Effect of lactoferrin and its digests on differentiation activities of bone mesenchymal stem cells

摘要

Many studies of lactoferrin (LF) effect on bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been reported. However, there has been no reported work on the role of lactoferrin digests. In present study, we show that LF and especially its digests, can increase proliferation, cell cycle, and inhibit apoptosis to BMSCs. Trypsin digests were most effective, followed by pepsin digests and then samples digested with both enzymes. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assay, calcium deposition, gene and protein expression of collagen I (Col I), osteocalcin (OCN), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), and runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2). While adipogenic differentiation was evaluated by lipid deposition and gene and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPAR gamma). LF and especially its digests, enhanced osteogenic differentiation and reduced adipogenic differentiation. These findings indicate that LF and particularly its digests are potential bioactive food supplements that could promote BMSCs capacity.