Differential expression of long noncoding ribonucleic acids during osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the differential expression and putative function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) during the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

METHODS

The differential lncRNAs expression profiles of undifferentiated and differentiated cells during osteogenic differentiation were established by lncRNA microarray. Microarray data were validated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatic analyses (gene ontology, pathway and co-expression network analysis) were applied for further study of these differentially expressed lncRNAs.

RESULTS

A total of 1,206 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified during the process of osteogenic differentiation. Among these lncRNAs, 687 were up-regulated and 519 were down-regulated more than two-fold. Bioinformatic analyses were applied for further study of these differentially expressed lncRNAs. Further analysis found 48 regulated enhancer-like lncRNA and 14 lincRNA. The dynamic expression trends H19 and uc022axw.1 were then observed using qRT-PCR. The results showed that the two up-regulated lncRNAs are likely to play important roles in osteogenic differentiation process.

CONCLUSIONS

Taken together, our study first revealed the expression profiles of lncRNAs in osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow MSCs. It provides an experimental basis for further research on lncRNAs functions during osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow MSCs.