichi Kozaki, Stuart K. Calderwood, Masaharu Takigawa, Kuniaki Okamoto

Cancers 12 ( 4 ) 881 - 881 2020.4

Publisher：MDPI AG

Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) plays multiple roles in extracellular proteolysis as well as intracellular transcription, prompting a new definition of moonlighting metalloproteinase (MMP), according to a definition of protein moonlighting (or gene sharing), a phenomenon by which a protein can perform more than one function. Indeed, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF, aka cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2)) is transcriptionally induced as well as cleaved by MMP3. Moreover, several members of the MMP family have been found within tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs). We here investigated the roles of MMP3-rich EVs in tumor progression, molecular transmission, and gene regulation. EVs derived from a rapidly metastatic cancer cell line (LuM1) were enriched in MMP3 and a C-terminal half fragment of CCN2/CTGF. MMP3-rich, LuM1-derived EVs were disseminated to multiple organs through body fluid and were pro-tumorigenic in an allograft mouse model, which prompted us to define LuM1-EVs as oncosomes in the present study. Oncosome-derived MMP3 was transferred into recipient cell nuclei and thereby trans-activated the CCN2/CTGF promoter, and induced CCN2/CTGF production in vitro. TRENDIC and other cis-elements in the CCN2/CTGF promoter were essential for the oncosomal responsivity. The CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of MMP3 showed significant anti-tumor effects such as the inhibition of migration and invasion of tumor cells, and a reduction in CCN2/CTGF promoter activity and fragmentations in vitro. A high expression level of MMP3 or CCN2/CTGF mRNA was prognostic and unfavorable in particular types of cancers including head and neck, lung, pancreatic, cervical, stomach, and urothelial cancers. These data newly demonstrate that oncogenic EVs-derived MMP is a transmissive trans-activator for the cellular communication network gene and promotes tumorigenesis at distant sites.

DOI： 10.3390/cancers12040881

Extracellular Oncosomes Rich in Moonlighting Metalloproteinase (MMP3) Are Transmissive, Pro-Tumorigenic, and Induces Cellular Communication Network Factor 2 (CCN2/CTGF): CRISPR against Cancer

Yuka Okusha, Takanori Eguchi, Manh Tien Tran, Chiharu Sogawa, Kaya Yoshida, Mami Itagaki, Eman Ahmed Taha, Kisho Ono, Eriko Aoyama, Hirohiko Okamura, Ken-ichi Kozaki, Stuart K. Calderwood, Masaharu Takigawa, Kuniaki Okamoto

Preprints doi: 10.20944/preprints202002.0281.v1 2020.2

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

Matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) plays multiple roles in pro-tumorigenic proteolysis and in intracellular transcription. These include inducing connective tissue growth factor [CTGF, also known as cellular communication network factor 2 (CCN2)] and prompting a new definition of MMP3 as a moonlighting metalloproteinase. Members of the MMP family have been found within tumor-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as oncosomes or exosomes. We here investigated the roles of MMP3-rich oncosomes in tumor progression, molecular transmission, and gene regulation. MMP3 and CCN2/CTGF were significantly co-expressed in tumor samples derived from patients suffering from colorectal adenocarcinoma. We found that oncosomes derived from a rapidly metastatic colon cancer cells (LuM1) were enriched in MMP3 and a C-terminal half fragment of CCN2/CTGF. MMP3-rich oncosomes were highly transmissive into recipient cells and were pro-tumorigenic in an allograft mouse model. Oncosome-derived MMP3 was transmissive into recipient cell nuclei, trans-activated CCN2/CTGF promoter, and induced CCN2/CTGF production at 1 to 6 hours after the addition of oncosomes to culture media. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of MMP3 showed significant anti-tumor effects, including inhibition of migration and invasion of LuM1 cells in vitro, inhibition of tumor growth in vivo, and reduction of CCN2/CTGF and its promoter activity in vitro. These data newly demonstrate that the oncosome-derived moonlighting metalloproteinase promotes metastasis and is pro-tumorigenic at distant sites as well as a transmissive trans-activator for the cellular communication network gene.

DOI： 10.20944/preprints202002.0281.v1

Jiadifenolide induces the expression of cellular communication network factor (CCN) genes, and CCN2 exhibits neurotrophic activity in neuronal precursor cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Reviewed International journal

Shoji M(corresponding author, Ueda M, Nishioka M, Minato H, Seki M, Harada K, Kubo M, Fukuyama Y, Suzuki Y, Aoyama E, Takigawa M, Kuzuhara T

Biochemical and biophysical research communications 519 ( 2 ) 309 - 315 2019.11

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

Jiadifenolide has been reported to have neurotrophin-like activity in primary rat cortical neurons, and also possesses neurotrophic effects in neuronal precursor cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), as we have previously reported. However, the molecular mechanisms by which jiadifenolide exerts its neurotrophic effects in rat and human neurons are unknown. Thus, we aimed to investigate the molecular mechanisms and pathways by which jiadifenolide promotes neurotrophic effects. Here, we found that jiadifenolide activated cellular communication network factor (CCN) signaling pathways by up-regulating mRNA level expression of CCN genes in human neuronal cells. We also found that CCN2 (also known as connective tissue growth factor, CTGF) protein promotes neurotrophic effects through activation of the p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. This is the first discovery which links neurotrophic activity with CCN signaling.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.09.003

低出力パルス超音波(LIPUS)の半月板修復効果とその作用機序 CCN2/CTGFの関与

青山絵理子, 西田崇, 久保田聡, 滝川正春, 釜付祐輔, 古松毅之, 前原亜美, 尾崎敏文, 山中信康

Journal of Oral Biosciences Supplement 2019 403 - 403 2019.10

Possible reparative effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on injured meniscus. Reviewed International journal

Kamatsuki Y, Aoyama E, Furumatsu T, Miyazawa S, Maehara A, Yamanaka N, Nishida T, Kubota S, Ozaki T, Takigawa M

