Abstract: Objective Changes in the osteogenesis of diabetic rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by the regulation of Lnk/stem cell factor (SCF)-cKit signaling were investigated. Methods BMSCs were isolated from diabetic rats and identified by immunocytochemical staining. These cells were divided into the control group (untransfected group), negative control group (transfected with control plasmid), and RNA interference group (transfected with Lnk-targeting RNA interference plasmid). Western blot was performed to analyze the effect of interference. The BMSCs were induced for osteogenic differentiation under diabetic conditions, and Western blot was used to examine the expressions of Lnk, SCF, and cKit in Lnk/SCFcKit signaling and osteogenic proteins alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), and collagen type Ⅰ a1 (ColIa1). Results Isolated cells expressed CD₄₄ and CD₉₀ but not CD_11b or CD₄₅. This phenomenon was characteristic of BMSCs. Compared with other diabetic BMSCs, cells in the RNA interference group expressed low Lnk but high SCF and cKit (P< 0.05). Thereafter, 28 days after induction of osteogenic differentiation, cells in the RNA interference group expressed low Lnk but high SCF, cKit, ALP, OCN, and ColIa1 compared with other diabetic BMSCs (P<0.05). Conclusion The inhibition of Lnk expression and activation of SCF-cKit pathway may improve the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs under diabetic conditions.

Key words: Lnk, stem cell factor-cKit signaling, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, diabetes, osteogenesis