@article{PaudelFusiSchmidt2021,
  author    = {Paudel, Rupesh and Fusi, Lorenza and Schmidt, Marc},
  title     = {The MEK5/ERK5 pathway in health and disease},
  series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  volume    = {22},
  journal   = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
  number    = {14},
  issn      = {1422-0067},
  doi       = {10.3390/ijms22147594},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-261638},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {The MEK5/ERK5 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) cascade is a unique signaling module activated by both mitogens and stress stimuli, including cytokines, fluid shear stress, high osmolarity, and oxidative stress. Physiologically, it is mainly known as a mechanoreceptive pathway in the endothelium, where it transduces the various vasoprotective effects of laminar blood flow. However, it also maintains integrity in other tissues exposed to mechanical stress, including bone, cartilage, and muscle, where it exerts a key function as a survival and differentiation pathway. Beyond its diverse physiological roles, the MEK5/ERK5 pathway has also been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, where it has recently emerged as a major escape route, sustaining tumor cell survival and proliferation under drug stress. In addition, MEK5/ERK5 dysfunction may foster cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Here, we highlight the importance of the MEK5/ERK5 pathway in health and disease, focusing on its role as a protective cascade in mechanical stress-exposed healthy tissues and its function as a therapy resistance pathway in cancers. We discuss the perspective of targeting this cascade for cancer treatment and weigh its chances and potential risks when considering its emerging role as a protective stress response pathway.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Buss2021,
  author    = {Buss, Alexa},
  title     = {Testung verschiedener Strategien f{\"u}r die Regeneration von Knorpeldefekten im Ex vivo-Testsystem},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-24671},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-246714},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Die Degeneration des Gelenkknorpels ist Hauptursache f{\"u}r chronische Schmerzen und eine dadurch bedingte Einschr{\"a}nkung der Lebensqualit{\"a}t. F{\"u}r die Sozialversicherungssysteme ist dies mit steigenden Kosten verbunden. Gegenw{\"a}rtige Behandlungsoptionen wie die Mikrofrakturierung oder die (matrix-assoziierte) Autologe Chondrozytentransplantation (M-) ACT f{\"u}hren zu einem minderwertigen Reparaturgewebe aus Faserknorpel mit unzureichenden mechanischen Eigenschaften an der Defektstelle. Es besteht ein Bedarf an der Entwicklung und Testung neuer Knorpeltherapien, die ein funktionelles Reparaturgewebe f{\"u}r nachhaltige Beschwerdefreiheit erzeugen. Das hier verwendete k{\"u}rzlich etablierte osteochondrale Ex vivo-Testsystem (EVTS) eignet sich zur Evaluation unterschiedlicher zellbasierter Behandlungsans{\"a}tze f{\"u}r die Knorpelregeneration. Aus der medialen Femurkondyle von Schweinen wurden zylindrische 8 mm große osteochondrale Explantate (OCE) isoliert. Es wurden Knorpel-Knochendefekte und reine Knorpeldefekte kreiert und mit autologen Schweine-Chondrozyten (CZ) bzw. einer Mischung aus CZ und mesenchymalen Stammzellen (MSC) gef{\"u}llt, die in Kollagen Typ I Hydrogel eingebettet waren. Nach vierw{\"o}chiger Kultivierung wurden die Proben histologisch und immunhistochemisch gef{\"a}rbt (Safranin-O-F{\"a}rbung, Kollagen Typ II, Aggrekan), die Zellvitalit{\"a}t (Lebend-Tot-F{\"a}rbung) {\"u}berpr{\"u}ft und die extrazellul{\"a}re Matrixproduktion analysiert. Nach vierw{\"o}chiger Kultur im EVTS in Normoxie und Hypoxie zeigten sich die in Kollagen-I-Hydrogel eingebetteten Zellen lebensf{\"a}hig. Die Auswertung der verschiedenen Ans{\"a}tze erfolgte {\"u}ber den standardisierten ICRS-II-Score der International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) mit drei unabh{\"a}ngigen Bewertern. Insgesamt resultierten bessere Ergebnisse im Hinblick auf die Matrixsynthese in den Monokulturen aus CZ im Vergleich zu den Co-Kulturen aus CZ und MSCs. Da dieser Unterschied nicht groß war, k{\"o}nnten MSCs zur Einsparung autologer CZ eine Alternative in der Behandlung von Knorpeldefekten darstellen. Hypoxie spielte eine Rolle bei reinen Knorpeldefekten, nicht bei Knorpel-Knochendefekten. Dies best{\"a}tigt die Bedeutung des physiologischen hypoxischen Milieus des Gelenkknorpels, das einen niedrigen Sauerstoffgehalt von 2-5 VII \% aufweist. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die unterschiedlichen Faktoren aus Zellkombination, Knorpeldefektgr{\"o}ße und Kultivierung in Hypoxie oder Normoxie Einfluss auf die Ausbildung der extrazellul{\"a}ren Matrix haben. Weiterhin fehlt jedoch das Verst{\"a}ndnis f{\"u}r die genauen Mechanismen des Knorpelregenerationsverhaltens. Ex vivo-Testsysteme k{\"o}nnen dabei helfen ein weiteres Verst{\"a}ndnis zu erlangen und entsprechende Behandlungsstrategien zu evaluieren.},
  subject      = {cartilage},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Frischholz2021,
  author    = {Frischholz, Sebastian},
  title     = {Resveratrol Counteracts IL-1β-mediated Impairment of Extracellular Matrix Deposition in 3D Articular Chondrocyte Constructs},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-23745},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237453},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Articular cartilage is an exceptional connective tissue which by a network of fibrillar collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) molecules allows both low- friction articulation and distribution of loads to the subchondral bone (Armiento et al., 2018, Ulrich-Vinther et al., 2003). Because of its very limited ability to self-repair, chondral defects following traumatic injury increase the risk for secondary osteoarthritis (OA) (Muthuri et al., 2011). Still, current OA treatments such as common nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and joint replacement primarily address end-stage symptoms (Tonge et al., 2014). As low-grade