Journal of cell communication and signaling 13 ( 2 ) 193 - 207 2019.6

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

Menisci are a pair of crescent-shaped fibrocartilages, particularly of which their inner region of meniscus is an avascular tissue. It has characteristics similar to those of articular cartilage, and hence is inferior in healing. We previously reported that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment stimulates the production of CCN2/CTGF, a protein involved in repairing articular cartilage, and the gene expression of major cartilage matrices such as type II collagen and aggrecan in cultured chondrocytes. Therefore, in this present study, we investigated whether LIPUS has also favorable effect on meniscus cells and tissues. LIPUS applied with a 60 mW/cm2 intensity for 20 min stimulated the gene expression and protein production of CCN2 via ERK and p38 signaling pathways, as well as gene expression of SOX9, aggrecan, and collagen type II in human inner meniscus cells in culture, and slightly stimulated the gene expression of CCN2 and promoted the migration in human outer meniscus cells in culture. LIPUS also induced the expression of Ccn2, Sox9, Col2a1, and Vegf in rat intact meniscus. Furthermore, histological evaluations showed that LIPUS treatment for 1 to 4 weeks promoted healing of rat injured lateral meniscus, as evidenced by better and earlier angiogenesis and extracellular matrix synthesis. The data presented indicate that LIPUS treatment might prevent meniscus from degenerative change and exert a reparative effect on injured meniscus via up-regulation of repairing factors such as CCN2 and that it might thus be useful for treatment of an injured meniscus as a non-invasive therapy.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-018-0496-9

Glutathione accelerates osteoclast differentiation and inflammatory bone destruction. Reviewed International journal

Fujita H, Ochi M, Ono M, Aoyama E, Ogino T, Kondo Y, Ohuchi H

Free radical research 53 ( 2 ) 1 - 11 2019.3

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

Chronic inflammation associated with bone tissues often destructs bones, which is essentially performed by osteoclasts in the presence of immunoregulatory molecules. Hence, regulating osteoclastogenesis is crucial to develop therapeutics for bone-destructive inflammatory diseases. It is believed that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in receptor activator of NF-κB (RANK) ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation, and, therefore, glutathione (GSH), the most abundant endogenous antioxidant, suppresses osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption by RANKL. Interestingly, GSH also contributes to inflammatory responses, and the effects of GSH on osteoclast differentiation and bone destruction under inflammatory conditions have not yet been determined. Here, we investigated how GSH affects inflammatory cytokine-stimulated osteoclast differentiation in vitro and in a mouse model of inflammatory bone destruction. We found that GSH significantly promoted TNFα-stimulated osteoclast formation, while an inhibitor of GSH synthesis, buthionine sulfoximine, suppressed it. GSH facilitated the nuclear localisation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) protein, a master regulator of osteoclastogenesis, as well as the expression of osteoclast marker genes in a dose-dependent manner. N-acetylcysteine, a substrate of GSH synthesis, also stimulated osteoclast formation and NFATc1 nuclear localisation. GSH did not suppress cell death after osteoclast differentiation. In mouse calvaria injected with lipopolysaccharide, GSH treatment resulted in a fivefold increase in the osteolytic lesion area. These results indicate that GSH accelerates osteoclast differentiation and inflammatory bone destruction, suggesting GSH appears to be an important molecule in the mechanisms responsible for inflammatory bone destruction by osteoclasts.

DOI： 10.1080/10715762.2018.1563782

CCN2/CTGF binds the small leucine rich proteoglycan protein Tsukushi Reviewed

Ohta K, Aoyama E, Ahmad SAI, Ito N, Anam MB, Kubota S, Takigawa M

Journal of Cell Communication and Signaling 13 ( 1 ) 113 - 118 2019.3

Depletion of Lipid Efflux Pump ABCG1 Triggers the Intracellular Accumulation of Extracellular Vesicles and Reduces Aggregation and Tumorigenesis of Metastatic Cancer Cells. Reviewed

Namba Y, Sogawa C, Okusha Y, Kawai H, Itagaki M, Ono K, Murakami J, Aoyama E, Ohyama K, Asaumi JI, Takigawa M, Okamoto K, Calderwood SK, Kozaki KI, Eguchi T

Frontiers in oncology 8 376 2018

Novel role of CCN3 that maintains the differentiated phenotype of articular cartilage

Danilo Janune, Tarek Abd El Kader, Eriko Aoyama, Takashi Nishida, Yasuhiko Tabata, Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL METABOLISM 35 ( 6 ) 582 - 597 2017.11

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

Knowledge of the microenvironment of articular cartilage in health and disease is the key to accomplishing fundamental disease-modifying treatments for osteoarthritis. The proteins comprising the CCN Family are matricellular proteins with a remarkable relevance within the context of cartilage metabolism. CCN2 displays a great capability for regenerating articular cartilage, and CCN3 has been shown to activate the expression of genes related to articular chondrocytes and to repress genes related to endochondral ossification in epiphyseal chondrocytes. Moreover, mice lacking CCN3 protein have been shown to display ostearthritic changes in their knee articular cartilage. In this study, we employed a monoiodoacetic acid (MIA)-induced osteoarthritic model to investigate whether osteoarthritic changes in the cartilage are reciprocally accompanied by CCN3 down-regulation and an inducible overexpression system to evaluate the effects of CCN3 on articular chondrocytes in vitro. Finally, we also investigated the effects of exogenous CCN3 in vivo during the early stages of MIA-induced osteoarthritis. We discovered that CCN3 is expressed by articular chondrocytes in normal rat knees, whereas it is rapidly down-regulated in osteoarthritic knees. In vitro, we also discovered that CCN3 increases the proteoglycan accumulation, the gene expression of type II collagen, tenascin-C and lubricin, as well as the protein production of tenascin-C and lubricin in articular chondrocytes. In vivo, it was discovered that exogenous CCN3 increased tidemark integrity and produced an increased production of lubricin protein. The potential utility of CCN3 as a future therapeutic agent and possible strategies to improve its therapeutic functions are also discussed.

DOI： 10.1007/s00774-016-0793-4

A Tumor Suppressor Gene Product, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor-Like Protein Controls Chondrocyte Proliferation and Differentiation Reviewed

Kazumi Kawata, Satoshi Kubota, Takanori Eguchi, Eriko Aoyama, Norifumi H. Moritani, Morihiko Oka, Harumi Kawaki, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY 118 ( 11 ) 4033 - 4044 2017.11

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

The platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like (PDGFRL) gene is regarded as a tumor suppressor gene. However, nothing is known about the molecular function of PDGFRL. In this study, we initially clarified its function in chondrocytes. Among all cell lines examined, the PDGFRL mRNA level was the highest in chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells. Interestingly, the proliferation of chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells was promoted by PDGFRL overexpression, whereas that of the breast cancer-derived MDA-MB-231 cells was inhibited. Of note, in PDGFRL-overexpressing HCS-2/8 cells, the expression of chondrocyte differentiation marker genes, SOX9, ACAN, COL2A1, COL10A1, and ALP, was decreased. Moreover, we confirmed the expression of PDGFRL mRNA in normal cartilage tissue and chondrocytes. Eventually, the expression of PDGFRL mRNA in condrocytes except in the case of hypertrophic chondrocytes was demonstrated in vivo and in vitro. These findings suggest that PDGFRL plays the different roles, depending upon cell types. Particularly, in chondrocytes, PDGFRL may play a new and important role which is distinct from the function previously reported. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 4033-4044, 2017. (c) 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DOI： 10.1002/jcb.26059

