Jun Li, Farui Sun, Yuanjin Zhang, Xian Pan, Bo Li, Guofu Zhang, Qian Zhou
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Chondrocyte apoptosis is associated with the severity of cartilage destruction and matrix degeneration in the progression of osteoarthritis. Increasing evidence indicates that autophagy has a significant cytoprotective effect against chondrocyte apoptosis. Here, we investigated the role of microRNA-103-3p (miR-103-3p) in regulating chondrocyte function and elucidated the underlying mechanism.
Methods: MiR-103-3p expression in interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-stimulated chondrocytes was evaluated using RT-qPCR. The targets of miR-103-3p predicted by online databases were verified using biotin-based pulldown assay and luciferase reporter assay. IL-1β stimulated-chondrocytes were transfected with miR-103-3p inhibitor along with siRNA targeting cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein3 (siCPEB3), the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA, or the PI3K agonist 740 Y-P. Chondrocyte proliferation was evaluated using cell counting kit-8. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The levels of apoptosis-, extracellular matrix (ECM)-, autophagy-, and the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway-related proteins in chondrocytes were detected using immunoblotting or immunofluorescence.
Results: We found that IL-1β stimulation upregulated miR-103-3p and downregulated CPEB3 in mouse chondrocytes. Inhibiting miR-103-3p reduced IL-1β-induced apoptosis and ECM macromolecule degradation while enhancing autophagy in chondrocytes. MiR-103-3p targeted CPEB3, and its downregulation rescued the expression of level in IL-1β stimulated-chondrocytes. MiR-103-3p downregulation inhibited the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in IL-1β stimulated-chondrocytes by upregulating CPEB3. 3-MA, 740 Y-P, or CPEB3 knockdown counteracted the effect of miR-103-3p downregulation on chondrocyte apoptosis, ECM macromolecule degradation, and autophagy.
Conclusion: Overall, inhibition of miR-103-3p reduces IL-1β-induced apoptosis and ECM macromolecule degradation in chondrocytes by enhancing autophagy through the CPEB3/PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.
期刊介绍:
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research is an open access journal that encompasses all aspects of clinical and basic research studies related to musculoskeletal issues.
Orthopaedic research is conducted at clinical and basic science levels. With the advancement of new technologies and the increasing expectation and demand from doctors and patients, we are witnessing an enormous growth in clinical orthopaedic research, particularly in the fields of traumatology, spinal surgery, joint replacement, sports medicine, musculoskeletal tumour management, hand microsurgery, foot and ankle surgery, paediatric orthopaedic, and orthopaedic rehabilitation. The involvement of basic science ranges from molecular, cellular, structural and functional perspectives to tissue engineering, gait analysis, automation and robotic surgery. Implant and biomaterial designs are new disciplines that complement clinical applications.
JOSR encourages the publication of multidisciplinary research with collaboration amongst clinicians and scientists from different disciplines, which will be the trend in the coming decades.