(Press-News.org) Hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) can be induced to differentiate into Schwann cells (SCs). However, the underlying regulatory mechanism during cell differentiation remains poorly understood. Dr. Yuxin Ni and her team, Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, China isolated NCSCs from human hair follicle and induced them to differentiate into SCs. MicroRNA (miR-21) expression was gradually increased during the differentiation of NCSCs into SCs. After transfection with the miR-21 agonist (agomir-21), the differentiation capacity of NCSCs was increased. Without compromising SOX2 mRNA expression, miR-21 down-regulated SOX protein expression by binding to the 3'-UTR of miR-21 mRNA. Knocking out the SOX2 gene from the NCSCs significantly reversed the miR-21 antagonist inhibition of NCSCs differentiating into SCs. The results suggest that SOX-2 was an effective target of miR-21 and miR-21 promoted the differentiation of NCSCs into SCs through down-regulating SOX protein expression by binding to the 3'-UTR of SOX2 mRNA. These results were published in Neural Regeneration Research (Vol. 9, No. 8, 2014).
INFORMATION:
Article: " miR-21 promotes the differentiation of hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells into Schwann cells," by Yuxin Ni1, Kaizhi Zhang2, Xuejuan Liu3, Tingting Yang1, Baixiang Wang1, Li Fu1, Lan A1, Yanmin Zhou1 (1 Hospital of Stomatology, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China; 2 China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China; 3 First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin Province, China)
Ni YX, Zhang KZ, Liu XJ, Yang TT, Wang BX, Fu L, A L, Zhou YM. miR-21 promotes the differentiation of hair follicle-derived neural crest stem cells into Schwann cells. Neural Regen Res. 2014;9(8):828-836.
Contact: Meng Zhao
eic@nrren.org
86-138-049-98773
Neural Regeneration Research
http://www.nrronline.org/
How does miR-21 promote the differentiation of hair follicle-derived NCSCs into SCs?
2014-07-10
ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:
The optimal mitomycin C concentration for intact peripheral nerve structure and function
2014-07-10
Recently, local scar adhesion after laminectomy always challenges the worldwide scholars engaged in spine surgery. Mitomycin C, a classical anti-tumor drug, has been attempted to be used to effectively inhibit scar adhesion after laminectomy and some encouraging outcomes have been achieved. However, there is evidence that mitomycin C has inherent toxicity and other side effects when it is locally used. Whether mitomycin C can influence peripheral nerve structure and function remains unclear. Dr. Tao Sui and his team, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, ...
New research: Fresh avocado enhances absorption of essential nutrients for healthy living
2014-07-10
IRVINE, Calif. (July 10, 2014) – Consuming a whole fresh avocado with either an orange-colored tomato sauce or raw carrots significantly enhanced provitamin A carotenoid (alpha- and beta-carotene) absorption and conversion of these carotenoids to an active form of vitamin A, according to new research (1) published in The Journal of Nutrition.
Vitamin A is involved in reproductive health and growth promotion; helps support healthy skin, immune function, and vision; and has antioxidant properties. Provitamin A carotenoids, like alpha- and beta-carotene, impart the orange ...
Invasion of yellow crazy ant in a Seychelles UNESCO palm forest: Threats and solutions
2014-07-10
The yellow crazy ant Anoplolepis gracilipes is ranked amongst the top 100 worst global invasive species and is responsible for catastrophic ecological impacts on islands. A new study published in the open access journal NeoBiota examines and assesses the effects and dangers of the introduction of the yellow crazy ant to the unique,endemic ecosystem of the mature palm forest of the Vallée de Mai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the Seychelles.
The palm forest of Vallée de Mai is a unique ecosystem containing many endemic species, including the iconic coco de mer palm ...
New diagnostic test to distinguish psoriasis from eczema
2014-07-10
In some patients, the chronic inflammatory skin diseases psoriasis* and eczema** are similar in appearance. Up to now, dermatologists have therefore had to base their decision on which treatment should be selected on their own experience and an examination of tissue samples. A team of researchers at the Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now analyzed the molecular processes that occur in both diseases and discovered crucial differences. This has enabled them for the first time to gain a detailed understanding of the ways in which ...
Mobile phone bling may be a personal, but also cultural thing
2014-07-10
Choosing mobile phone cases and customizing phones with charms and decorations may reveal a lot about a person's culture, as well as increase attachment to the devices, according to researchers.
In a study on culture and mobile phone customization, researchers found that people from Eastern cultures tend to be more motivated to change the look and sound of their mobile phones than people in Western countries, said S. Shyam Sundar, Distinguished Professor of Communications and co-director of the Media Effects Research Laboratory, Penn State.
"People who live in collectivist ...
Patient-specific stem cells and personalized gene therapy
2014-07-10
NEW YORK, NY (July 10, 2014) — Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) researchers have created a way to develop personalized gene therapies for patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a leading cause of vision loss. The approach, the first of its kind, takes advantage of induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell technology to transform skin cells into retinal cells, which are then used as a patient-specific model for disease study and preclinical testing.
Using this approach, researchers led by Stephen H. Tsang, MD, PhD, showed that a form of RP caused by mutations to the ...
Men's hot flashes: Hypnotic relaxation may ease the discomfort men don't talk about
2014-07-10
WACO, Texas (July 10, 2014) — Men who experience hot flashes are unlikely to talk much about it, but they may find relief from their silent suffering if they are willing to try an unusual treatment, according to findings from a Baylor University case study.
After seven weeks of hypnotic relaxation therapy, a 69-year-old man who had uncontrolled hot flashes following prostate cancer surgery showed a drastic decrease not only in hot flashes but also an impressive improvement in sleep quality, according to the study.
The Baylor study — funded by the National Institutes ...
New research identifies risk factors for little league shoulder
2014-07-10
SEATTLE, WA – As cases of Little League Shoulder (LLS) occur more frequently, the need for additional information about the causes and outcomes of the condition has become clear. Researchers presenting at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting today shared new data identifying associated risk factors, common treatment options and return to play.
"Our study examined 95 patients ranging from 8-17 years old diagnosed with Little League Shoulder," commented Benton E. Heyworth, MD, corresponding author from Children's Hospital Boston, ...
Entering MLB early may increase elbow surgery risk
2014-07-10
SEATTLE, WA – The common elbow surgery made famous by Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, Tommy John, definitely does its job to return pitchers to the mound, but risks for having the surgery may be able to be recognized earlier in a player's career, say researchers presenting their work at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting today. The study was the largest cohort of MLB pitchers, to date, that have undergone UCL reconstruction.
"Our results suggest that UCL reconstructive surgery does a tremendous job in allowing players to ...
Young athletes should consider the benefits of ACL surgery
2014-07-10
SEATTLE, WA – Young patients who wait for ACL surgery may be at increased risk for secondary knee injuries, according to research presented today at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting. The study adds to existing research noting the risk of secondary meniscal and chondral injuries in pediatric patients.
"In reviewing records of young patients who received ACL reconstructions, our data showed higher rates and severity of secondary meniscus injuries when surgery is delayed," noted lead author Allen F. Anderson, MD, from the Tennessee ...