The effect of estrogen on the expression of cartilage‑specific genes in the chondrogenesis process of adipose‑derived stem cells

During adolescence, sex hormones play an important role in regulating proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and the scheduled death of chondrocytes. Although some studies have reported the regulatory role of estrogen in the development and progression of cartilage, some of the mechanisms still remain unclear, including the role of estrogen in the expression of cartilage‑specific genes in chondrogenesis process, which we cover in this study.

In the present study, we used adipose‑derived stem cells (ADSCs) to differentiate into cartilage. Differentiated cartilage cells were used in the control (without estrogen E2 in the culture medium) and experimental (with estrogen in the culture medium) groups to evaluate the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan as chondrogenic genes markers, with -real‑time polymerase chain reaction technique.

Our results indicated that estrogen leads to inhibition of type II collagen gene expression and reduction of aggrecan gene expression.

Therefore, estrogen probably has negative effects on chondrogenesis process of ADSCs.