miR-142-5p Improves Neural Differentiation and Proliferation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

Background/Aims: MiRNAs may regulate neurogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs). In this study, we hypothesized that the miR-142-5p can repress the expression of RhoA/ROCK1 pathway on the neurogenesis of ADSCs. Methods: Deregulated miRNA during neurogenic differentiation of ADSCs were identified. The expression of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and β III tubulin (Neuron-specific class III beta-tubulin) were detected as the markers of neurogenic differentiation by immunostaining and western blot. The targeting of miR-142-5p on RhoA and ROCK1 was verified by dual luciferase assay, qRT-PCR and western blot. The roles of miR-142-5p and the RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathway were explored by using functional experiments including cell viability and colony formation assays. Results: MiR-142-5p is significantly upregulated during neurogenic differentiation of ADSCs. Knockdown of endogenous miR-142-5p hampered neurogenic differentiation. MiR-142-5p could directly target RhoA and ROCK1 mRNA and repress their expressions, through which it increased the proportion of differentiated cells with positive NSE and β III tubulin. RhoA/ROCK1 signaling pathway is involved in miR-142-5p effect on the process of neurogenic differentiation of ADSCs. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that miR-142-5p functions as a growth promotive miRNA and plays an important role in neurogenic differentiation by targeting RhoA/ROCK1 in ADSCs.