The role of noncoding RNAs in beta cell biology and tissue engineering.

ABSTRACT

The loss or dysfunction of pancreatic ß-cells, which are responsible for insulin secretion, constitutes the foundation of all forms of diabetes, a widely prevalent disease worldwide. The replacement of damaged ß-cells with regenerated or transplanted cells derived from stem cells is a promising therapeutic strategy. However, inducing the differentiation of stem cells into fully functional glucose-responsive ß-cells in vitro has proven to be challenging. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as critical regulatory factors governing the differentiation, identity, and function of ß-cells. Furthermore, engineered hydrogel systems, biomaterials, and organ-like structures possess engineering characteristics that can provide a three-dimensional (3D) microenvironment that supports stem cell differentiation. This review summarizes the roles and contributions of ncRNAs in maintaining the differentiation, identity, and function of ß-cells. And it focuses on regulating the levels of ncRNAs in stem cells to activate ß-cell genetic programs for generating alternative ß-cells and discusses how to manipulate ncRNA expression by combining hydrogel systems and other tissue engineering materials. Elucidating the patterns of ncRNA-mediated regulation in ß-cell biology and utilizing this knowledge to control stem cell differentiation may offer promising therapeutic strategies for generating functional insulin-producing cells in diabetes cell replacement therapy and tissue engineering.