Fibroblast growth factor-1 as a mediator of paracrine effects of canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells on in vitro-induced insulin resistance models

Abstract

Background In the field of diabetes research, many studies on cell therapy have been conducted using mesenchymal stem cells. This research was intended to shed light on the influence of canine adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell conditioned medium (cAT-MSC CM) on in vitro insulin resistance models that were induced in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes and the possible mechanisms involved in the phenomenon.

Results Gene expression levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) were used as indicators of insulin resistance. Relative protein expression levels of IRS-1 and GLUT4 were augmented in the cAT-MSC CM treatment group compared to insulin resistance models, indicating beneficial effects of cAT-MSC to DM, probably by actions of secreting factors. With reference to previous studies on fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF1), we proposed FGF1 as a key contributing factor to the mechanism of action. We added anti-FGF1 neutralizing antibody to the CM-treated insulin resistance models. As a result, significantly diminished protein levels of IRS-1 and GLUT4 were observed, supporting our assumption. Similar results were observed in glucose uptake assay.

Conclusions Accordingly, this study advocated the potential of FGF-1 from cAT-MSC CM as an alternative insulin sensitizer and discovered a signalling factor associated with the paracrine effects of cAT-MSC.