Novel genes and cellular pathways related to infection with adenovirus-36 as an obesity agent in human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying adenovirus-36 (Ad-36)-induced obesity by the identification of novel genes and cellular pathways. Viral growth, intracellular lipid accumulation and gene expression profiles were determined in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) infected with Ad-36 or Ad-2. A microarray assay and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were performed to assess alterations in global gene expression profiles. Ad-36, but not Ad-2, induced lipid accumulation and upregulated adipogenesis-related genes. There was no difference in viral growth between Ad-36 infection and Ad-2 infection in hMSCs. GSEA revealed that Ad-36 infection was more frequently associated with activation of novel pathways, including the PPAR-gamma signaling pathway, and inflammation compared with Ad-2 infection, raising the possibility that these pathways may be key regulators of Ad-36-induced adipogenesis. This study may help foster a better understanding of the roles of several cellular factors in Ad-36-induced obesity.