Increased Gene Expression of RUNX2 and SOX9 in Mesenchymal Circulating Progenitors Is Associated with Autophagy during Physical Activity

Figure 4

Physical exercise improves chondrogenic differentiation and affects adipogenic differentiation. Besides SOX9 upregulation, we observed also a higher expression of COL2A1 and COMP in M-CPCs after the run (a). In vitro experiments showed an increased chondrogenic differentiation in the MSC line cultured in the presence of POST RUN sera. In fact, a higher expression of chondrogenic genes (b) and of Aggrecan protein (c) as well as more intense Alcian blue staining ((d); 10x) was observed. Adipogenic differentiation. PPARG2 gene expression was higher in POST RUN M-CPCs (e). Conversely, the MSC line treated with POST RUN sera showed reduced adipogenic differentiation. In fact, PPARG2 gene expression levels were lower (f); the number of lipid droplets ((g); 10x) and of PLIN1-positive cells ((h); 40x) as well as PLIN1 protein levels (i) was reduced in the MSC line treated with POST RUN sera. The in vitro analyses were performed in three independent experiments. ; ^#.

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