Catabolic effects of FGF-1 on chondrocytes and its possible role in osteoarthritis

Abdellatif El-Seoudi, Tarek Abd El Kader, Takashi Nishida, Takanori Eguchi, Eriko Aoyama, Masaharu Takigawa, Satoshi Kubota

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING 11 ( 3 ) 255 - 263 2017.9

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

Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF-1) is a classical member of the FGF family and is produced by chondrocytes cultured from osteoarthritic patients. Also, this growth factor was shown to bind to CCN family protein 2 (CCN2), which regenerates damaged articular cartilage and counteracts osteoarthritis (OA) in an animal model. However, the pathophysiological role of FGF-1 in cartilage has not been well investigated. In this study, we evaluated the effects of FGF-1 in vitro and its production in vivo by use of an OA model. Treatment of human chondrocytic cells with FGF-1 resulted in marked repression of genes for cartilaginous extracellular matrix components, whereas it strongly induced matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13), representing its catabolic effects on cartilage. Interestingly, expression of the CCN2 gene was dramatically repressed by FGF-1, which repression eventually caused the reduced production of CCN2 protein from the chondrocytic cells. The results of a reporter gene assay revealed that this repression could be ascribed, at least in part, to transcriptional regulation. In contrast, the gene expression of FGF-1 was enhanced by exogenous FGF-1, indicating a positive feedback system in these cells. Of note, induction of FGF-1 was observed in the articular cartilage of a rat OA model. These results collectively indicate a pathological role of FGF-1 in OA development, which includes an insufficient cartilage regeneration response caused by CCN2 down regulation.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-017-0384-8

UPR transducer BBF2H7 allows export of type II collagen in a cargo- and developmental stage-specific manner

Tokiro Ishikawa, Takuya Toyama, Yuki Nakamura, Kentaro Tamada, Hitomi Shimizu, Satoshi Ninagawa, Tetsuya Okada, Yasuhiro Kamei, Tomoko Ishikawa-Fujiwara, Takeshi Todo, Eriko Aoyama, Masaharu Takigawa, Akihiro Harada, Kazutoshi Mori

JOURNAL OF CELL BIOLOGY 216 ( 6 ) 1761 - 1774 2017.6

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：ROCKEFELLER UNIV PRESS

The unfolded protein response (UPR) handles unfolded/misfolded proteins accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, it is unclear how vertebrates correctly use the total of ten UPR transducers. We have found that ER stress occurs physiologically during early embryonic development in medaka fish and that the smooth alignment of notochord cells requires ATF6 as a UPR transducer, which induces ER chaperones for folding of type VIII (short-chain) collagen. After secretion of hedgehog for tissue patterning, notochord cells differentiate into sheath cells, which synthesize type II collagen. In this study, we show that this vacuolization step requires both ATF6 and BBF2H7 as UPR transducers and that BBF2H7 regulates a complete set of genes (Sec23/24/13/31, Tango1, Sedlin, and KLHL12) essential for the enlargement of COPII vesicles to accommodate long-chain collagen for export, leading to the formation of the perinotochordal basement membrane. Thus, the most appropriate UPR transducer is activated to cope with the differing physiological ER stresses of different content types depending on developmental stage.

DOI： 10.1083/jcb.201609100

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment of cultured chondrocytes stimulates production of CCN family protein 2 (CCN2), a protein involved in the regeneration of articular cartilage: mechanism underlying this stimulation

T. Nishida, S. Kubota, E. Aoyama, N. Yamanaka, K. M. Lyons, M. Takigawa

OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE 25 ( 5 ) 759 - 769 2017.5

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：ELSEVIER SCI LTD

Objective: CCN family protein 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) promotes cartilage regeneration in experimental osteoarthritis (OA) models. However, CCN2 production is very low in articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to investigate whether or not CCN2 was promoted by cultured chondrocytes treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and to clarify its mechanism.
Methods: Human chondrocytic cell line (HCS)-2/8, rat primary epiphyseal and articular cartilage cells, and Ccn2-deficient chondrocytes that impaired chondrocyte differentiation, were treated with LIPUS for 20 min at 3.0 MHz frequency and 60 mW/cm(2) power. Expressions of chondrocyte differentiation marker mRNAs were examined by real-time PCR (RT-PCR) analysis from HCS-2/8 cells and Ccn2-deficient chondrocytes at 30 min and 1 h after LIPUS treatment, respectively. CCN2 production was examined by Western blotting after 5 h of LIPUS treatment. Moreover, Ca2+ influx was measured by using a Fluo-4 probe.
Results: The gene expression of chondrocyte differentiation markers and CCN2 production were increased in cultured chondrocytes treated with LIPUS. In addition, Ca2+ influx and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 were increased by LIPUS treatment, and the stability of TRPV4 and BKca channel mRNAs was decreased by siRNA against CCN2. Consistent with those findings, the LIPUS-induced the gene expressions of type II collagen (COL2a1) and Aggrecan (ACAN) observed in wild-type cells were not observed in the Ccn2-deficient chondrocytes.
Conclusion: These data indicate that chondrocyte differentiation represented by CCN2 production was mediated via MAPK pathways activated by LIPUS-stimulated Ca2+ influx, which in turn was supported by the induced CCN2 molecules in articular chondrocytes. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Osteoarthritis Research Society International.

DOI： 10.1016/j.joca.2016.10.003

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

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 - 937 2016.4

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

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. J. Cell. Biochem. 117: 927-937, 2016. (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

DOI： 10.1002/jcb.25377

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

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

FASEB JOURNAL 30 2016.4

The Role of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in Osteoclastogenesis and Jaw Bone Destruction

Tsuyoshi Shimo, Kenichi Matsumoto, Kiyofumi Takabatake, Eriko Aoyama, Yuichiro Takebe, Soichiro Ibaragi, Tatsuo Okui, Naito Kurio, Hiroyuki Takada, Kyoichi Obata, Pai Pang, Masahiro Iwamoto, Hitoshi Nagatsuka, Akira Sasaki

PLOS ONE 11 ( 3 ) 2016.3

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

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and its signaling have been identified in several human cancers, and increased levels of its expression appear to correlate with disease progression and metastasis. However, the role of SHH in bone destruction associated with oral squamous cell carcinomas is still unclear. In this study we analyzed SHH expression and the role played by SHH signaling in gingival carcinoma-induced jawbone destruction. From an analysis of surgically resected lower gingival squamous cell carcinoma mandible samples, we found that SHH was highly expressed in tumor cells that had invaded the bone matrix. On the other hand, the hedgehog receptor Patched and the signaling molecule Gli-2 were highly expressed in the osteoclasts and the progenitor cells. SHH stimulated osteoclast formation and pit formation in the presence of the receptor activator for nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) in CD11b(+) mouse bone marrow cells. SHH upregulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK, NFATc1, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), and Cathepsin K expression in RAW264.7 cells. Our results suggest that tumor-derived SHH stimulated the osteoclast formation and bone resorption in the tumor jawbone microenvironment.

