Epigenetic Control of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Fate Decision

Abstract

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are progenitors of connective tissues, which have emerged as important tools for tissue engineering owing to their differentiation potential in various cell types. The therapeutic utility of MSCs hinges upon our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in cellular fate decisions. Thus, the elucidation of the regulation of MSC differentiation has attracted increasing attention in recent years. A variety of external cues contribute to the process of MSC differentiation, including chemical, physical, and biological factors. Among the multiple factors that are known to affect cell fate decisions, the epigenetic regulation of MSC differentiation has become a research hotspot. In this chapter, we summarize recent progress in the determination of the effects of epigenetic modification on the multilineage differentiation of MSCs.