DJ‐1 Regulates Differentiation of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells into Smooth Muscle‐like Cells in Response to Sphingosylphosphorylcholine

Although multiple factors contribute to the differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) into various types of cells, the differentiation of hMSCs into smooth muscle cells (SMCs), one of central events in vascular remodeling, remains to be clarified. ROS participate in the differentiation of hMSCs into several cell types and were regulated by redox‐sensitive molecules including a multifunctional protein DJ‐1. Here, we investigated the correlation between altered proteins, especially those related to ROS, and SMC differentiation in sphingosylphosphorylcholine (SPC)‐stimulated hMSCs. Treatment with SPC resulted in an increased expression of SMC markers, namely α‐smooth muscle actin (SMA) and calponin, and an increased production of ROS in hMSCs. A proteomic analysis of SPC‐stimulated hMSCs revealed a distinctive alteration of the ratio between the oxidized and reduced forms of DJ‐1 in hMSCs in response to SPC. The increased abundance of oxidized DJ‐1 in SPC‐stimulated hMSCs was validated by immunoblot analysis. The SPC‐induced increase in the expression of α‐SMA was stronger in DJ‐1‐knockdown hMSCs than in control cells. Moreover, the expression of α‐SMA, and the calponin and generation of ROS in response to SPC were weaker in normal hMSCs than in DJ‐1‐overexpressing hMSCs. Exogenous H₂O₂ mimicked the responses induced by SPC treatment. These results indicate that the ROS‐related DJ‐1 pathway regulates the differentiation of hMSCs into SMCs in response to SPC.