DOI： 10.1371/journal.pone.0151731

Evaluation of Molecular Interaction between CCN2 Protein and Its Binding Partners by Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR).

Aoyama E, Takigawa M

Methods Mol Biol. 1489 169 - 176 2016

Involvement of multiple CCN family members in platelets that support regeneration of joint tissues

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

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

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

CCN4/WISP-1 positively regulates chondrogenesis by controlling TGF-beta 3 function

Yoshioka, Yuya, Ono, Mitsuaki, Maeda, Azusa, Kilts, Tina M., Hara, Emilio Satoshi, Khattab, Hany, Ueda, Junji, Aoyama, Eriko, Oohashi, Toshitaka, Takigawa, Masaharu, Young, Marian F., Kuboki, Takuo

Bone 83 162 - 170 2016

Production of recombinant CCN2 protein in Escherichia coli

Eriko Aoyama, Takako Hattori, Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa

Methods in Molecular Biology 1489 77 - 84 2016

Publishing type：Part of collection (book)

Recombinant proteins are important tools for understanding molecular functions in vitro. Recent progress in the generation of recombinant proteins is amazing. However, when we plan to produce them, we should choose the best method according to the nature and the use of the target recombinant protein. Degradation and mis-folding are major problems in producing active recombinant CCN2. The method shown in this chapter describes the appropriate conditions under which we can produce CCN2 and its truncated fragments in Escherichia coli.

DOI： 10.1007/978-1-4939-6430-7_8

マウス頭蓋冠におけるリポポリサッカリドによる骨破壊とグルタチオンの効果

藤田洋史, 大野充昭, 青山絵理子, 荻野哲也, 近藤洋一, 大内淑代

日本生化学会大会・日本分子生物学会年会合同大会講演要旨集 88回・38回 [1LBA049] - [1LBA049] 2015.12

Physical interaction of CCN2 with diverse growth factors involved in chondrocyte differentiation during endochondral ossification

Hany Mohamed Khattab, Eriko Aoyama, Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING 9 ( 3 ) 247 - 254 2015.9

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

CCN family member 2 (CCN2) has been shown to promote the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and vascular endothelial cells. In addition, a number of growth factors and cytokines are known to work in harmony to promote the process of chondrogenesis and chondrocyte differentiation toward endochondral ossification. Earlier we showed that CCN2 physically interacts with some of them, suggesting that multiple effects of CCN2 on various differentiation stages of chondrocytes may be attributed to its interaction with these growth factors and cytokines. However, little is known about the functional interaction occurring between CCN2 and other growth factors and cytokines in promoting chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation. In this study we sought to shed light on the binding affinities between CCN2 and other essential growth factors and cytokines known to be regulators of chondrocyte differentiation. Using the surface plasmon resonance assay, we analyzed the dissociation constant between CCN2 and each of the following: TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 3, IGF-I, IGF-II, PDGF-BB, GDF5, PTHrP, and VEGF. We found a strong association between CCN2 and VEGF, as well as a relatively high association with TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 3, PDGF-BB, and GDF-5. However, the sensorgrams obtained for possible interaction between CCN2 and IGF-I, IGF-II or PTHrP showed no response. This study underlines the correlation between CCN2 and certain other growth factors and cytokines and suggests the possible participation of such interaction in the process of chondrogenesis and chondrocyte differentiation toward endochondral ossification.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-015-0290-x

破骨細胞分化における新規アクチン骨格制御因子としてのDCL-1/CD302の役割とCCN2との関連

青山絵理子, 星島光博, 服部高子, 久保田聡, 滝川正春

Journal of Oral Biosciences Supplement 2015 230 - 230 2015.9

CCN2 enhances RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation via direct binding to RANK and OPG

Eriko Aoyama, Satoshi Kubota, Hany Mohamed Khattab, Takashi Nishida, Masaharu Takigawa

BONE 73 242 - 248 2015.4

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

CCN family protein 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) is a multi-potent factor for mesenchymal cells such as chondrocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and endothelial cells. CCN2 is also known as a modulator of other cytokines and receptors via direct molecular interactions with them. We screened additional factors binding to CCN2 and found receptor activator of NF-kappa B (RANK) as one of them. RANK is also known as TNF-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE) receptor, and its signaling plays a critical role in osteoclastogenesis. Notable affinity between CCN2 and RANK was confirmed by using surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis. In fact, CCN2 enhanced the RANK-mediated signaling, such as occurs in NF-kappa B, p38 and JNK pathways, in pre-osteoclastic RAW264.7 cells; whereas CCN2 had no influence on RANK RANK ligand (RANKL) binding. Moreover, CCN2 also significantly bound to osteoprotegerin (OPG), which is a decoy receptor of RANKL. Of note, OPG markedly inhibited the binding between CCN2 and RANK; and CCN2 canceled the inhibitory effect of OPG on osteoclast differentiation. These findings suggest CCN2 as a candidate of the fourth factor in the RANK/RANKL/OPG system for osteodastogenesis, which regulates OPG and RANK via direct interaction. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bone.2014.12.058

CCN family protein 2 (CCN2) promotes the early differentiation, but inhibits the terminal differentiation of skeletal myoblasts

Takashi Nishida, Satoshi Kubota, Eriko Aoyama, Danilo Janune, Karen M. Lyons, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 157 ( 2 ) 91 - 100 2015.2

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：OXFORD UNIV PRESS

Many studies have reported that CCN family protein 2 (also known as connective tissue growth factor) induces fibrotic response in skeletal muscle, thus emphasizing the pathological role of CCN2 in muscle tissues. However, the physiological role of CCN2 in myogenesis is still unknown. This study clarified the CCN2 functions during myogenesis. Recombinant CCN2 (rCCN2) promoted proliferation and MyoD production in C2C12 cells and primary myoblasts, but inhibited myogenin production. In accordance with these findings, the gene expression levels of myosin heavy chain, which is a marker of terminally differentiated myoblasts and desmin, which is the main intermediate filament protein of muscle cells, were decreased by rCCN2 treatment. In vivo analyses with Ccn2-deficient skeletal muscle revealed decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)/MyoD double positive cells and muscle hypoplasia. Consistent with this finding, myogenic marker genes and myotube formation were repressed in Ccn2-deficient myoblasts. The protein production of CCN2 was increased in C2C12 myoblasts treated with tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which is a pro-inflammatory cytokine, suggesting its role in muscle regeneration after inflammation. These findings indicate that CCN2 promotes proliferation and early differentiation but inhibits the terminal differentiation of myoblasts, thus suggesting that CCN2 plays a physiological role in myogenesis.

