Publications by authors named "Ming-Liang Ji"

Epigenetic reprogramming plays a critical role in chondrocyte senescence during osteoarthritis (OA) pathology, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Here, using large-scale individual datasets and genetically engineered (Col2a1-CreER;Eldr and Col2a1-CreER;ROSA26-LSL-Eldr knockin) mouse models, we show that a novel transcript of long noncoding RNA ELDR is essential for the development of chondrocyte senescence. ELDR is highly expressed in chondrocytes and cartilage tissues of OA.

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Article Synopsis
  • Sirt6 plays a crucial role in regulating aging-related diseases like osteoarthritis by affecting chondrocyte senescence and the disease's progression.
  • Its deficiency worsens chondrocyte aging and osteoarthritis, while enhancing Sirt6 levels can significantly reduce these issues.
  • The mechanism involves Sirt6 inhibiting the IL-15/JAK3/STAT5 signaling pathway by deacetylating STAT5, thus suggesting that targeting Sirt6 could be an effective strategy for treating osteoarthritis.
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Objectives: Despite preclinical studies involving miRNA therapeutics conducted in osteoarthritis (OA) over the years, none of these miRNAs have yet translated to clinical applications, owing largely to the lack of efficient intra-articular (IA) delivery systems. Here, we investigated therapeutic efficacy of the chondrocyte-specific aptamer-decorated PEGylated polyamidoamine nanoparticles (NPs)-based miRNAs delivery for OA.

Methods: The role of miR-141/200c cluster during skeletal and OA development was examined by miR-141/200c mice and Col2a1-CreER; miR-141/200c mice.

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Background: Despite widespread acceptance of fresh autologous bone marrow (BM) for use in clinical practice, limited information exists to analyze if tendon-to-bone healing could be accelerated with local use of fresh autologous BM.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of fresh autologous BM on tendon-to-bone healing with a novel rat model.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

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Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating the maintenance and destruction of intervertebral disc may lead to the development of new therapies for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Here we present evidence from miRNA microarray analyses of clinical data sets along with in vitro and in vivo experiments that miR-141 is a key regulator of IDD. Gain- and loss-of-function studies show that miR-141 drives IDD by inducing nucleus pulposus (NP) apoptosis.

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Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs) play a pivotal role in osteoarthritis (OA), but the role of specific miRNAs remains unclear. Accordingly, we identified OA-associated miRNAs and functional validation of results. Here, we demonstrate that miR-218-5p is significantly upregulated in moderate and severe OA and correlates with scores on a modified Mankin scale.

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Study Design: A prospective magnetic resonance imaging study.

Objective: To quantitatively explore the differences in the anatomic position of the aorta relative to the spine between supine and prone positions in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Aortic complications may occur during the lumbar spine osteotomy in correcting thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to AS, and a clear understanding of the spatial relationship between the aorta and the vertebrae is essential to prevent these iatrogenic complications.

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Study Design: Prospective serum microRNAs study.

Objective: To investigate differentially expressed serum microRNAs (miRNAs) between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and controls, and to evaluate the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for AS.

Summary Of Background Data: There is an urgent need to explore novel biomarkers with more high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of AS, especially for early-stage AS.

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Study Design: An immunohistochemical analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically and extensively evaluate the immunopathology of the facet joints in patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Summary Of Background Data: The facet joints may be predominantly involved in the process of spinal inflammation in AS.

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Unlabelled: Accumulating evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), but the precise role of specific miRNAs involved in this disease remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to identify IDD-specific miRNAs, followed by functional validation of results. MiRNA expression profile was determined in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues from patients with IDD and controls, employing Solexa sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR).

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Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is associated with dysregulated expression of microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying this disorder remain unclear. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that miRNAs modulate IDD through effects on the IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway, a potential regulator of IDD.

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Study Design: A computed tomographic study.

Objective: To investigate the change in abdominal morphology in surgically treated patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and thoracolumbar kyphosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Severe thoracolumbar kyphosis in patients with AS exerts pressure on the abdominal cavity and subsequently causes intra-abdominal complications.

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Study Design: A retrospective radiographical study.

Objective: To construct a predictive model for pelvic tilt (PT) based on the sacrofemoral-pubic (SFP) angle in patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis secondary to ankylosing spondylitis (or AS).

Summary Of Background Data: PT is a key pelvic parameter in the regulation of spine sagittal alignment that can be used to plan the appropriate osteotomy angle in patients with AS with thoracolumbar kyphosis.

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Objectives: To investigate the association between receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) gene polymorphisms and the susceptibility to ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: Three hundred and fifty-two AS patients and 299 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited in this study. Peripheral blood samples were collected from all the subjects and the genomic DNA was then extracted.

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Study Design: A computed tomographic study.

Objective: To investigate the change in aortic length in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) with thoracolumbar kyphosis after closing-opening wedge osteotomy (COWO).

Summary Of Background Data: Several previous studies reported that COWO can effectively correct severe thoracolumbar kyphosis caused by AS.

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Background: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 gene is considered to be a major gene associated with predisposition to ankylosing spondylitis (AS); however, studies have demonstrated that non-HLA-B27 genes also contribute substantially to the susceptibility to AS. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), rs1004819 and rs10889677, of the interleukin-23 receptor (IL-23R) gene have been shown to be associated with AS susceptibility in European populations. However, ethnicity factors contribute to population splitting and genetic variation, and ethnic-specific genetic association studies are needed to validate these associations in patients from different ethnic backgrounds.

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Objective: To explore the feasibility of single-stage skipping two-level pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) for severe thoracolumbar kyphosis (Cobb > 100°) in advanced ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: Ten AS patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis undergoing skipping two-level PSO were retrospectively reviewed. The most frequent levels of osteotomy was L1 and L4 (n = 7), followed by T12 and L3 (n = 2) and L2 and L5 (n = 1).

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Background: Although human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B27 gene is the major susceptible gene associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), it has been recognized that non-HLA-B27 genes also play key roles in the development of AS. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the exon region of the programmed cell death 1 (PDCD-1) gene is associated with the susceptibility or the thoracolumbar kyphosis severity of AS in a Chinese Han population.

Methods: A total of 255 AS patients between January 2008 and October 2012 were recruited in this study.

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Study Design: A computed tomographic study.

Objective: To investigate the changed anatomic relationship between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta in surgically treated ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with thoracolumbar kyphosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Superior mesenteric artery syndrome in kyphosis patients after surgery has been reported.

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MESP2, HES7 and DUSP6 genes have been proved to be involved in the etiopathogenesis of congenital scoliosis (CS) in animal embryo studies, however, whether this association was detected in human CS patients also remains unknown. One hundred sporadic and non-syndromic CS patients and 100 age-matched normal controls were included in this study. Mutation screening of gene exons were performed by DNA sequencing.

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Introduction: Isolated intraspinal extradural tuberculous granuloma (IETG) without radiological evidence of vertebral involvement is uncommon, especially rare in cervical spine.

Materials And Methods: We report a case of cervical IETG without bone involvement in a patient with neurological deficit. The patient suffered from progressive neurological dysfunction.

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Introduction: Surgical treatment is mandatory for spinal pseudarthrosis in advanced ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients with painful sagittal deformity and/or neurological deficits. However, the most effective and safe surgical procedure for AS-related symptomatic thoracolumbar pseudarthrosis is still controversial. The purpose of this study is to explore the outcomes of pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) at the level of pseudarthrotic lesion combined with supplemental anterior fusion for patients suffering from kyphotic pseudarthrosis in AS.

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