MicroRNA signature changes during induction of neural stem cells from human mesenchymal stem cells.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding small RNA molecules that act as decisive roles in cell proliferation and differentiation processes by targeted inhibition of mature mRNA. In this study, miRNAs that are involved in the differentiation of neural stem cells (NSC) from human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) were completely profiled and identified to elucidate the significant miRNAs responsible for NSC differentiation. Human MSCs were induced with NSC-differentiation cocktail containing epidermal growth factor and fibroblast growth factor under serum-free conditions. The profiling of miRNAs was done using Next-Generation sequencing system. The significant miRNAs that might be involved in the differentiation process were screened. The expression levels of target genes (ARID1A and DUSP16) of miR-561-5p and miR-138-5p were determined using western blot & quantitative PCR respectively. The results could help in developing new strategies towards optimizing the in vitro differentiation of NSCs for potential use in future clinical applications.