Stem cells are classes of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types. The present study investigates the mechanism and regulation of differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into adipose cell line. MSCs were isolated from bone marrow of adult Sprague Dawely rats. Cells were cultured in MSCs expansion medium, for 2-3 weeks. The colony forming unit assay and immunophenotyping were performed. The cells were cultured in adipogenic differentiation medium for 21 days and their differentiation were determined by oil red staining and controlling the expression of peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), lipoprotein lipase (LPL), leptin and adiponectin genes.
After 1 week of MSCs growth in culture, the cells showed small spindle-shaped fibroblastoid feature. Also, the flowcytometric assay showed higher expression of Cluster of Differentiation (CD)29 followed by CD90 and CD44. In addition, the adipogenic differentiation was apparent after 1 week of incubation. Moreover, RT-PCR revealed that the cells express PPARγ, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), leptin and adiponectin.