The lncRNA MIAT/miR-181a-5p axis regulates osteopontin (OPN)-mediated proliferation and apoptosis of human chondrocytes in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a slow-progressing degenerative joint disease mainly characterized by progressive cartilage loss and subchondral bone remodeling. Osteopontin (OPN) is a matrix extracellular glyco-phosphoprotein capable of regulating the expression levels of multiple factors linked with OA pathogenesis. This study explores the upstream regulatory molecular mechanism of OPN on proliferation and apoptosis of human chondrocytes in OA. Chondrocytes were isolated from OA cartilage and identified by toluidine blue staining and immunofluorescent staining of type II collagen. An MTT assay was used for cell viability, and a BrdU assay was applied for DNA synthesis. Cell apoptosis was detected by a flow cytometry assay. A lncRNA MIAT/miR-181a-5p/OPN axis regulating OA chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis were identified. miR-181a-5p directly targeted OPN and inhibited OPN expression in OA chondrocytes. miR-181a-5p overexpression inhibited OA chondrocyte viability, suppressed DNA synthesis, and promoted apoptosis. OPN overexpression exerted opposite effects on OA chondrocytes and significantly attenuated the roles of miR-181a-5p overexpression in OA chondrocytes. A total of six long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were predicted to target miR-181a-5p, and MIAT was the most up-regulated in OA cartilage tissues among the six lncRNAs. Through direct targeting, MIAT inhibited miR-181a-5p expression. MIAT silencing inhibited cell viability, suppressed DNA synthesis, and promoted cell apoptosis. Moreover, miR-181a-5p inhibition partially reversed the effects of MIAT silencing on OA chondrocytes. The lncRNA MIAT/miR-181a-5p/OPN axis could modulate OA chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis. The comprehensive function of this axis on OA requires further in vivo and clinical investigations.

[Computer-aided precise resection of pelvic tumor and function reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of computer-aided design (CAD) in defining the resection boundary, reconstructing the pelvis and hip in patients with pelvis tumors. METHODS: Between November 2006 and April 2009, 5 cases of pelvis tumors were treated surgically using CAD technology. There were 3 males and 2 females with an average age of 36.4 years (range, 24-62 years). The cause was osteosarcoma, giant cell tumor of bone, and angiosarcoma in 1 case, respectively, and chondrosarcoma in 2 cases. According to the Enneking system for staging benign and malignant musculoskeletal tumors, regions I, I + II, III, IV, and I + IV is in 1 case, respectively. According to the principle of reverse engineering, 5 patients with pelvis tumors were checked with lamellar CT/MRI scanning, whose two-dimensional data were obtained in disease area. The three-dimensional reconstruction of pelvic anatomical model, precise resection boundary of tumor, individual surgical template, individual prosthesis, and surgical simulation were precisely made by computer with CAD software. Based on the proposal of CAD, the bone tumor was resected accurately, and allograft ilium with internal fixation instrument or allogeneic ilium with personalized prosthetic replacement were used to reconstruct the bone defect after tumor was resected. RESULTS: The operation was successfully performed in 5 cases. The average operation time was 7.9 hours, and the average blood loss was 3 125 mL. Hemorrhage and cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in 1 case, respectively, and were cured after debridement. Five patients were followed up from 24 to 50 months (mean, 34.5 months). All patients began non-weight bearing walk with double crutches at 4-6 weeks after operation, and began walk at 3-6 months after operation. Local recurrence developed in 2 patients at 18 months after operation, and resection and radiotherapy were performed. According to International Society of Limb Salvage criteria for curative effectiveness of bone tumor limb salvage, the results were excellent in 2 and good in 3. CONCLUSION: The individual surgical template, individual prosthesis, and surgical simulation by CAD ensure the precision and reliability of pelvis tumors resection. The CAD technology promotes pelvis tumor resection and the reconstruction of pelvis to individual treatment stage, and good curative effectiveness can be obtained.