Mechanisms Underlying the Osteo- and Adipo-Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Figure 4

Key molecules regulating adipogenesis and osteogenesis in mesenchymal stem cells. Runx2, Wnt10b, RhoA, and soft geometry can induce osteogenesis while inhibiting adipogenesis. In contrast to this, PPARγ, P2X6, LIF, sFRP-1, BMPs, as well as stiff geometry can trigger adipogenesis while inhibiting osteogenesis. Next to these key molecules, FGFs and PDGF can induce both adipogenesis and osteogenesis. Insulin can induce adipogenesis, while P2Y4 and P2Y14 can induce osteogenesis and TGF-βs can inhibit both adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation. The key molecules for the other major mesenchymal lineages are listed in the left-hand part of the figure for chondrogenesis and in the right-hand part for myogenesis. TGF-βs, BMPs, Sox9, FGFs, and PDGF are key triggers of chondrogenic differentiation. TGF-βs can induce early myogenesis, while Noggin, BMPs, GDF8, and activin can inhibit myogenic differentiation.