학술논문
Effect of CD44 on differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes via Smad and ERK signaling pathways
Document Type
Academic Journal
Author
Source
Molecular Medicine Reports. June 2020, Vol. 21 Issue 6, p2357, 10 p.
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1791-2997
Abstract
Introduction Osteoarthritis is a very common degenerative joint disease involving highly diseased connective tissue and is a leading cause of disability. Furthermore, the damaged articular cartilage has limited self-repairing ability, [...]
CD44 antigen (CD44) is a transmembrane protein found in cell adhesion molecules and is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in cells. It was hypothesized that CD44 directly affected the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMScs). In the present study, the expression of chondrocyte-associated factors was detected in the absence and presence of the antibody blocker anti-CD44 antibody during the chondrogenic differentiation of hAMScs. Following inhibition of CD44 expression, the transcriptional levels of chondrocyte-associated genes SRY-box transcription factor 9, aggrecan and collagen type II [alpha] 1 chain, as well as the production of chondrocyte markers type II collagen and aggrecan were significantly decreased in hAMScs. Further investigation indicated that there was no significant change in total ERK1/2 expression following inhibition of CD44 expression; however, phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 expression was decreased. The expression of p-Smad2/3 was also upregulated following CD44 inhibition. These data indicated that CD44 may affect the differentiation of hAMScs into chondrocytes by regulating the Smad2/3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Key words: CD44 antigen, human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells, chondrogenic differentiation, Smad signaling pathway, ERK signaling pathway
CD44 antigen (CD44) is a transmembrane protein found in cell adhesion molecules and is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in cells. It was hypothesized that CD44 directly affected the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMScs). In the present study, the expression of chondrocyte-associated factors was detected in the absence and presence of the antibody blocker anti-CD44 antibody during the chondrogenic differentiation of hAMScs. Following inhibition of CD44 expression, the transcriptional levels of chondrocyte-associated genes SRY-box transcription factor 9, aggrecan and collagen type II [alpha] 1 chain, as well as the production of chondrocyte markers type II collagen and aggrecan were significantly decreased in hAMScs. Further investigation indicated that there was no significant change in total ERK1/2 expression following inhibition of CD44 expression; however, phosphorylated (p)-ERK1/2 expression was decreased. The expression of p-Smad2/3 was also upregulated following CD44 inhibition. These data indicated that CD44 may affect the differentiation of hAMScs into chondrocytes by regulating the Smad2/3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Key words: CD44 antigen, human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells, chondrogenic differentiation, Smad signaling pathway, ERK signaling pathway