A role of cell adhesion molecules and gelatinases in human serum-induced aggregation of human eyelid-derived stem cells in vitro

• Published in: Balsaeng'gwa saengsig Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 409 - 420
• Main Authors: Yang, Hyejin, Lim, Yoon Hwa, Yun, Sujin, Yoon, A Young, Kim, Haekwon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 한국발생생물학회 01.12.2013; Korean Society of Developmental Biology
• Subjects: 생물학; Aggregation; Human serum; MMP; Integrin; Human eyelid adipose-derived stem cells
• ISSN: 2465-9525; 2465-9541
• DOI: 10.12717/DR.2013.17.4.409

Human serum (HS) has been reported to induce aggregation of human eyelid adipose-derived stem cells (HEACs) during high-density culture in vitro. The present study focused on the role of cell adhesion molecules and gelatinases during HS-induced aggregation of HEACs. HS-induced aggregation occurred between 9-15 days of culture. Cells aggregated by HS medium (HS-agg) showed stronger expression of α2, α2B, αX, and CEACAM1 genes compared to non-aggregated cells in HS medium (HS-ex) or in control FBS-cultured cells. HS-agg were distinctly labeled with antibodies against α2, α2B, and αX proteins. Western blot results demonstrated that the two integrin proteins were greatly expressed in HS-agg compared to HS-ex and control FBS-cultured cells. Treatment of HEACs with anti-integrin α2 antibody during culture in HS medium delayed aggregation formation. HS-agg exhibited strong expression of MMP1 and MMP9 compared to HS-ex or FBS-cultured cells. Conditioned media from HS-culture showed remarkable increase of MMP9 gelatinolytic activity in comparison to those from FBS-culture. However, there was no change of TIMP mRNA expression in relation to the HS-induced aggregation. Based on these results, it is suggested that integrin α2, α2B, and αX, and MMP9 might play an important role in the HS-induced aggregation of HEACs.