Hsa_circ_0002060 Knockdown Ameliorates Osteoporosis by Targeting MiR-198-5p

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Cell Biology

Background:

• Osteoporosis (OP) is a growing global health concern with limited therapeutic options due to side effects and low efficacy.
• Novel therapeutic targets are crucial for developing effective treatments for OP.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of hsa_circ_0002060 in the regulation of osteoporosis.
• To explore hsa_circ_0002060 as a potential therapeutic target for OP.

Main Methods:

• Osteoblast cells (hFOB 1.19) were used to mimic OP in vitro using dexamethasone (DEX) and transfected with hsa_circ_0002060 small interfering RNA (siRNA).
• Assays included cell viability (CCK-8), apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1), protein expression (Western blot), and oxidative stress markers (ELISA).
• Mechanism was explored via dual luciferase reporter and RNA pull-down assays, and in vivo efficacy was tested in an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced OP mouse model.

Main Results:

• Dexamethasone-induced reduction in cell viability and apoptosis in osteoblasts were ameliorated by hsa_circ_0002060 knockdown.
• hsa_circ_0002060 was found to target miR-198-5p, regulating osteoblast viability via the miR-198-5p/Bax axis.
• Knockdown of hsa_circ_0002060 alleviated ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in a mouse model.

Conclusions:

• hsa_circ_0002060 knockdown alleviates osteoporosis progression by targeting miR-198-5p.
• hsa_circ_0002060 represents a potential therapeutic target for treating osteoporosis.