Identification of mechanics-responsive osteocyte signature in osteoarthritis subchondral bone. Issue 6 (15th June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Jun; He, Zhiyi; Cui, Jiarui; Liao, Xiaoling; Cao, Hui; Shibata, Yo; Miyazaki, Takashi; Zhang, Jiaming
• Is Part Of: Bone & joint research. Volume 11:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 362
• Page End: 370
• Publication Date: 2022-06-15
• Subjects: Osteoarthritis -- Subchondral bone -- Mechanics -- Osteocyte -- Transcriptome -- Osteocytes -- Osteoarthritis (OA) -- bone remodelling -- transforming growth factor beta -- tibial plateaus -- lesioned -- lateral tibial plateaus -- extracellular matrix -- RNA; Musculoskeletal system -- Periodicals; 573.705
• DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.116.BJR-2021-0436.R1
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-3758

Abstract

Abstract : Aims: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease. The osteocyte transcriptome is highly relevant to osteocyte biology. This study aimed to explore the osteocyte transcriptome in subchondral bone affected by OA. Methods: Gene expression profiles of OA subchondral bone were used to identify disease-relevant genes and signalling pathways. RNA-sequencing data of a bone loading model were used to identify the loading-responsive gene set. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to develop the osteocyte mechanics-responsive gene signature. Results: A group of 77 persistent genes that are highly relevant to extracellular matrix (ECM) biology and bone remodelling signalling were identified in OA subchondral lesions. A loading responsive gene set, including 446 principal genes, was highly enriched in OA medial tibial plateaus compared to lateral tibial plateaus. Of this gene set, a total of 223 genes were identified as the main contributors that were strongly associated with osteocyte functions and signalling pathways, such as ECM modelling, axon guidance, Hippo, Wnt, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signalling pathways. We limited the loading-responsive genes obtained via the osteocyte transcriptome signature to identify a subgroup of genes that are highly relevant to osteocytes, as the mechanics-responsive osteocyte signature in OA. Based on WGCNA, we found that this signature was highly co-expressed and identified three clusters, including early, late, and persistently responsive genes. Conclusion: In this study, we identified the mechanics-responsive osteocyte signature in OA-lesioned subchondral bone. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(6):362–370.