Curr Pharm Biotechnol. 2020 Feb 18. doi: 10.2174/1389201021666200219092520. [Epub ahead of print]

Expression profiles of MicroRNAs in stem cells differentiation.

Rajabi H¹, Aslani S¹, Abhari A¹, Sanajou D¹.

Abstract

Stem cells are undifferentiated cells and have great potential in multilineage differentiation. These cells are classified into adult stem cells like Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) and Embryonic Stem Cells (ESCs). Stem cells, also, have potential therapeutic utility due to their pluripotency, self-renewal, and differentiation ability. These properties make them a suitable choice for regenerative medicine. Stem cells differentiation toward functional cells is governed by different signaling pathways and transcription factors. Recent studies have demonstrated the key role of microRNA's in the pathogenesis of various diseases, cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, aging, cell fate decisions. Several types of stem cells have different and unique miRNA expression profiles. Our review summarizes novel regulatory roles of miRNAs in the process of stem cell differentiation especially adult stem cells into a verity of functional cells through signaling pathways and transcription factors modulation. Understanding the mechanistic roles of miRNAs might be helpful in elaborating clinical therapies using stem cells and developing novel biomarkers for the early and effective diagnosis of pathologic conditions.