Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2025
09:40
Characterization of Functionally Associated miRNAs in Glioblastoma and their Engineering into Artificial Clusters for Gene Therapy
Published on: October 4, 2019
5.6K
The Multifaceted Roles of MicroRNA-181 in Stem Cell Differentiation and Cancer Stem Cell Plasticity
Chun Yang1, Rui Wang2, Pierre Hardy1,2,3
1CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC H3T 1C5, Canada.
Cells
|January 24, 2025
Summary
MicroRNAs, specifically miR-181, regulate human stem cell differentiation and cancer stem cell properties. Understanding miR-181 pathways offers potential for improved cancer therapies and cell fate manipulation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Stem cells possess self-renewal and differentiation capabilities.
- Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) enhances stem cell properties and is linked to cancer stem cells.
- Cancer stem cells drive tumor progression, metastasis, and drug resistance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the regulatory roles of miR-181 in human stem cell differentiation.
- To summarize miR-181's role in cancer stem cell stemness and associated signaling pathways.
- To discuss miR-181 as a therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on miR-181, stem cell differentiation, and cancer stem cells.
- Analysis of miR-181-controlled signaling pathways.
- Discussion of miRNA-based therapies and nanotechnology delivery systems.
Main Results:
- miR-181 plays a critical role in regulating human stem cell differentiation and cancer stem cell stemness.
- miR-181 modulates EMT-associated factors, influencing stem cell properties.
- Altered miR-181 expression is observed in cancer stem cells, impacting their behavior.
Conclusions:
- miR-181 is a key regulator of cell stemness and a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
- Modulating miR-181 expression can potentially improve cancer treatment outcomes.
- Nanotechnology offers potential solutions for challenges in miRNA-based cancer therapies.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Mesenchymal Stem Cells
4.6K
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult stem cells that can differentiate into most connective tissue cell types, except for hematopoietic cells, depending upon the source of MSCs. For example, bone-marrow-derived MSCs (BM-MSCs) can differentiate into osteocytes, hepatocytes, and pancreatic and neuronal cells. MSCs can be isolated from various sources such as bone marrow, placenta, adipose tissue, teeth, and Wharton’s jelly, a gelatinous substance in the umbilical cord. The ease of their...
4.6K
01:22MicroRNAs
3.0K
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
3.0K
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
2.2K
The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
2.2K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.1K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.1K
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
3.9K
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic...
Somatic...
3.9K
01:26Stem Cell Niche
5.0K
The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
5.0K