Abstract

 Background and Objectives

 Poor viability of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) following transplantation is one of the major challenges in their therapeutic application. Manipulation of MSCs by the genetic engineering method is one of the strategies used to protect the cells against cytotoxic microenvironment. However, maintaining multi differentiation capacity of MSCs following manipulation is important. We investigated if the manipulation of MSCs with NRF2 affects the multi differentiation capacity.

 Materials and Methods

 MSCs were isolated from bone marrow. NRF2 was isolated and TOPO cloned into the pENTR vector. The recombinant vector was transferred into pAD/CMV/V5-DEST vector by gateway technology. Recombinant adenovirus was produced in AD293 cells, followed by being infected into MSCs. Expression of NRF2 was verified by RT-PCR. The NRF2 engineered MSCs were exposed to stress conditions followed by the evaluation of the cells viability and apoptosis. Finally, NRF2 expressing MSCs differentiation into osteoblast and adipocyte lineages was studied.

 Results

 NRF2 was successfully expressed in MSCs. NRF2- MSCs differentiation into osteoblast and adipocyte lineages indicating overexpression of NRF2 does not affect the differentiation property of MSCs.

 Conclusions

 Expression of NRF2, a well known cytoprotective factor, by using adenovirus expression system does not intervene in the differentiation capacity of MSCs. NRF2-MSCs might be applicable for stem cell-based cell therapy in future.