Small molecules for mesenchymal stem cell fate determination

Figure 2 Small molecules guiding mesenchymal stem cell adipogenic cell fate determination. Many pathways are involved in regulating the adipogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells, including the Wnt, AKT and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways. Activating the AKT pathway promotes the differentiation of adipose stem cells, whereas activating the heme oxygenase-1, Wnt or AMPK pathway inhibits adipogenesis. FAS: Fatty acid synthase; 8-HUDE: 12-(3-hexylureido) dodec-8(Z)-enoic acid; AUDA: 12-(3-adamantan-1-yl-ureido)-dodecanoic acid; HO-1: Heme oxygenase-1; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase.