MicroRNAs play a role in chondrogenesis and osteoarthritis (review)

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most widespread degenerative joint diseases affecting the elderly. Research into the regulatory mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of OA is therefore warranted, and over the past decade, there has been an increased focus on the functional role of microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). In this systematic review, we aimed to review the evidence implicating miRNAs in the pathogenesis of chondrogenesis and OA. Systematic reviews of PubMed and Embase were performed to search for studies using strings of miRNAs, non-coding RNAs, cartilage, chondrocytes, chondrogenesis, chondrocytogenesis and OA. The identified studies were retrieved, and the references provided were searched. The selected studies were required to focus on the role of miRNAs in chondrogenesis and OA. The results of this review indicated that more than 25 miRNAs have been implicated in chondrogenesis and OA. In particular, chondrocytogenesis, chondrogenic differentiation, chondrocyte proliferation, chondrocyte hypertrophy, endochondral ossification, and proteolytic enzyme regulation are targeted or facilitated by more than 1 miRNA. To date, limited efforts have been performed to evaluate translational applications for this knowledge. Novel therapeutic strategies have been developed and are under investigation to selectively modulate miRNAs, which could potentially enable personalized OA therapy. miRNAs appear to be important modulators of chondrogenesis and OA. Their expression is frequently altered in OA, and many are functionally implicated in the pathogenesis of the disease. The translational roles and therapeutic potential of miRNAs remains to be evaluated.