Retinoic acid inhibits BMP4-induced C3H10T1/2 stem cell commitment to adipocyte via downregulating Smad/p38MAPK signaling

► RA inhibited BMP4 induction of C3H10T1/2 MSC adipogenic commitment and differentiation. ► Adipogenesis inhibition was achieved by adding RA before adipogenic inducers were given. ► Among retinoic acid receptors, RARβ was upregulated in RA-treated C3H10T1/2 MSCs. ► As a mechanism, BMP4-induced Smad1/5/8 and p38 phosphorylation was suppressed by RA.