DOI： 10.1093/jb/mvu056

新たなCCN2結合因子DCL-1の破骨細胞分化における役割

青山絵理子, 星島光博, 服部高子, 久保田聡, 滝川正春

Journal of Oral Biosciences Supplement 2014 105 - 105 2014.9

Direct interaction between CCN family protein 2 and fibroblast growth factor 1

Tarek Abd El Kader, Satoshi Kubota, Ken Anno, Saho Tanaka, Takashi Nishida, Takayuki Furumatsu, Eriko Aoyama, Takuo Kuboki, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING 8 ( 2 ) 157 - 163 2014.6

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

In an attempt to find out a new molecular counterpart of CCN family protein 2 (CCN2), a matricellular protein with multiple functions, we performed an interactome analysis and found fibroblast growth factor (FGF) -1 as one of the candidates. Solid-phase binding assay indicated specific binding between CCN2 and FGF-1. This binding was also confirmed by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) analysis that revealed a dissociation constant (Kd) of 3.98 nM indicating strong molecular interaction between the two. RNA analysis suggested that both FGF-1 and CCN2 could be produced by chondrocytes and thus their interaction in the cartilage is possible. These findings for the first time indicate the direct interaction of CCN2 and FGF-1 and suggest the co-presence of these molecules in the cartilage microenvironment. CCN2 is a well-known promoter of cartilage development and regeneration, whereas the physiological and pathological role of FGF-1 in cartilage mostly remains unclear. Biological role of FGF-1 itself in cartilage is also suspected.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-014-0232-z

Necrotic and apoptotic cells serve as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells in vitro Reviewed

Hirofumi Fujita, Masanao Yamamoto, Tetsuya Ogino, Hirotsugu Kobuchi, Naoko Ohmoto, Eriko Aoyama, Takashi Oka, Tohru Nakanishi, Keiji Inoue, Junzo Sasaki

CELL BIOCHEMISTRY AND FUNCTION 32 ( 1 ) 77 - 86 2014.1

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

A close relationship between cell death and pathological calcification has recently been reported, such as vascular calcification in atherosclerosis. However, the roles of cell death in calcification by osteoblast lineage have not been elucidated in detail. In this study, we investigated whether cell death is involved in the calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) under osteogenic culture in vitro. Apoptosis and necrosis occurred in an osteogenic culture of hMSC, and cell death preceded calcification. The generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species, chromatin condensation and fragmentation, and caspase-3 activation increased in this culture. A pan-caspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) and anti-oxidants (Tiron and n-acetylcysteine) inhibited osteogenic culture-induced cell death and calcification. Furthermore, calcification was significantly promoted by the addition of necrotic dead cells or its membrane fraction. Spontaneously dead cells by osteogenic culture and exogenously added necrotic cells were surrounded by calcium deposits. Induction of localized cell death by photodynamic treatment in the osteogenic culture resulted in co-localized calcification. These findings show that necrotic and apoptotic cell deaths were induced in an osteogenic culture of hMSC and indicated that both necrotic and apoptotic cells of osteoblast lineage served as nuclei for calcification on osteoblastic differentiation of hMSC in vitro. Copyright (c) 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

DOI： 10.1002/cbf.2974

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

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

CCN3の抗線維化効果に伴うCCNファミリー遺伝子発現プロファイルの変化

アブド・エル・ケーダー・タレック, 久保田聡, ジャヌネ・ダニーロ, 西田崇, 服部高子, 青山絵理子, 窪木拓男, 滝川正春

岡山歯学会雑誌 32 ( 2 ) 83 - 83 2013.12

CCNファミリー遺伝子の発現プロフィールの操作を介したCCN3の線維化抑制作用の理解(Understanding the anti-fibrotic role of CCN3 through manipulation of CCN family gene expression profile)

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

日本生化学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集 86回 1T11a - 15 2013.9

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

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

PLOS ONE 8 ( 3 ) e59226 2013.3

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

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

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 a-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.

DOI： 10.1007/s12079-012-0180-4

Dextran sulfate-induced degradation of spontaneously apoptotic B cells Reviewed

Kadota, Yusuke, Sakai, Nao, Fujikawa, Ryoma, Aoyama, Eriko, Zhong, Ming, Tanaka, Satoshi, Gohda, Eiichi

International Immunopharmacology 15 ( 3 ) 581 - 587 2013

Impaired glycolytic metabolism causes chondrocyte hypertrophy-like changes via promotion of phospho-Smad1/5/8 translocation into nucleus.

Nishida T, Kubota S, Aoyama E, Takigawa M

Osteoarthritis Cartilage 21 700 - 709 2013

CCN family member 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) has anti-aging effects that protect articular cartilage from age-related degenerative changes. Reviewed

Itoh S, Hattori T, Tomita N, Aoyama E, Yutani Y, Yamashiro T, Takigawa M

PloS one 8 ( 8 ) e71156 2013

CCN2/CTGF binds to fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 and modulates its signaling

Eriko Aoyama, Satoshi Kubota, Masaharu Takigawa

FEBS LETTERS 586 ( 24 ) 4270 - 4275 2012.12

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

CCN2 plays a critical role in the development of mesenchymal tissues such as cartilage and bone, and the binding of CCN2 to various cytokines and receptors regulates their signaling. By screening a protein array, we found that CCN2 could bind to fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) 2 and 3, with a higher affinity toward FGFR2. We ascertained that FGFR2 bound to CCN2 and that the binding of FGFR2 to FGF2 and FGF4 was enhanced by CCN2. CCN2 and FGF2 had a collaborative effect on the phosphorylation of ERK and the differentiation of osteoblastic cells. The present results indicate the biological significance of the binding of CCN2 to FGFR2 in bone metabolism.
Structured summary of protein interactions:
FGFR2 binds to CCN2 by protein array (View interaction)
FGFR1OP binds to CCN2 by protein array (View interaction)
FGFR3 binds to CCN2 by protein array (View interaction) (C) 2012 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.10.038

