Featured Publications
Ion channels in osteoarthritis: emerging roles and potential targets
Zhou R, Fu W, Vasylyev D, Waxman S, Liu C. Ion channels in osteoarthritis: emerging roles and potential targets. Nature Reviews Rheumatology 2024, 20: 545-564. PMID: 39122910, DOI: 10.1038/s41584-024-01146-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIon channelsVoltage-dependent calcium channelsAcid-sensing ion channelsTransient receptor potential channelsVoltage-gated sodium channelsIon channel modulatorsFunction of ion channelsPotential clinical applicationsCalcium channelsPreclinical studiesClinical impactSymptomatic reliefPotassium channelsChloride channelsDisease-modifying treatmentsClinical trialsSodium channelsBone hyperplasiaChannel modulationIon channel biologySynovial inflammationClinical applicationPiezo channelsModel of OAPotential targetNav1.7 as a chondrocyte regulator and therapeutic target for osteoarthritis
Fu W, Vasylyev D, Bi Y, Zhang M, Sun G, Khleborodova A, Huang G, Zhao L, Zhou R, Li Y, Liu S, Cai X, He W, Cui M, Zhao X, Hettinghouse A, Good J, Kim E, Strauss E, Leucht P, Schwarzkopf R, Guo E, Samuels J, Hu W, Attur M, Waxman S, Liu C. Nav1.7 as a chondrocyte regulator and therapeutic target for osteoarthritis. Nature 2024, 625: 557-565. PMID: 38172636, PMCID: PMC10794151, DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06888-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchVoltage-gated sodium channelsOA progressionDorsal root ganglion neuronsStructural joint damagePain relief treatmentHuman OA chondrocytesCommon joint diseaseMultiple mouse modelsNav1.7 blockersPain behaviorGanglion neuronsPharmacological blockadeJoint damageJoint degenerationChannel blockersJoint diseaseOA chondrocytesMouse modelTherapeutic targetOsteoarthritisIntracellular Ca2Nav1.7Nav1.7 channelsGenetic ablationLimited evidencePGRN deficiency exacerbates, whereas a brain penetrant PGRN derivative protects, GBA1 mutation-associated pathologies and diseases
Zhao X, Lin Y, Liou B, Fu W, Jian J, Fannin V, Zhang W, Setchell K, Grabowski G, Sun Y, Liu C. PGRN deficiency exacerbates, whereas a brain penetrant PGRN derivative protects, GBA1 mutation-associated pathologies and diseases. Proceedings Of The National Academy Of Sciences Of The United States Of America 2022, 120: e2210442120. PMID: 36574647, PMCID: PMC9910439, DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2210442120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBlood-brain barrierParkinson's diseaseGaucher diseasePGRN deficiencyPD-like phenotypesRelevant mouse modelRare lysosomal storage diseaseCommon neurodegenerative disorderVisceral symptomsNeurobehavioral deficitsSevere neuroinflammationPD pathologyLysosomal storage diseaseTherapeutic studiesMouse modelNeuronopathic involvementProgranulinImpaired autophagyNeurodegenerative disordersGD phenotypeEarly onsetMiceDiseaseFirst linePathologyDigoxin targets low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 and protects against osteoarthritis
Wang K, Ding X, Jiang N, Zeng C, Wu J, Cai X, Hettinghouse A, Khleborodova A, Lei Z, Chen Z, Lei G, Liu C. Digoxin targets low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4 and protects against osteoarthritis. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2021, 81: 544-555. PMID: 34853001, PMCID: PMC9082564, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-221380.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLow-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4Lipoprotein receptor-related protein 4Digoxin useCohort studyChondroprotective actionChondrocyte anabolismHealth Improvement NetworkProtein 4Risk of osteoarthritisPathogenesis of osteoarthritisBinding of digoxinAtrial fibrillationChondroprotective effectsJoint osteoarthritisTherapeutic effectSerial screeningOA modelImprovement NetworkOsteoarthritisDrug AdministrationChondrocyte catabolismDigoxinJoint replacementNovel targetPotential stimulatorTNFR2/14-3-3ε signaling complex instructs macrophage plasticity in inflammation and autoimmunity
Fu W, Hu W, Yi Y, Hettinghouse A, Sun G, Bi Y, He W, Zhang L, Gao G, Liu J, Toyo-oka K, Xiao G, Solit D, Loke P, Liu C. TNFR2/14-3-3ε signaling complex instructs macrophage plasticity in inflammation and autoimmunity. Journal Of Clinical Investigation 2021, 131 PMID: 34185706, PMCID: PMC8363273, DOI: 10.1172/jci144016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMacrophage polarizationMacrophage plasticityPI3K/Akt/mTORPathogenesis of inflammationMyeloid-specific deletionNF-κB activationAkt/mTORInflammatory arthritisAntiinflammatory pathwayImmunoregulatory roleAutoimmune diseasesProtective effectTherapeutic implicationsInflammationTNFR2 signalingAutoimmunityTNFR2TNFR2 activationReceptor complexDiseaseIntracellular regulatorsActivationMolecule 14TNFR1Arthritis14-3-3 epsilon is an intracellular component of TNFR2 receptor complex and its activation protects against osteoarthritis
Fu W, Hettinghouse A, Chen Y, Hu W, Ding X, Chen M, Ding Y, Mundra J, Song W, Liu R, Yi Y, Attur M, Samuels J, Strauss E, Leucht P, Schwarzkopf R, Liu C. 14-3-3 epsilon is an intracellular component of TNFR2 receptor complex and its activation protects against osteoarthritis. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2021, 80: 1615-1627. PMID: 34226187, PMCID: PMC8595573, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2021-220000.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPathogenesis of osteoarthritisTNFR2 complexTherapeutic effectSingle-cell RNA-seqIntracellular componentsReceptor complexExtracellular signal-regulated kinaseNuclear factor kappa BSignal-regulated kinaseCommon joint diseaseFactor kappa BChondrocyte-specific deletionProteomic screenElk-1RNA-seqTranscription factorsCell-based assaysTNF signalingTNFR2 pathwayInducible componentJoint diseaseActivity screenTherapeutic targetKappa BOsteoarthritisFexofenadine inhibits TNF signaling through targeting to cytosolic phospholipase A2 and is therapeutic against inflammatory arthritis
Liu R, Chen Y, Fu W, Wang S, Cui Y, Zhao X, Lei Z, Hettinghouse A, Liu J, Wang C, Zhang C, Bi Y, Xiao G, Chen Z, Liu C. Fexofenadine inhibits TNF signaling through targeting to cytosolic phospholipase A2 and is therapeutic against inflammatory arthritis. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2019, 78: 1524. PMID: 31302596, PMCID: PMC8157820, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2019-215543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-TNF activityCytosolic phospholipase A2Inflammatory arthritisTNF-α transgenic miceInflammatory arthritis modelInflammatory rheumatic diseasesCollagen-induced arthritisAnti-inflammatory activityPhospholipase A2New therapeutic interventionsActivated B cellsTNF-α signalingNecrosis factor-alpha signalingDrug affinity responsive target stabilityDBA/1 miceRheumatic diseasesArthritis modelAutoimmune diseasesCellular thermal shiftSerial screeningB cellsTransgenic miceArthritisDrug AdministrationTherapeutic interventionsProgranulin protects against osteoarthritis through interacting with TNF-α and β-Catenin signalling
