Related Experiment Video For A23187
Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Isolation and Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells from Porcine Subcutaneous Adipose Tissues
Published on: March 31, 2016
The Role of Calcium in Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Adipocytes
Farjam Goudarzi1, Adel Mohammadalipour2, Iraj Khodadadi3
1Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Abstract:
Differentiation process of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into adipocyte is involved in obesity. Multiple factors such as Ca2+ play important roles in different stages of this process. Because of the complicated roles of Ca2+ in adipogenesis, the aim of present investigation was to study the influx and efflux of Ca2+ into and out of the cells during adipogenesis. Adipose-derived MSCs were used to differentiate into adipocytes. MSCs were exposed to 2.5 mM Ca2+ or 1.8 mM Ca2+ plus calcium ionophore, A23187, for 3 days. Lipid staining, triglycerides (TG) content, and glyceraldehyde phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity were evaluated to confirm the efficiency of the differentiation. Gene expression of GLUT4, PPARγ2, RAR-α, and calreticulin, as well as the protein levels of GLUT4 and PPARγ2 were determined. Ca2+ and in particular Ca2+ plus A23187 significantly lowered the efficiency of differentiation accompanied by decrease in intracellular TG deposits, GAPDH activity and alleviation of gene, and protein levels of GLUT4 and PPARγ2. While calreticulin and RAR-α were remarkably upregulated in A23187 group. This study showed the inhibitory effects of calcium in adipogenesis. Additionally, it indicated the greater inhibitory effect of calreticulin and RAR-α in controlling adipogenesis by higher levels of calcium.
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