MicroRNA 98-5p Overexpression Contributes to Delayed Fracture Healing via Targeting BMP-2

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are related to the regulation of bone metabolism. Delayed fracture healing (DFH) is a common complication after fracture surgery. The study attempted to examine the role of miR-98-5p and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 with the onset of DFH. A total of 140 patients with femoral neck fracture were recruited, including 80 cases with normal fracture healing (NFH) and 60 cases with DFH. MC3T3-E1 cells were induced cell differentiation for cell function experiments. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was carried out to test mRNA levels. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were determined via CCK-8 and flow cytometry assay. Luciferase reporter assay was done to verify the targeted regulatory relationship of miR-98-5p with BMP-2. In comparison with NFH cases, DFH patients owned high levels of serum miR-98-5p and low concentration of BMP-2, and the levels of the two indexes are significantly negatively correlated. Both miR-98-5p and BMP-2 had the ability to predict DFH, while their combined diagnostic value is the highest. BMP-2 was demonstrated to be the target gene of miR-98-5p. Overexpression of BMP-2 reversed the role of miR-98-5p in MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation. Increased miR-98-5p and decreased BMP-2 serve as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of DFH. MiR-98-5p overexpression inhibits osteoblast proliferation and differentiation via targeting BMP-2.