miR-24在调控多能皮肤干细胞中的功能

皮肤干细胞是皮肤组织自我更新与修复的基础。对皮肤干细胞的研究在基础科学与医疗应用上都有着重要意义。在之前的研究中，我鉴定了皮肤毛囊中多能隆突干细胞的特征性microRNA（miRNA）表达谱。从中，我发现miR-125b是一个调控隆突干细胞特性的重要因子,并阐明了其功能机理。这里，我们将继续研究我所发现的另外一个隆突干细胞特征性miRNA：miR-24。我的预实验结果显示miR-24在隆突干细胞中高度富集，并随细胞分化而迅速下调。据此，我们提出假说：miR-24是一个维护隆突干细胞特性的重要因子，并可能具有分化抑制功能。在本项目中，我们将综合运用多种体内，体外和生物信息学技术手段，解析miR-24在调控隆突干细胞自我复制与分化中的功能与机理，以期进一步阐明miRNA在维护皮肤多能干细胞特性中的角色。

Skin stem cells (SCs) are the basis for the maintenance and regeneration of the skin. Skin SC studies have important implications in both basic science and clinical application. Previously, I identified the microRNA (miRNA) expression signature of the multipotent hair follicle Bulge SCs in the skin. From these, I discovered miR-125b as a key regulator for the properties of Bulge SCs and characterized its functional mechanism. In this proposal, I will continue to study miR-24, another bulge SC signature miRNA identified in my previous study. My preliminary data show that miR-24 is highly enriched in the Bulge SCs and quickly down-regulated upon differentiation. Based on these, our hypothesis is that miR-24 is a key regulator involved in maintaining the properties of Bulge SCs and may functions to inhibit their differentiation. In this study, we will employ a number of in vivo, in vitro and bioinformatical techniques to comprehensively dissect the function of miR-24 in regulating the self-renewal and differentiation of Bulge SCs. Our study will provide further insight into the role of miRNAs in regulating the multipotency of skin stem cells.