The Regulatory Effect of Mir-149 on Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Osteoporosis Rats and Its Related Mechanisms
BMSCs play an important role in osteoporosis (OP) and their differentiation can lead to OP progression. Mir-149 can participate in the regulation of BMSCs. However, the effect of Mir-149 on BMSCs in osteoporosis remains unclear. SD rats were divided control group and OP group. OP rat BMSCs were transfected with Mir-149 siRNA followed by analysis of Mir-149 expression by real time PCR, cell proliferation by MTT assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry, ERK/MAPK signaling protein expression by western blot, ALP activity, as well as expression of osteogenic genes Runx2 and OC by real time PCR. Mir-149 expression was significantly increased in BMSCs of OP rats, cell proliferation was inhibited, apoptosis was increased, as well as p-ERK1/2 expression, ALP activity and expression of Runx2 and OC was decreased compared to control group (P < 0.05). Transfection of Mir-149 siRNA into OP rat BMSCs reduced Mir-149 expression, promoted cell proliferation, decreased apoptotic rate, increased p-ERK1/2 expression, ALP activity and Runx2 and OC expression. Compared with OP group, the differences were statistically significant (P< 0.05). Mir-149 expression was increased in OP rat BMSCs. Down-regulation of Mir-149 promoted the activation of ERK/MAPK signaling pathway, inhibited apoptosis of BMSCs and promoted the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs in OP rats.