MicroRNA-122-3p plays as the target of long non-coding RNA LINC00665 in repressing the progress of arthritis

Overexpression of lncRNA LINC00665 inhibits the proliferation and chondroblast differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting miR-214-3p

BACKGROUND

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease mainly involving the damage of articular cartilage and the whole articular tissue, which is the main cause of disability in the elderly. To explore more effective treatment measures, this study analyzed the regulatory role and molecular mechanism of lncRNA LINC00665 (LINC00665) in the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), providing a valuable theoretical basis for the pathogenesis and patient treatment of osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Osteoarthritis tissues and healthy tissues were obtained from 52 patients with osteoarthritis and 34 amputated patients without osteoarthritis, and the levels of LINC00665 and miR-214-3p were assessed by RT-qPCR. BMSCs were cultured and induced chondrogenic differentiation. The proliferation ability of BMSCs was detected by CCK-8 method, and the apoptosis level of BMSCs was evaluated by flow cytometry. The content of proteoglycan-glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in cartilage matrix was determined by Alcian blue staining. In addition, the binding relationship between LINC00665 and miR-214-3p was verified by luciferase reporter assay, and the molecular mechanism was further analyzed.

RESULTS

In osteoarthritis tissues, LINC00665 was elevated and miR-214-3p was down-regulated. With the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs, the level of GAG increased, and LINC00665 expression gradually decreased, while miR-214-3p level was on the contrary. After transfection of pcDNA3.1-LINC00665 in BMSCs, cell proliferation capacity was decreased, apoptosis rate was increased, and GAG content was reduced. Moreover, LINC00665 sponged miR-214-3p and negatively regulate its expression. Transfection of pcDNA3.1-LINC00665-miR-214-3p mimic changed the regulation of pcDNA3.1-LINC00665 on the viability and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

CONCLUSIONS

Overexpression of lncRNA LINC00665 inhibited the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs by targeting miR-214-3p. The LINC00665/miR-214-3p axis may improve joint damage and alleviate the progression of osteoarthritis.

Long noncoding RNA/circular RNA regulates competitive endogenous RNA networks in rheumatoid arthritis: molecular mechanisms and traditional Chinese medicine therapeutic significances

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic and autoimmune disease that is mainly featured abnormal fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) proliferation and inflammatory cell infiltration. Abnormal expression or function of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closely related to human diseases, including RA. There has been increasing evidence showing that in the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks, both lncRNA and circRNA are vital in the biological functions of cells. Nevertheless, the exact mechanism of ceRNA in RA remains to be investigated. Herein, we summarized the molecular potencies of lncRNA/circRNA-mediated ceRNA networks in RA, with emphasis on the phenotypic regulation of ceRNA in the progression of RA, including regulation of proliferation, invasion, inflammation and apoptosis, as well as the role of ceRNA in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of RA. In addition, we also discussed the future direction and potential clinical value of ceRNA in the treatment of RA, which may provide potential reference value for clinical trials of TCM therapy for the treatment of RA.Key messagesLong noncoding RNA/circular RNA can work as the competitive endogenous RNA sponge and participate in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis.Traditional Chinese medicine and its agents have shown potential roles in the prevention and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis via competitive endogenous RNA.

Identifying Stress-Exacerbated Thermal-Injury Induced MicroRNAs

Using a model of combat and operational stress reaction (COSR), our lab recently showed that exposure to an unpredictable combat stress (UPCS) procedure prior to a thermal injury increases pain sensitivity in male rats. Additionally, our lab has recently shown that circulating extracellular vesicle-microRNAs (EV-miRNAs), which normally function to suppress inflammation, were downregulated in a male rat model of neuropathic pain. In this current study, male and female rats exposed to UPCS, followed by thermal injury, were evaluated for changes in circulating EV-miRNAs. Adult female and male Sprague Dawley rats were exposed to a UPCS procedure for either 2 or 4 weeks. Groups consisted of the following: nonstress (NS), stress (S), NS + thermal injury (TI), and S + TI. Mechanical sensitivity was measured, and plasma was collected at baseline, throughout the UPCS exposure, and post-thermal injury. EV-miRNA isolation was performed, followed by small RNA sequencing and subsequent data analysis. UPCS exposure alone resulted in mechanical allodynia in both male and female rats at specific time points. Thermal-injury induction occurring at peak UPCS resulted in increased mechanical allodynia in the injured hind paw compared to thermal injury alone. Differential expression of the EV-miRNAs was observed between the NS and S groups as well as between NS + TI and S + TI groups. Consistent differences in EV-miRNAs are detectable in both COSR as well as during the development of mechanical sensitivity and potentially serve as key regulators, biomarkers, and targets in the treatment of COSR and thermal-injury induced mechanical sensitivity. PERSPECTIVE: This article presents the effects of unpredictable combat stress and thermal injury on EV-contained microRNAs in an animal model. These same mechanisms may exist in clinical patients and could be future prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers.