CD105 is regulated by hsa-miR-1287 and its expression is inversely correlated with osteopotential in SHED

A more accurate understanding of the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways underpinning human mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) plasticity and differentiation properties is pivotal for accomplishing solid and diligent translation of MSC-based experimental therapeutics and clinical trials to broad clinical practice. In addition, this knowledge enables selection of MSC subpopulations with increased differentiation potential and/or use of exogenous factors to boost this potential. Here, we report that CD105 (ENG) is a predictive biomarker of osteogenic potential in two types of MSCs: stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHED) and human adipose-derived stem cells (hASC). We also validate that CD105 can be used to select and enrich for subpopulations of SHED and hASC with higher in vitro osteogenic potential. In addition, we show that hsa-mir-1287 regulates CD105 expression, and propose that fine-tuning hsa-mir-1287 levels could be used to control osteopotential in SHED. These findings provide better discernment of the molecular bases behind MSC osteogenic plasticity and open up new perspectives to leverage osteogenic potential in MSCs by modulation of a specific miRNA.