Extracellular vesicles function during neural differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells

• Grant number: 15/25756-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: April 05, 2016
• End date: December 04, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: Marilene Hohmuth Lopes
• Grantee: Lilian Cruz
• Supervisor: Xandra Owens Breakefield
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Harvard University, Boston, United States
• Associated to the scholarship: 13/22078-1 - Profile of extracellular vesicles miRNA in the neuronal differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells, BP.DD

Abstract

Within each such microenvironment, stem cells process and sense multiple signals, which can exert influences that collectively regulate cell fate and function in a time-spatial manner. In this context, the stem cells can exert their biologic role transferring genetic information and altering the genetic expression of target cells through extracellular vesicles. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non coding RNAs, can be found in those extracellular vesicles and considered effective molecules in the control of development and differentiation by key genes regulation in time specific. Many miRNA are capable of regulating neurogenesis by promoting neuronal differentiation or supporting neural progenitor cells maintenance avoiding their differentiation. In this sense, the pluripotent cell commitment to a neural fate is supposed to be regulated by specific miRNA released by secreted extracellular vesicles. Therefore, the study purposes to analyze the profile of miRNA present in extracellular vesicles during neuronal differentiation of murine embryonic stem cells and identify the possible target gene regulated by them to disclose the mechanism of neuronal specific fate commitment. (AU)