microRNA-206 is required for osteoarthritis development through its effect on apoptosis and autophagy of articular chondrocytes via modulating the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B-mTOR pathway by targeting insulin-like growth factor-1.

microRNA (miR) has been shown to be involved in the treatment of diseases such as osteoarthritis (OA). This study aims to investigate the role of miR-206 in regulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in chondrocyte autophagy and apoptosis in an OA rat model via the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (P13K)/protein kinase B (AKT)-mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Wistar rats were used to establish the OA rat model, followed by the observation of histopathological changes, Mankin score, and the detection of IGF-1-positive expression and tissue apoptosis. The underlying regulatory mechanisms of miR-206 were analyzed in concert with treatment by an miR-206 mimic, an miR-206 inhibitor, or small interfering RNA against IGF-1 in chondrocytes isolated from OA rats. Then, the expression of miR-206, IGF-1, and related factors in the signaling pathway, cell cycle, and apoptosis, as well as inflammatory factors, were determined. Subsequently, chondrocyte proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, autophagy, and autolysosome were measured. OA articular cartilage tissue exhibited a higher Mankin score, promoted cell apoptotic rate, increased expression of IGF-1, Beclin1, light chain 3 (LC3), Unc-51-like autophagy activating kinase 1 (ULK1), autophagy-related 5 (Atg5), caspase-3, and Bax, yet exhibited decreased expression of miR-206, P13K, AKT, mTOR, and Bcl-2. Besides, miR-206 downregulated the expression of IGF-1 and activated the P13K/AKT signaling pathway. Moreover, miR-206 overexpression and IGF-1 silencing inhibited the interleukins levels (IL-6, IL-17, and IL-18), cell apoptotic rate, the formation of autolysosome, and cell autophagy while promoting the expression of IL-1ß and cell proliferation. The findings from our study provide a basis for the efficient treatment of OA by investigating the inhibitory effects of miR-206 on autophagy and apoptosis of articular cartilage in OA via activating the IGF-1-mediated PI3K/AKT-mTOR signaling pathway.