Pathophysiology
The function of microRNAs in cartilage and osteoarthritis
T.E. Swingler1, L. Niu2, P. Smith3, P. Paddy4, L. Le5, M.J. Barter6, D.A. Young7, I.M. Clark8
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK.
- Biotechnology Department, Ho Chi Minh City Open University, Vietnam.
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, UK.
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, UK.
- School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, UK. i.clark@uea.ac.uk
CER12743
2019 Vol.37, N°5 ,Suppl.120
PI 0040, PF 0047
Pathophysiology
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PMID: 31621575 [PubMed]
Received: 04/09/2019
Accepted : 04/09/2019
In Press: 15/10/2019
Published: 15/10/2019
Abstract
MicroRNAs are small double-stranded RNAs, which negatively regulate gene expression and have been shown to have key roles in both chondrocyte development and cartilage homeostasis with age. Deletion of all microRNAs in chondrocytes leads to skeletal growth defects in mice, whilst deletion of specific microRNAs, e.g. miR-140, leads to premature articular cartilage degradation and increased susceptibility to posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Studies comparing microRNA expression in normal human articular cartilage compared to osteoarthritic cartilage show differential expression, but varying sample groups make interpretation difficult. MicroRNAs have been proposed as circulating biomarkers of osteoarthritis, but again, this differs amongst patient cohorts. Many micro-RNAs have been shown to have roles in chondrocyte phenotype via signalling pathways, apoptosis, autophagy and senescence. Modulating microRNAs in the joint has been shown to reduce osteoarthritis in animal models and translating this to man as a novel therapeutic strategy will be key.
