Makarand V Risbud

Publications (64)292.12 Total impact

• Article: Expression and Relationship of Proinflammatory Chemokine RANTES/CCL5 and Cytokine IL-1β in Painful Human Intervertebral Discs.

  Christopher K Kepler, Dessislava Z Markova, Florian Dibra, Sanjay Yadla, Alexander R Vaccaro, Makarand V Risbud, Todd J Albert, David Greg Anderson
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  ABSTRACT: STUDY DESIGN.: Laboratory study. OBJECTIVE.: To evaluate expression of chemokine regulated and normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES)/C-C motif ligand 5 (CCL5) and interleukins in intervertebral discs (IVDs) specimens from patients with discogram-proven painful degeneration. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA.: Discogenic back pain results in tremendous costs related to treatment and lost productivity. The relationship between inflammation, degeneration (IVD), and cytokine upregulation is well established, but other mediators of the inflammatory cascade are not well characterized. METHODS.: Painful IVDs were taken from 18 patients undergoing surgery for discogenic pain with positive preoperative discogram. Painless control tissue was taken at autopsy from patients without back pain/spinal pathology or spinal levels with negative discograms resected for deformity.Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was performed to evaluate RANTES, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-8 expression in painful and control discs. RANTES and interleukin expression were analyzed on the basis of Pfirrmann grade.Disc cells were cultured in alginate beads using 2 groups: an untreated group and a group treated with 10 ng/mL IL-1β, 10 ng/mL TNF-α, and 1% fetal bovine serum to induce a degenerative phenotype. RESULTS.: Nine painless IVD specimens and 7 painful IVD specimens were collected. RANTES expression demonstrated a 3.60-fold increase in painful discs versus painless discs, a significant difference (P = 0.049). IL-1β expression demonstrated significantly higher expression in painful discs (P = 0.03). RANTES expression data demonstrated significant upregulation with increasing Pfirrmann grade (P = 0.045). RANTES expression correlated significantly with IL-1β expression (ρ = 0.67, P < 0.0001). RANTES expression increased more than 200-fold in the alginate culture model in cells treated with IL-1β/TNF-α, 1% fetal bovine serum (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION.: RANTES and IL-1β expression was significantly elevated in painful IVDs after careful selection of painless versus painful IVD tissue. RANTES expression was found to correlate significantly with expression of IL-1β. RANTES was upregulated by IL-1β/TNF-α/1% fetal bovine serum an in vitro treatment to induce a degenerative phenotype.
  Spine 05/2013; 38(11):873-80. · 2.08 Impact Factor
• Article: Inflammatory Cytokines Associated with Degenerative Disc Disease Control Aggrecanase-1 (ADAMTS-4) Expression in Nucleus Pulposus Cells through MAPK and NF-κB.

  Ye Tian, Wen Yuan, Nobuyuki Fujita, Jianru Wang, Hua Wang, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: We investigated TNF-α and IL-1β regulation of ADAMTS-4 expression in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and its role in aggrecan degradation. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting, and transient transfections with rat NP cells and lentiviral silencing with human NP cells were performed to determine the roles of MAPK and NF-κB in cytokine-mediated ADAMTS-4 expression and function. ADAMTS4 expression and promoter activity increased in NP cells after TNF-α and IL-1β treatment. Treatment of cells with MAPK and NF-κB inhibitors abolished the inductive effect of the cytokines on ADAMTS4 mRNA and protein expression. Although ERK1, p38α, p38β2, and p38γ were involved in induction, ERK2 and p38δ played no role in TNF-α-dependent promoter activity. The inductive effect of p65 on ADAMTS4 promoter was confirmed through gain and loss-of-function studies. Cotransfection of p50 completely blocked p65-mediated induction. Lentiviral transduction with shRNA plasmids shp65, shp52, shIKK-α, and shIKK-β significantly decreased TNF-α-dependent increase in ADAMTS-4 and -5 levels and aggrecan degradation. Silencing of either ADAMTS-4 or -5 resulted in reduction in TNF-α-dependent aggrecan degradation in NP cells. By controlling activation of MAPK and NF-κB signaling, TNF-α and IL-1β modulate expression of ADAMTS-4 in NP cells. To our knowledge, this is the first study to show nonredundant contribution of both ADAMTS-4 and ADAMTS-5 to aggrecan degradation in human NP cells in vitro.
  American Journal Of Pathology 04/2013; · 4.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Inflammatory Cytokines Induce Notch Signaling in Nucleus Pulposus Cells: Implications in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

