Modulation of the Wnt signalling in the articular cartilage: is it all about the dose?
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Surrey
Department Name: Veterinary Medicine & Science
Abstract
This project aims to investigate key mechanisms maintaining the health of the articular cartilage, the tissue covering the edges of the long bones in the joint, allowing a smooth sliding of the bones while we move. The articular cartilage is affected by severe structural damage during the development of a disease called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide. People affected suffer chronic pain and disability with a severe decrease in the quality of life. The only available treatment is pain relief until cartilage damage is so severe that surgery is required. Surgery usually consists of surgical removal of the joint and its replacement with a prosthetic. By understanding the mechanisms keeping the cartilage healthy, we could design new drugs to re-establish the cartilage in cases where it is lost or damaged.
We already have evidence showing that a class of proteins called Wnts (pronounced Wenz) are important to maintain cartilage integrity. Thus, the final goal of this application is to understand how these Wnts work. We have three aims: 1) to clarify which other proteins might work with the Wnts within a group of receptors, called frizzled receptors, which are present on cartilage cells; 2) to identify whether very small molecules called microRNAs can modify the function of the Wnts from within the cell; 3) determine whether the function of the Wnts is altered during OA development and whether re-establishing their original activity could be exploited in the future via development of a drug as a therapeutic treatment.
We already have evidence showing that a class of proteins called Wnts (pronounced Wenz) are important to maintain cartilage integrity. Thus, the final goal of this application is to understand how these Wnts work. We have three aims: 1) to clarify which other proteins might work with the Wnts within a group of receptors, called frizzled receptors, which are present on cartilage cells; 2) to identify whether very small molecules called microRNAs can modify the function of the Wnts from within the cell; 3) determine whether the function of the Wnts is altered during OA development and whether re-establishing their original activity could be exploited in the future via development of a drug as a therapeutic treatment.
Technical Summary
Despite its strong association with osteoarthritis (OA) development, Wnt-signalling has been an elusive target for the generation of disease modifying drugs. Researchers so far have in fact been unable to untangle the components leading to the anabolic effects of the signalling from the pro-catabolic ones. Our previous and most recent data suggest that a tight balance in the activation levels of two branches of the signalling, the Wnt/beta-catenin and the Wnt/Calcium Calmodulin Kinase (CaMKII) cascades, is required to maintain cartilage homeostasis and avoid OA development. In this grant we aim to investigate the molecular mechanisms activating the pathways and keeping their balance, to understand how cartilage physiology is maintained and how to re-establish it to avoid OA development and/or halt disease progression. More in detail, we will be investigating (i) how the specificity of receptor-ligand interaction is involved in the activation of the Wnt/beta-catenin and of the Wnt/CaMKII pathways (ii) which micro-RNAs are involved in modulating Wnt-led signal transduction, (III) whether the manipulation of ligand/receptor interaction and of the key micro-RNAs can influence the chondrogenetic and pro-regenerative properties of the articular chondrocytes.
The project builds up on our preliminary data and toolsets (microarray analysis of Wnt beta-catenin dependent targets in articular chondrocytes and wide expertise in in vitro phenotype analysis of chondrocytes and in vivo models of chondrogenesis) and on ongoing collaborations with world-class pharmacologists and experts in the field of osteoarthritis. The grants aligns with MRC Strategic Aim 1 (Picking research that delivers-Theme 1) and Aim 4 (Supporting Scientists).
The project builds up on our preliminary data and toolsets (microarray analysis of Wnt beta-catenin dependent targets in articular chondrocytes and wide expertise in in vitro phenotype analysis of chondrocytes and in vivo models of chondrogenesis) and on ongoing collaborations with world-class pharmacologists and experts in the field of osteoarthritis. The grants aligns with MRC Strategic Aim 1 (Picking research that delivers-Theme 1) and Aim 4 (Supporting Scientists).
Planned Impact
Our research will improve our understanding of the mechanisms maintaining articular cartilage health, leading to positive impacts both in the UK and abroad. This research falls well within the remit of the Molecular and cellular medicine board strategy to support regenerative medicine-related projects.
HEALTH and WELLBEING
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Only in the UK, 8.75 million people aged 45 and over are currently seeking treatment for OA. OA-associated joint damage impairs mobility, compromises patients' independence and induce chronic pain. No pharmacological treatment can revert the joint to its healthy state or at least stop disease progression. Invasive reconstructive surgery is the ultimate option for the most severe cases translating into huge socio-economic costs: up to 2.5% of the GDPs in the developed countries are spent in OA-associated costs.
