MicroRNA Expression in Amniotic Fluid Cells

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 19–22 nucleotide non-coding RNA molecules that regulate the expression of protein-coding genes post-transcriptionally. It has been suggested that the majority of protein coding genes are regulated by miRNAs, thus they play important roles in the regulation of cell fate, cell survival, proliferation and differentiation. MiRNAs typically act intracellularly on messenger RNA, but they can be transported between cells via a number of mechanisms including microvesicles, exosomes and in a direct cell contact manner, through gap junctions. This chapter explores the roles of miRNAs in human amniotic fluid cells. We discuss the identification of the cellular origin of miRNAs in amniotic fluid and their potential use as diagnostic biomarkers to identify and monitor developmental, physiological and pathological conditions. Also, the role of miRNAs during reprogramming of amniotic fluid cells through induced pluripotency and early differentiation is presented. Finally, it is shown that amniotic fluid cells can be transfected to stably express and process exogenous miRNAs, followed by a summary on the potential of these cells to study the role of miRNAs in differentiation and drug testing and to deliver miRNAs to target cells.