title: Differentiation of single cell derived human mesenchymal stem cells into cells with a neuronal phenotype: RNA and microRNA expression profile.
abstract: The adult bone marrow contains a subset of non-haematopoietic cells referred to as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have attracted immense research interest in the field of regenerative medicine due to their ability to be cultured for successive passages and multi-lineage differentiation. The molecular mechanisms governing the self-renewal and differentiation of MSCs remain largely unknown. In a previous paper we demonstrated the ability to induce human clonal MSCs to differentiate into cells with a neuronal phenotype (DMSCs). In the present study we evaluated gene expression profiles by Sequential Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) and microRNA expression profiles before and after the neuronal differentiation process. Various tissue-specific genes were weakly expressed in MSCs, including those of non-mesodermal origin, suggesting multiple potential tissue-specific differentiation, as well as stemness markers. Expression of OCT4, KLF4 and c-Myc cell reprogramming factors, which are modulated during the differentiation process, was also observed. Many peculiar nervous tissue genes were expressed at a high level in DMSCs, along with genes related to apoptosis. MicroRNA profiling and correlation with mRNA expression profiles allowed us to identify putative important genes and microRNAs involved in the differentiation of MSCs into neuronal-like cells. The profound difference in gene and microRNA expression patterns between MSCs and DMSCs indicates a real functional change during differentiation from MSCs to DMSCs.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Ricerca Genetica e Biomedica (IRGB), del Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Cittadella Universitaria di Cagliari, S.S. 554 bivio per Sestu, 09042, Monserrato, CA, Italy. francecrobu@gmail.com
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Crobu
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Latini
authors.forename: Maria Franca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Marongiu
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sogos
authors.forename: Franca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scintu
authors.forename: Susanna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Porcu
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Casu
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Badiali
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sanna
authors.forename: Maria Francesca
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Manchinu
authors.forename: Maria Serafina
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Ristaldi
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D065150:Cellular Reprogramming / Q000235:genetics; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015723:Gene Library; D006801:Humans; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: C000715467:KLF4 protein, human; D000090062:Kruppel-Like Factor 4; D035683:MicroRNAs; D014157:Transcription Factors