The role of Indian hedgehog (Ihh) signalling in the regulation of endochondral bone formation is well established. Ihh controls the rate of bone growth by negatively regulating differentiation and positively regulating growth plate chondrocyte proliferation. It has been well documented also that mutations resulting in constitutive activation of signalling through FGFR3 in chondrodysplasia, lead to a significant decrease in this important signalling factor accompanied by reduced proliferation of the chondrocytes and a dwarf phenotype. / In an attempt to rescue the chondrodysplasia phenotype hedgehog agonist Hh-Ag 1.4 was injected subcutaneously into mice with achondroplasia (ACH) or with severe achondroplasia with developmental delay and acanthosis negricans (SADDAN) with mixed results. / Administration of a hedgehog agonist in SADDAN mice led to a significant up-regulation of both Ptch and Gli1, as measured by quantitative PCR, indicating that Hh-Ag 1.4 does indeed stimulate hedgehog signalling in vivo. Also, in situ hybridization for Ihh seems to show a down regulation of native Ihh expression in pre-hypertrophic chondrocytes, possibly due to the activation of the negative PTHrP feedback loop. In our study, Hh-Ag 1.4 treatment resulted in an increased growth plate length and reduced size of the hypertrophic zone. The cortical bone flanking the growth plate in mice injected with Hh-Ag 1.4 was 2-3 times thicker than in control mice, which may be attributed to the positive effect of increased Ihh signalling in osteoblastogenesis. Contrary to our expectations, there was also a noticeable reduction in chondrocyte proliferation in mice treated with the agonist. / Overall, the effect on the growth of long bones was not beneficial and the treatment with high doses of Hh-Ag 1.4 did not result in an amelioration of the chondrodysplastic phenotype.

Human physiology is dependent on an accurate phosphate (Pi) homeostasis. Defective Pi regulation causes hyper- or hypophosphatemia, which are associated with ectopic calcification or impaired bone mineralization, and a shortened life span. Current endocrine models of Pi homeostasis are incomplete. However, studies of acquired and hereditary disorders of Pi homeostasis have revealed new potential Pi regulating hormones, Phosphatonin(s). One of these is fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23). FGF23 is produced in bone and is secreted into the circulation. Mutations in FGF23 causes disturbed Pi regulation, without the appropriate counter-regulatory actions of parathyroid hormone or vitamin D. By the generation of FGF23 transgenic mice, which display phenotypic similarities to patients with hypophosphatemic disorders, we show that FGF23 exerts endocrine actions in the kidney and causes osteomalacia. Renal FGF23 actions severely decrease Pi reabsorption and expression of Klotho, a suggested age suppressor gene, known to be crucial in FGF23 receptor binding and activation. In bone, our transgenic model displays impaired osteoclast polarization, which should be detrimental to osteoclastic bone resorption in osteomalacia. However, in our model osteoclasts efficiently participate in bone matrix degradation. Furthermore, we investigated a large population-based cohort in order to elucidate the role of FGF23 in normal physiology. Importantly, we were able to demonstrate an association of FGF23 to parathyroid hormone, renal function and bone mineral density and we found a correlation of FGF23 to weight and body fat mass. The studies on which this thesis is based, demonstrate that FGF23 has phosphatonin-like properties and that the skeleton functions as an endocrine organ. In addition, the results indicate that FGF23 has a role in bone mineral and lipid metabolism, and that FGF23 is a possible diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for the future.

