lncRNA CASC11 regulates the progress of delayed fracture healing via sponging miR-150-3p.

Background: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a pivotal role in bone regeneration by interaction with microRNAs (miRNAs) and constructing a lncRNA-miRNA regulatory network.

Objectives: This research aimed to elucidate the role of lncRNA CASC11 in the delayed healing process of tibial fractures and to explore its potential regulatory mechanisms.

Materials and methods: The expression levels of CASC11 and miR-150-3p in serum samples were detected and the predictive capability of CASC11 regarding delayed healing in fracture patients. Furthermore, the study confirmed the accuracy of the binding sites between CASC11 and miR-150-3p. Subsequently, overexpression/interference plasmids of CASC11, along with overexpression plasmids co-transfected with both CASC11 and miR-150-3p, were systematically introduced into MC3T3-E1 cells to investigate their effects on the expression of osteogenic marker genes, as well as their influence on cellular proliferation and apoptosis.

Results: The expression levels of CASC11 were significantly elevated, while miR-150-3p levels were markedly decreased in individuals exhibiting delayed fracture healing (P < 0.001). CASC11 was observed to suppress the expression of osteogenic marker genes, inhibit the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells, and promote cell apoptosis (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the overexpression of miR-150-3p effectively countered the inhibitory impact of CASC11 on osteogenic differentiation and the promoting effect on cell apoptosis (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: The sponging effect of CASC11 on miR-150-3p led to delayed fracture healing. CASC11 emerges as a potential target for treating delayed fracture healing.