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Circ_0027885 sponges miR-203-3p to regulate RUNX2 expression and alleviates osteoporosis progression
Shuhua Fang1, Dingwen Cao1, Zhanpo Wu2
1Department of Pharmacy, Nanjing Lishui People's Hospital, Zhongda Hospital Lishui Branch Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
Background:
Osteoporosis (OP) is a progressive metabolic disorder that is difficult to cure clinically. The molecular mechanisms of OP urgently need to be further examined. This study was designed to explore the potential function of circ_0027885 during osteogenic differentiation, as well as the systematic interactions among circ_0027885, miR-203-3p and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2).
Methods:
Relative levels of circ_0027885, miR-203-3p and RUNX2 were analyzed with RT-qPCR and western blotting. Alizarin red staining was performed to detect the mineralization ability under the control of circ_0027885 and miR-203-3p. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to examine the combination among circ_0027885, miR-203-3p and RUNX2.
Results:
Our research demonstrated that circ_0027885 was significantly increased during hBMSCs differentiation. Overexpression of circ_0027885 notably facilitated osteogenic differentiation and upregulated RUNX2 expression, while knockdown of circ_0027885 reversed the above results. Through prediction on bioinformatics analysis, miR-203-3p was the target binding circ_0027885, and RUNX2 was the potential target of miR-203-3p. Subsequently, these changes induced by the overexpression of circ_0027885 were reversed upon addition of miR-203-3p mimic.
Conclusions:
Circ_0027885 could sponge miR-203-3p to regulate RUNX2 expression and alleviate osteoporosis progression.
Insights
Circular RNA circ_0027885 promotes bone formation by regulating miR-203-3p and runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), offering a potential therapeutic target for osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Osteoporosis (OP) is a metabolic bone disorder with complex molecular mechanisms.
- Understanding OP pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective clinical treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of circ_0027885 in osteogenic differentiation.
- To elucidate the interactions between circ_0027885, miR-203-3p, and RUNX2 in OP.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting for molecular level analysis.
- Alizarin red staining to assess mineralization capacity.
- Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays to confirm molecular interactions.
Main Results:
- Circ_0027885 levels were elevated during osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow stem cells (hBMSCs).
- Overexpression of circ_0027885 enhanced osteogenesis and RUNX2 expression; knockdown had opposite effects.
- Circ_0027885 sponged miR-203-3p, which targets RUNX2, mediating the observed effects.
Conclusions:
- Circ_0027885 acts as a molecular sponge for miR-203-3p, thereby regulating RUNX2 expression.
- This regulatory axis plays a significant role in alleviating osteoporosis progression.
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