  Hua Wang, Ye Tian, Jianru Wang, Kate L E Phillips, Abbie L A Binch, Sara Dunn, Alison Cross, Neil Chiverton, Zhaomin Zheng, Irving M Shapiro, Christine L Le Maitre, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: The objective of the study was to investigate how inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and TNF-α control Notch signaling activity in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. An increase in expression of selective Notch receptors (Notch1, 2), ligand (Jagged 2) and target genes (Hes1, Hey1 and Hey2) was observed in NP cells following cytokine treatment. A concomitant increase in Notch signaling as evidenced by induction in activity of target gene Hes1 and Hey1 promoters and reporter 12xCSL was seen. Moreover, treatment increased activity of a 2 kb Notch2 promoter. Treatment of cells with NF-κB and MAPK inhibitors abolished the inductive effect of cytokines on Notch2 promoter and its expression. Gain and loss-of-function studies confirmed the inductive effect of p65 on Notch2 promoter activity. In contrast, p50 blocked the cytokine induction of promoter activity. Supporting the promoter studies, lentiviral delivery of sh-p65, and sh-IKKβ significantly decreased cytokine dependent change in Notch2 expression. Interestingly, MAPK signaling showed an isoform specific control of Notch2 promoter, p38α/β2/δ, ERK1 and ERK2 contributed to cytokine dependent induction while p38γ played no role. Analysis of human NP tissues showed that Notch 1, 2 and Hey2 expression correlated with each other. Moreover, expression of Notch2 and IL-1β as well as the number of cells immunopositive for Notch2 significantly increased in histologically degenerate discs compared to non-degenerate discs. Taken together these results explain the observed dysregulated expression of Notch genes in degenerative disc disease. Thus controlling IL-1β and TNF-αactivities during disc disease may restore Notch signaling and nucleus pulposus cell function.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 04/2013; · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Molecular Regulation of CCN2 in the Intervertebral Disc: Lessons Learned from Other Connective Tissues.

  Cassie M Tran, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: Connective tissue growth factor (CCN2/CTGF) plays an important role in extracellular matrix synthesis, especially in skeletal tissues such as cartilage, bone, and the intervertebral disc. As a result there is a growing interest in examining the function and regulation of this important molecule in the disc. This review discusses the regulation of CCN2 by TGF-β and hypoxia, two critical determinants that characterize the disc microenvironment, and discusses known functions of CCN2 in the disc. The almost ubiquitous regulation of CCN2 by TGF-β, including that seen in the disc, emphasizes the importance of the TGF-β-CCN2 relationship, especially in terms of extracellular matrix synthesis. Likewise, the unique cross-talk between CCN2 and HIF-1 in the disc highlights the tissue and niche specific mode of regulation. Taken together the current literature supports an anabolic role for CCN2 in the disc and its involvement in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis during both health and disease. Further studies of CCN2 in this tissue may reveal valuable targets for the biological therapy of disc degeneration.
  Matrix biology: journal of the International Society for Matrix Biology 04/2013; · 3.56 Impact Factor
• Article: HIF-1α and CCN2 form a Regulatory Circuit in Hypoxic Nucleus Pulposus Cells: CCN2 Suppresses HIF-1α Level and Transcriptional Activity.

  Cassie M Tran, Nobuyuki Fujita, Bau-Lin Huang, Jessica R Ong, Karen M Lyons, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: The objective of the study was to investigate if HIF-1α and CCN2 form a regulatory network in hypoxic nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. A decrease in CCN2 expression and proximal promoter activity was observed in NP cells after hypoxic culture. Analysis of both human and mouse CCN2 promoters using the JASPAR core database revealed the presence of putative hypoxia response elements (HREs). Transfection experiments showed that both promoter activities and CCN2 expression decreases in hypoxia in a HIF-1α-dependent fashion. Interestingly, deletion analysis and mutation of the HREs individually or in combination resulted in no change in promoter activity in response to hypoxia or in response to HIF-1α, suggesting an indirect mode of regulation. Notably, silencing of endogenous CCN2 increased HIF-1α levels and its target gene expression, suggesting a role for CCN2 in controlling basal HIF-1α levels. On the other hand, treatment of cells with rCCN2 resulted in a decrease in the ability of HIF-1α transactivating domain to recruit co-activators and diminished target gene expression. Lastly, knockdown of CCN2 in NP cells results in a significant decrease in GAG synthesis and expression of aggrecan and collagen II. Immunohistochemical staining of intervertebral discs of CCN2 null embryos shows a decrease in aggrecan. These findings reveal a negative feedback loop between CCN2 and HIF-1α in NP cells and demonstrate a role for CCN2 in maintaining matrix homeostasis in this tissue.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 03/2013; · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: TNF-α and IL-1β dependent induction of CCL3 expression by nucleus pulposus cells promotes macrophage migration through CCR1.

