Biological characteristics of human adipose-derived stem cells and their response to periostin in vitro

Many studies on periostin have focused on its role in tumors and vascular reconstruction. However, the effect of periostin on stem cell function remains unclear. The aim of this study was to enhance vitality in adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), the effect of periostin on the function of ADSCs was observed.

Human ADSCs (hADSCs) were isolated from human adipose tissue by collagenase I digestion and collected in multi-periods for in vitro culture. CD29, CD34, CD44, CD45 and CD105 were detected by flow cytometry. In addition, directed differentiation of hADSCs was induced using adipogenic, osteogenic and chondrogenic induction mediums. The induced morphological changes were observed using oil red O, Alizarin red and alcian blue staining. Periostin was administered to hADSCs in an acidic environment. The treatments of cells were divided into three groups: a periostin group (P); an acidic control group (A); a normal group (N). Then the resulting cell proliferation and migration were detected using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and a transwell chamber assay, respectively.

The detection rates of CD29, CD44, CD105, CD34 and CD45 were 98.89%, 93.73%, 86.99%, 0.19% and 0.16%. The specific staining of cells was positive after induction culture. The mean absorbance of the cells in group P and A at 12 hours were 16.67% and 22.22% greater than group N, respectively (P < 0.01). The mean absorbance of cells from group P was 20.00% greater than that of group A at 48 hours (P < 0.05). The mean number of migratory cells per visual field in group A was 50.38% lower than that in group N (P < 0.05). The migratory cell number in group P was 119.98% greater than that in group A (P < 0.05).

The acidic environment impacted hADSC proliferation and inhibited cell migration. However, periostin was able to promote the proliferation and migration of hADSCs despite the acidic environment.