Department of Cell and Neurobiology Keck School of Medicine, BMT-403 University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
J Cell Biochem. 2013 Feb;114(2):275-81. doi: 10.1002/jcb.24385.
Since the first report of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), much focus has been placed on iPSCs due to their great therapeutic potential for diseases such as abnormal development, degenerative disorders, and even cancers. Subsequently, Takahashi and Yamanaka took a novel approach by using four defined transcription factors to generate iPSCs in mice and human fibroblast cells. Scientists have since been trying to refine or develop better approaches to reprogramming, either by using different combinations of transcription factors or delivery methods. However, recent reports showed that the microRNA expression pattern plays a crucial role in somatic cell reprogramming and ectopic introduction of embryonic stem cell-specific microRNAs revert cells back to an ESC-like state, although, the exact mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. This review describes recent work that has focused on microRNA-mediated approaches to somatic cell reprogramming as well as some of the pros and cons to these approaches and a possible mechanism of action. Based on the pivotal role of microRNAs in embryogenesis and somatic cell reprogramming, studies in this area must continue in order to gain a better understanding of the role of microRNAs in stem cells regulation and activity.
自体细胞细胞核转移（SCNT）首次报道诱导多能干细胞（iPSC）以来，由于其在异常发育、退行性疾病甚至癌症等疾病中的巨大治疗潜力，因此人们对 iPSC 给予了极大的关注。随后，Takahashi 和 Yamanaka 采用了一种新方法，使用四种定义明确的转录因子在小鼠和人成纤维细胞中生成 iPSC。此后，科学家们一直在努力改进或开发更好的重编程方法，无论是通过使用不同的转录因子组合还是不同的传递方法。然而，最近的报告表明，microRNA 的表达模式在体细胞重编程中起着至关重要的作用，胚胎干细胞特异性 microRNA 的异位引入会使细胞恢复到 ESC 样状态，尽管这种效应的确切机制尚不清楚。本文综述了最近集中研究 microRNA 介导的体细胞重编程方法以及这些方法的优缺点和可能的作用机制。基于 microRNAs 在胚胎发生和体细胞重编程中的关键作用，该领域的研究必须继续进行，以便更好地了解 microRNAs 在干细胞调控和活性中的作用。
