title: Expression of osteoblastic and osteoclastic genes during spontaneous regeneration and autotransplantation of goldfish scale: a new tool to study intramembranous bone regeneration.
abstract: Complementary DNA of osteoblast-specific genes (dlx5, runx2a, runx2b, osterix, RANKL, type I collagen, ALP, and osteocalcin) was cloned from goldfish (Carassius auratus) scale. Messenger RNA expressions were analyzed during spontaneous scale regeneration. Dlx5 had an early peak of expression on day 7, whereas osterix was constantly expressed during days 7-21. Runx2, a major osteoblastic transcription factor in mammalian bone, did not show any significant expression. The expressions of two functional genes, type I collagen and ALP, continually increased after day 7, while that of osteocalcin increased on day 14. As for osteoclastic markers, in addition to the cloning of two functional genes, TRAP and cathepsin K, in our previous study, we here cloned the transcription factor NFATc1 to use as an early osteoclastic marker. Using these bone markers, we investigate the signal key that controls the onset of scale resorption and regeneration by performing intra-scale-pocket autotransplantation of five groups of modified scales, namely, 1) methanol-fixed scale, 2) proteinase K-treated cell-free scale, 3) polarity reversal (upside-down) scale, 4) U-shape trimmed scale, and 5) circular-hole perforated scale. In this autotransplantation, each ontogenic scale was pulled out, modified, and then re-inserted into the same scale pocket. At post-transplant, inside the pockets of all modified transplant groups, new regenerating scales formed, attaching to the ongoing resorbed transplants. Autotransplantation of methanol-fixed scale, proteinase K-treated cell-free scale, and polarity reversal (upside-down) scale triggered scale resorption and scale regeneration. These two processes of scale resorption and regeneration occurred in accordance with osteoclastic and osteoblastic marker gene expressions. These results were microscopically confirmed using TRAP and ALP staining. Regarding the autotransplantation of U-shape trimmed and circular-hole perforated scales, new scales regenerated and grew at the trimmed/perforated part of each transplant, while scale resorption occurred apparently only around the trimmed/perforated area. In contrast, no scale resorption or regeneration was detected in sham transplantations. Our finding suggests that loss of correct cell-to-cell contact between the scale-pocket lining cells and the scale cortex cells is the key to switch on the onset of scale resorption and regeneration. Overall, the present study shows that goldfish scale regeneration shares similarities in gene expression with intramembranous bone regeneration. Improved understanding of goldfish scale regeneration will help elucidate the process of intramembranous bone regeneration and make goldfish scale a possible new tool to study bone regeneration.
authors.affiliation: Undergraduate School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan.
authors.forename: Thiparpa Aime
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Thamamongood
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Furuya
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fukuba
authors.forename: Masahisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Nobuo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Atsuhiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hattori
mesh_terms: D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology / Q000637:transplantation; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000235:genetics; D029941:Fish Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006054:Goldfish / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000502:physiology; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012038:Regeneration / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D018076:DNA, Complementary; D029941:Fish Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger