Exp Mol Med.  2005 Aug;37(4):261-268.

Overexpression of SOX9 in mouse embryonic stem cells directs the immediate chondrogenic commitment

• Kim JH
• Do HJ
• Yang HM
• Oh JH
• Choi SJ
• Kim DK
• Cha KY
• Chung HM

Abstract

Mouse embryonic stem (mES) cells are capable of undergoing chondrogenesis in vitro. To enhance this process, the human SOX9 (hSOX9) cDNA was delivered into mES cells and the clones overexpressing hSOX9 (denoted as mES-hSOX9 cells) were verified by Western blot analysis. The transcripts of collagen IIA (a juvenile form), aggrecan and Pax1 were expressed in mES-hSOX9 cells grown on feeder layers, suggesting the immediate effect of exogenous SOX9 on chondrogenesis. However, SOX9 overexpression did not affect the cell cycle distribution in undifferentiated mES cells. Upon differentiation, collagen IIB (an adult form) was detected in day 3 immature embryoid bodies. In addition, the overexpression of exogenous SOX9 significantly induced transcriptional activity driven by SOX9 binding site. Taken together, we for the first time demonstrated that constitutive overexpression of exogenous SOX9 in undifferentiated mES cells might have dual potentials to induce both chondrogenic commitment and growth capacity in the undifferentiated status.

Keyword

cell differentiation; chondrogenesis; sox9; transcription factor; stem cells; transfection

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cell Differentiation/genetics
Cell Line
*Chondrogenesis
Collagen Type II/genetics
Embryo/*cytology
Enhancer Elements (Genetics)/genetics
Extracellular Matrix Proteins/genetics
Genetic Markers/genetics
High Mobility Group Proteins/genetics/*metabolism
Humans
Lectins, C-Type/genetics
Mice
Paired Box Transcription Factors/genetics
Proteoglycans/genetics
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Stem Cells/*metabolism/physiology
Trans-Activation (Genetics)
Transcription Factors/genetics/*metabolism