Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from mesoderm exhibit self-renewal and multiple differentiation potentials. MSCs are considerably useful in tissue repair and cell development, with the ability to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, adipocytes, myoblasts, neurocytes and other cells. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are differentially expressed in the differentiation of MSCs. This result indicated that lncRNAs are crucial in regulation during differentiation. To date, most reports mainly focused on microarray and bioinformatics analysis of lncRNAs. The function and regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs on the differentiation of MSCs still remain unclear. However, with the development in new research technologies, the regulatory mechanism of lncRNA in the differentiation of MSCs will be intensively elucidated.
