Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 20, 2025

Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness
08:52

Software-Assisted Quantitative Measurement of Osteoarthritic Subchondral Bone Thickness

Published on: March 18, 2022

3.2K

Studies on the Role of circRNAs in Osteoarthritis

Wei Wu1, Jun Zou1

  • 1School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China 200438.

Biomed Research International
|September 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are increasingly studied for their role in osteoarthritis (OA) mechanisms. CircRNA VWF shows promise as a diagnostic biomarker for OA.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with complex molecular underpinnings.
  • Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as key regulators in various biological processes, including disease pathogenesis.
  • Understanding the role of circRNAs in OA is crucial for developing novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of circRNAs in osteoarthritis (OA).
  • To identify potential clinical applications of circRNAs in OA diagnosis and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of recent literature (5 years) on circRNAs and OA.
  • Differential expression analysis of circRNAs in OA.
  • Bioinformatic analyses including Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI), Gene Ontology (GO), and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis.
  • Identification of key circRNAs and associated signaling pathways.

Main Results:

  • 33 studies were included, identifying 27 upregulated and 8 downregulated circRNAs in OA.
  • 31 circRNAs were analyzed via PPI, GO, and KEGG, revealing significant interactions and functions.
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VWF) exhibited prominent node and edge size in PPI and major functions in GO and KEGG analyses.
  • Enrichment analysis identified PI3K/AKT, human papillomavirus infection (HPI), and focal adhesion (FA) pathways as significantly associated with circRNAs in OA.

Conclusions:

  • Recent research on circRNAs in OA primarily focuses on their regulatory mechanisms, particularly circ-miRNA sponge activity.
  • Extracellular Matrix (ECM) and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathways are frequently implicated in circRNA functions related to OA.
  • CircRNA VWF demonstrates significant potential as a biomarker for OA detection due to its functions and interactions.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets within the Murine Spleen, Bone Marrow, Lymph Nodes and Synovial Tissue in an Osteoarthritis Model12:23

Flow Cytometry Analysis of Immune Cell Subsets within the Murine Spleen, Bone Marrow, Lymph Nodes and Synovial Tissue in an Osteoarthritis Model

Published on: April 24, 2020

20.2K
Standardized Histomorphometric Evaluation of Osteoarthritis in a Surgical Mouse Model07:32

Standardized Histomorphometric Evaluation of Osteoarthritis in a Surgical Mouse Model

Published on: May 6, 2020

12.5K

Related Concept Videos

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling01:31

Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling

Osteoclasts are cells responsible for bone resorption and remodeling. They originate from hematopoietic progenitor cells present in the bone marrow. Numerous progenitor cells fuse to form multinucleated cells, each with 10-20 nuclei. A single osteoclast has a diameter of 150 to 200 µM. These cells have ruffled borders that break down the underlying bone tissue and release minerals such as calcium into the blood in bone resorption. Osteoclasts cling to bones with their ruffled edges during...
3.4K
Structural Joints: Synovial Joints01:16

Structural Joints: Synovial Joints

Synovial joints are the most common type of joint in the body. A key structural characteristic for a synovial joint is the presence of a joint cavity. This fluid-filled space is where the articulating surfaces of the bones contact each other. Also, unlike fibrous or cartilaginous joints, the articulating bone surfaces at a synovial joint are not directly connected to each other with fibrous connective tissue or cartilage. This gives the bones of a synovial joint the ability to move smoothly...
5.3K
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway01:20

The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway

Several cytokine receptors have tightly bound Janus kinase or JAK proteins attached at their cytosolic tail. Small signaling molecules such as cytokines, growth hormones, or prolactins bind to the cytokine receptors and initiate their dimerization. The dimerization brings the cytosolic JAKs together that trans-phosphorylate and activates each other. The activated JAKs now phosphorylate cytosolic tails of the cytokine receptors, which serve as binding sites for adaptor proteins such as  SH2...
9.6K