Study Sheds Light on Intracellular mRNA Transfer

A study led by Takanori Takebe from the Institute of Science Tokyo has unveiled a novel mechanism of intercellular communication between stem cells. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates that messenger RNA (mRNA) can be transferred between different types of stem cells, potentially influencing cell fate.

The team used a coculture system of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human primed pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) to observe mRNA transfer. “When we started this coculture for a different purpose, we almost serendipitously found this unexpected mRNA transfer phenomenon as we could distinguish endogenously expressed genes and laterally transferred mRNAs based on genetic sequence differences between mice and humans,” Professor Takebe explains.

Through RNA imaging and gene expression analysis, the researchers discovered that mRNA from mESCs moved into hPSCs via tunnel-like structures called "tunneling nanotubes." The transferred mRNA coded for molecules related to transcription, translation, and stress response.

Importantly, this mRNA transfer had significant biological effects. The researchers observed that primed hPSCs reverted to a "naïve" state, essentially returning to an earlier embryonic stage. This finding suggests that intercellular mRNA transfer can influence cell fate conversion.

First author Yosuke.Yoneyama states, "This study provides insights into a novel mechanism of intercellular communication, illustrating how cell populations coordinate and coexist with their surrounding environment, thereby advancing our understanding of biological phenomena."

Professor Takebe concludes, "We expect our findings to contribute to the development of new cell-fate control technology that does not rely on artificial gene introduction or chemical compounds."