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

OBJECTIVE: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.DESIGN: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.RESULTS: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.CONCLUSION:This study may help foster a better understanding of the roles of several cellular factors in Ad-36-induced obesity