Abstract
Background/Aims: Na+/H+ exchanger 1 (NHE1) is an important regulator of intracellular pH (pH<sub>i</sub>). High pH<sub>i</sub> is required for cell proliferation and differentiation. Our previous study has proven that the pH<sub>i</sub> of mesenchymal stem cells is higher than that of normal differentiated cells and similar to tumor cells. NHE1 is highly expressed in both mesenchymal stem cells and tumor cells. Targeted inhibition of NHE1 could induce differentiation of K562 leukemia cells. In the present paper we explored whether inhibition of NHE1 could induce differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. Methods: MSCs were obtained from human umbilical cord and both the surface phenotype and functional characteristics were analyzed. Selective NHE1 inhibitor cariporide was used to treat human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). The pH<sub>i</sub> and the differentiation of hUC-MSCs were compared upon cariporide treatment. The putative signaling pathway involved was also explored. Results: The pH<sub>i</sub> of hUC-MSCs was decreased upon cariporide treatment. Cariporide up-regulated the osteogenic differentiation of hUC-MSCs while the adipogenic differentiation was not affected. For osteogenic differentiation, β-catenin expression was up-regulated upon cariporide treatment. Conclusion: Decreased pH<sub>i</sub> induced by cariporide differentially contributes to hUC-MSCs differentiation.
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