This thesis demonstrates the use of numerical simulation in predicting the behavior of proteins in a flow environment. A novel convection-diffusion-reaction computational model is first introduced to simulate fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) binding to its receptor (FGFR) on cell surfaces and regulated by heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG) under flow in a bioreactor. The model includes three parts: (1) the flow of medium using incompressible Navier-Stokes equations; (2) the mass transport of FGF-2 using convection-diffusion equations; and (3) the cell surface binding using chemical kinetics. The model consists of a set of coupled nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) for flow and mass transport, and a set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) for binding kinetics. To handle pulsatile flow, several assumptions are made including neglecting the entrance effects and an approximate analytical solution for axial velocity within the fibers is obtained. To solve the time-dependent mass transport PDEs, the second order implicit Euler method by finite volume discretization is used. The binding kinetics ODEs are stiff and solved by an ODE solver (CVODE) using Newton’s backward differencing formula. To obtain a reasonable accuracy of the biochemical reactions on cell surfaces, a uniform mesh is used. This basic model can be used to simulate any growth factor-receptor binding on cell surfaces on the wall of fibers in a bioreactor, simply by replacing binding kinetics ODEs. Circulation is an important delivery method for natural and synthetic molecules, but microenvironment interactions, regulated by endothelial cells and critical to the molecule’s fate, are difficult to interpret using traditional approaches. Growth factor capture under flow is analyzed and predicted using computer modeling mentioned above and a three-dimensional experimental approach that includes pertinent circulation characteristics such as pulsatile flow, competing binding interactions, and limited bioavailability. An understanding of the controlling features of this process is desired. The experimental module consists of a bioreactor with synthetic endotheliallined hollow fibers under flow. The physical design of the system is incorporated into the model parameters. FGF-2 is used for both the experiments and simulations. The computational model is based on the flow and reactions within a single hollow fiber and is scaled linearly by the total number of fibers for comparison with experimental results. The model predicts, and experiments confirm, that removal of heparan sulfate (HS) from the system will result in a dramatic loss of binding by heparin-binding proteins, but not by proteins that do not bind heparin. The model further predicts a significant loss of bound protein at flow rates only slightly higher than average capillary flow rates, corroborated experimentally, suggesting that the probability of capture in a single pass at high flow rates is extremely low. Several other key parameters are investigated with the coupling between receptors and proteoglycans shown to have a critical impact on successful capture. The combined system offers opportunities to examine circulation capture in a straightforward quantitative manner that should prove advantageous for biological or drug delivery investigations. For some complicated binding systems, where there are more growth factors or proteins with competing binding among them moving through hollow fibers of a bioreactor coupled with biochemical reactions on cell surfaces on the wall of fibers, a complex model is deduced from the basic model mentioned above. The fluid flow is also modeled by incompressible Navier-Stokes equations as mentioned in the basic model, the biochemical reactions in the fluid and on the cell surfaces are modeled by two distinctive sets of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations, and the mass transports of different growth factors or complexes are modeled separately by different sets of coupled nonlinear partial differential equations. To solve this computationally intensive system, parallel algorithms are devised, in which all the numerical computations are solved in parallel, including the discretization of mass transport equations and the linear system solver Stone’s Implicit Procedure (SIP). A parallel SIP solver is designed, in which pipeline technique is used for LU factorization and an overlapped Jacobi iteration technique is chosen for forward and backward substitutions. For solving binding equations ODEs in the fluid and on cell surfaces, a parallel scheme combined with a sequential CVODE solver is used. The simulation results are obtained to demonstrate the computational efficiency of the algorithms and further experiments need to be conducted to verify the predictions.

