Abstract
Because of their capability of differentiation into lineage-specific cells, stem cells are an attractive therapeutic modality in regenerative medicine. To develop an effective stem cell-based therapeutic strategy with predictable results, deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and/or pluripotency maintenance is required. Thus, reviewing the key factors involved in the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of stem cell differentiation and maintenance is important. Accumulating data indicate that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) mediate numerous biological processes, including stem cell differentiation and maintenance. Here, we review recent findings on the human lncRNA regulation of stem cell potency and differentiation. Although the clinical implication of these lncRNAs is only beginning to be elucidated, it is anticipated that lncRNAs will become important therapeutic targets in the near future.
Highlights
Stem cells are specialized cells capable of differentiating into lineage-specific cells. Depending on their potential to differentiate and source of origin, stem cells can be broadly categorized into embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells, and adult stem cells such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)
According to a previous study conducted a clone-based genome assembly of mouse, only a small portion of mouse long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) had evidence of human expression [30]. This particular study indicated that only half of the mouse lncRNA sequences (1538 out of 3051 mouse lncRNAs documented) could be mapped to the human genome assembly, and only 14% of the mouse lncRNA sequences (439 out of 3051 mouse lncRNAs documented) had evidence of orthologous transcription in human based on expressed sequence tag (EST) or cDNA
Studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs modulate stem cell biology by interacting with essential transcription factors responsible for maintaining pluripotency or regulating differentiation
Summary
Stem cells are specialized cells capable of differentiating into lineage-specific cells Depending on their potential to differentiate and source of origin, stem cells can be broadly categorized into embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and adult stem cells such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). To develop an effective stem cellbased therapeutic strategy with predictable results, deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of stem cell differentiation and/or pluripotency maintenance is required. It is worth reviewing the key factors involved in the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of stem cell differentiation and maintenance. Only the lncRNAs with documented functions affecting human stem cell biology will be discussed in this particular review
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