Comparison of aquaporin profile of advanced passage mesenchymal stem cells with early passage mesenchymal stem cells and determination of its effect on adipogenic differentiation efficiency

Abstract

ObjectiveOur study aimed to compare aquaporin profiles in advanced and early passage bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and assess the impact of aquaporin changes after adipogenic differentiation. Aquaporins are crucial for stem cell survival and differentiation during their life cycle. We focused on the role of aquaporins in the cell structures of advanced and early passage stem cells. MethodsIn our study, BM-MSCs were used for our objectives. Characterization of the cells was evaluated via flow cytometry using stem cell surface markers. The characterized BM-MSCs were divided into control and differentiation groups at passages 3 (P3) and 8 (P8). AQP1, AQP3, AQP7, AQP9, and AQP10 expression levels on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 were evaluated using Real Time-PCR, ELISA, and immunofluorescence studies. ResultsThe cells were characterized by flow cytometry and confirmed to exhibit BM-MSC characteristics. At P3 and P8, differentiation was initiated, and AQP protein expression was observed to initially increase and then decrease on subsequent days. The increase in AQP protein expression at P3 occurred earlier than that at P8. Gene expression analysis demonstrated a statistically significant increase in AQP gene expression on days when AQP protein expression decreased. Moreover, statistical differences were observed between late and early passage AQP profiles. ConclusionOur study examined the composition of AQPs in BM-MSCs in association with cell passage, and found that AQPs play a role in the differentiation process. The connection between the AQP profile and aging might be related to differentiation capacity, which could have implications for slowing down cellular aging and developing new therapeutic approaches.