MicroRNA-140 expression during chondrogenic differentiation of equine cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells

Stem Cells Dev. 2013 Apr 15;22(8):1288-96. doi: 10.1089/scd.2012.0411. Epub 2013 Jan 15.

Abstract

MicroRNAs are a class of short noncoding RNAs that are involved in various biological processes, including differentiation. MicroRNA-140 (miR-140) has been identified as a cartilage-specific microRNA with several targets involved in cartilage development and homeostasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of miR-140 during chondrogenic differentiation of equine cord blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (eCB-MSCs). We demonstrate both that miR-140 is highly expressed in normal equine articular cartilage and that eCB-MSCs express significantly higher levels of this microRNA after 14 days of chondrogenic differentiation. Furthermore, miR-140 expression closely paralleled that of the cartilage-specific transcription factor Sox9, suggesting that miR-140 may be under the transcriptional regulation of Sox9 in these cells. The expression patterns of miR-140 targets the chemokine (CXC motif) ligand 12 (CXCL12), A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombosponin motifs (ADAMTS)-5 and insulin growth factor binding protein 5 (IGFBP5) were also determined; however, only CXCL12 and ADAMTS-5 were repressed while miR-140 expression was upregulated. Together, these studies suggest that miR-140 is an important regulator of cartilage development and homeostasis in eCB-MSCs that may act, in part, through the regulation of CXCL12 and ADAMTS-5.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ADAM Proteins / genetics
  • ADAM Proteins / metabolism
  • Aggrecans / genetics
  • Aggrecans / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cartilage, Articular / cytology
  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / genetics
  • Chemokine CXCL12 / metabolism
  • Chondrocytes / cytology
  • Chondrocytes / metabolism
  • Chondrogenesis / genetics
  • Collagen / genetics
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Fetal Blood / cytology
  • Gene Expression*
  • Horses
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5 / genetics
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5 / metabolism
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / cytology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor / genetics
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Aggrecans
  • Chemokine CXCL12
  • Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 5
  • MicroRNAs
  • SOX9 Transcription Factor
  • Collagen
  • ADAM Proteins