Downregulation of miR-106b attenuates inflammatory responses and joint damage in collagen-induced arthritis
Yunxia Tao1, Zhirong Wang2, Liangliang Wang1
1Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou.
Objective:
miRNAs are small, signal-strand, non-coding RNAs that function in post-transcriptional regulation. We analysed the in vivo effect of miR-106b (miR-106b-5p) on inflammatory bone loss in CIA mice.
Methods:
CIA mice are developed by injecting DAB/1 mice with bovine type II collagen containing Freund's adjuvant and then the in vivo effect of miR-106b is examined. On day 22, mice were given lentiviral negative control, lentiviral-mediated miR-106b mimics or lentiviral-mediated miR-106b inhibitor via orbital injection on a weekly basis. Morphological changes in the ankle joints were assessed via micro-CT and histopathology and cytokine expression levels were examined via immunohistochemical staining, ELISA or flow cytometric analysis. miR-106b and osteoclastic-related gene expression was evaluated via quantitative real-time PCR.
Results:
CIA mice were found to have increased miR-106b expression and CIA-associated bone loss and inflammatory infiltration. miR-106b inhibitor treatment markedly decreased arthritis incidence and attenuated bone destruction and histological severity compared with the control group. Moreover, miR-106b inhibitor treatment suppressed RANK ligand (RANKL) expression, increased osteoprotegerin (OPG) expression and reduced the RANKL:OPG ratio in CIA mice. miR-106b inhibition also significantly decreased inflammatory mediator production in joint sections and reduced serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels when compared with the control group. Additionally, miR-106b inhibition decreased tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-positive cell numbers and suppressed murine bone marrow macrophage differentiation.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that miR-106b inhibition can ameliorate CIA-associated inflammation and bone destruction and thus may serve as a potential therapeutic for human RA treatment.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression. Inhibiting miR-106b in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice reduced inflammation and bone loss, suggesting potential for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Immunology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of post-transcriptional gene expression.
- Inflammatory bone loss, a hallmark of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), involves complex molecular pathways.
- miR-106b has been implicated in various cellular processes, but its role in inflammatory bone loss remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo role of miR-106b in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA)-associated inflammatory bone loss.
- To evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting miR-106b in a mouse model of arthritis.
Main Methods:
- Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was established in mice.
- Lentiviral vectors were used to deliver miR-106b inhibitors or mimics.
- Ankle joint morphology was assessed using micro-CT and histopathology.
- Cytokine expression, osteoclastogenesis, and inflammatory mediators were quantified.
Main Results:
- CIA mice exhibited elevated miR-106b expression, bone loss, and inflammation.
- miR-106b inhibition significantly reduced arthritis incidence, bone destruction, and histological severity.
- Inhibition of miR-106b modulated the RANKL/OPG ratio and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
- miR-106b inhibition suppressed osteoclast differentiation and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity.
Conclusions:
- miR-106b inhibition effectively ameliorates inflammation and bone destruction in CIA mice.
- Targeting miR-106b presents a promising therapeutic strategy for rheumatoid arthritis.
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