M Ghaderi Gandomani - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
A Sahebghadam Lotfi - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Scienc-es, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
DM Kordi Tamandani - Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

Background: Aim: Human Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hADSCs) are capable to self-renew and differen-tiate into hepatocytes. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Although miRNAs have emerged as key regu-lators of differentiation and cell fate decisions, a few studies have been reported about the complex expression patterns of miRNAs during differentiation of hADSCs into hepatocyte and the role of miRNAs in the regulation of this process. The aim of this study was to identify specific miRNAs involved in the middle stage of hepatic differentiation of hADSCs.Materials and Methods: hADSCs were differentiated to hepatocytes by a two-step protocol. After characterization of hepatic differentiation of hADSCs by biochemical, morpholog-ical and molecular methods, miRNA expression was profiled in differentiated hADSCs at days 7 and 14 using miRNA microar-ray analysis.Results: Among 321 miRNAs significantly differentially ex-pressed between the two samples, 135 and 186 miRNAs were significantly up-regulated and down-regulated during middle stage of differentiation, respectively. Top 5 ranking miRNAs in volume with significant cut-off, ǀFCǀ≥2 or ǀFCǀ≤2, were hsa-miR-222-3p, hsa-miR-23b-3p, hsa-let-7e-5p, hsa-miR-103a-3p and hsa-let-7d-5p.Conclusion: The results indicate that different kinds of miR-NAs may function during the middle stage of differentiation of hADSCs into hepatocytes.

miRNA, Hepatocyte, Differentiation, Mesenchymal Stem Cell, Microarray