Analysis of miR-151a-3p as a biomarker of osteoarthritis and its clinical value.

Background: Therapeutic strategies that focus on chondrocyte protection and matrix repair may represent a key direction for delaying the progression of osteoarthritis (OA).

Aim: To evaluate miR-151a-3p as a biomarker for the diagnosis of OA and its potential mechanism of action.

Materials and methods: RT-qPCR was used to determine miR-151a-3p and SOX9 expression levels in OA patients and lipopolysaccharide-induced OA (LPS-OA) cell model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the clinical value of miR-151a-3p in the diagnosis of OA. A cell function experiment was conducted to investigate the impact of miR-151a-3p on cell viability and apoptosis levels in the LPS-induced OA cell model. Genecards and starBase were used to screen the target genes of miR-151a-3p. The dual luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the interaction between miR-151a-3p and SOX9.

Results: The expression of miR-151a-3p was up-regulated in synovial fluid of OA patients and LPS-OA cell model. The ROC curve analysis and logistic regression analysis demonstrated that miR-151a-3p could be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of OA and exhibited significant diagnostic value. Genecards and starBase databases screened 6 potential targets of miR-151a-3p. Dual luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that miR-151a-3p targeted SOX9. Cell function experiments demonstrated that suppressed miR-151a-3p can upregulate SOX9 expression, thereby enhancing LPS-OA cell activity, reducing apoptosis, and increasing extracellular matrix (ECM) production.

Conclusion: MiR-151a-3p could be a biomarker for the diagnosis of OA and has high diagnostic value.