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The Long Noncoding RNA MEG3 Is Downregulated and Inversely Associated with VEGF Levels in Osteoarthritis
Wei Su1, Wen Xie2, Qingkun Shang3
1Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, China.
Abstract:
Osteoarthritis (OA) is becoming a major public health problem in China, especially considering the increase in average life expectancy of the population. Thus, enhanced understanding of the molecular changes associated with OA is urgently needed to develop more effective strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of this debilitating disease. LncRNAs play an important role in the processes of bone and cartilage development. Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a maternally expressed lncRNA and may function as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting angiogenesis. OA is closely associated with angiogenesis and the inhibition of angiogenesis presents a novel therapeutic approach to reduce inflammation and pain in OA. In this study, we detected the mRNA expression of MEG3 and VEGF in articular cartilage samples from 20 OA patients and 10 healthy volunteers by real-time RT-PCR. VEGF protein is detected by ELISA in cartilage samples. The results show that human MEG3 is significantly downregulated in OA patients compared to normal cartilage samples. However, higher levels of VEGF mRNA and protein are found in OA compared to the control. Moreover, MEG3 levels are inversely associated with VEGF levels, suggesting that MEG3 may be involved in OA development through the regulation of angiogenesis.
Insights
Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is downregulated in osteoarthritis (OA) patients, while vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is upregulated. This suggests MEG3 may regulate angiogenesis, offering a potential therapeutic target for OA.
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Biomedical research
- Osteoarthritis pathogenesis
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) poses a growing public health challenge in China, necessitating deeper molecular understanding for improved treatments.
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are crucial in bone and cartilage development.
- Maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) is a lncRNA potentially inhibiting angiogenesis, a process implicated in OA inflammation and pain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression levels of MEG3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in osteoarthritis.
- To explore the potential role of MEG3 in OA development via angiogenesis regulation.
Main Methods:
- Real-time RT-PCR was used to quantify MEG3 and VEGF mRNA expression in articular cartilage.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure VEGF protein levels.
- Samples were obtained from 20 OA patients and 10 healthy volunteers.
Main Results:
- MEG3 mRNA expression was significantly lower in OA patients compared to healthy controls.
- VEGF mRNA and protein levels were elevated in OA cartilage samples.
- A negative correlation was observed between MEG3 levels and VEGF levels in OA patients.
Conclusions:
- Human MEG3 is downregulated in osteoarthritis.
- MEG3 downregulation is associated with increased VEGF expression in OA.
- MEG3 may influence OA progression by modulating angiogenesis.
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