  Jianru Wang, Ye Tian, Kate L E Phillips, Neil Chiverton, Gail Haddock, Rowena A Bunning, Alison K Cross, Irving M Shapiro, Christine L Lemaitre, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE.: To investigate TNF-α and IL-1β regulation of CCL3 expression in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and in macrophage migration. METHODS.: qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to measure CCL3 expression in NP cells. Transfections were used to determine the role of NF-κB, C/EBP-β and MAPK on cytokine mediated CCL3 promoter activity. Effect of NP-conditioned medium on macrophage migration was measured using a transwell system. RESULTS. AN INCREASE: in CCL3 expression and promoter activity was observed in NP cells after TNF-α or IL-1β treatment. Treatment of cells with NF-κB and MAPK inhibitors abolished the effect of the cytokines on CCL3 expression. The inductive effect of p65 and C/EBP-β on CCL3 promoter was confirmed through gain- and loss-of-function studies. Noteworthy, co-transfection of p50 completely blocked cytokine and p65 dependent induction. In contrast, c-Rel and RelB had little effect on promoter activity. Lentiviral transduction with Sh-p65 and Sh-Ikkβ significantly decreased TNF-α dependent increase in CCL3 expression. Analysis of degenerate human NP tissues showed that CCL3, but not CCL4 expression correlated positively with the grade of tissue degeneration. Importantly, treatment of macrophages with conditioned medium of NP cells treated with TNF-α or IL-1β?promoted their migration; pretreatment of macrophages with antagonist to CCR1, primary receptor for CCL3 and CCL4, blocked cytokine mediated migration. CONCLUSIONS.: By controlling the activation of MAPK, NF-κB and C/EBPβ signaling, TNF-α and IL-1β modulate the expression of CCL3 in NP cells. The CCL3-CCR1 axis may play an important role in promoting macrophage infiltration in degenerate, herniated discs. © 2012 American College of Rheumatology.
  Arthritis & Rheumatism 12/2012; · 7.87 Impact Factor
• Article: Prolyl hydroxylase 3 (PHD3) modulates catabolic effects of TNF-α on cells of the nucleus pulposus through co-activation of NF-κB/p65 signaling.

  Nobuyuki Fujita, Shilpa S Gogate, Kazuhiro Chiba, Yoshiaki Toyama, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: Recent studies suggest a differential role of PHD isoforms in controlling hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-α degradation and activity in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. However, the regulation and function of PHDs under inflammatory conditions that characterize disc disease is not yet known. Here, we show that in NP cells, TNF-α and IL-1β induce PHD3 expression through NF-κB. Lentiviral delivery of Sh-P65 and Sh-IKKβ confirms that cytokine-mediated PHD3 expression is NF-κB dependent. Noteworthy, although both cytokines induce HIF activity, use of Sh-HIF-1α and PHD3 promoter/enhancer constructs harboring well characterized hypoxia response element (HRE) show lack of HIF involvement in cytokine mediated PHD3 expression. Loss of function studies clearly indicate that PHD3 serves as a co-activator of NF-κB signaling activity in NP cells; PHD3 interacts with, and co-localizes with, p65. We observed that when PHD3 is silenced there is a significant decrease in TNF-α-induced expression of catabolic markers that include ADAMTS5, syndecan4, MMP13 and COX2, at the same time there is restoration of aggrecan and collagen type II expression. Noteworthy, hydroxylase function of PHDs is not required for mediating cytokine-dependent gene expression. These findings show that by enhancing the activity of inflammatory cytokines PHD3 may serve a critical role in degenerative disc disease.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 09/2012; · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Smad3 controls β-1,3-glucuronosyltransferase 1 expression in rat nucleus pulposus cells: Implications of dysregulated expression in disc disease.

