Osteoclast-Derived Exosomal miR-5134-5p Interferes with Alveolar Bone Homeostasis by Targeting the JAK2/STAT3 Axis

In chronic periodontitis, exosomes transport various informative substances between osteoclasts and osteoblasts in alveolar bone. Herein, we aimed to investigate the effect of exosomal micro-ribonucleic acid (miRNA/miR)-5134-5p derived from osteoclasts on osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation and the development of periodontitis in vivo and in vitro.

The effects of OC-Exos on the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts were identified by Real-time quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot(WB), alkaline phosphatase(ALP) staining, etc. Exosomal miRNA expression was analyzed by sequencing. The sites of miRNA action were predicted through TargetScan and tested by double luciferase assay. After transfecting miR-5134-5p mimic/inhibitor into osteoblasts, we measured the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts by ALP staining and WB, etc. Furthermore, OC-Exos were injected into the gingival sulcus at the ligation site. Inflammation was observed by Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, the expression of inflammatory factors were detected by qRT-PCR, the resorption of alveolar bone was observed by Micro CT.

Osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation were negatively regulated by OC-Exos in vitro. miRNA sequencing analysis revealed that miR-5134-5p expression was significantly elevated in OC-Exos, which also increased in osteoblasts following OC-Exo intervention. The dual-luciferase assay revealed that miR-5134-5p and Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) had binding sites. miR-5134-5p-mimics could upregulate miR-5134-5p expression in osteoblasts while downregulating Runt-related transcription factor 2(Runx2), phosphorylated-JAK2 (p-JAK2), and phosphorylated-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) expression and inhibited osteogenic differentiation. However, miR-5134-5p-inhibitor had the opposite effect. In vivo, the OC-Exo group demonstrated morphological disruption of periodontal tissue, massive inflammatory cell infiltration, upregulation of inflammatory factors mRNA expression, a significant decrease in BV/TV, and an increase in the cementoenamel junction and alveolar bone crest distance.

Osteoclast-derived exosomal miR-5134-5p inhibits osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation via the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. OC-Exos exacerbate periodontal tissue inflammation and accelerate alveolar bone resorption in mice with experimental periodontitis.