Phosphatidylserine enhances osteogenic differentiation in human mesenchymal stem cells via ERK signal pathways

Phosphatidylserine (PS) has been demonstrated to promote bone mineralization. It has also been used in bone repairing biomaterials as a functional molecule. However, the effect of PS on mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is not clear. In this study, we determined the effect of PS on the osteogenic differentiation of human MSCs (hMSCs) cultured in growth or osteogenic differentiation medium and the role of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway on PS activity. Cytotoxicity of PS was measured by MTT assay in growth medium for 5days. Cell osteogenic differentiation was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity analysis, Alizarin Red S staining and real-time PCR assay. Western blotting and ERK blocking assay were used to examine the role of ERK1/2 signaling pathway on PS activity. The results showed no cytotoxicity for the doses of PS administered. For 21days, 50–100μM PS increased ALP expression and mineralization of hMSCs. The expression of the osteogenic gene marker, ALP, osteocalcin (OC), and RUNX2 was enhanced by 50μM PS treatment at day 14. Phospho-ERK was activated by 50μM PS at 30min and 1h in growth medium. In osteogenic medium, 50μM PS extended phospho-ERK activation by osteogenic induction medium from 30min to 8h. U0126, an ERK inhibitor, suppressed the ALP expression induced by PS. Our data indicate that the ERK signal is potentially a mediator in the process of osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs induced by PS. PS, as a functional molecule, has high potential for use in bone repairing biomaterials and bone tissue engineering. ► We evaluated the effect of phosphatidylserine on the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). ► We examined the role of the ERK1/2 signaling pathway on PS activity in the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs. ► PS enhanced the osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs in vitro. ► ERK signal is potentially a mediator in the process of osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs induced by PS.