2. Academic Validation
  3. Effects of benzotriazoles UV-328, UV-329, and UV-P on the self-renewal and adipo-osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

Effects of benzotriazoles UV-328, UV-329, and UV-P on the self-renewal and adipo-osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells

  • Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2025 Jan 15:290:117765. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117765.
Yue Zhang 1,  Hui Zhao 1,  Qianxi Feng 1,  Rui Guo 1,  Li Zhong 2,  Shengxian Liang 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China.
  • 2 Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA 91766, USA. Electronic address: lzhong@westernu.edu.
  • 3 Institute of Life Sciences and Green Development, College of Life Sciences, Hebei University, Baoding 071000, China; Institutes of Health Central Plains, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang 453003, China. Electronic address: liangshengxiansr@hbu.edu.cn.
PMID: 39847882 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2025.117765
Abstract

Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers (BUVSs) are pervasive environmental contaminants that pose significant risks to human health. This study evaluated the effects of three typical BUVSs (UV-328, UV-329, and UV-P) on human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs), which play crucial roles in tissue maintenance and repair. hMSCs were exposed to BUVSs across a range of concentrations, and their maintenance and differentiation capacities were assessed. At concentrations below 50 μM, no significant cytotoxicity was observed. However, at non-cytotoxic doses, UV-P exhibited stronger effects on the differentiation of hMSCs compared to UV-328 and UV-329, significantly inhibiting adipogenesis and enhancing osteogenesis. Mechanistically, UV-P was found to significantly enrich the PPAR signaling pathway during both differentiation processes. Dual-luciferase reporter assays confirmed UV-P's interaction with PPARγ_LBD at an alternate binding site outside the canonical pocket. These findings raise concerns about the health impacts of BUVSs, particularly UV-P, and underscore the need for further investigation into their toxicological profiles.

Keywords

Adipo-osteogenesis; Benzotriazole ultraviolet stabilizers; Human mesenchymal stem cells; PPARγ; Self-renewal.

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