Zhao Y, Liu B, Tian Q, Wei J, Richbourgh B, Liu C. Progranulin protects against osteoarthritis through interacting with TNF-α and β-Catenin signalling. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2014, 74: 2244. PMID: 25169730, PMCID: PMC4408266, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205779.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPGRN-deficient miceProgression of OAOA modelTumor necrosis factor αMechanism of progranulinRecombinant PGRN proteinArthritis mouse modelOA-like phenotypeRole of progranulinNecrosis factor αPathogenesis of OAJoint degenerative diseaseTNF receptor 2Degradation of cartilageExtracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2Signal-regulated kinase 1/2Β-catenin signalingInflammatory actionsOA progressionAnabolic biomarkersAnabolic effectsOA developmentSafranin O stainingTherapeutic roleMouse modelADAMTS-7 forms a positive feedback loop with TNF-α in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis
Lai Y, Bai X, Zhao Y, Tian Q, Liu B, Lin E, Chen Y, Lee B, Appleton C, Beier F, Yu X, Liu C. ADAMTS-7 forms a positive feedback loop with TNF-α in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Annals Of The Rheumatic Diseases 2013, 73: 1575. PMID: 23928557, PMCID: PMC4418017, DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-203561.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsADAMTS-7ADAMTS-7 expressionRat OA modelPathogenesis of osteoarthritisNF-κB signalingOA modelOA progressionCartilage degradationOA-like phenotypeTumor necrosis factorProgression of osteoarthritisJoint degenerative diseaseDownstream NF-κB signalingPotential molecular targetsPositive feedback loopShort-limbed dwarfismDisease progressionOA developmentNecrosis factorSafranin O stainingYoung miceUpregulated TNFReporter gene assayOsteoarthritisTransgenic miceThe Growth Factor Progranulin Binds to TNF Receptors and Is Therapeutic Against Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice
Tang W, Lu Y, Tian QY, Zhang Y, Guo FJ, Liu GY, Syed NM, Lai Y, Lin EA, Kong L, Su J, Yin F, Ding AH, Zanin-Zhorov A, Dustin ML, Tao J, Craft J, Yin Z, Feng JQ, Abramson SB, Yu XP, Liu CJ. The Growth Factor Progranulin Binds to TNF Receptors and Is Therapeutic Against Inflammatory Arthritis in Mice. Science 2011, 332: 478-484. PMID: 21393509, PMCID: PMC3104397, DOI: 10.1126/science.1199214.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAnimalsAnti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-SteroidalArthritis, ExperimentalCartilage, ArticularFemaleGranulinsHumansIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsLigandsMaleMiceMice, Inbred StrainsMice, KnockoutMice, TransgenicMiddle AgedProgranulinsProtein Interaction Domains and MotifsReceptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type IReceptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Type IIRecombinant Fusion ProteinsRecombinant ProteinsSignal TransductionT-Lymphocytes, RegulatoryTumor Necrosis Factor-alphaYoung AdultConceptsInflammatory arthritisAdministration of progranulinAntagonist of TNFαCollagen-induced arthritisArthritis mouse modelPGRN-deficient miceNew potential therapeutic interventionsPotential therapeutic interventionsGrowth factor progranulinNecrosis factor receptorRheumatoid arthritisMouse modelArthritisTherapeutic interventionsProgranulinTNF receptorFactor receptorMiceReceptorsInflammationTissue repairTNFαIntracellular signalingAtsttrinTNFRProgranulin Recruits HSP70 to β-Glucocerebrosidase and Is Therapeutic Against Gaucher Disease
Jian J, Tian Q, Hettinghouse A, Zhao S, Liu H, Wei J, Grunig G, Zhang W, Setchell K, Sun Y, Overkleeft H, Chan G, Liu C. Progranulin Recruits HSP70 to β-Glucocerebrosidase and Is Therapeutic Against Gaucher Disease. EBioMedicine 2016, 13: 212-224. PMID: 27789271, PMCID: PMC5264254, DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.10.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnimalsCell LineDisease Models, AnimalFibroblastsGaucher DiseaseGlucosylceramidaseHSP70 Heat-Shock ProteinsHumansIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsLysosome-Associated Membrane GlycoproteinsLysosomesMiceMice, KnockoutPhenotypeProgranulinsProtein AggregatesProtein BindingRecombinant ProteinsStress, PhysiologicalConceptsGaucher diseaseLysosomal storage diseaseStorage diseaseCommon lysosomal storage diseaseNew therapeutic interventionsΒ-glucocerebrosidaseProgranulin insufficiencyAnimal modelsTherapeutic interventionsDiseasePGRNDisease phenotypePatient fibroblastsGCaseComplex-associated proteinsLysosomal localizationHSP70DeficiencyAssociation Between Progranulin and Gaucher Disease