Our proposal has an ultimate goal to understand how joint homeostasis is maintained in physiological conditions and the key molecular drivers of these mechanisms. We believe that these could be targeted pharmacologically to develop new disease modifying drugs ultimately improving the quality of life of million people worldwide, avoiding the need of invasive surgeries as well as hospitalisation associated costs and possible post-surgical complications.
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
As mentioned above, osteoarthritis patients represent a huge slice of the pharmaceutical market, both human and veterinary. As well as in human, in fact, 30% of the dogs and 20% of horses' owners seek medical attention for their pets because of OA. As molecular mechanisms leading to OA seems to be preserved across species, our discoveries could be developed in collaboration with the private sector across human and veterinary markets having a long term impact on the UK and worldwide market. This would create jobs and would strengthen the UK's competitive advantage in this sector.
PROVISION OF SKILLED PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE
The burden of musculoskeletal disease is predicted to increase: by 2050, 130 million people will be affected. The PDRAs who will employed on this grant will be trained in a highly specialised scientific skillset and provided broadly transferrable skills in oral and written communication, public engagement and interdisciplinary collaborations. This will prepare them for a career as future scientific leaders, or in teaching, policy or public engagement, which are ever-more important as the awareness and importance of the musculoskeletal conditions grows.
HEALTH and WELLBEING
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Only in the UK, 8.75 million people aged 45 and over are currently seeking treatment for OA. OA-associated joint damage impairs mobility, compromises patients' independence and induce chronic pain. No pharmacological treatment can revert the joint to its healthy state or at least stop disease progression. Invasive reconstructive surgery is the ultimate option for the most severe cases translating into huge socio-economic costs: up to 2.5% of the GDPs in the developed countries are spent in OA-associated costs.
Our proposal has an ultimate goal to understand how joint homeostasis is maintained in physiological conditions and the key molecular drivers of these mechanisms. We believe that these could be targeted pharmacologically to develop new disease modifying drugs ultimately improving the quality of life of million people worldwide, avoiding the need of invasive surgeries as well as hospitalisation associated costs and possible post-surgical complications.
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
As mentioned above, osteoarthritis patients represent a huge slice of the pharmaceutical market, both human and veterinary. As well as in human, in fact, 30% of the dogs and 20% of horses' owners seek medical attention for their pets because of OA. As molecular mechanisms leading to OA seems to be preserved across species, our discoveries could be developed in collaboration with the private sector across human and veterinary markets having a long term impact on the UK and worldwide market. This would create jobs and would strengthen the UK's competitive advantage in this sector.
PROVISION OF SKILLED PEOPLE IN THE WORKFORCE
The burden of musculoskeletal disease is predicted to increase: by 2050, 130 million people will be affected. The PDRAs who will employed on this grant will be trained in a highly specialised scientific skillset and provided broadly transferrable skills in oral and written communication, public engagement and interdisciplinary collaborations. This will prepare them for a career as future scientific leaders, or in teaching, policy or public engagement, which are ever-more important as the awareness and importance of the musculoskeletal conditions grows.
Publications
Ciancetta A
(2021)
Probe Confined Dynamic Mapping for G Protein-Coupled Receptor Allosteric Site Prediction.
in ACS central science
De Palma A
(2021)
WNT Signalling in Osteoarthritis and Its Pharmacological Targeting.
in Handbook of experimental pharmacology
Gill A
(2023)
Wnt signalling in the articular cartilage: A matter of balance
in International Journal of Experimental Pathology
Israeli H
(2021)
Structure reveals the activation mechanism of the MC4 receptor to initiate satiation signaling
in Science
Nalesso G
(2021)
Calcium calmodulin kinase II activity is required for cartilage homeostasis in osteoarthritis.
