Uric acid effect on Wnt signaling pathways during osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Wang Xiao-li; Xu Li-li; Yang Nai-long

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2015.28.009

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Uric acid, as an endogenous antioxidant, exhibits anti-oxidative and anti-DNA damage effects, promotes osteogenic differentiation, and therefore has been paid more attentions. <br> OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of uric acid on the expression of genes related to Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways during osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s. <br> METHODS:Healthy adult human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were in vitro isolated by adherent culture of whole bone marrow. Passage 3 bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts using different concentrations of uric acid (0, 140, 280, 560μmol/L). Alkaline phosphatase activity, cel proliferation capacity, and Wnt-3αandβ-catenin mRNA expression in the Wnt signaling pathways were detected. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Alkaline phosphatase staining was positive. After treatment with uric acid, alkaline phosphatase activity and cel proliferation capacity were increased, the expression of Wnt signaling pathway-related genes Wnt-3a andβ-catenin was up-regulated in a dose-dependent manner. There were significant differences in the abovementioned indices between experimental groups and between each experimental group and control group (P<0.05). These findings suggest that uric acid up-regulates Wnt-3a/β-catenin signaling pathway and thereby promotes the osteogenic differentiation and proliferation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s in a dose-dependent manner.