Abstract: The ideal means to repair large-sized bone defects is to induce bone regeneration. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), as a modulator at a post-transcriptional level, can regulate the expression of a series of target genes. A number of studies have shown that miR-26a could promote the expression of multiple key growth factors related to osteogenesis and angiogenesis, and further improve the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells and bone formation. Clarifying the molecular mechanism of miR-26a in promoting osteogenic differentiation of stem cells could provide potential targets for bone regeneration. The mechanism and current progresses of miR-26a in promoting osteogenic differentiation and bone regeneration were reviewed.

Key words: miR-26a, mesenchymal stem cell, osteogenic differentiation