OBJECTIVETo compare the adipogenesis and the adipocyte function between 3T3-L1 cells and human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro.

METHODSBy density gradient centrifugation and adherent culture, the MSCs were isolated from human bone marrow and purified. The cell morphology was observed under an inverted microscope. After the induction of adipogenic differentiation, the differentiation level was detected by oil red O staining and OD values. The expression of PPARγ, FABP4 and C/EBPα mRNA was detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Adipocytes and THP-1 cells were co-cultured by adding 1 µg/ml cytarabine. The ability of chemotherapy resistance was measured after 48 h.

RESULTSThe Oil Red O staining and measuring the absorbance showed that the lipid content in 3T3-L1 cells group was more than that in MSCs group, and the OD value was higher than that in MSCs group (P < 0.05). The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expression of PPARγ, FABP4 and C/EBPα mRNA of 3T3-L1-derived adipocytes was higher than that of human bone marrow MSCs-derived adipocytes (P < 0.05). Coculture experiments showed that the number of viable THP-1 cells in the group containing adipocytes was more than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The difference between 3T3-L1 cell group and MSC group was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe ability of adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells is higher than that of human bone marrow MSCs in vitro. Adipocytes can protect THP-1 cell line against cytarabine, and the effect of adipocytes from 3T3-L1 cell group is greater than that from the human bone marrow MSC group.