title: Epigenetic regulation of mesenchymal stem cells: a focus on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation.
abstract: Stem cells are characterized by their capability to self-renew and terminally differentiate into multiple cell types. Somatic or adult stem cells have a finite self-renewal capacity and are lineage-restricted. The use of adult stem cells for therapeutic purposes has been a topic of recent interest given the ethical considerations associated with embryonic stem (ES) cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, or myogenic lineages. Owing to their ease of isolation and unique characteristics, MSCs have been widely regarded as potential candidates for tissue engineering and repair. While various signaling molecules important to MSC differentiation have been identified, our complete understanding of this process is lacking. Recent investigations focused on the role of epigenetic regulation in lineage-specific differentiation of MSCs have shown that unique patterns of DNA methylation and histone modifications play an important role in the induction of MSC differentiation toward specific lineages. Nevertheless, MSC epigenetic profiles reflect a more restricted differentiation potential as compared to ES cells. Here we review the effect of epigenetic modifications on MSC multipotency and differentiation, with a focus on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. We also highlight clinical applications of MSC epigenetics and nuclear reprogramming.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago Medical Center, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Chad M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Teven
authors.forename: Xing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Ni
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Stephanie H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Enyi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Ke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Mi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jian-Li
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Hong
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authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ryan B
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authors.lastname: Natale
authors.forename: Gaurav
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authors.lastname: Luther
authors.forename: Qing
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authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Linyuan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Richard
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authors.lastname: Rames
authors.forename: Yang
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authors.lastname: Bi
authors.forename: Jinyong
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authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Hue H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Luu
authors.forename: Rex C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Haydon
authors.forename: Russell R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.forename: Tong-Chuan
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: He