Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells

Afra Keban; Elçin Tank; Beril Erdem Tunçdemir; Esin Akbay Çetin

doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025121

Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells

Abstract

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including adipose-derived MSCs (ADMSCs) and bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMMSCs), are multipotent cells essential for tissue repair, with strong self-renewal and differentiation abilities. Bmal1 is a core component of the circadian cycle and plays a regulatory role in stem cell specialization; PPARγ links adipogenesis to the circadian rhythm by epigenetically regulating Bmal1. Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation influences circadian processes by modulating the expression of growth factors and cytokines in MSCs.

Aims: This study investigated how UVB affects adipogenesis and circadian-system-related gene transcription in ADMSCs and BMMSCs.

Methods: MSC viability post-exposure was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide analysis. Cells were cultured in adipogenesis medium and stained with Oil Red O at multiple time points. UVB-treated MSCs were maintained under differentiation-inducing conditions for 28 days, and gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR).

Results: Viability assays identified 25 mJ/cm² as the optimal UVB dose. Flow cytometry confirmed the enhanced expression of MSC markers (CD54, CD90, and CD29) and low expression of hematopoietic markers (CD45, CD106, and MHC class II). Oil Red O staining revealed gradual lipid accumulation, beginning on day 14 and forming mature droplets by day 28. qRT-PCR indicated a significant increase in PPARγ expression in adipogenic differentiation groups and Bmal1 expression post-UVB exposure.

Conclusion: Overall, these findings suggest that UVB stimulation at optimal doses enhances the adipogenic differentiation capacity of MSCs while modulating circadian rhythm-associated genes. Moreover, adipogenic differentiation itself appears to contribute to the regulation of the circadian rhythm.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

1919B012216469

Ethical Statement

The animals used were obtained postapproval from the Hacettepe University Animal Ethics Committee (number 2021/05-05; dated June 22, 2021).

Thanks

The authors would like to thank the Akbay Lab for their valuable support and contributions to this study. The authors also gratefully acknowledge

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Cell Metabolism

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Afra Keban This is me
0009-0000-1379-0759
Türkiye

Elçin Tank
0009-0006-1346-4965
Türkiye

Beril Erdem Tunçdemir
0000-0002-9820-1147
Türkiye

Esin Akbay Çetin ^*
0000-0002-0797-8322
Türkiye

Publication Date

July 9, 2026

Submission Date

December 2, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 20, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 27 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025121

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA94LS28YC

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Keban, A., Tank, E., Erdem Tunçdemir, B., & Akbay Çetin, E. (2026). Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, 27(1), 104-114. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025121

AMA

1.Keban A, Tank E, Erdem Tunçdemir B, Akbay Çetin E. Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27(1):104-114. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025121

Chicago

Keban, Afra, Elçin Tank, Beril Erdem Tunçdemir, and Esin Akbay Çetin. 2026. “Interaction Between Circadian Gene Bmal1 and Adipogenic Regulator PPARγ in UVB-Exposed Mesenchymal Stem Cells”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 (1): 104-14. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025121.

EndNote

Keban A, Tank E, Erdem Tunçdemir B, Akbay Çetin E (July 1, 2026) Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27 1 104–114.

IEEE

[1]A. Keban, E. Tank, B. Erdem Tunçdemir, and E. Akbay Çetin, “Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells”, Trakya Univ J Nat Sci, vol. 27, no. 1, pp. 104–114, July 2026, doi: 10.23902/trkjnat.2025121.

ISNAD

Keban, Afra - Tank, Elçin - Erdem Tunçdemir, Beril - Akbay Çetin, Esin. “Interaction Between Circadian Gene Bmal1 and Adipogenic Regulator PPARγ in UVB-Exposed Mesenchymal Stem Cells”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences 27/1 (July 1, 2026): 104-114. https://doi.org/10.23902/trkjnat.2025121.

JAMA

1.Keban A, Tank E, Erdem Tunçdemir B, Akbay Çetin E. Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026;27:104–114.

MLA

Keban, Afra, et al. “Interaction Between Circadian Gene Bmal1 and Adipogenic Regulator PPARγ in UVB-Exposed Mesenchymal Stem Cells”. Trakya University Journal of Natural Sciences, vol. 27, no. 1, July 2026, pp. 104-1, doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025121.

Vancouver

1.Afra Keban, Elçin Tank, Beril Erdem Tunçdemir, Esin Akbay Çetin. Interaction between circadian gene Bmal1 and adipogenic regulator PPARγ in UVB-exposed mesenchymal stem cells. Trakya Univ J Nat Sci. 2026 Jul. 1;27(1):104-1. doi:10.23902/trkjnat.2025121