in Scientific reports
Description | ECMAge Exchange Mobility Fund |
Amount | £2,000,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | JXR31092 |
Organisation | University of Liverpool |
Sector | Academic/University |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2023 |
End | 03/2023 |
Description | miRNA as biomarker for CORonary CALcification - prospective single centre study of patients in rural Borneo, Malaysia - CorCal Study |
Amount | £115,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | UEC/2019/027/FHMS |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Department | Research England |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2019 |
End | 07/2020 |
Title | lentiviral vector expressing a microRNA involved in the modulation of the Wnt pathway in articular chondrocytes |
Description | We generated a new lentiviral vector for the expression of a microRNA modulating the activation of the Wnt pathway in articular chondrocytes. The sequence of the microRNA was added to a lentiviral backbone to achieve a prolonged expression of this microRNA in primary cells, such as primary chondrocytes, which are notoriously difficult cells to transfect. We will use this tool to better understand the biological role of this microRNA in the modulation of the Wnt signalling. The generation of this tool has been made necessary as it was impossible to find a method/transfection reagent to efficiently co-transfect primary chondrocytes with both micro-RNA mimics/inhibitors and plasmidic DNA. |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2020 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | At the moment, the primary impact deriving from the development of this tool is purely related to our research, as it will help us overcoming technical issues related to the investigation of the role of this molecule in primary cells. In the future we are planning to deposit this tool in a public repository (e.g addgene) so that also other scientists could benefit of its existence for their research. |
Title | Microarray analysis of human chondrocytes stimulated with recombinant Wnt3a |
Description | Microarray analysis of human chondrocytes stimulated with recombinant Wnt3a in presence or absence of the CaMKII inhibitor KN93 or its inactive analogue KN92 |
Type Of Material | Data handling & control |
Year Produced | 2021 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | This dataset has been used to generate hypotheses that led to the development of a successful grant application funded by the Academy of Medical Trust. A PhD students is currently working on the further development of these data. |
URL | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE162076 |
Title | RNA sequencing dataset |
Description | We stimulated human articular chondrocytes with Wnt3a and Wnt16 at different concentrations to investigate modulation of specific microRNAs induced by the two ligands. |
Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
Year Produced | 2022 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | The dataset will allow us to understand whether microRNAs other than the one we have previously identified, are involved in the modulation of cell phenotype induced by the two ligands and in the modulation of the Wnt signalling network. This might lead to the development of new pharmacological targets to reestablish tissue homeostasis and halt tissue degradation in osteoarthritis. |
Description | Collaboration with Peter McCormick, Queen Mary University of London |
Organisation | Queen Mary University of London |
Department | William Harvey Research Institute |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Dr McCormick is a co-investigator in this project. The grant started in June 2019, however Dr McCormick's part of the project had a later start in January 2020 as per experimental plan. From June 2019 until January 2020 my group generated some preliminary data that will inform Dr McCormick group and will help them prioritising on their experimental plan. More specifically we determined the relative expression levels of all the FZD receptors expressed in articular chondrocytes and in a chondrocytic cell line. These receptors mediate the activation of the Wnt signalling in cells and there are 10 different isoforms expressed in human. Dr McCormick group has the task to identify and characterise the receptors interacting with and mediating the signalling of Wnt3a and Wnt16 in articular chondrocytes. Our data will thereby represent a good starting point for Dr McCormick's group as they will start their investigation from the receptors that resulted mostly expressed in our analysis. |
Collaborator Contribution | Dr McCormick's part of the project started in January 2020. Dr McCormick's group work has been severely affected by COVID19 as the laboratories at his institutions remained closed for several months. His group effectively restarted working in Summer 2020 and they are still in the initial phases of the project. |
Impact | N/A at this stage. |
Start Year | 2020 |
Description | Collaboration with Prof Mohit Kapoor |
Organisation | University Health Network (UHN) |
Country | Canada |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Thanks to the award of a ECMAge (MRC) travel exchange grant, the post-doctoral researcher employed on this grant, went to visit Prof Kapoor's laboratory in Toronto in March 2023 to learn ISH hybridisation and detect the presence of a micro-RNA under investigation both in human osteoarthritis (OA) samples and in a murine model of OA. The grant I was awarded paid for the consumables used to perform the stainings. |
Collaborator Contribution | Prof Kapoor's group contributed with their expertise in setting up and perform ISH for microRNAs on the articular cartilage. A post-doctoral researcher in his group taught the post-doctoral researcher working on this grant the technique and supervised her during her stay in Canada. Prof Kapoor's group also provided the biological samples for the stainings. As the post-doctoral researcher did not manage to completely optimise the technique during her visit, Prof Kapoor's group went on to complete the optimisation and the stainings on additional samples. This was done as in kind contribution to the project, as their group bought additional consumables on their research budget. |
Impact | No outputs yet, but we are finalising a manuscript and we are nearly ready to file a patent based on our discoveries. |
Start Year | 2023 |