MicroRNA-146a-Mediated IL-6/Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling Pathway in Chondrocyte Proliferation and Apoptosis in Mice with Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: To investigate the MicroRNA-146a targeting regulation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway activity and influence the proliferation and apoptosis behavior-related mechanisms of OA chondrocytes. Material and Methods: 10 C57 mice were isolated and cultured with membrane protease and type II collagenase. The experiment was divided into blank group, MicroRNA-146a overexpression group and low expression group. The chondrocytes were transfected with plasmid vector. After 48 hours of culture, the proliferation rate of chondrocytes was detected by MTT method. The levels of type ii collagen, MMP-9, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α in culture medium were detected by ELISA. Luciferase reported experimental analysis of MircoRNA-146a targeting regulation of IL-6 genes. Results: Compared with the blank group, the proliferation rate of chondrocytes in the overexpression group was significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate was increased, the levels of IL-6 and p-STAT3 protein, type II collagen, MMP-9, IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α were increased, while the low expression group was correlated (P < 0.05). Luciferase reporter experiments confirmed that MicroRNA-146a had a better binding effect with the IL-6 gene. Conclusion: MicroRNA-146a overexpression may mediate activation of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and participate in decreased proliferation activity and increased apoptosis activity in OA chondrocytes. IL-6 gene may have targeted regulatory sites for MicroRNA-146a.