Abstract
Aberrant expression of miR-127 in rheumatoid arthritis and its related mechanism
Abstract
Objective:
This study aims to investigate the role and mechanism of miR-127 in rheumatoid
arthritis (RA).
Methods: Totally 30
cases of RA patients were enrolled and 30 cases of healthy volunteers were
enrolled as the control group. Peripheral blood samples and synovial tissues of
the participators were collected, and RT-qPCR has been performed to detect the
expression of miR-127; moreover, fibroblast-like synoviocytes (SFs) of patients
with RA were cultured and stimulated with TNF-α, and transfected with miR-127
mimics, and MTT assay as well flow cytometry assay have been performed to
examine the effect of miR-127 on the proliferation and apoptosis of SFs;
furthermore, cells were collected, and RT-qPCR as well as western blot assays
have been performed to examine the expression of Bcl-2, Bax and OPN; finally,
dual luciferase assay was used to validate whether miR-127 directly target OPN.
Results: It was found
that miR-127 was significantly decreased in blood and synovial tissues of RA
patients, while OPN expression was significantly decreased in synovial tissues
of patients with RA (P<0.05). Next, transfection of miR-127 mimics induced
significant increase in the proliferation and marked decrease in the apoptosis
of SFs isolated from patients with RA. Moreover, transfection of miR-127 mimics
also induced significant decrease in the expression of OPN and Bax, and marked
increase in the expression of Bcl-2. Finally, results of dual luciferase assay
showed that miR-127 can directly target OPN.
Conclusion:
OPN was significantly increased in RA patients, which might be associated with
the down-regulation of miR-127. miR-127 may promote the development and
progression of RA through targeting OPN.
Key word: miR-127, rheumatoid arthritis, Osteopontin
DOI: