Irisin is a polypeptide hormone derived from the proteolytic cleavage of fibronectin-type III domain-containing 5 (FNDC5) protein. Once released to circulation upon exercise or cold exposure, irisin stimulates browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression, leading to an increase in total body energy expenditure by augmented UCP1-mediated thermogenesis. It is currently unknown whether irisin is secreted by bone upon exercise or whether it regulates bone metabolism in vivo. In this study, we found that 2 weeks of voluntary wheel-running exercise induced high levels of FNDC5 messenger RNA as well as FNDC5/irisin protein expression in murine bone tissues. Increased immunoreactivity due to exercise-induced FNDC5/irisin expression was detected in different regions of exercised femoral bones, including growth plate, trabecular bone, cortical bone, articular cartilage, and bone–tendon interface. Exercise also increased expression of osteogenic markers in bone and that of UCP1 in WAT, and led to bodyweight loss. Irisin intraperitoneal (IP) administration resulted in increased trabecular and cortical bone thickness and osteoblasts numbers, and concurrently induced UCP1 expression in subcutaneous WAT. Lentiviral FNDC5 IP administration increased cortical bone thickness. In vitro studies in bone cells revealed irisin increases osteoblastogenesis and mineralization, and inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis. Taken together, our findings show that voluntary exercise increases irisin production in bone, and that an increase in circulating irisin levels enhances osteogenesis in mice.

BET proteins are a group of epigenetic regulators controlling transcription through reading acetylated histone tails and recruiting transcription complexes. They are considered as potential therapeutic targets in many distinct diseases. A novel synthetic bromodomain and extraterminal domain (BET) inhibitor, JQ1, was proved to suppress oncogene transcription and inflammatory responses. The present study was aimed to investigate the effects of JQ1 on inflammatory response and bone destruction in experimental periodontitis. We found that JQ1 significantly suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory cytokine transcription, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclast markers, such as c-Fos, nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic, calcineurin-dependent 1 (NFATc1), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and cathepsin K in vitro. JQ1 also inhibited toll-like receptors 2/4 (TLR2/4) expression and nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) phosphorylation and nuclear translocation. Chromatin immunoprecipitation and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ChIP-qPCR) revealed that JQ1 neutralized BRD4 enrichment at several gene promoter regions, including NF-κB, TNF-α, c-Fos, and NFATc1. In a murine periodontitis model, systemic administration of JQ1 significantly inhibited inflammatory cytokine expression in diseased gingival tissues. Alveolar bone loss was alleviated in JQ1-treated mice because of reduced osteoclasts in periodontal tissues. These unprecedented results suggest the BET inhibitor JQ1 as a prospective new approach for treating periodontitis.

n It has been more than two decades since the communicative language teaching (CLT) approach was introduced to the Chinese foreign language community, affecting tens of millions of Chinese learners of

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and the Wnt signaling pathway play critical roles in regulating bone development and homeostasis. Our previous study revealed high expression of miR-335-5p in osteoblasts and hypertrophic chondrocytes in mouse embryos and the ability of miR-335-5p to promote osteogenic differentiation by downregulating Wnt antagonist Dickkopf-1 (DKK1). The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of miR-335-5p constitutive overexpression on bone formation and regeneration in vivo. To that end, we generated a transgenic mouse line specifically over-expressing miR-335-5p in osteoblasts lineage by the osterix promoter and characterized its bone phenotype. Bone histomorphometry and μCT analysis revealed higher bone mass and increased parameters of bone formation in transgenic mice than in wild-type littermates. Increased bone mass in transgenic mice bones also correlated with enhanced expression of osteogenic differentiation markers. Upon osteogenic induction, BMSCs isolated from transgenic mice displayed higher mRNA expression of osteogenic markers than wild-type mice BMSCs cultures. Protein expression of Runx2 and Osx was also upregulated in BMSC cultures of transgenic mice upon osteogenic induction, while that of DKK1 was down-regulated. Most importantly, BMSCs from transgenic mice were able to repair craniofacial bone defects as demonstrated by μCT analysis, H&E staining and OCN immunohistochemistry of newly formed bone in defects treated with BMSCs. Taken together, our results demonstrate constitutive overexpression of miR-335-5p driven by an osterix promoter in the osteoblast lineage induces osteogenic differentiation and bone formation in mice and support the potential application of miR-335-5p-modified BMSCs in craniofacial bone regeneration.

