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Mir-450a-5p Ameliorates IL-1β-Induced Chondrocyte Apoptosis, Inflammation, and Extracellular Matrix Degradation by
Guo-Feng Jia1, Wei Tan1, Xu Han2
1Department of Orthopedics, Suzhou Kowloon Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
Abstract:
ObjectiveOsteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by cartilage degradation, causing severe pain and disability. Recent studies suggest that miR-450a-5p may regulate inflammatory pathways in OA. This study aimed to elucidate the role of miR-450a-5p in OA, providing a potential therapeutic target for the clinical treatment.MethodsCartilage tissues were collected from OA patients undergoing knee replacement surgery, and CHON-001 cells were treated with interleukin (IL)-1β to induce an OA model in vitro. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the miR-450a-5p expression, and Western blot determined the lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α factor (LITAF) expression. The targeting relationship between LITAF and miR-450a-5p was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, respectively. Levels of IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, Western blot was employed to detect the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3), collagen III, and aggrecan in extracellular matrix (ECM).ResultsMiR-450a-5p expression was significantly down-regulated in OA tissues and IL-1β-induced CHON-001 cells (~60%), while LITAF expression was markedly increased (~1.8-fold). There was a negative correlation between miR-450a-5p and LITAF in OA tissues (r = -0.596, P < 0.01). MiR-450a-5p directly targeted and inhibited LITAF expression. Its overexpression promoted chondrocyte proliferation, reduced apoptosis and inflammatory cytokines, and mitigated ECM degradation.ConclusionsMiR-450a-5p inhibited LITAF expression, thereby attenuating apoptosis, inflammation, and ECM degradation in chondrocytes. It may serve as a promising therapeutic target for OA.
Insights
MicroRNA-450a-5p (miR-450a-5p) is downregulated in osteoarthritis (OA), inhibiting LITAF. Restoring miR-450a-5p may treat OA by reducing inflammation and cartilage degradation.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease causing pain and disability.
- Cartilage degradation is a hallmark of OA, and inflammatory pathways play a key role.
- MicroRNA-450a-5p (miR-450a-5p) has been implicated in regulating inflammatory responses in OA.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of miR-450a-5p in osteoarthritis (OA).
- To determine if miR-450a-5p can serve as a therapeutic target for OA treatment.
Main Methods:
- Collected OA patient cartilage and used IL-1β to model OA in vitro.
- Measured miR-450a-5p and LITAF expression using RT-qPCR and Western blot.
- Verified targeting via dual-luciferase assay; assessed cell proliferation, apoptosis, and ECM degradation markers.
Main Results:
- miR-450a-5p was downregulated, and LITAF was upregulated in OA tissues and cells.
- miR-450a-5p directly targeted and inhibited LITAF.
- Overexpression of miR-450a-5p promoted chondrocyte proliferation, reduced apoptosis, inflammation, and ECM degradation.
Conclusions:
- miR-450a-5p inhibits LITAF expression, thereby reducing chondrocyte apoptosis, inflammation, and extracellular matrix degradation.
- miR-450a-5p represents a potential therapeutic target for osteoarthritis.