  Qianghua Wu, Jianru Wang, Renata Skubutyte, Christopher K Kepler, Zonggui Huang, D Greg Anderson, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: To study the regulation of expression of β-1,3-glucuronosyltransferase 1 (GlcAT-1), an important regulator of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) synthesis, by Smad3 in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. GlcAT-1 expression was examined in rat NP and anulus fibrosus (AF) cells treated with transforming growth factor β (TGFβ). The effects of Smad signaling and Smad suppression on GlcAT-1 were examined in rat NP cells. GlcAT-1 expression was analyzed in the discs of Smad3-null mice and in degenerated human NP tissue. TGFβ increased the expression of GlcAT-1 in rat NP but not rat AF cells. Suppression of GlcAT-1 promoter activity was evident with dominant-negative ALK-5 (DN-ALK-5). Cotransfection with Smad3 strongly induced promoter activity independent of TGFβ. Bioinformatics analysis indicated the presence of several Smad binding sites in the promoter; deletion analysis showed that the region between -274 and -123 bp was required for Smad3 response. DN-Smad3, Smad 3 small interfering RNA, and Smad7 strongly suppressed basal as well as TGFβ-induced promoter activity. Induction of promoter activity by Smad3 was significantly blocked by DN-Smad3; Smad7 had a very small effect. Lentiviral transduction of NP cells with short hairpin RNA Smad3 resulted in a decrease in GlcAT-1 expression and accumulation of GAG. Compared to wild-type mice, significantly lower expression of GlcAT-1 was seen in the discs of Smad3-null mice. Analysis of degenerated human NP tissue specimens showed no positive correlation between GlcAT-1 and TGFβ expression. Moreover, isolated cells from degenerated human tissue showed a lack of induction of GlcAT-1 expression following TGFβ treatment, suggesting an altered response. Our findings demonstrate that in healthy NP cells, the TGFβ-Smad3 axis serves as a regulator of GlcAT-1 expression. However, an altered responsiveness to TGFβ during disc degeneration may compromise GAG synthesis.
  Arthritis & Rheumatism 06/2012; 64(10):3324-33. · 7.87 Impact Factor
• Article: Expression of prolyl hydroxylases (PHDs) is selectively controlled by HIF-1 and HIF-2 proteins in nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc: distinct roles of PHD2 and PHD3 proteins in controlling HIF-1α activity in hypoxia.

  Nobuyuki Fujita, Dessislava Markova, D Greg Anderson, Kazuhiro Chiba, Yoshiaki Toyama, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: Adaptive response to hypoxia in nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc is regulated by the hypoxia-inducible factors, HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Moreover, oxygen-dependent turnover of HIF-1α in these cells is controlled by the prolyl-4-hydroxylase domain (PHD) family of proteins. Whether HIF homologues control expression of PHDs and whether PHDs control hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) turnover and/or activity under hypoxia is not known. Here, we show that in nucleus pulposus cells, hypoxia robustly induces PHD3 expression and, to a lesser extent, of PHD2 and PHD1. Reporter analysis shows that the hypoxic induction of the PHD2 promoter is HIF-1α dependent, whereas PHD3 promoter/enhancer activity is dependent on both HIF-1α and HIF-2α. Lentiviral delivery of HIF-1α, ShHIF-1α, and ShHIF-1β confirmed these observations. Noteworthy, HIF-1α maintains basal expression of PHD1 in hypoxia at the posttranscriptional level. Finally, loss of function studies using lentiviral transduction of ShPHDs clearly shows that even at 1% O(2), PHD2 selectively degrades HIF-1α. In contrast, in hypoxia, PHD3 enhances HIF-1α transcriptional activity without affecting protein levels. To correlate these observations with disc disease, a condition characterized by tissue vascularization, we analyzed human tissues. Increased PHD1 mRNA expression but decreased PHD2 and PHD3 expression is observed in degenerate tissues. Interestingly, the hypoxic responsiveness of all the PHDs is maintained in isolated nucleus pulposus cells regardless of the disease state. We propose that PHD2 and PHD3 can be used as a biomarker of tissue oxygenation in the disc and that, as such, it may have important clinical implications.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 03/2012; 287(20):16975-86. · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Tonicity enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) coordinate heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression in hypoxic nucleus pulposus cells: role of Hsp70 in HIF-1α degradation.

