Functional organic cation transporters mediate osteogenic response to metformin in human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Compelling evidence indicates that metformin, a low-cost and safe orally administered biguanide prescribed to millions of type 2 diabetics worldwide, induces the osteoblastic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) through the 5' adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway. As a highly hydrophilic cationic compound, metformin uptake is facilitated by cell membrane organic cation transporters (OCTs) of the solute carrier 22A gene family. We hypothesized that to effectively enhance osteogenic differentiation, and ultimately bone regeneration, metformin must gain access into functional OCT-expressing MSCs. METHODS:Data was obtained through immunoblotting, cellular uptake, mineralization and gene expression assays. RESULTS:We demonstrate for the

SUBMITTER: Al Jofi FE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5948160 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature