Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Metabolic Syndrome: Current Understanding and Potential Clinical Implications

Figure 1

Overview of the established and potential regulatory mechanisms/pathways underlying MSC adipogenesis. A number of cellular signaling mechanisms/pathways control MSC adipogenesis, with the majority converging to regulate a range of transcription factors such as members of the CCAAT/enhancer-binding family of proteins (C/EBPs) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma). Several of these mechanisms/pathways are likely to operate simultaneously; however, the full scope of mechanisms/pathways influencing MSC adipogenesis remains unknown. BMPs, bone morphogenetic proteins; IGF, insulin-like growth factor; LXRs, liver X receptors; MSCs, mesenchymal stem cells; RAS, renin-angiotensin system; and TGF, transforming growth factor.