microRNAs in Cartilage Development, Homeostasis, and Disease

Abstract

microRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression mainly at the posttranscriptional level. Many different miRNAs are expressed in chondrocytes, and each individual miRNA can regulate hundreds of target genes, creating a complex gene regulatory network. Experimental evidence suggests that miRNAs play significant roles in various aspects of cartilage development, homeostasis, and pathology. The possibility that miRNAs can be novel therapeutic targets for cartilage diseases led to vigorous investigations to understand the role of individual miRNAs in skeletal tissues. Here, we summarize our current understanding of miRNAs in chondrocytes and cartilage. In the first part, we discuss roles of miRNAs in growth plate development and chondrocyte differentiation. In the second part, we put a particular focus on articular cartilage and discuss the significance of variety of findings in the context of osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disease.

Epigallocatechin‐3‐O‐gallate up‐regulates microRNA‐199a‐3p expression by down‐regulating the expression of cyclooxygenase‐2 in stimulated human osteoarthritis chondrocytes

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small, non‐coding RNAs that regulate mRNA expression at the post‐transcriptional level. It is assumed that miRNAs regulate ~60% of all protein coding genes in humans and participate in the regulation of almost every cellular events investigated to date . The importance of miRNAs in maintaining cartilage homoeostasis during development and their dysregulated expression have recently linked with joint pathologies .…”

“…It is assumed that miRNAs regulate ~60% of all protein coding genes in humans and participate in the regulation of almost every cellular events investigated to date . The importance of miRNAs in maintaining cartilage homoeostasis during development and their dysregulated expression have recently linked with joint pathologies . Dicer is an important component for biogenesis of miRNAs was found to have an essential function in skeletal development.…”

miR-181a Modulates Chondrocyte Apoptosis by Targeting Glycerol-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase 1-Like Protein (GPD1L) in Osteoarthritis

“…There is accumulating evidence that miRNAs play a vital role in cartilage differentiation and homeostasis, and in the pathobiology of osteoarthritis and therefore function as an integral part of the regulatory network in chondrocyte fate and cartilage function [2,3]. Growing evidence shows differential expression patterns of miRNAs between osteoarthritis (OA) and normal plasma [4], synovial fluid [5], and cartilage [6].…”

Reduced miR-26a and miR-26b expression contributes to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis via the promotion of p65 translocation

“…Furthermore, it is estimated that >50% of all human protein-coding genes are potentially regulated by miRNAs (4). miRNAs have previously been demonstrated to exist in cartilage and have essential roles during cartilage development (5). Appropriate miRNA expression is important for maintaining cartilage homeostasis, and abnormal miRNA profiles have been shown to be associated with cartilage diseases (5,6).…”