MEG3 promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in osteoarthritis chondrocytes by miR-361-5p/FOXO1 axis

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to investigate the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed 3 (MEG3) and related molecular mechanisms in osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: Patients with OA and patients undergoing thigh amputation were involved in OA group and normal group, respectively. Cartilage tissues of all patients were isolated and cultured. Based on different transfection, MEG3 cells were grouped into Blank, pcDNA3.1-NC, pcDNA3.1-MEG3, si-NC, si-MEG3, pcDNA3.1-NC + mimics NC, pcDNA3.1-MEG3 + mimics NC, pcDNA3.1-NC + miR-361-5p mimics and pcDNA3.1-MEG3 + miR-361-5p mimics group. The RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of MEG3, miR-361-5p and FOXO1. Moreover, western blot, luciferase reporter assay, RIP, CCK-8 and flow cytometry analysis were performed to reveal the morphology, proliferation and apoptosis in cartilage cells. Finally, the histological analysis and immunostaining were performed on OA rat model. Results: The expression of MEG3 and FOXO1 in OA was significantly decreased while miR-361-5p was increased compared with the normal group. MEG3 might serve as a ceRNA of miR-361-5p in OA chondrocytes. Moreover, the western blot and CCK-8 assay showed that MEG3, targeted miR-361-5p/FOXO1, might elevate cell proliferation and impair cell apoptosis. Finally, rat model analysis showed that MEG3 suppressed the cartilage matrix degradation. Conclusion: Taken together, MEG3 can contribute to cell proliferation, inhibit cell apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation via miR-361-5p/FOXO1 axis in OA chondrocytes.

LncRNA MEG3-TRPV1 signaling regulates chronic inflammatory pain in rats

“…Wang et al showed that MEG3 lncRNA is downregulated in the cartilage tissues of rats with OA. 37 Xu et al showed that the expression level of MEG3 is downregulated in OA tissues and is negatively correlated with VEGF expression, suggesting that MEG3 may participate in the pathologic processes of OA by regulating angiogenesis. 38 In our present study, the expression of DRG and MEG3 in the SDH of CFA-induced rats was significantly reduced.…”