Inhibition of miR-200c Expression Promotes Activation of Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK)/ Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling Pathway and Inhibits Osteogenic Differentiation in Osteoporosis Mice

During OP bone metabolism, activated MAPK signaling can promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts. miRNAs involve in bone diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate miR-200c’s effect on ERK/MAPK signaling pathway in OP. miR-200c expression in OP mice and normal mice was detected by qPCR. BMSCs were cultured and transfected with siRNA to establish a miR-200c knockout model. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis and ERK/MAPK signaling protein was detected by Western blot. miR-200c expression in OP mice was significantly lower than that in normal mice. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) contain a large amount of siRNA particles under a fluorescence microscope. siRNA transfection can effectively inhibit miR-200c expression without difference of BMSCs apoptosis between miR-200c siRNA group and NC group. However, ERK1/2 and P38 expression in experimental group were significantly higher than those in NC siRNA group with reduced ALP activity. In addition, BMSCs osteogenic differentiation was further diminished when miR-200c expression was inhibited. miR-200c expression is lower in OP mice. miR-200c siRNA inhibits BMSCs osteogenic differentiation via ERK/MAPK signaling, thereby promoting OP progression.