Abstract
BackgroundThe regeneration of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is an effective method to prevent intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). In this study, we investigated the role of Asperosaponin VI (ASA VI), isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the root of Dipsacus asper Wall, in promoting human mesenchymal stem cell (HMSC) proliferation and differentiation into NP-like cells and explored the possible mechanism of action.MethodsThe effects of ASA VI on HMSC viability and proliferation were determined by the XTT method and EDU staining. Then, Real-time qPCR, immunocytochemistry and immunofluorescence assays were used to measure the effect of ASA VI on the expression of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as COL2A1, aggrecan, SOX9, KRT19, PAX1, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), in NP cells. In addition, Western blot assay was used to measure the expression of p-ERK1/2 and p-smad2/3.ResultsASA VI was able to promote the proliferation and differentiation of HMSCs into NP-like cells, and the optimum concentration was 1 mg/L. Western blot assay indicated that the possible mechanism might be related to the activation of p-ERK1 / 2 and p-Smad2 / 3.ConclusionsASA VI can promote the proliferation and differentiation of HMSCs into NP-like cells, which can potentially be used as a treatment for IVDD.
Highlights
Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition, and approximately 80% of the general population experiences it at least once in their lives [1]
nucleus pulposus (NP) gene expression in cells under different concentrations of ASA ASPE ROSAPONIN VI (VI) To study the effects of different concentrations of Asperosaponin VI (ASA VI) on the biosynthesis of human mesenchymal stem cell (HMSC), extracellular matrix (ECM) expression was analyzed by RT-polymerase chain reaction (PCR)
ASA VI upregulated p-ERK1/2 and p-Smad2/3 expression To investigate the mechanism by which ASA VI promotes the differentiation of HMSCs into NP-like cells, we explored the effects of ASA VI on p-smad2/3 、pERK1/2 、ERK1/2 and smad2/3 expression using Western blotting
Summary
Low back pain (LBP) is a common condition, and approximately 80% of the general population experiences it at least once in their lives [1]. There are many factors that can lead to LBP, intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is considered a major factor [2, 3]. Niu et al BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies (2021) 21:32 increasing ECM synthesis and promoting the regeneration of NP cells have become goals of treatment. Due to the poor regeneration of NP cells, cell-based therapy may be a promising treatment for IVDD [7]. A large number of experimental studies have confirmed that stem cell treatments can be effective and have great clinical potential [9, 10]. The regeneration of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is an effective method to prevent intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). We investigated the role of Asperosaponin VI (ASA VI), isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the root of Dipsacus asper Wall, in promoting human mesenchymal stem cell (HMSC) proliferation and differentiation into NP-like cells and explored the possible mechanism of action
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