Open AccessConcise Review: MicroRNAs as Modulators of Stem Cells and Angiogenesis
Author(s) -
Kane Nicole M.,
Thrasher Adrian J.,
Angelini Gianni D.,
Emanueli Costanza
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.159
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1549-4918
pISSN - 1066-5099
DOI - 10.1002/stem.1629
Subject(s) - biology , microrna , stem cell , progenitor cell , angiogenesis , gene expression , microbiology and biotechnology , regulation of gene expression , cell type , regeneration (biology) , gene , gene regulatory network , computational biology , cell , genetics
MicroRNAs (miRs) are highly conserved, short noncoding RNA molecules that negatively regulate messenger RNA (mRNA) stability and/or translational efficiency. Since a given miR can control the expression of many mRNAs, their importance in governing gene expression in specific cell types including vascular cells and their progenitor cells has become increasingly clear. Understanding how the expression of miRs themselves is regulated and how miRs exert their influence on post‐transcriptional gene control provides novel opportunities to dissect gene regulatory networks in clinically relevant cell types. A multitude of miRs have been identified with key roles in vascular development, homeostasis, function, disease, and regeneration. In this review, we will describe the impact of miRs on angiogenesis and their capacity to modulate the behavior of stem and progenitor cells which may be utilitarian for promoting vascular growth in ischemic tissue. Moreover, we summarize these strategies available for modulating miR expression and function and future therapeutic applications. S tem C ells 2014;32:1059–1066