Transient expression of inactive RB in mesenchymal stem cells impairs their adipogenic potential and is associated with hypermethylation of the PPARγ2 promoter

The retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) is a chromatin-associated protein that can either suppress or promote activity of key regulators of tissue-specific differentiation. We found that twelve weeks after transfection of the exogenous active (ΔB/X and Δр34) or inactive (ΔS/N) forms of RB into the 10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells and clonal selection not a single cell line did contain exogenous RB, despite being G-418 resistant. However, the consequences of the transient production of exogenous RB had different effects on the cell fate. The ΔB/X and Δр34 cells transfected with active form of RB showed elevated levels of inducible adipocyte differentiation (AD). On the contrary, the ΔS/N cells transfected with inactive RB mutant were insensitive to induction of AD associated with abolishing of expression of the PPARγ2. Additionally, the PPARγ2 promoter in undifferentiated ΔS/N cells was hypermethylated, but all except −60 position CpG became mostly demethylated after cells exposure to AD. We conclude that while transient expression of inactive exogenous RB induces long term epigenetic alterations that prevent adipogenesis, production of active exogenous RBs results in an AD-promoting epigenetic state. These results indicate that pRb is involved in the establishment of hereditary epigenetic memory at least by creating a methylation pattern of PPARγ2.

Experimental Model to Study the Role of Retinoblastoma Gene Product (pRb) for Determination of Adipocyte Differentiation

Using stable constitutive expression of retinoblastoma gene product (pRb) in polypotent mesenchymal 10T1/2 cells we obtained stable cell lines hyperexpressing functionally active or inactive mutant pRb. The cells producing active exogenous pRb demonstrated high sensitivity to adipocyte differentiation inductors, whereas production of inactive form of the exogenous protein suppressed adipocyte differentiation. The obtained lines can serve as the experimental model for studying the role of pRb in determination of adipocyte differentiation.

pRb-E2F signaling in life of mesenchymal stem cells: Cell cycle, cell fate, and cell differentiation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can differentiate into various mesodermal lines forming fat, muscle, bone, and other lineages of connective tissue. MSCs possess plasticity and under special metabolic conditions may transform into cells of unusual phenotypes originating from ecto- and endoderm. After transplantation, MSCs release the humoral factors promoting regeneration of the damaged tissue. During last five years, the numbers of registered clinical trials of MSCs have increased about 10 folds. This gives evidence that MSCs present a new promising resource for cell therapy of the most dangerous diseases. The efficacy of the MSCs therapy is limited by low possibilities to regulate their conversion into cells of damaged tissues that is implemented by the pRb-E2F signaling. The widely accepted viewpoint addresses pRb as ubiquitous regulator of cell cycle and tumor suppressor. However, current publications suggest that basic function of the pRb-E2F signaling in development is to regulate cell fate and differentiation. Through facultative and constitutive chromatin modifications, pRb-E2F signaling promotes transient and stable cells quiescence, cell fate choice to differentiate, to senesce, or to die. Loss of pRb is associated with cancer cell fate. pRb regulates cell fate by retaining quiescence of one cell population in favor of commitment of another or by suppression of genes of different cell phenotype. pRb is the founder member of the "pocket protein" family possessing functional redundancy. Critical increase in the efficacy of the MSCs based cell therapy will depend on precise understanding of various aspects of the pRb-E2F signaling.