Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Epigenetics

Transcription factors and signaling molecules are well-known regulators of stem cell identity and behavior; however, increasing evidence indicates that environmental cues contribute to this complex network of stimuli, acting as crucial determinants of stem cell fate. L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C (VitC...

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Main Authors: Cristina D'Aniello, Federica Cermola, Eduardo Jorge Patriarca, Gabriella Minchiotti
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2017-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/8936156
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author Cristina D'Aniello
Federica Cermola
Eduardo Jorge Patriarca
Gabriella Minchiotti
author_facet Cristina D'Aniello
Federica Cermola
Eduardo Jorge Patriarca
Gabriella Minchiotti
author_sort Cristina D'Aniello
collection DOAJ
description Transcription factors and signaling molecules are well-known regulators of stem cell identity and behavior; however, increasing evidence indicates that environmental cues contribute to this complex network of stimuli, acting as crucial determinants of stem cell fate. L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C (VitC)) has gained growing interest for its multiple functions and mechanisms of action, contributing to the homeostasis of normal tissues and organs as well as to tissue regeneration. Here, we review the main functions of VitC and its effects on stem cells, focusing on its activity as cofactor of Fe+2/αKG dioxygenases, which regulate the epigenetic signatures, the redox status, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, depending on the enzymes’ subcellular localization. Acting as cofactor of collagen prolyl hydroxylases in the endoplasmic reticulum, VitC regulates ECM/collagen homeostasis and plays a key role in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and tendons. In the nucleus, VitC enhances the activity of DNA and histone demethylases, improving somatic cell reprogramming and pushing embryonic stem cell towards the naive pluripotent state. The broad spectrum of actions of VitC highlights its relevance for stem cell biology in both physiology and disease.
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series Stem Cells International
spelling doaj-art-a229bfc9d3884aa484b102e754a4f5e42025-08-20T02:20:55ZengWileyStem Cells International1687-966X1687-96782017-01-01201710.1155/2017/89361568936156Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and EpigeneticsCristina D'Aniello0Federica Cermola1Eduardo Jorge Patriarca2Gabriella Minchiotti3Stem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ‘A. Buzzati-Traverso’, CNR, 80131 Naples, ItalyStem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ‘A. Buzzati-Traverso’, CNR, 80131 Naples, ItalyStem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ‘A. Buzzati-Traverso’, CNR, 80131 Naples, ItalyStem Cell Fate Laboratory, Institute of Genetics and Biophysics ‘A. Buzzati-Traverso’, CNR, 80131 Naples, ItalyTranscription factors and signaling molecules are well-known regulators of stem cell identity and behavior; however, increasing evidence indicates that environmental cues contribute to this complex network of stimuli, acting as crucial determinants of stem cell fate. L-Ascorbic acid (vitamin C (VitC)) has gained growing interest for its multiple functions and mechanisms of action, contributing to the homeostasis of normal tissues and organs as well as to tissue regeneration. Here, we review the main functions of VitC and its effects on stem cells, focusing on its activity as cofactor of Fe+2/αKG dioxygenases, which regulate the epigenetic signatures, the redox status, and the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition, depending on the enzymes’ subcellular localization. Acting as cofactor of collagen prolyl hydroxylases in the endoplasmic reticulum, VitC regulates ECM/collagen homeostasis and plays a key role in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells towards osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and tendons. In the nucleus, VitC enhances the activity of DNA and histone demethylases, improving somatic cell reprogramming and pushing embryonic stem cell towards the naive pluripotent state. The broad spectrum of actions of VitC highlights its relevance for stem cell biology in both physiology and disease.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/8936156
spellingShingle Cristina D'Aniello
Federica Cermola
Eduardo Jorge Patriarca
Gabriella Minchiotti
Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Epigenetics
Stem Cells International
title Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Epigenetics
title_full Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Epigenetics
title_fullStr Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Epigenetics
title_full_unstemmed Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Epigenetics
title_short Vitamin C in Stem Cell Biology: Impact on Extracellular Matrix Homeostasis and Epigenetics
title_sort vitamin c in stem cell biology impact on extracellular matrix homeostasis and epigenetics
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2017/8936156
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AT eduardojorgepatriarca vitamincinstemcellbiologyimpactonextracellularmatrixhomeostasisandepigenetics
AT gabriellaminchiotti vitamincinstemcellbiologyimpactonextracellularmatrixhomeostasisandepigenetics