MicroRNA-378 Suppressed Osteogenesis of MSCs and Impaired Bone Formation via Inactivating Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to serve as silencers to repress gene expression at post-transcriptional levels. Multiple miRNAs have been demonstrated to play important roles in osteogenesis. MicroRNA (miR)-378, a conserved miRNA, was reported to mediate bone metabolism and influence bone development, but the detailed function and underlying mechanism remain obscure. In this study, the miR-378 transgenic (TG) mouse was developed to study the role of miR-378 in osteogenic differentiation as well as bone formation. The abnormal bone tissues and impaired bone quality were displayed in the miR-378 TG mice, and a delayed healing effect was observed during bone fracture of the miR-378 TG mice. The osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from this TG mouse was also inhibited. We also found that miR-378 mimics suppressed, whereas anti-miR-378 promoted osteogenesis of human MSCs. Two Wnt family members, Wnt6 and Wnt10a, were identified as bona fide targets of miR-378, and their expression was decreased by this miRNA, which eventually induced the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Finally, the short hairpin (sh)-miR-378-modified MSCs were locally injected into the fracture sites in an established mouse fracture model. The results indicated that miR-378 inhibitor therapy could promote bone formation and stimulate the healing process in vivo. In conclusion, miR-378 suppressed osteogenesis and bone formation via inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, suggesting that miR-378 may be a potential therapeutic target for bone diseases.