Turkish Journal of Gastroenterology
Gastrointestinal Tract - Original Article

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into intestinal epithelioid cells through the ERK1/2 pathway

1.

Kunming Medical University Second Hospital, Hepatology Center, Kunming, China

2.

Department of Digestive, Henan Provincial Hospital, Zhengzhou, China

3.

Department Of General Medicine, Bai an hospital, Central Hospital of Chongqing Three Gorges, Chongqing, China

4.

Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China

Turk J Gastroenterol 2020; 31: 459-465
DOI: 10.5152/tjg.2020.18644
Read: 1877 Downloads: 721 Published: 01 May 2020

Background/Aims: Previous studies have found that the injection of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) in a mouse model of acute hepatic failure significantly relieves intestinal damage and endotoxemia. However, the mechanism of this process remains unknown. This study demonstrated the differentiation of rBMSCs into enterocyte-like cells and possible molecular mechanisms for this with the aim of finding a new treatment for intestinal epithelial injury and endotoxemia during liver failure.

Materials and Methods: rBMSCs were isolated from rat femurs and tibias. Differentiation was induced by co-culturing rBMSCs with rat intestinal epithelial cells (mIEC-6) using Transwell plates; after three, seven, and ten days of induction, expression of specific differentiation molecules were quantified. To inhibit the activity of the Mitogen-activated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway, an inhibitor of Mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) was added to the co-culture medium, and western blot analysis was performed after 36 or 72 h to evaluate the expression of ERK1/2 signaling pathway markers (p-MEK1/2 and p-ERK1/2).

Results: The rBMSCs differentiated into enterocyte-like cells when co-cultured with mIEC-6 cells. Inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling abrogated the activity of MEK1/2, but MEK increased after 72 h, and the epithelioid differentiation of rBMSCs was consistent with the change in MEK expression.

Conclusion: rBMSCs differentiate into intestinal epithelium after co-culture with mIEC-6 by regulation of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Further research is needed to elucidate the network of mechanisms.

Cite this article as: Jiang T, Shi ML, Xia G, et al. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into intestinal epithelioid cells through the ERK1/2 pathway. Turk J Gastroenterol 2020; 31(6): 459-65.

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