  Shilpa S Gogate, Nobuyuki Fujita, Renata Skubutyte, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: The objective of our study was to examine the regulation of hypoxic expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) in nucleus pulposus cells and to determine if Hsp70 promoted hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α degradation. Rat nucleus pulposus cells were maintained in culture in either 21% or 1% oxygen. To determine the regulation of Hsp70 expression by tonicity enhancer binding protein (TonEBP) and HIF-1/2, loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments and mutational analysis of the Hsp70 promoter were performed. Hypoxia increased Hsp70 expression in nucleus pulposus cells. Noteworthy, hypoxia increased TonEBP transactivation and mutation of TonE motifs blocked hypoxic induction of the Hsp70 promoter. In contrast, mutation of hypoxia response element (HRE) motifs coupled with loss-of-function experiments suggested that HIF-1 and HIF-2 suppressed Hsp70 promoter activity and transcription. Interestingly, HIF-α interferes with TonEBP function and suppresses the inductive effect of TonEBP on the Hsp70 promoter. In terms of Hsp70 function, when treated with Hsp70 transcriptional inhibitor, KNK437, there was an increase in HIF-1α protein stability and transcriptional activity. Likewise, when Hsp70 was overexpressed, the stability of HIF-1α and its transcriptional activity decreased. Hsp70 interacted with HIF-1α under hypoxic conditions and evidenced increased binding when treated with MG132, a proteasomal inhibitor. These results suggest that Hsp70 may promote HIF-1α degradation through the proteasomal pathway in nucleus pulposus cells. In hypoxic and hyperosmolar nucleus pulposus cells, Hsp70, TonEBP, and HIFs form a regulatory loop. We propose that the positive regulation by TonEBP and negative regulation of Hsp70 by HIF-1 and HIF-2 may serve to maintain Hsp70 levels in these cells, whereas Hsp70 may function in controlling HIF-1α homeostasis.
  Journal of bone and mineral research: the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 02/2012; 27(5):1106-17. · 6.04 Impact Factor
• Article: Is the spinal motion segment a diarthrodial polyaxial joint: what a nice nucleus like you doing in a joint like this?

  Irving M Shapiro, Edward J Vresilovic, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: This review challenges an earlier view that the intervertebral joint could not be classified as a diarthrodial joint and should remain as an amphiarthrosis. However, a careful analysis of the relevant literature and in light of more recent studies, it is clear that while some differences exist between the spinal articulation and the generic synovial joint, there are clear structural, functional and developmental similarities between the joints that in sum outweigh the differences. Further, since the intervertebral motion segment displays movement in three dimensions and the whole spine itself provides integrated rotatory movements, it is proposed that it should be classified not as an amphiarthrose, "a slightly moveable joint" but as a complex polyaxial joint. Hopefully, reclassification will encourage further analysis of the structure and function of the two types of overlapping joints and provide common new insights into diseases that afflict the many joints of the human skeleton.
  Bone 12/2011; 50(3):771-6. · 4.02 Impact Factor
• Article: Reply.

  Makarand V Risbud, Irving M Shapiro
  Arthritis & Rheumatism 11/2011; 64(3):941-2. · 7.87 Impact Factor
• Source

  Available from: Dessislava Markova

  Article: An organ culture system to model early degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc.

  Ravi K Ponnappan, Dessislava Z Markova, Paul J D Antonio, Hallie B Murray, Alexander R Vaccaro, Irving M Shapiro, D Greg Anderson, Todd J Albert, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: Back pain, a significant source of morbidity in our society, is related to the degenerative changes of the intervertebral disc. At present, the treatment of disc disease consists of therapies that are aimed at symptomatic relief. This shortcoming stems in large part from our lack of understanding of the biochemical and molecular events that drive the disease process. The goal of this study is to develop a model of early disc degeneration using an organ culture. This approach is based on our previous studies that indicate that organ culture closely models molecular events that occur in vivo in an ex vivo setting. To mimic a degenerative insult, discs were cultured under low oxygen tension in the presence of TNF-α, IL-1β and serum limiting conditions. Treatment resulted in compromised cell survival and changes in cellular morphology reminiscent of degeneration. There was strong suppression in the expression of matrix proteins including collagen types 1, 2, 6 and 9, proteoglycans, aggrecan and fibromodulin. Moreover, a strong induction in expression of catabolic matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 3, 9 and 13 with a concomitant increase in aggrecan degradation was seen. An inductive effect on NGF expression was also noticed. Although similar, nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus tissues showed some differences in their response to the treatment. Results of this study show that perturbations in microenvironmental factors result in anatomical and gene expression change within the intervertebral disc that may ultimately compromise cell function and induce pathological deficits. This system would be a valuable screening tool to investigate interventional strategies aimed at restoring disc cell function.
  Arthritis research & therapy 10/2011; 13(5):R171. · 4.27 Impact Factor
• Article: HIF-1α and HIF-2α degradation is differentially regulated in nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc.

