Hirudin promotes proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of HBMSCs via activation of cGMP/PKG signaling pathway
Basic science / preclinical published in Bioengineered (2022)
Abstract
Osteoporosis is a public health problem resulting in higher susceptibility to bone fracture. Hirudin is known as a direct thrombin inhibitor, which is isolated from the salivary gland of the medicinal leech. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Hirudin on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs). In our study, the effect of Hirudin on the proliferation of HBMSCs was evaluated with the CCK-8 and MTT assays. The capacity of osteogenic differentiation and mineralization of HBMSCs was evaluated with ALP and alizarin red staining, respectively. cGMP content was determined by ELISA. Western blotting and qRT-PCR were used to investigate the effect of Hirudin on the expression of osteoblast-specific markers, including Runx2, osterix (OSX), osteocalcin (OCN), and collagen1 (Col1). In our study, Hirudin treatment promoted cell viability. Moreover, Hirudin treatment increased ALP activity of HBMSCs and red coloration of alizarin. Interestingly, cGMP inhibitor partly reversed the effect of Hirudin on the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of HBMSCs. In conclusion, Hirudin promoted the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of HBMSCs via activation of cGMP signaling pathway. Hence, Hirudin contributed to bone remodeling and might represent as an effective agent for the treatment of osteoporosis.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Cell-line study demonstrating hirudin promotes proliferation, osteogenic differentiation, and mineralization of human bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells via cGMP/PKG signaling. Potential osteoporosis-treatment indication.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este estudio examinó si la hirudina — un inhibidor directo de la trombina aislado de las glándulas salivales de sanguijuelas medicinales — promueve la proliferación y la diferenciación osteogénica de células madre mesenquimales derivadas de médula ósea humana (HBMSCs) en cultivo celular. Los autores encontraron que la hirudina aumentó la viabilidad celular, la actividad de ALP, la mineralización y la expresión de marcadores de osteoblastos (Runx2, OSX, OCN, Col1), y que un inhibidor de cGMP revirtió parcialmente estos efectos, lo que implica la participación de la vía de señalización de cGMP. Esto es directamente relevante para el dominio de la ASH, ya que explora una potencial aplicación terapéutica de una molécula bioactiva derivada de la sanguijuela más allá de la anticoagulación — en este caso, la remodelación ósea y el potencial tratamiento de la osteoporosis. Sin embargo, el estudio se limita a células humanas cultivadas; no se presentan datos animales ni clínicos, y los hallazgos no establecen la eficacia clínica para la osteoporosis.
Citación
Hirudin promotes proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of HBMSCs via activation of cGMP/PKG signaling pathway.
Cao S et al. · Bioengineered, 2022
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: 18 de junio de 2026