GLP-1RA promotes brown adipogenesis of C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells via the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective: In this study, we investigated whether the GLP-1RA, liraglutide, affected differentiation of C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to mature brown adipocytes and involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway in this process.

Methods: C3H10T1/2 MSCs were induced to differentiate into brown adipocytes and treated with liraglutide (10 nM and 100 nM) for 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 days with or without PI3K inhibitor LY294002. Oil red O staining was used for lipid droplet staining and cell proliferation was determined by cell counts. Quantitative realtime PCR was employed to determine the expression of adipogenic and mitochondrial genes, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Western blot analyses were used for quantification of protein levels in PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Results: Liraglutide increased proliferation of C3H10T1/2 MSCs and formation of multilocular lipid droplets during differentiation. Adipogenic and mitochondrial genes, mtDNA were promoted by liraglutide. Moreover, liraglutide treatment increased the levels of phosphorylated AKT and mTOR. LY294002 not only attenuated differentiation of C3H10T1/2 MSCs into brown adipocytes, but also reduced phosphorylated AKT and mTOR levels. However, co-treatment with liraglutide and LY294002 decreased the expression of adipogenic and mitochondrial genes, mtDNA, and phosphorylated AKT and mTOR levels compared to C3H10T1/2 MSCs treated with liraglutide 100 nM.

Conclusion: GLP-1RA promotes brown adipogenesis of C3H10T1/2 mesenchymal stem cells, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway is involved in GLP-1RA-mediated promotion of differentiation.