PACAP-derived peptide MPAPO impacts Adipose-derived stem cells adipogenic differentiation

BackgroundRegenerative medicine and tissue engineering have brought new therapeutic prospects to the treatment of soft tissue defects, but the selection of seed cells is the key to treatment. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) have always been a popular candidate for seed cells because of their rich sources, easy access, high plasticity, and strong value-added capabilities. The purpose of the current study is to explore the role of PACAP -derived peptide MPAPO on the adipogenic differentiation of ASCs and its molecular mechanism.MethodsThe effect of MPAPO on the proliferation of adipose-derived stem cells were detected by CCK-8 assay and PI single-staining-flow. To reveal the direct effect of MPAPO on the adipogenic differentiation of ASCs, a model of adipogenic differentiation of adipose stem cells was established. In addition, adipogenic differentiation capacity was assessed using Oil-Red-O Staining, Triglyceride (TG) assay and quantification of gene expression. Finally, the relationship between ASCs adipogenic differentiation and the ERK signaling pathway was explored by Western blot.ResultsMPAPO treatment can significantly promote the proliferation of ASCs. In addition, PACAP treatment improves the adipogenic differentiation efficiency of ASCs, including promoting the accumulation of lipid droplets and triglycerides, and the expression of adipogenic-related transcription factors PPARγ and C/EBPα. The mechanism studies showed that MPAPO selectively binds to the PAC1 receptor to promote the adipogenic differentiation of ASCs via activating the ERK signaling pathway.ConclusionsThe present study shows that MPAPO could promote the adipogenic differentiation of ASCs by activating the ERK signaling pathway, and provide relevant experimental evidence for the filling of clinical tissue defects.