title: Oct-4, Rex-1, and Gata-4 expression in human MSC increase the differentiation efficiency but not hTERT expression.
abstract: Micro-environment seems to exert an important influence on human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation and proliferative capacity in bone marrow as well as in culture ex vivo. Oct-4, Rex-1, and TERT genes are well-known for the maintenance of pluripotentiality differentiation and the proliferative capacity of embryonic stem cells. Some previous data report expression of these embryonic factors in selected clones from bone marrow adult stem cells. Our goal was to study expression of Oct-4, Rex-1, and TERT in primary cultured human MSC according to the serum concentration. In addition, we have studied the expression of Gata-4 since this factor plays a key role in organogenesis. We hypothesized that low serum concentration with appropriate growth factors may induce an undifferentiated status with a re-expression of embryonic factors and extend differentiation capacity. Thus, using a defined culture medium, we report on the increased expression of Oct-4, Rex-1, and Gata-4 in human MSC. We have correlated this expression to an increase in differentiation efficiency towards osteogenic and adipogenic phenotypes. Our data suggest that the culture medium used permits the emergence of adult stem cells with a high differentiation capacity and expression of embryonic factors. These cells may have important implications for cell therapy.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'investigation Biologique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Grenoble, Grenoble, France. stephane.roche@igh.cnrs.fr
authors.forename: Stéphane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roche
authors.forename: Marie-Jeanne
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: Marie-Christine
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Favrot
mesh_terms: D017667:Adipocytes / Q000166:cytology; D000328:Adult; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D050991:GATA4 Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology; D010641:Phenotype; D019098:Telomerase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D050991:GATA4 Transcription Factor; D051741:Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C507976:ZFP42 protein, human; C509186:TERT protein, human; D019098:Telomerase