Irisin enhances chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells via Rap1/PI3K/AKT axis.

Collectively, our study reveals that irisin can enhance chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs via the Rap1/PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting that irisin possesses prospects in cartilage regeneration. Collectively, our study reveals that irisin can enhance chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs via the Rap1/PI3K/AKT pathway, suggesting that irisin possesses prospects in cartilage regeneration. To further explore the possible mechanisms accounting for the role of irisin on the chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs, RNA sequencing was performed in hMSC-induced cartilage tissue between controls and irisin-treated groups on day 7.