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Updated: May 28, 2026
Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets within the Murine Spleen, Bone Marrow, Lymph Nodes and Synovial Tissue in an Osteoarthritis Model
Published on: April 24, 2020
Changes in microRNA expression in peripheral mononuclear cells according to the progression of osteoarthritis
Atsushi Okuhara1, Tomoyuki Nakasa, Hayatoshi Shibuya
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3 Kasumi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8551, Japan.
Abstract:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of non-coding RNAs that play an important role in human diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). The objective of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of miRNAs in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of OA patients. PBMCs were isolated from 36 patients with OA, 6 RA patients, and 36 healthy controls. The expression patterns of miR-146a, 155, 181a, and 223 in PBMCs were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We investigated the expression patterns of the miRNAs in OA progression, and their relationships with the parameters of age, body mass index (BMI), the femorotibial angle (FTA), and serum keratan sulfate (KS). The relative expression levels of miR-146a, 155, 181a, and 223 in the OA patients were significantly higher than those found in healthy controls. In the early stages of OA, miR-146a and 223 expressions were significantly higher than they were at later stages. There was a significant correlation between the expression of miR-223 and KS. This study demonstrated that high expression levels of miR-146a, 155, 181a, and 223 in the PBMCs of OA patients might be related to the pathogenesis of OA. This evidence could lead to the elucidation of the mechanism underlying OA pathogenesis and hence to a novel therapeutic strategy for OA.
Insights
Specific microRNAs (miRNAs) are elevated in osteoarthritis (OA) patients' blood cells, potentially indicating disease mechanisms. Early-stage OA shows higher miR-146a and miR-223 levels, correlating with disease markers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of gene expression implicated in various human diseases.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with complex underlying mechanisms.
- Understanding molecular markers in OA can aid in diagnosis and therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of osteoarthritis (OA) patients.
- To explore the relationship between miRNA expression and OA progression, clinical parameters, and disease severity.
Main Methods:
- Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 36 OA patients, 6 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, and 36 healthy controls.
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to analyze the expression levels of miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181a, and miR-223.
- Statistical analyses were performed to correlate miRNA expression with age, BMI, FTA, and serum keratan sulfate (KS).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher expression of miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181a, and miR-223 was observed in PBMCs of OA patients compared to healthy controls.
- Early stages of OA exhibited significantly higher expression of miR-146a and miR-223 compared to later stages.
- A significant positive correlation was found between miR-223 expression levels and serum keratan sulfate (KS) levels.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests that elevated levels of miR-146a, miR-155, miR-181a, and miR-223 in PBMCs are associated with osteoarthritis.
- These miRNAs may play a role in the pathogenesis of OA, offering potential as biomarkers.
- Further research into these miRNAs could pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies for OA.