Chronic inflammation underscores the pathogenesis of a range of human diseases. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) elicits strong pro-inflammatory response in macrophages via the transcription factor NF-κB. The epigenetic mechanism underlying LPS-induced pro-inflammatory transcription is not completely appreciated. Herein we describe a role for myocardin related transcription factor A, or MRTF-A, in this process. MRTF-A over-expression potentiated while MRTF-A silencing dampened NF-κB dependent pro-inflammatory transcription. MRTF-A deficiency also alleviated the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators in a mouse model of colitis. LPS promoted the recruitment of MRTF-A to the promoters of pro-inflammatory genes in a NF-κB dependent manner. Reciprocally, MRTF-A influenced the nuclear enrichment and target binding of NF-κB. Mechanistically, MRTF-A was necessary for the accumulation of active histone modifications on NF-κB target promoters by communicating with the histone H3K4 methyltransferase complex (COMPASS). Silencing of individual members of COMPASS, including ASH2, WDR5, and SET1, down-regulated the production of pro-inflammatory mediators and impaired the NF-κB kinetics. In summary, our work has uncovered a previously unknown function for MRTF-A and provided insights into the rationalized development of anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies.

-Excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), catalyzed by the NADPH oxidases (NOX), is involved in the pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. The underlying epigenetic mechanism remains elusive. -We evaluated the potential role of megakaryocytic leukemia 1, or MKL1, as a bridge linking epigenetic activation of NOX to ROS production and cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury. -Following I/R injury, MKL1 deficient (KO) mice exhibited smaller myocardial infarction along with improved heart function compared to wild type (WT) littermates. Similarly, pharmaceutical inhibition of MKL1 with CCG-1423 also attenuated myocardial infarction and improved heart function in mice. Amelioration of I/R injury as a result of MKL1 deletion or inhibition was accompanied by reduced ROS and In response to I/R, MKL1 levels were specifically elevated in macrophages, but not in cardiomyocytes, in the heart. Of note, macrophage-specific deletion (MφcKO), instead of cardiomyocyte-restricted ablation (CMcKO), of MKL1 in mice led to similar improvements of infarct size, heart function, and myocardial ROS generation. Reporter assay and ChIP assay revealed that MKL1 directly bound to the promoters of NADPH oxidase (NOX) genes to activate NOX transcription. Mechanistically, MKL1 recruited the histone acetyltransferase MOF to modify the chromatin structure surrounding the NOX promoters. Knockdown of MOF in macrophages blocked hyoxia/re-oxygenation-induced NOX transactivation and ROS accumulation. Of importance, pharmaceutical inhibition of MOF with MG-149 significantly down-regulated NOX1/NOX4 expression, dampened ROS production, and normalized myocardial function in mice exposed to I/R injury. Finally, administration of a specific NOX1/4 inhibitor GKT137831 dampened ROS generation and rescued heart function following I/R in mice. -Our data delineate an MKL1-MOF-NOX axis in macrophages that contributes to I/R injury and as such have provided novel therapeutic targets in the treatment of ischemic heart disease.

Rationale Endothelial dysfunction inflicted by inflammation is found in a host of cardiovascular pathologies. One hallmark event in this process is the aggregation and adhesion of leukocyte to the vessel wall mediated by the up-regulation of adhesion molecules (CAM) in endothelial cells at the transcriptional level. The epigenetic modulator(s) of CAM transactivation and its underlying pathophysiological relevance remain poorly defined. Objective Our goal was to determine the involvement of Brg1 and Brm in CAM transactivation and its relevance in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Methods and Results In the present study, we report that pro-inflammatory stimuli augmented the expression of Brg1 and Brm in vitro in cultured endothelial cells and in vivo in arteries isolated from rodents. Over-expression of Brg1 and Brm promoted whereas knockdown of Brg1 and Brm abrogated transactivation of adhesion molecules and leukocyte adhesion induced by inflammatory signals. Brg1 and Brm interacted with and were recruited to the CAM promoters by NF-κB/p65. Conversely, depletion of Brg1 and Brm disrupted the kinetics of p65 binding on CAM promoters and crippled CAM activation. Silencing of Brg1 and Brm also altered key epigenetic changes associated with CAM transactivation. Of intrigue, 17β-estradiol antagonized both the expression and activity of Brg1/Brm. Most importantly, endothelial-targeted elimination of Brg1/Brm conferred atheroprotective effects to Apoe−/− mice on a Western diet. Conclusion Therefore, our data suggest that Brg1 and Brm integrate various pro-inflammatory cues into CAM transactivation and endothelial malfunction and as such may serve as potential therapeutic targets in treating inflammation related cardiovascular diseases.

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