LncRNA H19 improves mesenchymal characteristics of buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis) bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells under hypoxic conditions

As adult stem cells with various advantages, Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are valuable resources for veterinary treatment and animal reproduction. Previous studies have shown that hypoxia can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and improve mesenchymal characteristics of BMSCs in vitro culture. However, the mechanism by which hypoxia improves the interstitial characteristics of buffalo BMSCs (bBMSCs) remains unclear. In this study, the effects of hypoxia on the mesenchymal characteristics of bBMSCs and the expression level of lncRNA H19 were examined, and then the effects of lncRNA H19 on maintaining the mesenchymal characteristics of bBMSCs under hypoxic culture conditions (5 % oxygen) as well as its mechanism also were explored, so as to further understand the molecular mechanism of mesenchymal characteristics maintenance of bBMSCs. The results showed that hypoxic culture conditions promoted EMT of bBMSCs, with lncRNA H19 expression up-regulated. When lncRNA H19 was knocked down in hypoxia, the expression level of Vimentin was down-regulated, the expression level of E-Cadherin was up-regulated, and EMT was inhibited. Meanwhile, the genes (p-PI3K and p-AKT1) involved in PI3K/AKT signaling pathway were inhibited by lncRNA H19 Knockdown. IGF-1 (10 ng/mL), an activator of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, was added to rescued the inhibition of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway caused by lncRNA H19 Knockdown, with the effects of lncRNA H19 on EMT related genes also partially reversed. These findings not only provide theoretical guidance to elucidate the detailed regulation mechanism of hypoxia on mesenchymal nature maintenance of bBMSCs, but also provide positive support to further establish the stable in vitro culture system of bBMSCs.