  Nobuyuki Fujita, Kazuhiro Chiba, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: Studies of many cell types show that levels of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α are primarily controlled by oxygen-dependent proteasomal degradation, catalyzed by HIF prolyl-hydroxylases (PHDs). However, in the hypoxic niche of the intervertebral disc, the mechanism of HIF-α turnover in nucleus pulposus cells is not yet known. We show that in nucleus pulposus cells HIF-1α and HIF-2α, degradation was mediated through 26S proteasome irrespective of oxygen tension. It is noteworthy that HIF-2α degradation through 26S proteasome was more pronounced in hypoxia. Surprisingly, treatment with DMOG, a PHD inhibitor, shows the accumulation of only HIF-1α and induction in activity of its target genes, but not of HIF-2α. Loss and gain of function analyses using lentiviral knockdown of PHDs and overexpression of individual PHDs show that in nucleus pulposus cells only PHD2 played a limited role in HIF-1α degradation; again HIF-2α degradation was unaffected. We also show that the treatment with inhibitors of lysosomal proteolysis results in a strong accumulation of HIF-1α and to a much smaller extent of HIF-2α levels. It is thus evident that in addition to PHD2 catalyzed degradation, the HIF-1α turnover in nucleus pulposus cells is primarily regulated by oxygen-independent pathways. Importantly, our data clearly suggests that proteasomal degradation of HIF-2α is not mediated by a classical oxygen-dependent PHD pathway. These results for the first time provide a rationale for the normoxic stabilization as well as the maintenance of steady-state levels of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in nucleus pulposus cells.
  Journal of bone and mineral research: the official journal of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research 10/2011; 27(2):401-12. · 6.04 Impact Factor
• Article: TNF-α and IL-1β promote a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I motif-5-mediated aggrecan degradation through syndecan-4 in intervertebral disc.

  Jianru Wang, Dessislava Markova, D Greg Anderson, Zhaomin Zheng, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: Elevated levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and a resultant increase in ADAMTS (a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type I motifs) expression is seen during disc degeneration. However, if these pro-inflammatory cytokines control ADAMTS activity is not definitively known. The goal of the investigation was to study if TNF-α and IL-1β regulate syndecan-4 (SDC4) expression, and if SDC4 was responsible for promoting aggrecan degradation through controlling ADAMTS activity in nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc. Cytokine treatment increased SDC4 expression and promoter activity. Use of inhibitor, SM7368 and co-transfections with IκBα, RelA/p50 showed that NF-κΒ regulated both basal and cytokine-dependent SDC4 transcription. SDC4 promoter harboring RelA binding site mutation was unresponsive to the cytokines. Moreover, cytokines failed to increase SDC4 promoter activity in RelA-null cells. Cytokines increased ADAMTS-4/5 expression and aggrecan degradation and promoted SDC4 interaction with ADAMTS-5. Treatment with heparinase-III and p-nitrophenyl-β-D-xylopyranoside (PNPX), an inhibitor of heparan sulfate synthesis and transfection with SDC4-shRNA partially blocked cytokine mediated aggrecan degradation. Analysis of human tissues showed increased aggrecan degradation with a concomitant increase in SDC4 and ADAMTS-5 protein expression with severity of disc disease. Likewise, SDC4, TNF-α, IL-1β, ADAMTS-4, and ADAMTS-5 mRNA expression increased in degenerate tissues. We conclude that in nucleus pulposus, TNF-α and IL-1β regulate SDC4 expression, which plays a key role in pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease by promoting aggrecan degradation by ADAMTS-5.
  Journal of Biological Chemistry 09/2011; 286(46):39738-49. · 4.77 Impact Factor
• Article: Transforming growth factor β controls CCN3 expression in nucleus pulposus cells of the intervertebral disc.

