Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation

Abstract Background Placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) have gained a lot of attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their availability and bone-forming capacity. However, the osteogenic differentiation capacity of these cells remains inconsistent and could be impr...

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Main Authors: Sirikul Manochantr, Ladda Meesuk, Nuengruethai Chadee, Jintamai Suwanprateeb, Chairat Tantrawatpan, Pakpoom Kheolamai
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-11-01
Series:Stem Cell Research & Therapy
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-024-04014-6
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author Sirikul Manochantr
Ladda Meesuk
Nuengruethai Chadee
Jintamai Suwanprateeb
Chairat Tantrawatpan
Pakpoom Kheolamai
author_facet Sirikul Manochantr
Ladda Meesuk
Nuengruethai Chadee
Jintamai Suwanprateeb
Chairat Tantrawatpan
Pakpoom Kheolamai
author_sort Sirikul Manochantr
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) have gained a lot of attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their availability and bone-forming capacity. However, the osteogenic differentiation capacity of these cells remains inconsistent and could be improved to achieve greater efficiency. Although metformin, a widely used oral hypoglycemic agent, has been shown to increase bone formation in various cell types, its effect on osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of metformin on the osteogenic differentiation capacity of PL-MSCs and the underlying mechanisms. Methods The PL-MSCs were treated with 0.5 to 640 µM metformin and their osteogenic differentiation capacity was examined by an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Alizarin red S staining and expression levels of osteogenic genes. The role of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in mediating the effect of metformin on the osteogenic differentiation capacity of PL-MSCs was also investigated by determining levels of phosphorylated AMPK (pAMPK)/AMPK ratio and by using compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. Results The results showed that 10–160 µM metformin significantly increased the viability of PL-MSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, 80–320 µM metformin also increased ALP activity, matrix mineralization, and expression levels of osteogenic genes, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osterix (OSX), osteocalcin (OCN) and collagen I (COL1), in PL-MSCs. Metformin increases osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs, at least in part, through the AMPK signaling pathway, since the administration of compound C inhibited its enhancing effects on ALP activity, matrix mineralization, and osteogenic gene expression of PL-MSCs. Conclusions This study demonstrated that metformin at concentrations of 80–320 μM significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, primarily through activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. This finding suggests that metformin could be used with other conventional drugs to induce bone regeneration in various bone diseases. Additionally, this study provides valuable insights for future osteoporosis treatment by highlighting the potential of modulating the AMPK pathway to improve bone regeneration.
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spelling doaj-art-4322193f23f642aa944b938e40254da72024-11-17T12:13:09ZengBMCStem Cell Research & Therapy1757-65122024-11-0115111710.1186/s13287-024-04014-6Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activationSirikul Manochantr0Ladda Meesuk1Nuengruethai Chadee2Jintamai Suwanprateeb3Chairat Tantrawatpan4Pakpoom Kheolamai5Division of Cell Biology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityDivision of Cell Biology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityDivision of Cell Biology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityBiomedical Engineering Research Unit, National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Ministry of Science and TechnologyDivision of Cell Biology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityDivision of Cell Biology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat UniversityAbstract Background Placenta-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (PL-MSCs) have gained a lot of attention in the field of regenerative medicine due to their availability and bone-forming capacity. However, the osteogenic differentiation capacity of these cells remains inconsistent and could be improved to achieve greater efficiency. Although metformin, a widely used oral hypoglycemic agent, has been shown to increase bone formation in various cell types, its effect on osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs has not yet been investigated. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of metformin on the osteogenic differentiation capacity of PL-MSCs and the underlying mechanisms. Methods The PL-MSCs were treated with 0.5 to 640 µM metformin and their osteogenic differentiation capacity was examined by an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, Alizarin red S staining and expression levels of osteogenic genes. The role of adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling in mediating the effect of metformin on the osteogenic differentiation capacity of PL-MSCs was also investigated by determining levels of phosphorylated AMPK (pAMPK)/AMPK ratio and by using compound C, an AMPK inhibitor. Results The results showed that 10–160 µM metformin significantly increased the viability of PL-MSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Furthermore, 80–320 µM metformin also increased ALP activity, matrix mineralization, and expression levels of osteogenic genes, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osterix (OSX), osteocalcin (OCN) and collagen I (COL1), in PL-MSCs. Metformin increases osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs, at least in part, through the AMPK signaling pathway, since the administration of compound C inhibited its enhancing effects on ALP activity, matrix mineralization, and osteogenic gene expression of PL-MSCs. Conclusions This study demonstrated that metformin at concentrations of 80–320 μM significantly enhanced osteogenic differentiation of PL-MSCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, primarily through activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. This finding suggests that metformin could be used with other conventional drugs to induce bone regeneration in various bone diseases. Additionally, this study provides valuable insights for future osteoporosis treatment by highlighting the potential of modulating the AMPK pathway to improve bone regeneration.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-024-04014-6MetforminMesenchymal stem cellsOsteogenic differentiationDiabetes mellitus
spellingShingle Sirikul Manochantr
Ladda Meesuk
Nuengruethai Chadee
Jintamai Suwanprateeb
Chairat Tantrawatpan
Pakpoom Kheolamai
Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation
Stem Cell Research & Therapy
Metformin
Mesenchymal stem cells
Osteogenic differentiation
Diabetes mellitus
title Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation
title_full Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation
title_fullStr Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation
title_full_unstemmed Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation
title_short Improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via AMPK pathway activation
title_sort improvement of osteogenic differentiation potential of placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells by metformin via ampk pathway activation
topic Metformin
Mesenchymal stem cells
Osteogenic differentiation
Diabetes mellitus
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s13287-024-04014-6
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