Osterix (Osx) is an essential transcription factor for osteoblast differentiation and bone formation. However, the knowledge of the regulation of Osx expression is poor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, play critical roles in numerous biological processes, including the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of cells and organisms. Herein, we aimed to explore the effect of miR-143 on Osx expression and osteogenic differentiation. miR-143, which was suppressor of the osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, had decreased levels of expression during osteogenic differentiation. Moreover, Osx was identified to be a direct target of miR-143. Inhibition of Osx performed similar effect with miR-143 on osteogenic differentiation, while overexpression of Osx could partially reverse the suppressive effect of miR-143. Collectively, these data indicate that miR-143 is a novel regulator of Osx, and it might play an essential role in the regulation of osteogenic differentiation.

It has been proven that long non-coding (lnc)RNAs serve an important role in the tumorigenesis and development of several types of human malignancy. Previous studies have demonstrated that the lncRNA Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) is involved in the development various types of cancer, including osteosarcoma (OS). However, the underlying mechanisms by which it has an affect are still largely unknown. In the present study, it was observed that the expression of HOTAIR was significantly upregulated in OS tissues compared to matched adjacent normal tissues, using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis. HOTAIR was silenced using specific small interfering RNA (siRNA/siR), siR-HOTAIR, in order to investigate its role in regulating OS cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion. siR-HOTAIR inhibited the proliferation of MG-63 cells due to the induction of G1 phase arrest. In addition, the results of in vitro assays demonstrated that the suppression of HOTAIR in MG-63 OS cells significantly reduced migration and invasion. The silencing of HOTAIR also significantly decreased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and MMP9, but increased E-cadherin expression through regulating the RAC α serine/threonine protein kinase-mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. The results indicated that siR-HOTAIR may be a potential OS therapy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) contribute to the development and progression of various types of human cancers. The aim of this study was to study the role of miR-145 and to identify its functional target gene in osteosarcoma (OS) cells. We found that miR-145 was reduced in OS tissues and cell lines. Enforced expression of miR-145 inhibited cell proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of MG-63 cells. Furthermore, we revealed that Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) was a target of miR-145 in OS. Finally, we found that silencing of ROCK1 performed similar effects with miR-145 in MG-63 cells, and ROCK1 was inversely correlated with miR-145 in OS tissues. Collectively, these data indicate that miR-145 may act as a tumor suppressor and contributes to the progression of OS through targeting ROCK1.

We recently demonstrated that interleukin-6 (IL-6)- and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced osteosarcoma (OS) cell proliferation and migration are parallel to significant increased expression of SH3GL1 and the phosphorylation level of P130. The expression level of SH3GL1 was widely upregulated in human OS tissues, and their overexpression was significantly correlated with more aggressive clinicopathological features. Conversely, depletion of SH3GL1 by adenovirus shRNA abrogates P130 phosphorylation and IL-6- and VEGF-induced OS cell proliferation and migration. To further pinpoint the mechanism how SH3GL1 was responsible for cell proliferation and migration, we deleted SH3GL1 in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, depletion of SH3GL1 abrogates P130 phosphorylation and IL-6- and VEGF-induced OS cell proliferation and migration. SH3GL1 knockdown caused cell cycle arrest in G/G phase via downregulation of cyclin D1, caused activation of p27, and attenuated the activation of p-Rb. Interestingly, SH3GL1 knockdown also markedly attenuated the phosphorylation level of Akt/GSK-3β/FAK. In vivo, depletion of SH3GL1 by shRNA inhibited the tumor tissue growth and the expression of p-P130. Collectively, our results strongly suggest that SH3GL1 is a novel target for anti-osteosarcoma.

This study aimed to investigate the value of a horizontal rafting plate in treating tibial plateau fractures.Methods: The data of 24 patients in whom a horizontal rafting plate was used to treat a tibial plateau fracture between October 2014 and January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 16 males and 8 females, aged 21-63 years old, with an average of 40 AE 14.68 years. The fractures included 13 in the left knee and 11 in the right knee. The places where the horizontal rafting plate were used included the anterior margin of tibia, anterolateral tibia, and posterolateral tibia. All cases were followed up for 12-24 months, with an average follow-up of 17.5 AE 5.0 months. At the last follow-up, the Rasmussen radiological criteria were used to evaluate the effect of fracture reduction and fixation. The knee joint function was evaluated using the Rasmussen functional score. Computed tomography (CT) scanning and three-dimensional reconstruction were performed preoperatively and postoperatively, with the quality of reduction of the fractured articular surface clarified by the final follow-up. The flexion and extension abilities of the knee joint were also measured in the postoperative follow-up.Results: Preoperative CT scanning showed that the gap of the tibial plateau was 8.00 AE 1.40 (5-24) mm. The heights of the fracture of the articular surface at all three sites during the final follow-ups were significantly different from the height before the surgery (P < 0.05). The vertical distance between the articular line and the highest point of the articular surface after reduction was 0.17 AE 0.05 mm. Anatomic reductions were obtained in 24 patients. The Rasmussen functional score after surgeries was 27.25 AE 0.94 points. Bony union was achieved in all the patients. According to the Rasmussen radiological criteria, the scores during the last follow-up were as follows: the total score was 13-18 points, with an average of 16.00 AE 1.72 points; the scores were excellent in 17 cases and good in seven cases. Therefore, 100% of results were excellent or good. No infection or fracture nonunion was found. Conclusion:Using a horizontal plate can be an effective method for treating special types of fractures of the tibial plateau, including the anterior margin and anterolateral and posterolateral tibial plateau, with satisfactory treatment efficacy.