inflammation plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of OA (Robinson et al., 2016), there is a strong demand for novel therapeutic concepts, such as integrating application of anti-inflammatory agents into cartilage cell- based therapies in order to effectively treat OA affected joints in early disease stages. The polyphenolic phytoalexin resveratrol (RSV), found in the skin of red grapes, berries, and peanuts, has been shown to have effective anti-inflammatory properties (Shen et al., 2012). However, its long-term effects on 3D chondrocyte constructs cultured in an inflammatory environment with regard to tissue quality have remained unexplored so far. Therefore, in this study, pellets made from expanded porcine articular chondrocytes were cultured for 14 days with either the pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1β (IL-1β) (1 - 10 ng/ml) or RSV (50 μM) alone, or a co-treatment with both agents. Constructs treated with chondrocyte medium only served as control. Treatment with IL-1β at 10 ng/ml resulted in a significantly smaller pellet size and reduced DNA content. However, RSV counteracted the IL-1β-induced decrease and significantly enhanced diameter and DNA content. Also, in terms of GAG deposition, treatment with IL-1β at 10 ng/ml resulted in a tremendous depletion of absolute GAG content and GAG/DNA. Again, RSV co-treatment counteracted the inflammatory stimulus and led to a partial recovery of GAG content. Histological analysis utilizing safranin-O staining confirmed these findings. Marked expression of the cartilage-degrading enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) was detected in IL-1β-treated pellets, but none upon RSV co- treatment. Moreover, co-treatment of IL-1β-challenged constructs with RSV significantly increased absolute collagen content. However, under non- inflammatory conditions, RSV induced gene expression and protein accumulation of collagen type X, a marker for undesirable hypertrophy. Taken together, in the present thesis, RSV was demonstrated to elicit marked beneficial effects on the extracellular matrix composition of 3D cartilaginous constructs in long-term inflammatory culture in vitro, but also induced hypertrophy under non-inflammatory conditions. Based on these findings, further experiments examining multiple concentrations of RSV under various inflammatory conditions appear desirable concerning potential therapeutic applicability in OA.},
  subject      = {Resveratrol},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Kiepe2021,
  author    = {Kiepe, Felix},
  title     = {Knorpelintegration unter Hemmung der Kollagensynthese im Disc-Ring-Modell: eine In-vitro-Studie},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-23761},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-237610},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Biomechanische, histologische und immunhistochemische Analyse der lateralen Integration von nativem hyalinem Knorpel in einen Gelenkknorpeldefekt unter Beeinflussung der Kollagensynthese.im Rahmen der in vitro Kultivierung f{\"u}r 7,14 und 21 Tage. Unter Hemmung der Kollagensynthese mittels Ethyl-3,4-dihydroxybenzoat (EDHB) zeigte sich weder kollagene, noch nicht-kollagene Matrixsynthese im Defektbereich. Eine mechanische Integration zeigte sich ebenso nicht. Gruppen ohne Hemmung der Kollagensynthese zeigten im Laufe der Kultivierung einen signifikanten Zuwachs der biomechanisch messbaren Integrationsst{\"a}rke. Auch histologisch und immunhistochemisch zeigten sich Glykosaminoglykan- und Kollagen Typ II-Synthese im Defektbereich. Dies zeigt die Abh{\"a}ngigkeit der lateralen Integration von der Kollagensynthese im multifaktoriellen Prozess der Knorpelintegration.},
  subject      = {Knorpelintegration},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Bleuel2021,
  author    = {Bleuel, Gabriel},
  title     = {Entwicklung und Validierung eines quantitativen Verfahrens zur Beurteilung der Viabilit{\"a}t von entsprechend der GMP-Richtlinien hergestellter Knorpelimplantate f{\"u}r das Knie},
  doi       = {10.25972/OPUS-24248},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-242481},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg},
  year      = {2021},
  abstract  = {Due to the reversing age pyramid in Germany, more and more people are already suffering from joint cartilage damage. But not only age, but also accidents and sports injuries and being overweight can lead to irreversible cartilage defects. Although there are various treatment options, the previous methods cannot be considered a permanent cure. As part of the international research project BIO-CHIP, a promising treatment method with novel drugs was to be investigated. The patient's own cartilage cells from the nose serve as the starting material for the drug, a manufactured cartilage implant. These are isolated, multiplied and ultimately cultivated on a matrix to form a cartilage implant. In addition to toxicological and biological safety tests, an essential prerequisite for the approval of the implant is the assessment of the viability. This was previously carried out on the basis of histology from the pathology department. The aim of the present work was the development and validation of a standardized and objective viability test for the chondrocytes within the cartilage matrix. For this, the LDH was used as a marker for irreversibly damaged cells. The LDH concentration could be measured with the CyQuant LDH assay by measuring the absorption. It could be proven that LDH has the required stability and detectability in the medium. With the help of the lysis, of cultivated mini-cartilage implants, the maximum achievable LDH concentrations could be determined. A calibration curve was generated using these concentrations. This serves to assess the viability of future measured absorptions of the supernatant medium. The developed method does not require any invasive interventions on the implant and is characterized by its simple implementation, since only the protrusion has to be measured. The validation of the method certified a high level of robustness, linearity, accuracy and precision.},
  subject      = {Hyaliner Knorpel},
  language  = {de}
}