SPRY4 promotes adipogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells through the MEK–ERK1/2 signaling pathway
Na Li,
Yunfei Chen,
Haiyan Wang,
Jing Li,
Robert Chunhua Zhao
Affiliations
Na Li
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy (BZ0381), P.R. China
Yunfei Chen
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy (BZ0381), P.R. China
Haiyan Wang
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy (BZ0381), P.R. China
Jing Li
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy (BZ0381), P.R. China
Robert Chunhua Zhao
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Center of Excellence in Tissue Engineering, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; Beijing Key Laboratory of New Drug Development and Clinical Trial of Stem Cell Therapy (BZ0381), P.R. China
Obesity is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by the accumulation of excess fat in the body. Preventing and controlling obesity by inhibiting the adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and thereby avoiding the increase of white adipose tissue is safe and effective. Recent studies have demonstrated that Sprouty proteins (SPRYs) are involved in cell differentiation and related diseases. However, the role and mechanism of SPRY4 in MSC adipogenic differentiation remain to be explored. Here, we found that SPRY4 positively correlates with the adipogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived MSCs (hAMSCs). Via gain- and loss-of-function experiments, we demonstrated that SPRY4 promotes hAMSC adipogenesis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, SPRY4 functioned by activating the MEK–ERK1/2 pathway. Our findings provide new insights into a critical role for SPRY4 as a regulator of adipogenic differentiation, which may illuminate the underlying mechanisms of obesity and suggest the potential of SPRY4 as a novel treatment option.
