MiR-106b-5p Regulates the Reprogramming of Spermatogonial Stem Cells into iPSC (Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell)-Like Cells

BACKGROUND: Recent years have brought notable progress in raising the efficiency of the reprogramming technique so that approaches have evolved from known transgenic factors to only a few miRNAs. Nevertheless, there is a poor understanding of both the key factors and biological networks underlying this reprogramming. The present study aimed to investigate the potential of miR-106b-5p in regulating SSCs to iPSC-like cells. METHODS: We used SSCs because pluripotency is inducible in SSCs under defined culture conditions, and they have a few issues compared to other adult stem cells. As both signaling and post-transcriptional gene controls are critical for pluripotency regulation, we traced the expression of OSKMN. Besides, we considered miR-106b-5p targets using bioinformatic methods. RESULTS: Our results showed that transfected SSCs with miR-106b-5p increased the expression of the OSKMN factors, which was significantly more than negative control groups. Moreover, using the functional miRNA enrichment analysis, online tools, and databases, we predicted that miR-106b-5p targeted a signaling pathway gene named MAPK1/ERK2, related to regulating stem cell pluripotency. CONCLUSION: Together, our data suggest that miR-106b-5p regulates the reprogramming of SSCs into iPSC-like cells. Furthermore, noteworthy progress in the in vitro development of SSCs indicates promise reservoirs and opportunities for future clinical trials.