Abstract
Rationale Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are multipotent cells that have the potential to differentiate into different cell linages, and represent promising tools in various clinical applications. However, the molecular mechanisms that control the ability of ADMSCs to remodel 3-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) barriers during differentiation are not clearly understood. Herein, we studied the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) during the differentiation of ADMSCs to endothelial cells (ECs) in vitro . Methods MSCs were isolated from porcine abdominal adipose tissue, and characterized by positive staining for MSC markers, CD44, CD73, CD90, and negative staining for CD11b, CD34 and CD45. The plasticity of MSCs was detected by bi-lineage differentiation to osteocytes, and adipocytes. The mRNA transcripts for different MMPs and TIMPs and protein expression of EC markers were analyzed by RT-PCR and immunostaining. The enzyme activity and protein expression were also analyzed by gelatin zymography, ELISA, and Western blot. Results The differentiation of ADMSCs to ECs was confirmed by the positive staining and mRNA expression of the endothelial markers. The mRNA transcripts for MMP-2 and membrane type 1 MMP (MT1-MMP) was significantly increased by 2.5 and 2.0 fold, respectively, during the differentiation of MSCs into ECs. Western blot and ELISA showed an elevated MT1-MMP and MMP-2 expression. The enzyme activity of MMP-2 was also observed by gelatin zymography. Conclusion We demonstrated that porcine ADMSCs have the ability to differentiate into ECs, and this process involves the up-regulation of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP. The increase in the expression of MMP-2 and MT1-MMP may, at least partially, facilitate the change in morphology of MSCs by degrading the ECM barriers. These findings may provide a potential mechanism for the role of MMP2 and MT1-MMP in the differentiation of ADMSCs into ECs.
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