MicroRNA-Mediated Reprogramming of Somatic Cells into Neural Stem Cells or Neurons

Cellular reprogramming is a promising strategy to generate neural stem cells (NSCs) or desired subtype-specific neurons for cell-based therapeutic intervention. By far, the intricate cell event like reprogramming of non-neural cells to desired cell types can be achieved by forced expression of lineage-related transcription factors (TFs), nuclear transfer, a defined set of factors, and via non-coding microRNAs (miRNAs), as well as other precisely defined conditions. In addition, scientists have been trying to develop better approaches for reprogramming, either by using distinct combinations of a set of small molecules and certain TFs or delivery of appropriate small molecules and miRNAs. The miRNA-mediated approach is fascinating because of its potential to rapidly generate a variety of therapeutically desired cell types from other cell lineages. Recent studies have made great progress in miRNA-mediated neural reprogramming of somatic cells to various specific neuronal subtypes with more efficiency even though the exact mechanisms remain to be further explored. Based on key roles of miRNAs in neural reprogramming across differentiated cell lineages, it is of vital interest to summarize the recent knowledge regarding the instructive role of miRNAs in direct conversion of somatic cells into neural lineages. This precise review mainly focuses on recent discoveries of miRNAs functions in initiating cell reprogramming and fate specification of the neuronal subtype. Moreover, we discuss most recent findings about some miRNAs’ activity in regulating various developmental stages of neurons, which is helpful for understanding the event network between miRNAs and their targets.