Connexin 43 promotes ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament through activation of the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK pathways

Cell and Tissue Research
Dechun ChenYu Chen

Abstract

Although cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is one of the most common spinal diseases, the pathogenic mechanism is still not fully understood. Abnormal mechanical stress distribution is believed to be one of the main causes of OPLL. We have previously found that mechanical stress can up-regulate connexin 43 (Cx43) expression in ligament fibroblasts; this transduces mechanical signals to promote osteoblastic differentiation. In the present study, in order to explore further the intracellular mechanisms of Cx43-induced osteoblast differentiation of ligament fibroblasts, we investigate the potential roles of the osteogenic signaling pathway components ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and JNK in Cx43-mediated mechanical signal transduction. We first confirm higher Cx43 levels in both in vivo ligament tissue from OPLL patients and in vitro cultured OPLL cells. We find that ERK1/2, p38 MAPK and the JNK pathway are all activated both in vivo and in vitro. The activation of these signals was dependent upon Cx43, as its knock-down resulted in diminished mechanical effects and reduced signaling. Moreover, its knock-down almost reversed the osteogenic effect of mechanical stress on ligament fibroblasts and the blocking of...Continue Reading

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Citations

Aug 9, 2016·Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications·Younho HanKwang Youl Lee
Oct 3, 2017·Aging and Disease·Liang YanDingjun Hao
Oct 9, 2018·Microscopy Research and Technique·Ryuji FujiharaMasaki Ueno
Jul 22, 2019·European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society·Lei ShiYu Chen
May 3, 2019·Biomolecules & Therapeutics·Dae Cheol NamSun-Chul Hwang
May 22, 2016·Journal of Orthopaedic Research : Official Publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society·Xiaochen QuShanglong Ning
Jan 3, 2021·European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society·Xiaoqiu YuanYu Chen
Dec 29, 2020·Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine·Wudi LiMeixiang Xiang

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