  Cassie M Tran, Harvey E Smith, Aviva Symes, Laure Rittié, Bernard Perbal, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: To investigate transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) regulation of CCN3 expression in cells of the nucleus pulposus. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analyses were used to measure CCN3 expression in the nucleus pulposus. Transfections were used to measure the effect of Smad3, MAPKs, and activator protein 1 (AP-1) on TGFβ-mediated CCN3 promoter activity. Lentiviral knockdown of Smad3 was performed to assess the role of Smad3 in CCN3 expression. CCN3 was expressed in embryonic and adult intervertebral discs. TGFβ decreased the expression of CCN3 and suppressed its promoter activity in nucleus pulposus cells. DN-Smad3, Smad3 small interfering RNA, or DN-AP-1 had little effect on TGFβ suppression of CCN3 promoter activity. However, p38 and ERK inhibitors blocked suppression of CCN3 by TGFβ, suggesting involvement of these signaling pathways in the regulation of CCN3. Interestingly, overexpression of Smad3 in the absence of TGFβ increased CCN3 promoter activity. We validated the role of Smad3 in controlling CCN3 expression in Smad3-null mice and in nucleus pulposus cells transduced with lentiviral short hairpin Smad3. In terms of function, treatment with recombinant CCN3 showed a dose-dependent decrease in the proliferation of nucleus pulposus cells. Moreover, CCN3-treated cells showed a decrease in aggrecan, versican, CCN2, and type I collagen expression. The opposing effect of TGFβ on CCN2 and CCN3 expression and the suppression of CCN2 by CCN3 in nucleus pulposus cells further the paradigm that these CCN proteins form an interacting triad, which is possibly important in maintaining extracellular matrix homeostasis and cell numbers.
  Arthritis & Rheumatism 05/2011; 63(10):3022-31. · 7.87 Impact Factor
• Article: Hypoxic regulation of β-1,3-glucuronyltransferase 1 expression in nucleus pulposus cells of the rat intervertebral disc: role of hypoxia-inducible factor proteins.

  Shilpa S Gogate, Rena Nasser, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: To determine whether hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) proteins regulate expression of β-1,3-glucuronyltransferase 1 (GlcAT-1), a key enzyme in glycosaminoglycan synthesis in nucleus pulposus cells. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to measure GlcAT-1 expression. Transfections were performed to determine the effect of HIF-1α and HIF-2α on GlcAT-1 promoter activity. Under hypoxic conditions there was an increase in GlcAT-1 expression; a significant increase in promoter activity was seen both in nucleus pulposus cells and in N1511 chondrocytes. We investigated whether HIF controlled GlcAT-1 expression. Suppression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α induced GlcAT-1 promoter activity and expression only in nucleus pulposus cells. Transfection with CA-HIF-1α as well as with CA-HIF-2α suppressed GlcAT-1 promoter activity only in nucleus pulposus cells, suggesting a cell type-specific regulation. Site-directed mutagenesis and deletion constructs were used to further confirm the suppressive effect of HIFs on GlcAT-1 promoter function in nucleus pulposus cells. Although it was evident that interaction of HIF with hypoxia-responsive elements resulted in suppression of basal promoter activity, it was not necessary for transcriptional suppression. This result suggested both a direct and an indirect mode of regulation, possibly through recruitment of a HIF-dependent repressor. Finally, we showed that hypoxic expression of GlcAT-1 was also partially dependent on MAPK signaling. These studies demonstrate that hypoxia regulates GlcAT-1 expression through a signaling network comprising both activator and suppressor molecules, and that this regulation is unique to nucleus pulposus cells.
  Arthritis & Rheumatism 03/2011; 63(7):1950-60. · 7.87 Impact Factor
• Article: Hypoxia activates the notch signaling pathway in cells of the intervertebral disc: implications in degenerative disc disease.

