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Understanding the Transcriptomic Landscape to Drive New Innovations in Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine

  • Regenerative Biology and Medicine in Osteoporosis (S Bryant and M Krebs, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Osteoporosis Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) is a novel and highly sought-after tool in the field of musculoskeletal regenerative medicine. The technology is being used to better understand pathological processes, as well as elucidate mechanisms governing development and regeneration. It has allowed in-depth characterization of stem cell populations and discovery of molecular mechanisms that regulate stem cell development, maintenance, and differentiation in a way that was not possible with previous technology. This review introduces RNA-seq technology and how it has paved the way for advances in musculoskeletal regenerative medicine.

Recent Findings

Recent studies in regenerative medicine have utilized RNA-seq to decipher mechanisms of pathophysiology and identify novel targets for regenerative medicine. The technology has also advanced stem cell biology through in-depth characterization of stem cells, identifying differentiation trajectories and optimizing cell culture conditions. It has also provided new knowledge that has led to improved growth factor use and scaffold design for musculoskeletal regenerative medicine.

Summary

This article reviews recent studies utilizing RNA-seq in the field of musculoskeletal regenerative medicine. It demonstrates how transcriptomic analysis can be used to provide insights that can aid in formulating a regenerative strategy.

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Abbreviations

RNA:

Ribonucleic acid

RNA-seq:

RNA-sequencing

mRNAs:

Messenger RNAs

miRNAs:

MicroRNAs

siRNAs:

Small interfering RNAs

NGS:

Next-generation sequencing

cDNA:

Complimentary DNA

scRNA-seq:

Single-cell RNA-seq

GO:

Gene ontology

Obese/T2D:

Obese and type 2 diabetes

MSCs:

Mesenchymal stem cells

ADSC:

Adipose-derived stem cells

BMSC:

Bone marrow–derived stem cells

HLA:

Human leukocyte antigen

WJMSCs:

Wharton’s jelly–derived MSCs

UCMSCs:

Umbilical cord MSCs

ACs:

Articular chondrocytes

PCA:

Principal component analysis

hPSCs:

Human pluripotent stem cells

hiPSCs:

Human induced pluripotent stem cells

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Funding

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health under award numbers R33HD090696 (KAP), R01AR079839 (CLAB), R01AR078414 (MJZ), and the Department of Defense under award number W81XWH-19-1-0807 (MJZ)

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Colorado Program for Musculoskeletal Research, Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Mail Stop 8343, 12800 East 19th Avenue, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA

    Stacey M. Thomas, Cheryl L. Ackert-Bicknell, Michael J. Zuscik & Karin A. Payne

  2. Gates Center for Regenerative Medicine, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA

    Karin A. Payne

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  1. Stacey M. Thomas
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Thomas, S.M., Ackert-Bicknell, C.L., Zuscik, M.J. et al. Understanding the Transcriptomic Landscape to Drive New Innovations in Musculoskeletal Regenerative Medicine. Curr Osteoporos Rep 20, 141–152 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11914-022-00726-x

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