The development of bioengineered cartilage for replacement of damaged articular cartilage has gained momentum in recent years. One such approach has been developed in the Kandel lab, whereby cartilage is formed by seeding primary articular chondrocytes on the top surface of a porous biodegradable calcium polyphosphate (CPP) bone substitute, permitting anchorage of the tissue within the pores of the substrate; however, the interfacial shear properties of the tissue-substrate interface of these biphasic constructs are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than the native cartilage-subchondral bone interface. To overcome this limitation, a strategy was devised to generate a zone of calcified cartilage (ZCC), thereby mimicking the native architecture of the osteochondral junction; however, the ZCC was located slightly above the cartilage-CPP interface. Thus, it was hypothesized that polyphosphate released from the CPP substrate and accumulating in the tissue inhibits the formation of the ZCC at the tissue-substrate interface. Based on this information, a strategy was devised to generate biphasic constructs incorporating a properly located ZCC. This approach involved the application of a thin calcium phosphate film to the surfaces of porous CPP via a sol-gel procedure, thereby limiting the accumulation of polyphosphate in the cartilaginous tissue. This modification to the substrate surface did not negatively impact the quality of the in vitro-formed cartilage tissue or the ZCC. Interfacial shear testing of biphasic constructs demonstrated significantly improved interfacial shear properties in the presence of a properly located ZCC. These studies also led to the observation that chondrocytes produce endogenous polyphosphate and that its levels in deep zone cartilage appear inversely related to mineral deposition within the tissue. Using an in vitro model of cartilage calcification, it was demonstrated that polyphosphate levels are modulated in part by the inhibitory effects of fibroblast growth factor 18 on exopolyphosphatase activity in the tissue. Polyphosphate also appears to act in a feedback loop to control exopolyphosphatase activity. Interestingly, polyphosphate also exhibits positive effects on cartilage matrix accumulation. The potential implication of polyphosphate in the maintenance of articular cartilage homeostasis is intriguing and must be investigated further.

The development of bioengineered cartilage for replacement of damaged articular cartilage has gained momentum in recent years. One such approach has been developed in the Kandel lab, whereby cartilage is formed by seeding primary articular chondrocytes on the top surface of a porous biodegradable calcium polyphosphate (CPP) bone substitute, permitting anchorage of the tissue within the pores of the substrate; however, the interfacial shear properties of the tissue-substrate interface of these biphasic constructs are 1 to 2 orders of magnitude lower than the native cartilage-subchondral bone interface. To overcome this limitation, a strategy was devised to generate a zone of calcified cartilage (ZCC), thereby mimicking the native architecture of the osteochondral junction; however, the ZCC was located slightly above the cartilage-CPP interface. Thus, it was hypothesized that polyphosphate released from the CPP substrate and accumulating in the tissue inhibits the formation of the ZCC at the tissue-substrate interface. Based on this information, a strategy was devised to generate biphasic constructs incorporating a properly located ZCC. This approach involved the application of a thin calcium phosphate film to the surfaces of porous CPP via a sol-gel procedure, thereby limiting the accumulation of polyphosphate in the cartilaginous tissue. This modification to the substrate surface did not negatively impact the quality of the in vitro-formed cartilage tissue or the ZCC. Interfacial shear testing of biphasic constructs demonstrated significantly improved interfacial shear properties in the presence of a properly located ZCC. These studies also led to the observation that chondrocytes produce endogenous polyphosphate and that its levels in deep zone cartilage appear inversely related to mineral deposition within the tissue. Using an in vitro model of cartilage calcification, it was demonstrated that polyphosphate levels are modulated in part by the inhibitory effects of fibroblast growth factor 18 on exopolyphosphatase activity in the tissue. Polyphosphate also appears to act in a feedback loop to control exopolyphosphatase activity. Interestingly, polyphosphate also exhibits positive effects on cartilage matrix accumulation. The potential implication of polyphosphate in the maintenance of articular cartilage homeostasis is intriguing and must be investigated further.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 2000. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 100-117).

