MicroRNAs miR‐96, miR‐124, and miR‐199a regulate gene expression in human bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells

MicroRNAs are small non‐coding RNAs that control gene expression at the post‐transcriptional level by binding to 3′‐untranslated regions (3′‐UTR) of their target mRNAs. They present a promising tool to delineate the molecular mechanisms regulating differentiation of human mesenchymal stromal cells (hMSCs) and to improve the controlled differentiation of hMSCs in therapeutic applications. Here we show that three microRNAs, miR‐96, miR‐124, and miR‐199a, were differentially expressed during osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic induction of human bone marrow‐derived MSCs. miR‐96 expression was increased during osteogenesis and adipogenesis, but not during chondrogenesis. miR‐124 was exclusively expressed in adipocytes, whereas miR‐199a was upregulated in osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Furthermore, functional studies with synthetic miRNA precursors and inhibitors demonstrated that miR‐96, miR‐124, and miR‐199a regulated the expression of genes important for hMSC differentiation, such as aggrecan, transcription factor SOX9, and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4). Modulation of miR‐96, miR‐124, and miR‐199a expression may thus be useful in specific targeting of hMSC differentiation, for e.g., MSC‐based therapies. J. Cell. Biochem. 113: 2687–2695, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.