[Role of heme oxygenase-1 in the apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells].

OBJECTIVE:To explore the role of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in the apoptosis of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). METHODS:The method of reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) was employed to detect the expression of HO-1 mRNA in bone marrow MSCs. Morphologic observations, flow cytometry Annexin-V and DNA analysis were used to detect apoptosis and determine the content of DNA of MSCs after a 12-hour treatment of Znpp-IX, a Ho-1 special inhibitor. RESULTS:HO-1 mRNA was expressed in normal bone marrow MSCs. After culturing Znpp-IX for 12 h, MSCs showed volume reduction and membrane shrinkage. The cells of apoptotic Annexin V(+)/PI(-) increased significantly (61.21% ± 5.28% vs 7.48% ± 0.69%, P < 0.05). The peak of apoptosis was distinct on the distribution graph of DNA (21.36% ± 0.49% vs 1.02% ± 0.05%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:HO-1 plays an anti-apoptotic role in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.