Abstract 15867: Myogenic Target of Mir-290 Cluster Promotes Reprogramming of Skeletal Myoblast to Produce Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

Background: Skeletal myoblasts (SkMs) are an ideal candidate for reprogramming due to inherent myogenic properties. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in cell reprogramming by producing induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. Pax7 is a powerful myogenic inducer and plays a critical role in muscle development and regeneration. This study investigates the potential mechanisms of the miR-290s cluster for promoting reprogramming efficiency of SkMs. Methods and Results: The SkMs cells were isolated from the hind limb skeletal muscle of 2 to 4-week-old mice. RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analysis showed that SkMs endogenously expressed not only myogenic genes but also some of pluripotency genes Nanog, Oct4, Sox2, Klf4 and cMyc. SkMs were then infected to produce iPS cells, and embryonic stem (ES) cell-like colonies appeared at 15 days after transfection. SkM-derived iPS (SiPS) cells were profiled by microarray to determine miRNAs responsible for reprogramming of SkMs. Expression of each member of the miR-2...