School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637459, Singapore.
Biomaterials. 2012 Mar;33(9):2608-28. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2011.12.021. Epub 2011 Dec 29.
Directing stem cell fate remains a major area of interest and also a hurdle to many, particularly in the field of regenerative medicine. Unfortunately, conventional methods of over-expressing inductive factors through the use of biochemical induction cocktails have led to sub-optimal outcomes. A potential alternative may be to adopt the opposite by selectively silencing genes or pathways that are pivotal to stem cell differentiation. Indeed, over recent years, there have been an increasing number of studies on directing stem cell fate through gene knockdown via RNA interference (RNAi). While the effectiveness of RNAi in controlling stem cell differentiation is evident from the myriad of studies, a chaotically vast collection of gene silencing targets have also been identified. Meanwhile, variations in methods of transfecting stem cells have also affected silencing efficiencies and the subsequent extent of stem cell differentiation. This review serves to unite the pioneers who have ventured into the emerging field of RNAi-enhanced stem cell differentiation by summarizing and evaluating the current approaches adopted in utilizing gene silencing to direct stem cell fate and their corresponding outcomes.
指导干细胞命运仍然是一个主要的研究领域，也是许多人的障碍，特别是在再生医学领域。不幸的是，通过使用生化诱导鸡尾酒过度表达诱导因子的传统方法导致了不理想的结果。一种潜在的替代方法可能是通过选择性沉默对干细胞分化至关重要的基因或途径来采取相反的方法。事实上，近年来，通过 RNA 干扰 (RNAi) 进行基因敲低来指导干细胞命运的研究越来越多。虽然 RNAi 在控制干细胞分化方面的有效性从众多研究中显而易见，但也确定了大量的基因沉默靶点。同时，转染干细胞的方法的变化也影响了沉默效率和随后的干细胞分化程度。通过总结和评估利用基因沉默来指导干细胞命运及其相应结果的当前方法，本综述旨在将涉足 RNAi 增强干细胞分化这一新兴领域的先驱者团结起来。
