Title:Epigenetic Regulation of Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Volume: 11
Issue: 3
Author(s): Gang Fu, Aishu Ren, Yu Qiu and Yi Zhang
Affiliation:
Keywords:
DNA methylation, epigenetic, histone modification, mesenchymal stem cells, microRNA, osteogenic differentiation.
Abstract: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent progenitors that have the abilities of selfrenewal
and multiple direction differentiation. The osteogenic potential of MSCs holds great promise
for bone defect repair and bone disease treatment. For a long time studies about osteogenic differentiation
of MSCs have emphasized on the effect of extrinsic regulators and the corresponding transcription
factors controlling cell fate. In fact, cell fate is determined by lineage specific gene expression that is
regulated more specifically by epigenetic mechanism. Over the last decade, some progress has been
made in epigenetic researches of MSCs osteogenic differentiation. DNA methylation, histone modifications and microRNA
(miRNA) are all verified important mechanisms regulating MSCs differentiation. Epigenetic regulation might
provide novel treatment targets for promoting bone formation. In this review, we will summarize the recent advance about
the epigenetic mechanism that control MSCs commitment to osteoblasts and the potential clinical application of MSCs
epigenetics in future.