RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Supplementation with vitamin E is able to protect bone against free radical-induced elevation of bone-resorbing cytokines. We examined gene expression by microarray analysis during the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells treated with vitamin E into osteoblasts in vitro. METHODS: Human bone marrow stem cells were cultured in osteogenic differentiation medium and vitamin E was added. A colorimetric immunoassay for the quantification of cell proliferation was used to measure osteoblast differentiation. Gene expression was analyzed using a microarray technique. We also used a real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: It was found that vitamin E enhanced cell proliferation when compared to cells cultured in media without vitamin E. We focused on 68 genes which are related to osteogenesis and osteoclastogenesis. Alkaline phosphatase, transforming growth factor-beta 1, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1, matrix metalloproteinase 2, muscle segment homeobox 2, bone morphogenetic protein 1, biglycan, vascular endothelial growth factor B, dentin sialophosphoprotein, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, runt-related transcription factor 2, fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, and SMAD2 were upregulated > 2-fold compared to the control. Conversely, osteopetrosis-associated transmembrane protein 1, microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, and epidermal growth factor receptor were downregulated > 2-fold compared to the control. Vitamin E produced a 1.5-fold increase in the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 as determined by real time RT-PCR. CONCLUSION: Vitamin E had a positive effect on the gene expressions regarding osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.