Cortisol effect on heat shock proteins in the C2C12 and 3T3-L1 cells

The present study was carried out to understand the effect of cortisol on heat shock protein system (Hsps) in the C2C12 and 3T3-L1 cells under co-culture system. Cells were co-cultured by using Transwell inserts with a 0.4-μm porous membrane to separate C2C12 and 3T3-L1 cells. Each cell type was grown independently on the Transwell plates. After cell differentiation, inserts containing 3T3-L1 cells were transferred to C2C12 plates and inserts containing C2C12 cells transferred to 3T3-L1 plates. Ten micrograms per microliter of cortisol was added to the medium. Following 72 h of treatment, the cells in the lower wells were harvested for analysis. Heat shock proteins (Hsps) such as Hsp27, Hsp70, and Hsp90 were selected for the analysis. The qRT-PCR results showed the significant increase in the mRNA expression of as Hsp27, Hsp70, and Hsp90. In addition, confocal microscopical investigation showed the cortisol treatment increases Hsps expressions in the mono and co-cultured C2C12 and 3T3-L1 cells. From the results, we concluded that the cortisol increases Hsps expression in the co-cultured C2C12 and 3T3-L1 cells, which is differed from one-dimensional mono-cultured C2C12 and 3T3-L1 cells.