Stromal cell-derived factor-1α regulates chondrogenic differentiation via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in mesenchymal stem cells

Xiao Chen; Xia-Ming Liang; Jia Zheng; Yong-Hui Dong

doi:10.4252/wjsc.v15.i5.490

Stromal cell-derived factor-1α regulates chondrogenic differentiation via activation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in mesenchymal stem cells

World J Stem Cells. 2023 May 26;15(5):490-501. doi: 10.4252/wjsc.v15.i5.490.

Authors

Xiao Chen¹, Xia-Ming Liang¹, Jia Zheng¹, Yong-Hui Dong²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Orthopedics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, Henan Province, China.
² Department of Orthopedics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou University People's Hospital, Zhengzhou 450003, Henan Province, China. dongyh@zzu.edu.cn.

Abstract

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been applied to treat degenerative articular diseases, and stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) may enhance their therapeutic efficacy. However, the regulatory effects of SDF-1α on cartilage differentiation remain largely unknown. Identifying the specific regulatory effects of SDF-1α on MSCs will provide a useful target for the treatment of degenerative articular diseases.

Aim: To explore the role and mechanism of SDF-1α in cartilage differentiation of MSCs and primary chondrocytes.

Methods: The expression level of C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in MSCs was assessed by immunofluorescence. MSCs treated with SDF-1α were stained for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and with Alcian blue to observe differentiation. Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of SRY-box transcription factor 9, aggrecan, collagen II, runt-related transcription factor 2, collagen X, and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)13 in untreated MSCs, of aggrecan, collagen II, collagen X, and MMP13 in SDF-1α-treated primary chondrocytes, of glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) p-GSK3β and β-catenin expression in SDF-1α-treated MSCs, and of aggrecan, collagen X, and MMP13 in SDF-1α-treated MSCs in the presence or absence of ICG-001 (SDF-1α inhibitor).

Results: Immunofluorescence showed CXCR4 expression in the membranes of MSCs. ALP stain was intensified in MSCs treated with SDF-1α for 14 d. The SDF-1α treatment promoted expression of collagen X and MMP13 during cartilage differentiation, whereas it had no effect on the expression of collagen II or aggrecan nor on the formation of cartilage matrix in MSCs. Further, those SDF-1α-mediated effects on MSCs were validated in primary chondrocytes. SDF-1α promoted the expression of p-GSK3β and β-catenin in MSCs. And, finally, inhibition of this pathway by ICG-001 (5 µmol/L) neutralized the SDF-1α-mediated up-regulation of collagen X and MMP13 expression in MSCs.

Conclusion: SDF-1α may promote hypertrophic cartilage differentiation in MSCs by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. These findings provide further evidence for the use of MSCs and SDF-1α in the treatment of cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis.

Keywords: C-X-C chemokine receptor 4; Chondrogenic differentiation; Mesenchymal stem cells; Stromal cell-derived factor-1α; Wnt/β-catenin.