Mirna

Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics 11 (2013) 275–283

Genomics Proteomics Bioinformatics

www.elsevier.com/locate/gpb www.sciencedirect.com

REVIEW

The Functions of MicroRNAs and Long Non-coding RNAs in Embryonic and Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Wenwen Jia #, Wen Chen #, Jiuhong Kang

*

Clinical and Translational Research Center of Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Health Hospital, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Signaling and Disease Research, School of Life Science and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China Received 17 July 2013; revised 2 September 2013; accepted 3 September 2013 Available online 1 October 2013

KEYWORDS Embryonic stem cell; Induced pluripotent stem cell; MicroRNA; Long non-coding RNA

Abstract Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold immense promise for regenerative medicine due to their abilities to self-renew and to differentiate into all cell types. This unique property is controlled by a complex interplay between transcriptional factors and epigenetic regulators. Recent research indicates that the epigenetic role of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) is an integral component of this regulatory network. This report will summarize findings that focus on two classes of regulatory ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), in the induction, maintenance and directed differentiation of ESCs and iPSCs. Manipulating these two important types of ncRNAs would be crucial to unlock the therapeutic and research potential of pluripotent stem cells.

Introduction

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) derived from the inner cell mass, which possess the potential for unlimited proliferation and differentiation into three germ layers, are the ideal cell source for cell therapy [1–3]. The acquisition of human ESCs (hESCs), however, requires the destruction of human embryos. Therefore, possible immunological rejection or religious and ethical concerns greatly hinder the pace of ESCs in basic and clinical...