CCN2非依存性モジュールの軟骨再生能力(Cartilage regeneration potential of CCN2 independent modules)

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

日本再生歯科医学会誌 10 ( 1 ) 50 - 50 2012.12

軟骨組織特異的低密度リポタンパク受容体欠損マウスにおける骨格形成(Deficiency of the low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1 (LRP1) in the cartilaginous tissue leads to skeletal dysmorphisms)

河田かずみ, 久保田聡, 服部高子, 青山絵理子, ダニーロ・ジャヌネ, 滝川正春

日本生化学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集 85回 3P - 668 2012.12

Roles of heterotypic CCN2/CTGF-CCN3/NOV and homotypic CCN2-CCN2 interactions in expression of the differentiated phenotype of chondrocytes Reviewed

Hoshijima Mitsuhiro, Hattori Takako, Aoyama Eriko, Nishida Takashi, Yamashiro Takashi, Takigawa Masaharu

FEBS JOURNAL 279 ( 19 ) 3584 - 3597 2012.10

軟骨細胞と骨芽細胞に対するCCN2独立モジュールの影響(Effects of CCN2 independent modules on chondrocytic and osteoblastic cells)

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

日本骨代謝学会学術集会プログラム抄録集 30回 232 - 232 2012.7

Role of LRP1 in transport of CCN2 protein in chondrocytes. Reviewed

Kawata K, Kubota S, Eguchi T, Aoyama E, Moritani NH, Kondo S, Nishida T, Takigawa M

Journal of cell science 125 ( Pt 12 ) 2965 - 2972 2012.6

Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：The Company of Biologists

LRP1 is known to be a receptor for signal transmission and endocytosis. We formerly reported that LRP1 regulates WNT/β-catenin and protein kinase C signaling in chondrocytes and represses the hypertrophy of chondrocytes during endochondral ossification, and that LRP1 is co-localized with a ligand, CCN2, which conducts endochondral ossification, on chondrocytes. However, the role of LRP1 in endocytotic transport of CCN2 in chondrocytes is not yet understood. In the present study, we investigated the interaction between LRP1 and CCN2 during endocytotic trafficking.

RNAi-mediated knockdown of LRP1 in chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells showed that the amount of exogenous CCN2 binding/incorporation was decreased in the LRP1 down-regulated cells. Importantly, we observed that CCN2 internalization in chondrocytes was dependent on clathrin and internalizated CCN2 was co-localized with an early or recycling endosome marker. Transcytosis of CCN2 through HCS-2/8 cells was confirmed by performing experiments with a trans-well apparatus, and the amount of transcytosed CCN2 was decreased by an LRP1 antagonist. These findings rule out possible leakage and confirm the critical involvement of LRP1 during experimental transcytosis. Moreover, under the hypoxic condition mimicking the cartilaginous microenvironment, the production level of LRP1 and the amount of transcytosed CCN2 were increased, which increases were neutralized by the LRP1 antagonist. The distribution of LRP1 and its antagonist in the growth plate in vivo was consistent with that of CCN2 therein, which was produced by and transported from the chondrocytes in the prehypertrophic layer.

These findings suggest that LRP1 mediates the transcytosis of CCN2, which may be a critical event that determines the distribution of CCN2 in cartilage.

DOI： 10.1242/jcs.101956

Other Link： http://journals.biologists.com/jcs/article-pdf/doi/10.1242/jcs.101956/2043789/jcs101956.pdf

Role of low-density lipoprotein receptor related protein 1 (LRP1) in CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein transport in chondrocytes

Kawata., K, Kubota, S, Eguchi, T, Aoyama, E, Moritani, N, Kondo, S, Nishida, T, Takigawa, M

J Cell Sci 15 2965 - 2972 2012

Effect of CCN2 on FGF2-Induced Proliferation and MMP9 and MMP13 Productions by Chondrocytes Reviewed

Takashi Nishida, Satoshi Kubota, Eriko Aoyama, Danilo Janune, Azusa Maeda, Masaharu Takigawa

ENDOCRINOLOGY 152 ( 11 ) 4232 - 4241 2011.11

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

CCN2 (also known as connective tissue growth factor) interacts with several growth factors involved in endochondral ossification via its characteristic four modules and modifies the effect of such growth factors. Presently we investigated whether CCN2 interacts with fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2). Solid-phase binding assay, immunoprecipitation-Western blot analysis, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy revealed that the C-terminal module of CCN2 (CT) directly bound to FGF2 with a dissociation constant of 5.5 nM. Next, we examined the combinational effects of CCN2 and FGF2 on the proliferation of and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 and -13 productions by cultured chondrocytes. FGF2 promoted not only the proliferation but also the production of MMP9 and -13, however, combined of FGF2 with CT module nullified the enhancement of both MMP productions and proliferation. To clarify the mechanism, we investigated the binding of CCN2 or its CT module to FGF receptor 1. As a result, we found that CCN2 bound to FGF receptor 1 with a dissociation constant of 362 nM, whereas the CT module did not. In addition, when we tested FGF signaling in chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells stimulated by the combination of FGF2 with CT module, the level of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase phosphorylation was decreased compared with that found with FGF2 alone. These findings suggest that CCN2 may regulate the proliferation and matrix degradation of chondrocytes by forming a complex with FGF2 as a novel modulator of FGF2 functions. (Endocrinology 152: 4232-4241, 2011)

DOI： 10.1210/en.2011-0234

軟骨細胞における血小板由来増殖因子受容体様(PDGFRL)遺伝子の発現(Expression of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-like (PDGFRL) gene in chondrocytes)

河田かずみ, 久保田聡, 江口傑徳, 青山絵理子, 森谷徳文, 岡森彦, 川木晴美, 滝川正春

日本生化学会大会プログラム・講演要旨集 84回 3P - 0351 2011.9

軟骨細胞に対する、CCN2モジュールの単独・結合下での影響に関する評価(Evaluation of independent and combinational effect of CCN2 modules on chondorocytic cells)

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

日本骨代謝学会学術集会プログラム抄録集 29回 248 - 248 2011.7

FGF2刺激による軟骨細胞増殖促進及びMMP13酵素活性上昇に与えるCCN2/CTGFの影響

西田崇, 粕山拓郎, 前田あずさ, 青山絵理子, 久保田聡, 滝川正春

日本生化学会大会・日本分子生物学会年会合同大会講演要旨集 83回・33回 1P - 0291 2010.12

Design and utility of CCN2 anchor peptide aptamers. Reviewed

Kawaki H, Kubota S, Aoyama E, Fujita N, Hanagata H, Miyauchi A, Nakai K, Takigawa M

