Overexpression of Guanine Nucleotide Binding Protein, Alpha Stimulating (GNAS) Regulates Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in High Glucose Environment by Regulating ERK/P38 Signaling Pathway

Abstract

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) can treat osteoporosis. Whether GNAS affects BMSCs osteogenic differentiation under high glucose condition is unknown. Rat BMSCs were isolated and randomly divided into control group, high glucose group and GNAS group. The BMSCs were transfected with GNAS plasmid in high glucose environment followed by analysis of GNAS expression by Real time PCR and Western blot, BMSCs proliferation by MTT assay, Caspase 3 activity, ALP activity, formation of calcified nodules by alizarin red staining, OC and BMP-2 expression by Real time PCR and expression of ERK/P38 signaling pathway protein by Western blot. In high glucose environment, GNAS expression was significantly decreased, cell proliferation was inhibited, Caspase 3 activity was increased, along with decreased ALP activity, calcified nodules formation and expression of OC, BMP-2, p-ERK1/2 and p-P38 (P < 0.05). GNAS plasmid transfected into high glucose environment BMSCs can significantly promote GNAS expression and cell proliferation, decrease Caspase 3 activity, increase p-ERK1/2 and p-P38 expression, ALP activity and calcified nodules formation as well as increase OC and BMP-2 expression (P < 0.05). GNAS1 expression is decreased in BMSCs cells in a high glucose environment. Overexpression of GNAS1 can inhibit the apoptosis of BMSCs by regulating the ERK/P38 signaling pathway, promote its proliferation and differentiation into osteogenic direction.