miR-410 Inhibition Induces RPE Differentiation of Amniotic Epithelial Stem Cells via Overexpression of OTX2 and RPE65

Stem Cell Rev Rep. 2015 Jun;11(3):376-86. doi: 10.1007/s12015-014-9568-2.

Abstract

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) is a highly specialized cell type located between the choroid and neural retina of the eye. RPE degeneration causes irreversible visual impairment, extending to blindness. Cell therapy has recently emerged as a potential therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration. MicroRNA-based differentiation of stem cells is a new strategy for producing tissue-specific cell types. In this study, we developed a novel microRNA-based strategy for RPE induction from human amniotic epithelial stem cells (AESCs). We identified microRNAs involved in RPE development in AESCs. Of 29 putative human RPE-relevant microRNAs, microRNA-410 (miR-410) was predicted to target multiple RPE development-relevant genes. Inhibition of miR-410 induces overexpression of immature and mature RPE-specific factors, including OTX2, RPE65, Bestrophin and EMMPRIN. These RPE-like cells were morphologically altered toward a cobblestone-like shape and were able to phagocytize microbeads. We showed that miR-410 directly regulates predicted target genes OTX2 and RPE65. Our microRNA-based strategy demonstrated RPE differentiation in AESCs by treatment of an antisense microRNA-410 (anti-miR-410), without the use of additional factors or exogenous transduction. These findings suggest that miR-410 inhibition can be a useful tool for directed cell differentiation and an attractive method for cell therapy in human retinal degenerative diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amniotic Fluid / cytology
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Otx Transcription Factors / biosynthesis*
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / cytology
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / metabolism
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • cis-trans-Isomerases / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • MIRN410 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • OTX2 protein, human
  • Otx Transcription Factors
  • retinoid isomerohydrolase
  • cis-trans-Isomerases