ABSTRACT
The saturated free fatty acid (FFA), palmitate, could induce apoptosis in various cell types, but little is known about its effects on human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). Here, we investigated whether palmitate induced apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in hUC-MSCs. hUC-MSCs were stained by labeled antibodies and identified by flow cytometry. After administration with palmitate, apoptotic cell was assessed by flow cytometry using the Annexin V-FITC/7-AAD apoptosis detection kit. Relative spliced XBP1 levels were analyzed using semi-quantitative RT-PCR. The mRNA of BiP, GRP94, ATF4 and CHOP were analyzed by real-time PCR. Relative BiP and CHOP protein were analyzed using Western blot analysis. The results showed that hUC-MSCs were homogeneously positive for MSC markers; palmitate increased apoptosis of hUC-MSCs and activated XBP1 splicing, BiP, GRP94, ATF4 and CHOP transcription. These findings suggest that palmitate induces apoptosis and ER stress in hUC-MSCs.