Identification of miR-194-5p as a potential biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis

Abstract

The incidence of osteoporosis is high in postmenopausal women due to altered estrogen levels and continuous calcium loss that occurs with aging. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the development of osteoporosis. These miRNAs may be used as potential biomarkers to identify women at a high risk for developing the disease. In this study, whole blood samples were collected from 48 postmenopausal Chinese women with osteopenia or osteoporosis and pooled into six groups according to individual T-scores. A miRNA microarray analysis was performed on pooled blood samples to identify potential miRNA biomarkers for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Five miRNAs (miR-130b-3p, -151a-3p, -151b, -194-5p, and -590-5p) were identified in the microarray analysis. These dysregulated miRNAs were subjected to a pathway analysis investigating whether they were involved in regulating osteoporosis-related pathways. Among them, only miR-194-5p was enriched in multiple osteoporosis-related pathways. Enhanced miR-194-5p expression in women with osteoporosis was confirmed by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis. For external validation, a significant correlation between the expression of miR-194-5p and T-scores was found in an independent patient collection comprised of 24 postmenopausal women with normal bone mineral density, 30 postmenopausal women with osteopenia, and 32 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis (p < 0.05). Taken together, the present findings suggest that miR-194-5p may be a viable miRNA biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Menopause transition promotes distinct modulation of mRNAs and miRNAs expression in calvaria and bone marrow osteoblastic cells

“…This miRNA was repressed in BmOvx group and not modulated in calvaria osteoblastic cells, suggesting its influence in decreasing bone marrow osteoblastic cell differentiation in ovariectomized animals. Finally, the upregulation of miR-194-5p in bone marrow osteoblastic cells from ovariectomized rats is in agreement with other investigations (Meng et al, 2015), who showed their remarkably higher expression in the peripheral blood of patients with osteoporosis compared to that observed in the blood of patients with osteopenia, suggesting that this miRNA might be suitable as potential biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis.…”

Evaluation of MicroRNA 125b as a potential biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis

“…The same group identified another miRNA in circulating monocytes, miR-422a, as a potential biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis [13]. More recently, 5 dysregulated miRNAs in osteosarcoma were identified in microarray analysis and upon further subjection to pathway analysis only miR-194-5p was enriched in osteoporosis related pathways suggesting miR-194-5p as a potential biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis [11].…”

“…A most recent study identified a range of dysregulated miRNAs in osteoporosis related pathways and suggests miR-194-5p as a viable biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis [11]. Similarly, miR133a and miR422a have been identified as potential biomarkers for postmenopausal osteoporosis [12,13].…”

MicroRNA-194 Regulates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Cell Viability by Inactivation of Nuclear Factor-κ B Pathway

“…MiR-194 has been identified as a prognostic marker of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) [19], myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) [20], and HCC [15]. In addition to cancers, the biological functions of miR-194 in other diseases such as diabetes [21] and postmenopausal osteoporosis have also been investigated [22]. More recently, a study demonstrated that miR-194 was related with inflammatory response induced by palmitic acid (PA) [23].…”