Effect of CD44 on differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells into chondrocytes via Smad and ERK signaling pathways

• Published in: Molecular medicine reports Vol. 21; no. 6; pp. 2357 - 2366
• Main Authors: Xu, Yan, Wang, Yi-Qing, Wang, Ai-Tong, Yu, Chang-Yin, Luo, Yi, Liu, Ru-Ming, Zhao, Yu-Jie, Xiao, Jian-Hui
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Greece Spandidos Publications 01.06.2020; Spandidos Publications UK Ltd; D.A. Spandidos
• Subjects: Aggrecan; Aggrecans - metabolism; Amnion - metabolism; Antibodies; Antigens; Apoptosis; Arthritis; Cartilage; CD44 antigen; Cell adhesion molecules; Cell Differentiation - drug effects; Chondrocytes; Chondrocytes - metabolism; Chondrogenesis; Chondrogenesis - drug effects; Collagen; Collagen (type II); Collagen Type II - metabolism; Drug dosages; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Flow cytometry; Genes; Growth factors; Humans; Hyaluronan Receptors - genetics; Hyaluronan Receptors - metabolism; Kinases; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mesenchymal stem cells; Mesenchymal Stem Cells - metabolism; Phosphorylation; Proteins; Signal transduction; Signal Transduction - drug effects; Smad protein; Smad2 protein; Smad2 Protein - metabolism; Smad3 Protein - metabolism; Stem cells; Transcription (Genetics); Beijing China; China
• ISSN: 1791-2997; 1791-3004
• DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2020.11044

CD44 antigen (CD44) is a transmembrane protein found in cell adhesion molecules and is involved in the regulation of various physiological processes in cells. It was hypothesized that CD44 directly affected the chondrogenic differentiation of human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). In the present study, the expression of chondrocyte‑associated factors was detected in the absence and presence of the antibody blocker anti‑CD44 antibody during the chondrogenic differentiation of hAMSCs. Following inhibition of CD44 expression, the transcriptional levels of chondrocyte‑associated genes SRY‑box transcription factor 9, aggrecan and collagen type II α 1 chain, as well as the production of chondrocyte markers type II collagen and aggrecan were significantly decreased in hAMSCs. Further investigation indicated that there was no significant change in total ERK1/2 expression following inhibition of CD44 expression; however, phosphorylated (p)‑ERK1/2 expression was decreased. The expression of p‑Smad2/3 was also upregulated following CD44 inhibition. These data indicated that CD44 may affect the differentiation of hAMSCs into chondrocytes by regulating the Smad2/3 and ERK1/2 signaling pathway.