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Endocannabinoids increase human adipose stem cell differentiation and growth factor secretion in vitro
Tim Ruhl1, Pia-Alina Schneider1, Bong-Sung Kim1,2
1Department of Plastic Surgery, Hand Surgery-Burn Center, University Hospital RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
|January 18, 2021
Summary
Stimulating the endocannabinoid system (ECS) with anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) significantly impacts adipose stem cells (ASCs). This modulation enhances regenerative growth factor release and promotes specific cell differentiation for regenerative medicine.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Science
- Stem Cell Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Adipose stem cells (ASCs) have regenerative potential due to their proliferative, differentiation, and growth factor secretion capacities.
- Modulatory procedures are explored to enhance ASC therapeutic effects, with the endocannabinoid system (ECS) showing promise for regenerative strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of endocannabinoids anandamide (AEA) and 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on ASC biology.
- To assess the impact of ECS stimulation on ASC metabolic activity, proliferation, differentiation, and growth factor release.
Main Methods:
- ASCs were treated with AEA and 2-AG.
- Metabolic activity was quantified using PrestoBlue conversion.
- Cell numbers were evaluated by crystal violet staining.
- Cytokine release was measured via ELISA.
- Differentiation was assessed using specific labeling techniques (OilRed O, cresolphthalein, safranin O).
Main Results:
- AEA increased ASC metabolic activity, while 2-AG decreased it concentration-dependently.
- AEA significantly enhanced adipogenic differentiation (>100%), and both AEA and 2-AG promoted osteogenic differentiation.
- Neither endocannabinoid affected chondrogenic differentiation.
- Both AEA and 2-AG increased insulin-like growth factor-1 and hepatocyte growth factor release; AEA additionally enhanced transforming growth factor-β secretion.
Conclusions:
- Stimulating the ECS significantly affects ASC biology, modulating viability and inducing regenerative growth factors.
- Endocannabinoid exposure promotes adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation of ASCs.
- These findings hold relevance for ASC-based regenerative medicine therapies.
