miR-195 inhibits the proliferation and migration of chondrocytes by targeting GIT1.

Previous studies have demonstrated that G-protein coupled receptor kinase interacting protein-1 (GIT1) and microRNAs (miRNAs) serve an important role in chondrocyte proliferation and migration. However, a limited number of studies conducted thus far have investigated the association between GIT1 and miRNAs. In the present study, putative miR­195 binding sites in the GIT1 3'­untranslated region were identified using common bioinformatic algorithms (miRanda, TargetScan, miRBase and miRWalk), and it was demonstrated that they may be involved in regulating GIT1 expression. Following transfection of miR­195 mimics in chondrocytes, the expression of GIT1 was significantly reduced, whereas the expression was significantly increased following transfection with miR­195 inhibitors. In addition, the results of the current study demonstrated that increased miR­195 expression may downregulate chondrocyte proliferation and reduce cell migration. However, chondrocyte proliferation and migration was enhanced following suppression of miR­195 expression. Furthermore, upon co­transfection of miR­195 and GIT1 expression vectors, the inhibitory effect of miR­195 on chondrocyte proliferation and migration was attenuated. Therefore, miR­195 may affect chondrocyte proliferation and migration via targeted regulation of GIT1 expression. The results of the current study provide novel evidence for the regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in bone and cartilage tissues, which may facilitate further research and provide a greater understanding of different osteoarticular diseases.