miR-106a regulates the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2

Su GU

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Under normal physiological conditions, there is a homeostasis between the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s. Osteogenic differentiation is an important process in the formation of skeleton in which differentiated and mature osteoblasts are indispensable.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the role of miR-106a and its target gene, bone morphogenetic protein receptor 2 (BMPR2) in the differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s into osteoblasts.

METHODS:

Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s were induced to differentiate into osteoblasts by osteoblast-specific induction medium, and this process was detected by western blot and alkaline phosphatase staining. Overexpression of miR-106a was elicited by transfecting miR-106a mimics and the BMPR2 knockdown achieved by RNA interference. The expression levels of miR-106a and BMPR2 were detected by real-time PCR and western blot, respectively. The interaction of miR-106a and BMPR2 was verified by TargetScan software and dual luciferase report experiment assay. RESULTS AND

CONCLUSION:

The expression of miR-106a was decreased whereas the expression of BMPR2 increased with the progress of osteogenesis differentiation. When miR-106a was overexpressed, alkaline phosphatase activity was declined and the expressions of runt-related transcription factor 2 and osteocalcin, markers of osteogenesis differentiation, both decreased. The expression of BMPR2 was decreased as wel . BMPR2 was predicted to be the target gene of miR-106a by TargetScan software and this prediction proved by dual luciferase report experiments assay. Additional y, osteogenesis differentiation was inhibited by knocking down the expression of BMPR2. These results indicate that miR-106a regulates the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cel s into osteoblasts by targeting BMPR2.