miR-486-5p Attenuates Steroid-Induced Adipogenesis and Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head Via TBX2/P21 Axis

Abstract

Enhanced adipogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is considered as a major risk factor of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SOFNH). The role of microRNAs during this process has sparked interest. miR-486-5p expression was down-regulated significantly in femoral head bone tissues of both SONFH patients and rat model. The purpose of this study was to reveal the role of miR-486-5p on MSCs adipogenesis and SONFH progression. The present study showed that miR-486-5p could significantly inhibit adipogenesis of 3T3-L1 cells by suppressing mitotic clonal expansion (MCE). And up-regulated expression of P21, which was caused by miR-486-5p mediated TBX2 decrease, was responsible for inhibited MCE. Further, miR-486-5p was demonstrated to effectively inhibit steroid-induced fat formation in the femoral head and prevented SONFH progression in a rat model. Considering the potent effects of miR-486-5p on attenuating adipogenesis, it seems to be a promising target for the treatment of SONFH.

Insight into Steroid-Induced ONFH: The Molecular Mechanism and Function of Epigenetic Modification in Mesenchymal Stem Cells

“…Recent studies suggest that the application of MSCs to enhance bone regeneration in patients with SONFH may be a promising therapeutic strategy [27][28][29]. Epigenetics refers to changing the phenotype of organisms by regulating gene expression without changing genetic material, and this change can be inherited.…”