Modulations of 17-β estradiol on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiations of human mesenchymal stem cells

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising cell source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. However, effective regulation to improve differentiation potentials of MSCs plays a critical role in promoting successful tissue formation. Because estrogen has been demonstrated to modulate tissue and organ development and differentiation, we hypothesized that adding estrogen could effectively improve the multiple differentiation potentials of human bone marrow MSCs in vitro. In the present study, 17-beta estradiol (E2) was investigated for in vitro osteogenic and adipogenic differentiations of MSCs isolated from a healthy male human donor. After MSCs were exposed to osteogenic differentiation medium supplemented with E2 at different concentrations, osteocalcin expression is upregulated and calcium deposition (21.0%) is significantly improved ( p < 0.01; n = 4). Under adipogenic stimulation, E2 increased 35.4% lipid accumulations more than that of the group without the E2 supplement ( p < 0.01; n = 4). Estrogen's effect on osteogenesis occurs via estrogen receptors ( ER)-alpha a and -beta, whereas the effect on adipogenesis is through ER-alpha. Estrogen's regulation of differentiations of MSCs is dose dependent. The present study indicated that estrogen could potentially improve the role of MSCs in tissue engineering and regeneration by serving as a modulator of differentiation.