Identification and characterization of murine adipose tissue-derived somatic stem cells of Shenque (CV8) acupoint

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Identification and characterization of murine adipose tissue-derived somatic stem cells of Shenque (CV8) acupoint

For over 2000 years, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has relied on the Shenque (CV8) acupoint—located at the navel—to treat conditions ranging from digestive disorders to menstrual pain. Navel therapy, which includes moxibustion (heat from burning herbs), acupuncture, and herbal patches, remains a cornerstone of TCM practice. Yet despite its popularity, the scientific mechanisms behind the CV8 acupoint’s effects have long been unclear. A 2021 study from researchers at Shanxi Medical University and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers a breakthrough: the CV8 acupoint is rich in adipose (fat) tissue containing specialized stem cells that behave differently from those in non-acupoint areas.

What Is the CV8 Acupoint?

In TCM, acupoints are spots on the body where “qi” (vital energy) and blood converge. They are connected to organs and meridians—energy pathways that regulate bodily functions. The CV8 acupoint, or navel, is uniquely regarded as the “root” of the body’s systems. TCM theory holds that it links to the conception vessel (governing reproductive and digestive health) and belt vessel (regulating abdominal organs), making it a key site for balancing the body.

The Study’s Goal

The research team, led by Jun Xie of Shanxi Medical University’s Key Laboratory of Birth Defect and Cell Regeneration, sought to bridge TCM and modern science. They hypothesized that stem cells—body’s “building blocks” that can self-renew and develop into different cell types—might explain the CV8 acupoint’s therapeutic potential. Stem cells are critical for tissue repair, and if the CV8 acupoint contained unique stem cells, this could explain why navel therapy works.

How the Study Was Done

The team used 50 SPF-grade Balb/c mice (4–16 weeks old) to compare the CV8 acupoint (navel) with a non-acupoint site (groin fat). They:

  1. Morphological Analysis: Used hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Oil Red O (for fat), and Masson (for connective tissue) staining to examine CV8 tissue structure.
  2. Stem Cell Identification: Isolated cells from CV8 and groin adipose tissue, then used flow cytometry to check for stem cell markers (Sca-1, CD44) and blood vessel markers (CD31, CD34).
  3. Proliferation Testing: Measured cell growth over 7 days using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay.
  4. Differentiation Assays: Induced stem cells to become fat cells (adipogenic), bone cells (osteogenic), or nerve stem cell-like cells (neurogenic), then quantified results with staining (Oil Red O for fat, Alizarin Red S for bone) and imaging.

Key Findings

The study revealed three major insights about CV8 acupoint stem cells:

  1. CV8 Is Rich in Adipose Tissue: Contrary to previous beliefs that the navel has no subcutaneous fat, the team found a mass of adipose tissue at the CV8 acupoint in mice. This tissue contained Sca-1-positive cells—a marker of somatic stem cells.
  2. Unique Stem Cell Profile: Stem cells from CV8 had high levels of Sca-1 (99.8% vs. 96.7% in groin) and CD44 (99.9% vs. 99.1%)—proteins that indicate “stemness.” They had low levels of CD31 (7.6% vs. 7.9%) and CD34 (10.8% vs. 22.9%)—markers of blood vessels—confirming they were not blood or endothelial cells.
  3. Acupoint-Specific Behavior: Compared to groin stem cells, CV8 stem cells:
    • Grew Faster: From day 4 onward, CV8 cells proliferated significantly faster (e.g., day 7 absorbance: 0.755 vs. 0.631, P < 0.0001).
    • Became More Fat Cells: 9.2% of CV8 cells differentiated into fat (vs. 3.9% in groin), as shown by Oil Red O staining (P = 0.0075).
    • Formed More Nerve Stem Cell-Like Clusters: CV8 cells produced 2–3x more “neurospheres” (nerve stem cell clusters) of all sizes (diameter <50 µm: 7.2 vs. 2.6, P < 0.0001).
    • Became Fewer Bone Cells: Only 2.7% of CV8 cells turned into bone (vs. 7.3% in groin), measured by mineralization (P = 0.0023).

What Does This Mean for Navel Therapy?

The results suggest the CV8 acupoint’s unique stem cells could be a key driver of navel therapy’s effects. In TCM, the navel is thought to “regulate qi and blood”; in modern terms, stem cells can migrate to injured tissues and promote repair. The team hypothesizes that external stimuli (like moxibustion heat or acupuncture) activate CV8 stem cells, sending them to areas of damage—such as the gut for IBS or the uterus for dysmenorrhea.

Limitations and Future Research

The study was conducted in mice and in vitro (lab dishes), so findings need confirmation in humans. However, it provides the first direct evidence that acupoints contain specialized stem cells—a critical step toward validating TCM with modern science. Future research could explore:

  • Whether CV8 stem cells migrate to injured organs in live animals.
  • How moxibustion or acupuncture affects stem cell activity.
  • If human CV8 acupoint stem cells behave similarly to mouse cells.

Conclusion

For centuries, TCM practitioners have trusted the navel’s healing power. This study offers the first scientific explanation: the CV8 acupoint is a reservoir of adipose tissue with specialized stem cells that grow faster, make more fat and nerve cells, and less bone than non-acupoint stem cells. While more research is needed, these findings bridge ancient wisdom and modern biology—suggesting that navel therapy works by harnessing the body’s own stem cells to repair and regenerate.

This study was published in the Chinese Medical Journal in 2021 by Yu-Hui Hao, Zhi-Zhen Liu, Hong Zhao, Lei Wang, Ajab Khan, Jian-Bin Mu, Yu-Fei Wang, Li-Hong Yang, Ran Zhou, and Jun Xie.
doi.org/10.1097/CM9.0000000000001850

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