Effects of CoCl₂ on multi-lineage differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells

Effects of CoCl₂ on multi-lineage differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the bone marrow and other somatic tissues reside in an environment with relative low oxygen tension. Cobalt chloride (CoCl₂) can mimic hypoxic conditions through transcriptional changes of some genes including hypoxia-inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This study evaluated the potential role of CoCl₂ preconditioning on multi-lineage differentiation of C3H/10T1/2, a murine MSC line to understand its possible molecular mechanisms <i>in vitro</i>. CoCl₂ treatment of MSCs markedly increased HIF-1a and VEGF mRNA, and protein expression of HIF-1a. Temporary preconditioning of MSCs with CoCl₂ induced up-regulation of osteogenic markers including alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, and type I collagen during osteogenic differentiation, followed by enhanced mineralization. CoCl₂ also increased chondrogenic markers including aggrecan, sox9, and type II collagen, and promoted chondrocyte differentiation. CoCl₂ suppressed the expression of adipogenic markers including PPARγ, aP2, and C/EBPa, and inhibited adipogenesis. Temporary preconditioning with CoCl₂ could affect the multi-lineage differentiation of MSCs.