Kisspeptin (Kp-10) is a neuropeptide that binds to GPR54 receptors, exerting several functions mainly in the nervous and reproductive systems of the body. However, its effects and mechanisms of action on the skeletal system remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the effects of different concentrations of Kp-10 on in vitro osteogenic differentiation of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) extracted from the bone marrow (BM) of adult Wistar rats. Two-month-old female rats were euthanized to extract BM from long bones to obtain MSCs. Four experimental groups were established in vitro: a control and Kp-10 at concentrations of 0.01, 0.05 and, 0.1 µg/mL. After induction of osteogenic differentiation, cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)- 2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, alkaline phosphatase activity, collagen synthesis, percentage of area covered by MSCs/field and mineralized nodules/field, and immunocytochemistry of the GPR54 receptor tests. Furthermore, evaluation of gene transcripts for type I collagen, Runx-2, Bmp-2, bone sialoprotein, osteocalcin and osteopontin was performed using real-time RT-qPCR. It was observed that MSCs expressed GPR54 receptor to which Kp-10 binds during osteogenic differentiation, promoting a negative effect on osteogenic differentiation. This effect was observed at all the Kp-10 concentrations in a concentration-dependent manner, characterized by a decrease in the activity of alkaline phosphatase, collagen synthesis, mineralized nodules, and decreased expression of gene transcripts for type I collagen, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and Runx-2. Thus, Kp-10 inhibits in vitro osteogenic differentiation of MSCs extracted from the BM of adult Wistar rats.
Keywords: MSCs; Neuropeptide; Osteogenic differentiation; Rodents.
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