Jian J, Zhao S, Tian QY, Liu H, Zhao Y, Chen WC, Grunig G, Torres PA, Wang BC, Zeng B, Pastores G, Tang W, Sun Y, Grabowski GA, Kong MX, Wang G, Chen Y, Liang F, Overkleeft HS, Saunders-Pullman R, Chan GL, Liu CJ. Association Between Progranulin and Gaucher Disease. EBioMedicine 2016, 11: 127-137. PMID: 27515686, PMCID: PMC5049935, DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2016.08.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAgedAllelesAnimalsCase-Control StudiesDisease Models, AnimalEnzyme ActivationFemaleGaucher DiseaseGene FrequencyGenetic Association StudiesGenotypeHumansIntercellular Signaling Peptides and ProteinsLysosomesMaleMiceMice, KnockoutMiddle AgedMutationPhenotypePolymorphism, Single NucleotideProgranulinsProtein TransportConceptsGD patientsHealthy controlsGaucher diseaseGRN genePGRN KO miceSerum PGRN levelsPGRN-deficient miceHealthy control samplesSerum levelsPGRN levelsGaucher-like cellsKO miceTherapeutic effectRecombinant PGRNGeneral populationPatientsAnimal modelsBone marrowGBA1 geneLysosomal localizationProgranulin geneNull micePGRNDiseaseMice
2024
Versatility of 14-3-3 proteins and their roles in bone and joint-related diseases
Zhou R, Hu W, Ma P, Liu C. Versatility of 14-3-3 proteins and their roles in bone and joint-related diseases. Bone Research 2024, 12: 58. PMID: 39406741, PMCID: PMC11480210, DOI: 10.1038/s41413-024-00370-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntrinsic link between PGRN and Gba1 D409V mutation dosage in potentiating Gaucher disease
Lin Y, Zhao X, Liou B, Fannin V, Zhang W, Setchell K, Wang X, Pan D, Grabowski G, Liu C, Sun Y. Intrinsic link between PGRN and Gba1 D409V mutation dosage in potentiating Gaucher disease. Human Molecular Genetics 2024, 33: 1771-1788. PMID: 39101473, PMCID: PMC11458007, DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGaucher diseaseMutation dosageMouse modelDisease severityProgrammed cell deathRetinal gliosisBrain transcriptomic analysisGD pathogenesisPGRN deficiencyTissue fibrosisDisease progressionGrn-/- miceSevere phenotypeGlycosphingolipid accumulationTranscriptome analysisInflammatory responseGCase functionMiceCell deathShort life spanNeurobehavioral analysisDiseaseGCase activityNeurodegenerative diseasesPGRNNovel peptide inhibitor of human tumor necrosis factor-α has antiarthritic activity
Sahu D, Gupta C, Yennamalli R, Sharma S, Roy S, Hasan S, Gupta P, Sharma V, Kashyap S, Kumar S, Dwivedi V, Zhao X, Panda A, Das H, Liu C. Novel peptide inhibitor of human tumor necrosis factor-α has antiarthritic activity. Scientific Reports 2024, 14: 12935. PMID: 38839973, PMCID: PMC11153517, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63790-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsProtein-protein interactionsGel mobility-shift assaysCollagen-induced arthritisMobility-shift assaysCell surface receptorsFluorescence-activated cell sortingSequence strandsBinding of TNFIn silico methodsCell deathMouse modelSurface receptorsNuclear translocationTrimer formationCell culture assaysRheumatoid arthritisVicious cycle of inflammationModel of collagen-induced arthritisTumor necrosis factor-aCell sortingMouse model of collagen-induced arthritisA549 cellsCycle of inflammationInflammatory bone destructionCulture assayHow do small quantities of cartilage sodium channels play a significant role in osteoarthritis?
