Chromatin remodeling plays an essential role in regulation of gene transcription. Consequently, targeted changes in chromatin may also augment pluripotency of somatic cells. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of epigenetic drug BIX-01294 (BIX), a histone G9a inhibitor, on DNA methylation, expression of pluripotency genes POU5F1 (isoform a), NANOG, KLF4, and CMYC in mesenchymal stem cells, and the ability to increase their differentiation potential into endothelial cells (ECs). Human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSCs) were isolated from abdominal adipose tissue. Cells were pre-treated with BIX for 48h and further differentiated in endothelial medium for 7 and 14 days. Global DNA methylation was determined by MethyLight application, expression of genes for pluripotency, endothelial and angiogenic markers by SYBRGreen-based real-time PCR, immunocytochemistry, and immunobloting. Following treatment with BIX, DNA methylation status of AdMSCs was significantly reduced by 53% (p=0.008), the expression of POU5F1 and NANOG was increased by 2.2-fold (p=0.016) and 1.5-fold (p<0.001), respectively. Furthermore, BIX pre-treatment improved the differentiation capacity of AdMSCs into ECs and significantly increased expression of several endothelial markers and factors involved in blood vessel formation: VCAM-1, PECAM-1, von Willebrand factor, VEGFR-2, PDGF, and ANG-1 in comparison with AdMSCs without BIX pre-treatment. In the present study we demonstrate that epigenetic modifying drug BIX-01294 is able to increase the ability of AdMSCs to differentiate into ECs engaging DNA and histone methylation. Hence, BIX-01294 might serve as a simple tool to increase the differentiation potential of AdMSCs.
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