Concise review: Exploring miRNAs--toward a better understanding of hematopoiesis

Hematopoiesis is governed by a multidimensional regulatory network involving both intrinsic and extrinsic factors that control self-renewal and differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) through the coordination of influences that affect cell fate. Increasing evidence indicates that microRNAs (miRNAs), short noncoding RNAs of approximately 22 nucleotides, play a central role in orchestrating these regulatory mechanisms to modulate the multiple entities of hematopoietic function in a cell-type specific manner, including self-renewal, lineage commitment, and survival of HSCs as well as their microenvironmental crosstalk. Here, we summarize the current understanding regarding the regulatory effects of miRNA on hematopoietic cells, thus enlightening their role in fine-tuning HSC function and hematopoietic homeostasis.