miR‑488 negatively regulates osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by psoralen by targeting Runx2

Abstract

It has been previously reported that psoralen, one of the active ingredients in Psoralea corylifolia, could induce osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), suggesting its potential to treat osteoporosis. Additionally, runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) is a transcription factor that plays vital roles in BMSC osteogenic differentiation. However, whether and how microRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) modulate osteogenic differentiation induced by psoralen have not yet been examined, to the best of the authors' knowledge. The present study aimed to identify the miRNA target genes that regulate osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs induced by psoralen. A Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and alizarin red staining were used to detect the viability and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, respectively, under treatment with psoralen. miRNA microarray analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed miRNAs under treatment with psoralen. A bioinformatics analysis and a luciferase reporter assay were conducted to identify the targets of miR-488. Finally, the mechanisms of miR-488 in psoralen-induced BMSC osteogenic differentiation were investigated using overexpression or inhibition methods in vitro. Cell viability was elevated and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs was improved under treatment with psoralen. miRNA microarray analysis and further validation by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR revealed that miR-488 was downregulated during psoralen-induced BMSC osteogenic differentiation. Bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation by a luciferase reporter assay identified Runx2 as a potential target of miR-488. Overexpression of miR-488 by transfection with miR-488 mimics markedly inhibited the expression of Runx2, Osterix and alkaline phosphatase, whereas, the inhibition of miR-488 expression by the miR-488 inhibitor promoted their expression compared with the control. Rescue assays demonstrated that Runx2 overexpression partially rescued the inhibitory effect of miR-488 on BMSC osteogenic differentiation. The present results suggested that miR-488 is a negative regulator of psoralen-induced BMSC osteogenic differentiation by targeting Runx2, providing a possible therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

Psoralen alleviates high glucose-induced HK-2 cell injury by inhibition of Smad 2 signaling via upregulation of microRNA 874

“…ELISA assay was performed to estimate the expression of IL-6, IL-18, IL-1b, TNF-a, IL-10. **P < 0.01 compared with control group; ## P < 0.01 compared with HG group;^P < 0.05 compared with HG + psoralen group;^^P < 0.01 compared with HG + psoralen group downregulation of miR-488 [28]. In another study of Lei Jin et al, psoralen increased chemotherapeutic sensitivity in patients with gastric cancer through upregulating miR-196a-5p [29].…”

“…If other miRNAs were involved in the regulation process of psoralen in DN remains to be investigated. When psoralen was used to treat other diseases, different miRNAs were involved [28][29][30]. According to a study of Yongquan Huang et al, psoralen improved the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by the Fig.…”

“…When psoralen was used to treat other diseases, different miRNAs were involved [ 28 – 30 ]. According to a study of Yongquan Huang et al, psoralen improved the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by the downregulation of miR-488 [ 28 ].…”

Psoralen alleviates high glucose-induced HK-2 cell injury by inhibition of Smad 2 signaling via upregulation of microRNA 874

“…When psoralen was used to treat other diseases, different miRNAs were involved [30][31][32]. According to a study of Yongquan Huang et al, psoralen improved the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) by the downregulation of miR-488 [30]. In another study of Lei Jin et al, psoralen increased chemotherapeutic sensitivity in patients with gastric cancer through upregulating miR-196a-5p [31].…”

A Review of the Pharmacological Properties of Psoralen

“…Huang et al found that miR-488 was downregulated in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) following treatment with psoralen. Runx2 was found to be a potential target of miR-488 (Huang et al, 2019). It has been suggested that the targeting of Runx2 by miR-488 may participate in osteogenic differentiation after treatment with psoralen.…”