Profiling the microRNA Expression in Human iPS and iPS-derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium.
The purpose of this study is to characterize the microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS-RPE). MiRNAs have been demonstrated to play critical roles in both maintaining pluripotency and facilitating differentiation. Gene expression networks accountable for maintenance and induction of pluripotency are linked and share components with those networks implicated in oncogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that miRNA expression profiling will distinguish iPS cells from their iPS-RPE progeny. To identify and analyze differentially expressed miRNAs, RPE was derived from iPS using a spontaneous differentiation method. MiRNA microarray analysis identified 155 probes that were statistically differentially expressed between iPS and iPS-RPE cells. Up-regulated miRNAs including miR-181c and miR-129-5p may play a role in promoting differentiation, while down-regulated miRNAs such as miR-367, miR-18b, and miR-20b are implicated in cell proliferation. Subsequent miRNA-target and network analysis revealed that these miRNAs are involved in cellular development, cell cycle progression, cell death, and survival. A systematic interrogation of temporal and spatial expression of iPS-RPE miRNAs and their associated target mRNAs will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis, eye differentiation and development.
Ocular Trauma, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Heuy-Ching
HC
Wang
Ocular Trauma, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Whitney A
WA
Greene
Ocular Trauma, US Army Institute of Surgical Research, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Ramesh R
RR
Kaini
Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Clinical Investigation, Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSA Fort Sam Houston, TX, USA.
Jane
J
Shen-Gunther
Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Hung-I H
HI
Chen
Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Hong
H
Cai
Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA. ; South Texas Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA.
Yufeng
Y
Wang
cancer; induced pluripotent stems cells; microRNA; retinal pigment epithelium