ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the relationship between promotion of osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) by exosomes secreted by ADSCs and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Methods ADSCs were extracted in the Plastic Surgery Department of the First Hospital Affiliated to China Medical University. Exosomes were extracted from ADSCs induced to differentiate into osteoblasts. The ADSCs were separated into four groups and used for measuring activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by using enzyme-labeled assay, formation of calcium nodes by Alizarin red staining, and expression of β-catenin by Western blotting. Results ADSC-derived exosomes promoted differentiation of ADSCs into osteoblasts by upregulating the expression of β-catenin. Addition of Dickkopf-related protein 1 (DKK1), an inhibitor of Wnt/β-catenin pathway, inhibited expression of β-catenin which in turn resulted in reduced potential of ADSCs for osteogenic differentiation. Conclusion The osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs can be promoted by exosomes derived from ADSCs via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.