<p>Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) are noncanonical members of the fibroblast growth factor family (FGFs, FGF11-FGF14) that bind directly to voltage gated sodium channels (VGSCs), thereby regulating channel activity and consequently neuronal excitability. Mutations in FGF14 cause spinocerebellar ataxia while FGF13 is a candidate for X-linked mental retardation. Since FGF13 and FGF14 are nearly identical within their respective VGSC-interacting domains, those distinct pathological consequences have generally been attributed to regional differences in expression. I have shown that FGF13 and FGF14 have non-overlapping subcellular distributions and biological roles even in hippocampal neurons where both are prominent. While both FHFs are abundant in the axon initial segment (AIS), only FGF13 is observed within the soma and dendrites. shRNA knockdown and rescue strategies showed that FGF14 regulates axonal VGSCs, while FGF13 only affects VGSCs in the somatodendritic compartment. Thus, FGF13 and FGF14 have nonredundant roles in hippocampal neurons, with FGF14 acting as an AIS-dominant positive regulator and FGF13 serving as a somatodendritic negative regulator. Both of these FHFs also perform important non-VGSC regulatory roles. FGF14 is a novel potassium channel regulator, which binds to KCNQ2 and regulates both localization and function. FGF14 is also capable of serving as a “bridge” between VGSCs and KCNQ2 thus implicating it as a broad organizer of the AIS. FGF13, on the other hand is involved in a new form of neuronal plasticity called axon initial segment structural plasticity. Knockdown of FGF13 impairs AIS structural plasticity and reduces L-type CaV current through channels known to be important to this new form of plasticity. Both of these novel non-VGSC roles are specific to the FHF in question because FGF13 does not regulate KCNQ2 whereas FGF14 knockdown does not affect AIS position. These data imply wider roles for FHFs in neuronal regulation that may contribute to differing roles in neural disease.</p> / Dissertation

INTRODUÇÃO: O paratormônio (PTH) e o fator de crescimento de fibroblastos 23 (FGF-23) aumentam precocemente durante o curso da doença renal crônica (DRC) antes do desenvolvimento de hiperfosfatemia. Este estudo avaliou os efeitos de dois quelantes de fósforo, acetato de cálcio (Ca) e hidrocloreto de sevelamer (SEV), nos níveis de PTH e FGF-23 de pacientes com DRC. MÉTODOS: Quarenta e dois pacientes com DRC estágios III e IV foram randomizados em 2 grupos para receber durante 6 semanas, Ca ou Sev. Após este período os pacientes foram seguidos por mais 2 semanas (washout). Analisamos os efeitos destes quelantes sobre os parâmetros do metabolismo ósseo e mineral. RESULTADOS: No início do estudo, os pacientes apresentaram-se com fração de excreção do fósforo, PTH e FGF-23 séricos elevados. Durante o tratamento com quelantes de fósforo houve um declínio progressivo nos níveis de PTH e fósforo urinário, mas sem mudanças nos níveis séricos de cálcio e fósforo. Ocorreu uma mudança significativa nos níveis de FGF-23 no grupo de pacientes tratados com Sev. CONCLUSÕES: Este estudo confirmou os efeitos positivos da prescrição de quelantes de fósforo no controle do PTH, nos estágios III e IV da DRC. Estudos prospectivos e de longo seguimento são necessários para confirmar os efeitos do Sev sobre os níveis de FGF-23 e os benefícios de sua redução sobre parâmetros como mortalidade / INTRODUCTION: Parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF-23) levels increase early in CKD before the occurrence of hyperphosphatemia. This study evaluated the effect of two phosphate binders, calcium carbonate or sevelamer hydrocloride, on PTH and FGF-23 levels in patients with CKD. METHODS: Forty two patients were randomized in two groups to receive calcium acetate or sevelamer hydrochloride, over a 6-wk period. After that, the patients were followed by more two weeks and effects of phosphate binders on mineral parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: At baseline, patients presented with elevated fractional excretion of phosphate, serum PTH and FGF-23 During treatment with both phosphate binders, there was a progressive decline in serum PTH and urinary phosphate, but no change in serum calcium or serum phosphate. Significant changes were observed for FGF-23 only in sevelamer-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the positive effects of early prescription of phosphate binders on PTH control. Prospective and long-term studies are necessary to confirm the effects of sevelamer hydrocloride on serum FGF-23 and the benefits of this decrease on outcomes

