Apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC) promotes bone regeneration of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells by activating Fgf-2/PI3K/Akt signaling

• Main Authors: Hu, Longwei, Wang, Yang, Pan, Hongya, Kadir, Kathreena, Wen, Jin, Li, Siyi, Zhang, Chenping
• Format: Article
• Published: BioMed Central 2021
• Subjects: Q Science (General); QH301 Biology
• Online Access: http://eprints.um.edu.my/28617/

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate whether apoptosis repressor with caspase recruitment domain (ARC) could promote survival and enhance osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).Materials and methodsThe lentivirus transfection method was used to establish ARC-overexpressing BMSCs. The CCK-8 method was used to detect cell proliferation. The BD Pharmingen (TM) APC Annexin V Apoptosis Detection kit was used to detect cell apoptosis. The osteogenic capacity was investigated by OCN immunofluorescence staining, ALP analysis, ARS assays, and RT-PCR analysis. Cells were seeded into calcium phosphate cement (CPC) scaffolds and then inserted subcutaneously into nude mice and the defect area of the rat calvarium. Histological analysis was conducted to evaluate the in vivo cell apoptosis and new bone formation of the ARC-overexpressing BMSCs. RNA-seq was used to detect the possible mechanism of the effect of ARC on BMSCs.ResultsARC promoted BMSC proliferation and inhibited cell apoptosis. ARC enhanced BMSC osteogenic differentiation in vitro. An in vivo study revealed that ARC can inhibit BMSC apoptosis and increase new bone formation. ARC regulates BMSCs mainly by activating the Fgf-2/PI3K/Akt pathway.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that ARC is a powerful agent for promoting bone regeneration of BMSCs and provides a promising method for bone tissue engineering.