bFGF promotes adipocyte differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells derived from embryonic stem cells

• Main Authors: Xinghui Song, Yanwei Li, Xiao Chen, Guoli Yin, Qiong Huang, Yingying Chen, Guowei Xu, Linlin Wang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Genética 2014-01-01
• Series: Genetics and Molecular Biology
• Subjects: embryonic stem cells; mesenchymal stem cells; fibroblast growth factor; adipocyte differentiation
• Online Access: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1415-47572014000100019&lng=en&tlng=en

In this work we describe the establishment of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and the role of bFGF in adipocyte differentiation. The totipotency of ESCs and MSCs was assessed by immunofluorescence staining and RT-PCR of totipotency factors. MSCs were successfully used to induce osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. MSCs that differentiated into adipocytes were stimulated with and without bFGF. The OD/DNA (optical density/content of total DNA) and expression levels of the specific adipocyte genes PPARγ2 (peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ2) and C/EBPs were higher in bFGF cells. Embryonic bodies had a higher adipocyte level compared with cells cultured in plates. These findings indicate that bFGF promotes adipocyte differentiation. MSCs may be useful cells for seeding in tissue engineering and have enormous therapeutic potential for adipose tissue engineering.