Biochimie 92 ( 8 ) 1010 - 1015 2010.8

Thrombopoietic-mesenchymal interaction that may facilitate both endochondral ossification and platelet maturation via CCN2. Reviewed

Sumiyoshi K, Kubota S, Furuta RA, Yasui K, Aoyama E, Kawaki H, Kawata K, Ohgawara T, Yamashiro T, Takigawa M

Journal of cell communication and signaling 4 ( 1 ) 5 - 14 2010.3

N-terminal domains of CCN family 2/connective tissue growth factor bind to aggrecan Reviewed International journal

Aoyama Eriko, Hattori Takako, Hoshijima Mitsuhiro, Araki Daisuke, Nishida Takashi, Kubota Satoshi, Takigawa Masaharu

BIOCHEMICAL JOURNAL 420 ( 3 ) 413 - 420 2009.6

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

CCN2/CTGF (CCN family 2/connective tissue growth factor) is a multi-cellular protein with a broad range of activities. It modulates many cellular functions, including proliferation, migration, adhesion and extracellular matrix production, and it is thus involved in many biological and pathological processes. In particular, CCN2/CTGF is essential for normal skeletal development. To identify CCN2/CTGF-interactive proteins capable of modulating its action in cartilage, we carried out a yeast two-hybrid screening using CCN2/CTGF peptide as a bait and a cDNA library from a chondrocytic cell line, HCS-2/8. In the present paper, we report the identification of aggrecan, which is a major proteoglycan of the extracellular matrix in cartilage, as a CCN2/CTGF-binding protein. Among the four domains of CCN2/CTGF, the IGFBP [IGF (insulin-like growth factor)-binding protein-like] and/or VWC (von Willebrand factor type C) domains had a direct interaction with aggrecan in a yeast two-hybrid assay. The results of a solid-phase-binding assay using aggrecan-coated plates also showed binding to recombinant CCN2/CTGF in a dose-dependent manner. rIGFBP (recombinant IGFBP) and rVWC (recombinant VWC) module peptides had stronger binding to aggrecan compared with rTSP1 (recombinant thrombospondin type 1 repeat) and rCT (recombinant C-terminal cystine knot) module peptides. SPR (surface plasmon resonance) analysis showed the direct interaction between the CCN2/CTGF and aggrecan, and ectopically overexpressed CCN2/CTGF and AgG3 (G3 domain of aggrecan) confirmed their binding In vivo. Indirect immunofluorescence analysis indicated that CCN2/CTGF was extracellularly co-localized with aggrecan on HCS-2/8 cells. The rIGFBP-rVWC peptide effectively enhanced the production and release of aggrecan compared with the rTSP-rCT peptide in chondrocytes. These results indicate that CCN2/CTGF binds to aggrecan through its N-terminal IGFBP and VWC modules, and this binding may be related to the CCN2/CTGF-enhanced production and secretion of aggrecan by chondrocytes.

DOI： 10.1042/BJ20081991

Regulation of chondrocytic phenotype by micro RNA 18a: Involvement of Ccn2/Ctgf as a major target gene

Toshihiro Ohgawara, Satoshi Kubota, Harumi Kawaki, Seiji Kondo, Takanori Eguchi, Naito Kurio, Eriko Aoyama, Akira Sasaki, Masaharu Takigawa

FEBS LETTERS 583 ( 6 ) 1006 - 1010 2009.3

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

We searched for miRNAs that were down-regulated in chondrocytic cells and predicted to target CCN2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) that promotes endochondral ossification. Among them, expression of miR-18a was most strongly repressed in chondrocytic cells. Reporter gene analysis confirmed the functionality of an miR-18a target in the 3'-untranslated region of Ccn2 mRNA, which was predicted in silico. Indeed, introduction of miR-18a efficiently repressed the CCN2 production from chondrocytic cells. Finally, transfected miR-18a significantly repressed the mature chondrocytic phenotype. Our present study revealed a regulatory role for miR-18a in chondrocytic differentiation through CCN2. (C) 2009 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.febslet.2009.02.025

CCN Family 2/Connective Tissue Growth Factor Modulates BMP Signalling as a Signal Conductor, Which Action Regulates the Proliferation and Differentiation of Chondrocytes

Azusa Maeda, Takashi Nishida, Eriko Aoyama, Satoshi Kubota, Karen M. Lyons, Takuo Kuboki, Masaharu Takigawa

JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMISTRY 145 ( 2 ) 207 - 216 2009.2

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：OXFORD UNIV PRESS

Both CCN family 2/connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 play an important role in cartilage metabolism. We evaluated whether or not CCN2 would interact with BMP-2, and examined the combination effect of CCN2 with BMP-2 (CCN2-BMP-2) on the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes. Immunoprecipitation-western blotting analysis, solid-phase binding assay and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy showed that CCN2 directly interacted with BMP-2 with a dissociation constant of 0.77 nM as evaluated by SPR. An in vivo study revealed that CCN2 was co-localized with BMP-2 at the pre-hypertrophic region in the E18.5 mouse growth plate. Interestingly, CCN2-BMP-2 did not affect the BMP-2/CCN2-induced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK but caused less phosphorylation of ERK1/2 in cultured chondrocytes. Consistent with these results, cell proliferation assay showed that CCN2-BMP-2 stimulated cell growth to a lesser degree than by either CCN2 or BMP-2 alone, whereas the expression of chondrocyte marker genes and proteoglycan synthesis, representing the mature chondrocytic phenotype, was increased collaboratively by CCN2-BMP-2 treatment in cultured chondrocytes. These findings suggest that CCN2 may regulate the proliferating and differentiation of chondrocytes by forming a complex with BMP-2 as a novel modulator of BMP signalling.