  Akihiko Hiyama, Renata Skubutyte, Dessislava Markova, D Greg Anderson, Sanjay Yadla, Daisuke Sakai, Joji Mochida, Todd J Albert, Irving M Shapiro, Makarand V Risbud
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  ABSTRACT: To investigate whether hypoxia regulates Notch signaling, and whether Notch plays a role in intervertebral disc cell proliferation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to measure expression of Notch signaling components in intervertebral disc tissue from mature rats and from human discs. Transfections were performed to determine the effects of hypoxia and Notch on target gene activity. Cells of the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus of rat disc tissue expressed components of the Notch signaling pathway. Expression of Notch-2 was higher than that of the other Notch receptors in both the nucleus pulposus and annulus fibrosus. In both tissues, hypoxia increased Notch1 and Notch4 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. In the annulus fibrosus, mRNA expression of the Notch ligand Jagged1 was induced by hypoxia, while Jagged2 mRNA expression was highly sensitive to hypoxia in both tissues. A Notch signaling inhibitor, L685458, blocked hypoxic induction of the activity of the Notch-responsive luciferase reporters 12xCSL and CBF1. Expression of the Notch target gene Hes1 was induced by hypoxia, while coexpression with the Notch-intracellular domain increased Hes1 promoter activity. Moreover, inhibition of Notch signaling blocked disc cell proliferation. Analysis of human disc tissue showed that there was increased expression of Notch signaling proteins in degenerated discs. In intervertebral disc cells, hypoxia promotes expression of Notch signaling proteins. Notch signaling is an important process in the maintenance of disc cell proliferation, and thus offers a therapeutic target for the restoration of cell numbers during degenerative disc disease.
  Arthritis & Rheumatism 01/2011; 63(5):1355-64. · 7.87 Impact Factor
• Article: Notochordal cells in the adult intervertebral disc: new perspective on an old question.

  Makarand V Risbud, Irving M Shapiro
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  ABSTRACT: The intervertebral disc is a tissue positioned between each of the vertebrae that accommodates applied biomechanical forces to the spine. The central compartment of the disc contains the nucleus pulposus (NP) which is enclosed by the annulus fibrosus and the endplate cartilage.The NP is derived from the notochord, a rod-like structure of mesodermal origin. Development of the notochord is tightly regulated by interactive transcription factors and target genes. Since a number of these molecules are unique they have be used for cell lineage and fate mapping studies of tissues of the intervertebral disc. These studies have shown that in a number of species including human, NP tissue retains notochordal cells throughout life. In the adult NP, there are present both large and small notochordal cells, as well as a progenitor cell population which can differentiate along the mesengenic pathway. Since tissue renewal in the intervertebral disc is dependent on the ability of these cells to commit to the NP lineage and undergo terminal differentiation, studies have been performed to assess which signaling pathways may regulate these activities. The notch signaling pathway is active in the intervertebral disc and is responsive to hypoxia, probably through HIF-1a. From a disease viewpoint, it is hypothesized that an oxemic shift, possibly mediated by alterations in the vascular supply to the tissues of the disc would be expected to lead to a failure in notochordal progenitor cell activation and a decrease in the number of differentiated cells. In turn, this would lead to decrements in function and enhancement of the effect of agents that are known to promote disc degeneration.
  Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression 01/2011; 21(1):29-41. · 3.08 Impact Factor
• Article: Enhancement of intervertebral disc cell senescence by WNT/β-catenin signaling-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression.

  Akihiko Hiyama, Daisuke Sakai, Makarand V Risbud, Masahiro Tanaka, Fumiyuki Arai, Koichiro Abe, Joji Mochida
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  ABSTRACT: To determine whether intervertebral disc (IVD) cells express β-catenin and to assess the role of the WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway in cellular senescence and aggrecan synthesis. The expression of β-catenin messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in rat IVD cells was assessed by using several real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunohistochemical, and immunofluorescence analyses. The effect of WNT/β-catenin on nucleus pulposus (NP) cells was examined by transfection experiments, an MTT assay, senescence-associated β-galactosidase staining, a cell cycle analysis, and a transforming growth factor (TGFβ)/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway-focused microarray analysis. We found that β-catenin mRNA and protein were expressed in discs in vivo and that rat NP cells exhibited increased β-catenin mRNA and protein upon stimulation with lithium chloride, a known activator of WNT signaling. LiCl treatment inhibited the proliferation of NP cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, there was an increased level of cellular senescence in LiCl-treated cells. Long-term treatment with LiCl induced cell cycle arrest and promoted subsequent apoptosis in NP cells. Activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling also regulated the expression of aggrecan. We also demonstrated that WNT/β-catenin signaling induced the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and TGFβ in NP cells. The activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling promotes cellular senescence and may modulate MMP and TGFβ signaling in NP cells. We hypothesize that the activation of WNT/β-catenin signaling may lead to an increased breakdown of the matrix, thereby promoting IVD degeneration.
  Arthritis & Rheumatism 10/2010; 62(10):3036-47. · 7.87 Impact Factor