Circular RNA Hsa_circ_0006766 targets microRNA miR-4739 to regulate osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells

Bioengineered. 2021 Dec;12(1):5679-5687. doi: 10.1080/21655979.2021.1967712.

Abstract

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators in bone metabolism, which is mediated by microRNA (miRNA) sponges. However, it is not clear how circRNA regulates osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBM-MSCs).Therefore, based on the previous circRNA chip results, hsa_circ_0006766, which is differentially expressed in the osteogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs, was screened out, and bioinformatics analysis was performed to predict potential target miRNAs. During osteogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs, hsa_circ_0006766 and its target miRNAs (miR-4739, miR-619-5p, miR-5787, miR-7851-3p, and miR-3192-5p) were detected by quantitative Real Time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Target gene prediction for the differentially expressed target miRNAs was performed, and target genes were validated by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and qRT-PCR. It is shown that hsa_circ_0006766 was up-regulated and miR-4739 was down-regulated during osteogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs.Moreover, the target gene Notch2 was predicted to be highly expressed during osteogenic differentiation. And dual-luciferase assay proved that Notch2 was the gene targeting to miR-4739. Taken together, our finding confirmed that hsa_circ_0006766 may act as a major regulatory part in osteogenic differentiation of hBM-MSCs via an hsa_circ_0006766-miR-4739-Notch2 regulatory axis. Accordingly, hsa_circ_0006766 may affect the development of osteoporosis and may thus become a therapeutic target.

Keywords: circRNA; hBM-MSCs; miRNA; osteogenesis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Differentiation / genetics*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Humans
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Osteogenesis / genetics*
  • RNA, Circular / genetics*
  • RNA, Circular / metabolism

Substances

  • MIRN4739 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Circular

Grants and funding

This work was financially supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81973633], Key Laboratory Construction Project of Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau[202102100007], Collaborative innovation team project of double first-class and high-level universities in Guangzhou University of traditional Chinese Medicine[2021xk62] and Key research projects of first-class disciplines of Guangzhou University of Chinese medicine in 2020[reference number: Guangzhou University of Chinese medicine〔2020〕Reference No. 62] ;Key research projects of first-class disciplines of Guangzhou University of Chinese medicine in 2020 [Reference No. 62];the National Natural Science Foundation of China [81973633];