DOI： 10.1093/jb/mvn159

CCN2/CTGFとBMP-2の相互作用が軟骨細胞の増殖と分化を制御する

西田崇, 前田あずさ, 青山絵理子, 久保田聡, 窪木拓男, Lyons Karen, 滝川正春

日本生化学会大会・日本分子生物学会年会合同大会講演要旨集 81回・31回 3T13 - 4 2008.11

低密度リポタンパク受容体関連タンパク-1(LRP1)の軟骨細胞分化における機能とその作用機構

河田かずみ, 久保田聡, 江口傑徳, 青山絵理子, 皆木省吾, 滝川正春

日本生化学会大会・日本分子生物学会年会合同大会講演要旨集 81回・31回 4T13 - 2 2008.11

CCN2/CTGFによるBMP-2の軟骨細胞増殖・分化促進作用の制御

前田あずさ, 西田崇, 青山絵理子, 川木晴美, 久保田聡, 窪木拓男, ライアン・カレン, 滝川正春

日本骨代謝学会学術集会プログラム抄録集 26回 234 - 234 2008.10

軟骨細胞分化における低密度リポタンパク受容体関連タンパク-1(LRP1)の関与

河田かずみ, 久保田聡, 江口傑徳, 青山絵理子, 皆木省吾, 滝川正春

日本骨代謝学会学術集会プログラム抄録集 26回 234 - 234 2008.10

Distribution, gene expression, and functional role of EphA4 during ossification

Chisa Kuroda, Satoshi Kubota, Kazumi Kawata, Eriko Aoyama, Kumi Sumiyoshi, Morihiko Oka, Miho Inoue, Shogo Minagi, Masaharu Takigawa

BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 374 ( 1 ) 22 - 27 2008.9

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

EphA4 receptor tyrosine kinase has been shown to be critically involved in neural tissue development. Here, we found EphA4 was also distributed among hypertrophic chondrocytes and osteoblasts in the growth plate of developing mouse long bones. In vitro evaluation revealed that ephA4 expression was elevated Upon hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes and that markedly stronger expression was observed in osteoblastic SaOS-2 than chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells. Of note, RNAi-mediated silencing of ephA4 in SaOS-2 cells resulted in the repression of osteocalcin gene expression and alkaline phosphatase activity. Interestingly, confocal laser-scanning Microscopic analysis revealed the presence of EphA4 molecules in the nucleus as well as on the surface of SaOS-2 cells. These findings are the first indication of a critical role of EphA4 in ossification, especially at the final stage in which osteoblasts and hypertrophic chondrocytes play major roles. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.bbrc.2008.06.089

Differentiation of murine B cells induced by chondroitin sulfate B

Ritsuko Yoshihara, Eriko Aoyama, Yusuke Kadota, Saeko Kawai, Tomomi Goto, Ming Zhong, Eiichi Gohda

CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY 250 ( 1-2 ) 14 - 23 2007.11

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

A two-step culture system was used to investigate the role of chondroitin sulfate (CS) B, which is mitogenic to B cells, in differentiation of B cells. Mouse spleen B cells were incubated for 3 days with CSB in the presence of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5. After washing, the cells were replated at 10(5) viable cells/well and recultured without CSB in the presence of IL-4 and IL-5. CSB dose-dependently increased IgM production, the greatest enhancement being 450%. Dextran sulfate had a similar effect, whereas other glycosaminoglycans, CSA, CSC, heparin and hyaluronic acid, were marginally effective. Treatment of B cells with CSB resulted in increases in the number of IgM-secreting cells and numbers of CD138-positive cells and CD45R/B220-negative cells. CSB-induced IgM production was inhibited by the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X but not by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor wortmannin. These results demonstrated that CSB promoted differentiation of B cells in the presence of IL-4 and IL-5 and suggested that PKC but not PI3K is crucial for CSB-induced IgM production. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.cellimm.2007.12.002

結合組織成長因子(CCN2/CTGF)とアグリカンとの結合についての解析(Analysis of binding between CCN2/CTGF and aggrecan)

青山絵理子, 服部高子, 荒木大介, 星島光博, 滝川正春

日本生化学会大会・日本分子生物学会年会合同大会講演要旨集 80回・30回 2T22 - 13 2007.11

PKC- and PI3K-dependent but ERK-independent proliferation of murine splenic B cells stimulated by chondroitin sulfate B

E Aoyama, R Yoshihara, A Tai, Yamamoto, I, E Gohda

IMMUNOLOGY LETTERS 99 ( 1 ) 80 - 84 2005.6

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

High molecular weight polyanions such as dextran sulfate are known to be weak polyclonal activators of murine B cells, but the molecular mechanism of their mitogenic activitiy is not fully elucidated. Although chondroitin sulfate A (CSA), B (CSB) and C (CSC) are highly charged polyanions, little is known about their effects on the proliferation of B cells. In this study, we demonstrated that CSB stimulated proliferation of murine B cells as markedly as did anti-IgM antibody, more markedly than did dextran sulfate and much more markedly than did CSA, CSC, heparin and hyaluronic acid. CSB caused translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) isoform beta from cytosol to membrane fractions and increased phosphorylation of Akt but not phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) of B cells. CSB-induced B cell proliferation was almost completely blocked by either the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor LY294002 or the PKC inhibitor GF109203X but was not significantly inhibited by the ERK kinase inhibitor PD98059. The mitogenic effect of anti-IgM was significantly inhibited by all the three inhibitors, while the mitogenic effect of LPS was inhibited only by LY294002. These findings indicate that CSB stimulated proliferation of murine B cells more markedly than did dextran sulfate and suggest that PKC and PI3K are crucial but that ERK is less important for the mitogenic activity of CSB, the signaling pathways of which may be at least partly distinct from those of anti-IgM and LPS. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

DOI： 10.1016/j.imlet.2005.01.005

Augmentation by 2-mercaptoethanol of in vitro anti-TNP antibody production induced by butyrate plus IL-2 in murine splenic B cells

E Gohda, T Okamura, E Aoyama, Yamamoto, I

IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY AND IMMUNOTOXICOLOGY 25 ( 4 ) 539 - 550 2003

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：MARCEL DEKKER INC

We previously reported that anti-trinitrophenyl (TNP) antibody production in murine splenic B cells stimulated with TNP-lipopolysaccharide in vitro was promoted by sodium butyrate (NaBu) in an IL-2-dependent manner. In the present study, we found that the effect of NaBu plus IL-2 was markedly augmented by 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME), which showed a slight or null effect on the response of untreated, IL-2-treated or NaBu-treated B cells, as assessed by both anti-TNP plaque-forming cell assay and anti-TNP IgM ELISA. Other thiol compounds such as dithiothreitol, cysteamine and reduced glutathione (GSH) also had this activity. 2-ME enhanced the anti-TNP antibody production induced by other short-chain fatty acids with three to five carbon atoms plus IL-2. The proliferation of B cells was significantly inhibited by NaBu or NaBu plus IL-2, and the proliferation was completely restored by the simultaneous addition of 2-ME. These results demonstrate that 2-ME markedly enhanced anti-TNP antibody production in murine B cells induced by NaBu plus IL-2 and suggest that the effect of 2-ME is at least partly due to its blocking activity of the growth-inhibitory action of NaBu.

DOI： 10.1081/IPH-120026439

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