Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3
The Role of MicroRNAs in Natural Tissue
Development and Application in Regenerative
Medicine
Morten Østergaard Andersen , Philipp Dillschneider , and Jørgen Kjems
Abstract
Many cellular functions rely on the coordinated expression and repression
of a large number of messenger RNAs; these are tightly controlled in part by
microRNAs (miRNAs) at the posttranscriptional level. The number of characterised
miRNAs that are involved in tissue development and repair is steadily increasing,
and our understanding of their functions is starting to merge. Modulating miRNA
levels through externally applied stimuli enables us to control the translation of
numerous mRNAs giving us unprecedented control over cellular events; therefore,
we predict that such techniques will revolutionise regenerative medicine. This chap-
ter will introduce miRNA biology and their role in controlling pluripotency, stem
cell differentiation, proliferation, senescence, survival, inflammation and angiogen-
esis. There are several strategies by which miRNA-modulating technologies can be
used to specifically target tissue engineering and repair, either in culture or in asso-
ciation with implanted cells and/or implants. We will here summarise these methods
providing examples from present literature. Based on previous results, we will also
predict more advanced technologies that may deliver miRNA in a spatial/tempo-
rally regulated manner that may imitate natural miRNA expression. Furthermore,
exogenous miRNAs, carried between cells in secreted vesicles, have recently been
characterised and may further increase the role and potential of miRNA in relation
to regenerative medicine.
M. Ø. Andersen (
*
) • P. Dillschneider • J. Kjems
Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Interdisciplinary Nanoscience Center,
Aarhus University , C.F. Møllers Allé 3, Building 1130 , 8000 Aarhus , Denmark
e-mail: moa@mb.au.dk
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