1. Academic Validation
  2. STAT3 activation by catalpol promotes osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling, thus accelerating osteoporotic bone repair

STAT3 activation by catalpol promotes osteogenesis-angiogenesis coupling, thus accelerating osteoporotic bone repair

  • Stem Cell Res Ther. 2021 Feb 4;12(1):108. doi: 10.1186/s13287-021-02178-z.
Liang Chen 1 2 Ri-Yan Zhang 3 Jun Xie 1 2 Jia-Yi Yang 4 Kang-Hao Fang 1 2 Chen-Xuan Hong 1 2 Rong-Bo Yang 5 Najeeb Bsoul 1 Lei Yang 6 7
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
  • 2 Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
  • 3 School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
  • 4 Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325027, China.
  • 5 Medical College, Zhejiang Jiaxing College, Jiaxing, 314000, China.
  • 6 Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325000, China. longo472@outlook.com.
  • 7 Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, 325000, China. longo472@outlook.com.
Abstract

Background: Bone fracture repair has gained a lot of attention due to the high incidence of delayed union or even nonunion especially in osteoporotic patients, resulting in a dreadful impact on the quality of life. However, current therapies involve the costly expense and hence become unaffordable strategies for fracture recovery. Herein, developing new strategies for better bone repair is essential and urgent. Catalpol treatment has been reported to attenuate bone loss and promote bone formation. However, the mechanisms underlying its effects remain unraveled.

Methods: Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from rat femurs. BMSC osteogenic ability was assessed using ALP and ARS staining, immunofluorescence, and western blot analysis. BMSC-mediated angiogenic potentials were determined using the western blot analysis, ELISA testing, scratch wound assay, transwell migration assay, and tube formation assay. To investigate the molecular mechanism, the lentivirus transfection was used. Ovariectomized and sham-operated rats with calvaria defect were analyzed using micro-CT, H&E staining, Masson's trichrome staining, microfil perfusion, sequential fluorescent labeling, and immunohistochemistry assessment after administrated with/without catalpol.

Results: Our results manifested that catalpol enhanced BMSC osteoblastic differentiation and promoted BMSC-mediated angiogenesis in vitro. More importantly, this was conducted via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway, as knockdown of STAT3 partially abolished beneficial effects in BMSCs. Besides, catalpol administration facilitated bone regeneration as well as vessel formation in an OVX-induced osteoporosis calvarial defect rat model.

Conclusions: The data above showed that catalpol could promote osteogenic ability of BMSC and BMSC-dependent angiogenesis through activation of the JAK2/STAT3 axis, suggesting it may be an ideal therapeutic agent for clinical medication of osteoporotic bone fracture.

Keywords

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Bone repair; Catalpol; JAK2/STAT3 signaling; Osteoporosis.

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