Epigenetic Regulation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A Focus on Osteogenic and Adipogenic Differentiation
Open Access
- 1 January 2011
- journal article
- Published by Hindawi Limited in Stem Cells International
- Vol. 2011, 1-18
- https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/201371
Abstract
Stem cells are characterized by their capability to self-renew and terminally differentiate into multiple cell types. Somatic or adult stem cells have a finite self-renewal capacity and are lineage-restricted. The use of adult stem cells for therapeutic purposes has been a topic of recent interest given the ethical considerations associated with embryonic stem (ES) cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, or myogenic lineages. Owing to their ease of isolation and unique characteristics, MSCs have been widely regarded as potential candidates for tissue engineering and repair. While various signaling molecules important to MSC differentiation have been identified, our complete understanding of this process is lacking. Recent investigations focused on the role of epigenetic regulation in lineage-specific differentiation of MSCs have shown that unique patterns of DNA methylation and histone modifications play an important role in the induction of MSC differentiation toward specific lineages. Nevertheless, MSC epigenetic profiles reflect a more restricted differentiation potential as compared to ES cells. Here we review the effect of epigenetic modifications on MSC multipotency and differentiation, with a focus on osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation. We also highlight clinical applications of MSC epigenetics and nuclear reprogramming.Keywords
This publication has 169 references indexed in Scilit:
- A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Study of Intravenous Adult Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells (Prochymal) After Acute Myocardial InfarctionJournal of the American College of Cardiology, 2009
- Histone modification patterns and epigenetic codesBiochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects, 2009
- Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Adult Human Fibroblasts by Defined FactorsCell, 2007
- The Histone H3 Lysine-27 Demethylase Jmjd3 Links Inflammation to Inhibition of Polycomb-Mediated Gene SilencingCell, 2007
- Chromatin Modifications and Their FunctionCell, 2007
- Transcriptional control of adipocyte formationCell Metabolism, 2006
- Induction of Pluripotent Stem Cells from Mouse Embryonic and Adult Fibroblast Cultures by Defined FactorsCell, 2006
- A Bivalent Chromatin Structure Marks Key Developmental Genes in Embryonic Stem CellsCell, 2006
- Isolation and multilineage differentiation of bovine bone marrow mesenchymal stem cellsCell and tissue research, 2004
- Targeted mutation of the DNA methyltransferase gene results in embryonic lethalityCell, 1992