Yang Chun, Wang Rui, Hardy Pierre
CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
Cells. 2025 Jan 17;14(2):132. doi: 10.3390/cells14020132.
Stem cells are undifferentiated or partially differentiated cells with an extraordinary ability to self-renew and differentiate into various cell types during growth and development. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a critical developmental process, enhances stem cell-like properties in cells, and is associated with both normal stem cell function and the formation of cancer stem cells. Cell stemness and the EMT often coexist and are interconnected in various contexts. Cancer stem cells are a critical tumor cell population that drives tumorigenesis, cancer progression, drug resistance, and metastasis. Stem cell differentiation and the generation of cancer stem cells are regulated by numerous molecules, including microRNAs (miRNAs). These miRNAs, particularly through the modulation of EMT-associated factors, play major roles in controlling the stemness of cancer stem cells. This review presents an up-to-date summary of the regulatory roles of miR-181 in human stem cell differentiation and cancer cell stemness. We outline studies from the current literature and summarize the miR-181-controlled signaling pathways responsible for driving human stem cell differentiation or the emergence of cancer stem cells. Given its critical role in regulating cell stemness, miR-181 is a promising target for influencing human cell fate. Modulation of miR-181 expression has been found to be altered in cancer stem cells' biological behaviors and to significantly improve cancer treatment outcomes. Additionally, we discuss challenges in miRNA-based therapies and targeted delivery with nanotechnology-based systems.
干细胞是未分化或部分分化的细胞，具有非凡的自我更新能力，在生长发育过程中可分化为各种细胞类型。上皮-间质转化（EMT）是一个关键的发育过程，可增强细胞中的干细胞样特性，并与正常干细胞功能和癌症干细胞的形成相关。细胞干性和EMT在各种情况下常常共存且相互关联。癌症干细胞是驱动肿瘤发生、癌症进展、耐药性和转移的关键肿瘤细胞群体。干细胞分化和癌症干细胞的产生受多种分子调控，包括微小RNA（miRNA）。这些miRNA，特别是通过调节与EMT相关的因子，在控制癌症干细胞的干性方面发挥主要作用。本综述对miR-181在人类干细胞分化和癌细胞干性中的调控作用进行了最新总结。我们概述了当前文献中的研究，并总结了负责驱动人类干细胞分化或癌症干细胞出现的miR-181控制的信号通路。鉴于其在调节细胞干性中的关键作用，miR-181是影响人类细胞命运的一个有前景的靶点。已发现miR-181表达的调节在癌症干细胞的生物学行为中发生改变，并能显著改善癌症治疗效果。此外，我们还讨论了基于miRNA的疗法以及基于纳米技术系统的靶向递送所面临的挑战。