Kong X, Liu C. How do small quantities of cartilage sodium channels play a significant role in osteoarthritis? Clinical And Translational Medicine 2024, 14: e1634. PMID: 38530147, PMCID: PMC10964914, DOI: 10.1002/ctm2.1634.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDietary pyruvate targets cytosolic phospholipase A2 to mitigate inflammation and obesity in mice
Hasan S, Ghani N, Zhao X, Good J, Huang A, Wrona H, Liu J, Liu C. Dietary pyruvate targets cytosolic phospholipase A2 to mitigate inflammation and obesity in mice. Protein & Cell 2024, 15: 661-685. PMID: 38512816, PMCID: PMC11365557, DOI: 10.1093/procel/pwae014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCytosolic phospholipase A2White adipose tissue inflammationAdipose tissue inflammationTissue inflammationState of chronic low-grade inflammationChronic low-grade inflammationHFD-induced weight gainLow-grade inflammationAttenuation of inflammationMolecular targetsPotential therapeutic optionDevelopment of metabolic disordersProtective effect of pyruvateAdipogenic differentiation in vitroDiet-induced obesityNonalcoholic fatty liver diseaseDifferentiation in vitroDrug affinity responsive target stabilityFatty liver diseasePhospholipase A2Meta-inflammationTherapeutic optionsDrug responseGlobal ablationMultifactorial etiology
2023
Progranulinopathy: A diverse realm of disorders linked to progranulin imbalances
Huang G, Jian J, Liu C. Progranulinopathy: A diverse realm of disorders linked to progranulin imbalances. Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews 2023, 76: 142-159. PMID: 37981505, PMCID: PMC10978308, DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2023.11.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDiverse functionsRegulation of tumorigenesisChaperone activityMultiple membrane receptorsMultitude of processesGrowth factor-like moleculesExtracellular functionsNeuronal degenerative diseasesLysosomal proteinsIntricate mechanismsLysosomal functionMembrane receptorsIntracellular componentsLysosomal hydrolasesDiverse arrayLysosomal storage diseaseProteinNeural proliferationGRN geneCritical roleGrowth factorIntricate interplayRole of progranulinPathophysiological processesStorage diseaseInjectable hydrogel for sustained delivery of progranulin derivative Atsttrin in treating diabetic fracture healing
Moradi L, Witek L, Vivekanand Nayak V, Cabrera Pereira A, Kim E, Good J, Liu C. Injectable hydrogel for sustained delivery of progranulin derivative Atsttrin in treating diabetic fracture healing. Biomaterials 2023, 301: 122289. PMID: 37639975, PMCID: PMC11232488, DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2023.122289.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsΒ-GP hydrogelPorous interconnected structureAmount of GOTissue engineering applicationsEngineering applicationsLong-term storage stabilityInjectable biomaterialsGrowth factor deliveryInjectable hydrogelsInterconnected structureHigh viscosityRapid sol-gel transitionHydrogelsSustained-release propertiesFactor deliveryBiomechanical environmentStorage stabilitySustained deliverySol-gel transitionExcellent candidateCartilage regenerationGel networkSustained releaseChitosanFracture healingUnraveling the mechanisms behind joint damage
Fu W, Liu C. Unraveling the mechanisms behind joint damage. ELife 2023, 12: e89778. PMID: 37366155, PMCID: PMC10299819, DOI: 10.7554/elife.89778.Peer-Reviewed Original Research