Molecular changes of mesenchymal stromal cells in response to dexamethasone treatment

J.-M. Chen, X.-P. Cui, X.-D. Yao, L.-H. Huang, H. Xu

Department of Orthopedics, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Command, PLA, Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, People’s Republic of China. haoxuxhxh@hotmail.com

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• Pharmacology

BACKGROUND: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stromal cells that can differentiate into a variety of cell types. The MSCs can be activated and mobilized if needed.

AIM: This study aimed to investigate the response mechanism of MSCs under Dexamethasone (Dex) treatment by combining MSCs microarray and bioinformatics methods.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We downloaded the gene expression profile of rat’s MSCs challenge with or without Dex (GSE3339) from Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 2 Dex treated samples and 3 untreated samples. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by packages in R language. Then, Gestalt (Genomic Sequence Total Analysis and Lookup Tool) and EASE (Expression Analysis Systematic Explorer) to were employed to obtain the molecular events of MSCs under Dex treatment.

RESULTS: A total of 17 genes were identified as DEGs between untreated and treated samples, and they were significant enriched in immune response and cell differentiation. The C3 gene was the common candidate gene selected from two different algorithms, and 24 conserved sites were identified in the 3’UTR of C3 gene.

CONCLUSIONS: Genes associated with immune response and cell differentiation were dysregulated in MSCs under Dex.

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