Evidências sugerem que o fator de crescimento de fibroblasto 2 (FGF2), produzido por melanomas, possui importante papel no crescimento tumoral, angiogênese e metástase. Assim, o uso de anticorpo monoclonal (mAb) que reconhece e bloqueia a atividade de FGF2 é uma abordagem a ser considerada em oncologia. O propósito desse estudo foi avaliar a aplicação diagnóstica e terapêutica de um novo anticorpo anti-FGF2, 3F12E7 IgG1, em melanoma experimental B16-F10. Para isso, camundongos C57Bl/6 foram implantados subcutaneamente (ou intravenosamente, para ensaios de metástase) com células de melanoma murino B16-F10 (5x105 células/animal). Quando tumores alcançaram 3-4 mm de diâmetro (ou 24 h pós-inóculo de células B16-F10, no caso de ensaios de metástase), camundongos foram tratados com anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG. Animais controle receberam igual volume do veículo ou quantidade de anticorpo controle de isotipo. Grupos: animais tratados com (1) anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG1; (2) ligante de CEA IgG1 (controle de isotipo); e (3) veículo. O tratamento dos camundongos portadores de tumor com anti-FGF2 IgG resultou, comparado com os controles salina e de isotipo, em uma redução no número de focos metastáticos nos pulmões (ANOVA, p < 0,05), em ensaios de metástase experimental, bem como em uma menor taxa de crescimento de tumores subcutâneos (n=7/grupo). Esse resultado é acompanhado por uma redução na densidade vascular do tumor, conforme determinado por imunomarcação para CD34 ou CD31. A captação tumoral de anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG foi avaliada por métodos de medicina nuclear, usando esse anticorpo radiomarcado com tecnécio-99m. Estudos SPECT/CT in vivo e de biodistribuição ex vivo revelaram que 99mTc-anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG pode atingir eficientemente tumores subcutâneos e metastáticos de B16-F10. Assim, esses dados sugerem que anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG pode ser uma estratégia antitumoral promissora para melanoma, bem como uma potencial ferramenta de imagem a ser explorada, atuando como um possível traçador para rastrear tumores FGF2-positivos e mapear esse estímulo angiogênico no microambiente tumoral. Aprovado pelo comitê de ética (CAPPesq): número 0942/09 / Compelling evidence suggests that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2), produced by melanomas, plays important role in tumor growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Therefore, the use of a monoclonal antibody (mAb) that recognizes and blocks FGF2 activity is seen as an approach to be considered in oncology. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and therapeutic application of a new anti-FGF2 antibody, 3F12E7 IgG1, in experimental melanoma B16-F10. For this, C57Bl/6 mice were subcutaneously (or intravenously, for experimental metastasis assay) implanted with murine melanoma B16-F10 cells (5x105 cells/animal). When tumors reached 3-4 mm in diameter (or 24 h after B16-F10 cells injection, in the case of metastasis assay), mice started receiving anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG. Control mice received equal volume of vehicle or isotype control IgG amount. Groups: (1) anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG1-treated, (2) CEA-binding IgG1-treated (isotype control) and (3) vehicle-treated mice. The treatment of tumor-bearing mice with anti-FGF2 IgG, compared with saline and isotype controls, led to a reduction in the number of metastatic foci in the lungs (ANOVA test, p < 0.05), in experimental metastasis assays, as well as to a lower subcutaneous tumor growth rate (n=7 per group). This result is accompanied by a reduction in the tumor vascular density, as determined by CD34 or CD31 staining. The anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG tumor uptake was evaluated by nuclear medicine approaches, using this antibody radiolabeled with technetium-99m. In vivo SPECT/CT and ex vivo biodistribution studies reveled that 99mTc-anti-FGF2 IgG could efficiently achieved B16-F10 subcutaneous and metastatic tumors. Thus, these data suggest that the anti-FGF2 3F12E7 IgG may be a promising antitumor strategy for melanoma, as well as a potential imaging tool to be explored, working as a possible tracer to identify FGF2-positive tumors and map this angiogenic stimulus in the tumor microenvironment. Ethics committee (CAPPesq) approval number 0942/09