5-Azacytidine Inhibits Adipocytic Conversion of Human Skin Fibroblasts by Kirsten Murine Sarcoma Virus and Dexamethasone

Transformation of human skin fibroblasts (SF) by the Kirsten murine sarcoma virus (KiMSV) is associated with their neodifferentiation into preadipose cells. Hydrocortisone or dexamethasone (DX) promote the transformation/neodifferentiation of preadipocytes to fully differentiated adipocytes. 5-Azacytidine (5-Aza-CR) by itself, or together with DX, or immediately after inoculation with KiMSV did not cause adipocytic conversion of human SF. Addition of 5-Aza-CR either before or immediately after exposure of human SF to KiMSV and DX reduced the total number of foci and significantly inhibited expression of adipocyte-containing foci. The results suggest that adipocytic conversion of human SF by KiMSV and DX is specific. This conversion apparently does not involve mechanisms directly related to the effects of 5-Aza-CR on the adipocytic conversion of murine embryo cells.