miR-375 Promotes Pancreatic Differentiation In Vitro by Affecting Different Target Genes at Different Stages

• Main Authors: Zhenyu Lu, Jing Wang, Xu Wang, Zhiying Li, Dan Niu, Min Wang, Jinzhu Xiang, Yongli Yue, Yajuan Xia, Xueling Li
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hindawi Limited 2021-01-01
• Series: Stem Cells International
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6642983

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) possess the ability to differentiate into insulin-producing cells (IPCs), which can be used to treat type I diabetes. miR-375 is an essential transcriptional regulator in the development and maturation of the pancreas. In this study, we optimized a protocol to differentiate hESCs into IPCs and successfully obtained IPCs. Then, we performed overexpression and inhibition experiments of miR-375 on cells at different stages of differentiation and performed RNA-seq. The results showed that the expression of miR-375 fluctuated during hESC differentiation and was affected by miR-375 mimics and inhibitors. miR-375 influences global gene expression and the target genes of miR-375. The overexpression of miR-375 can cause changes in multiple signaling pathways during pancreatic development. miR-375 is a major participant in the differentiation of pancreatic β-cells through different target genes at different stages. This study provides new ideas for further investigation of how microRNAs affect cell fate and gene transcription.