Ghrelin promotes the osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs via miR-206 and the ERK1/2 pathway

Abstract

Objective Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into chondroblasts, adipocytes, or osteoblasts under appropriate stimulation. Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), stimulates growth hormone (GH) secretion and exerts both orexigenic and adipogenic effects. The ERK1/2 signaling pathway is known to trigger osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells. In the present study, the function of miR-206 in the ghrelin-mediated osteogenic differentiation of rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (rMSCs) was explored. Methods The expression of miR-206 was detected by qPCR, and phosphorylated ERK1/2 and the protein expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and Osterix were assessed by western blotting. Results: Ghrelin inhibited the expression of miR-206 to promote the osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs. Moreover, ghrelin increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, while overexpression of miR-206 suppressed ERK1/2 phosphorylation, indicating that miR-206 can regulate the ERK1/2 pathway. Further, inhibition of ERK1/2 had no influence on miR-206 expression; however, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 was decreased, and the protein expression levels of ALP, RUNX2, and Osterix were downregulated. Conclusions: Ghrelin promotes the osteogenic differentiation of rMSCs via miR-206 and the ERK1/2 pathway.

LIM Mineralization Protein-1 Enhances the Committed Differentiation of Dental Pulp Stem Cells through the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK Pathways and BMP Signaling

“…Simultaneously, RUNX2 is one of the downstream genes that can be regulated by the ERK1/2 signaling pathway [39,40]. Relevant studies have also demonstrated that ERK1/2 has a positive effect on the odonto/osteogenic differentiation of MSCs [41][42][43]. However, some studies have shown that the osteogenic activity of cells was enhanced after inhibiting the activity of ERK1/2 [44,45].…”