Exogenous Heparan Sulfate Enhances the TGF-β3-Induced Chondrogenesis in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Activating TGF-β/Smad Signaling

Heparan sulfate (HS) interacts with growth factors and has been implicated in regulating chondrogenesis. However, the effect of HS on TGF-β-mediated mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis and molecular mechanisms remains unknown. In this study, we explored the effects of exogenous HS alone and i...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Juan Chen, Yongqian Wang, Chong Chen, Chengjie Lian, Taifeng Zhou, Bo Gao, Zizhao Wu, Caixia Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2016-01-01
Series:Stem Cells International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/1520136
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Summary:Heparan sulfate (HS) interacts with growth factors and has been implicated in regulating chondrogenesis. However, the effect of HS on TGF-β-mediated mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) chondrogenesis and molecular mechanisms remains unknown. In this study, we explored the effects of exogenous HS alone and in combination with TGF-β3 on chondrogenic differentiation of human MSCs and possible signal mechanisms. The results indicated that HS alone had no obvious effects on chondrogenic differentiation of human MSCs and TGF-β/Smad2/3 signal pathways. However, the combined TGF-β3/HS treatment resulted in a significant increase in GAG synthesis, cartilage matrix protein secretion, and cartilage-specific gene expression compared to cells treated with TGF-β3 alone. Furthermore, HS inhibited type III TGF-β receptors (TβRIII) expression and increased TGF-β3-mediated ratio of the type II (TβRII) to the type I (TβRI) TGF-β receptors and phosphorylation levels of Smad2/3. The inhibitor of the TGF-β/Smad signal, SB431542, not only completely inhibited HS-stimulated TGF-β3-mediated Smad2/3 phosphorylation but also completely inhibited the effects of HS on TGF-β3-induced chondrogenic differentiation. These results demonstrate exogenous HS enhances TGF-β3-induced chondrogenic differentiation of human MSCs by activating TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling.
ISSN:1687-966X
1687-9678