The Role of Prep1 in the Regulation of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells.

Molecular mechanisms governing cell fate decision events in bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are still poorly understood. Herein, we investigated the homeobox gene as a candidate regulatory molecule, by adopting hypomorphic mice as a model to investigate the effects of downregulation, using in vitro and in vivo assays, including the innovative single cell RNA sequencing technology. Taken together, our findings indicate that low levels of are associated to enhanced adipogenesis and a concomitant reduced osteogenesis in the bone marrow, suggesting Prep1 as a potential regulator of the adipo-osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stromal cells. Furthermore, our data suggest that in vivo decreased gene dosage favors a pro-adipogenic phenotype and induces a "browning" effect in all fat tissues.