LncRNA Urothelial Carcinoma-Associated 1 (UCA1) Regulates Rat Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell Differentiation and Promotes Repair of Bone Defects

Abstract

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have characteristics of self-renewal and multidirectional differentiation. LncRNA UCA1 regulates BMSCs differentiation. Whether LncRNA UCA1 plays a role in bone defects remains unclear. BMSCs were randomly divided into control group, radiation group (6Gy), radiation + UCA1 group followed by analysis of the expression of LncRNA UCA1, RUNX2 and OPN by real time PCR, BMSCs proliferation by MTT assay as well as ALP activity. Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group; bone defect group; UCA1 group, in which UCA1-transfected BMSCs were infused into bone defect rats followed by analysis of bone mineral density, ALP activity as well as the formation of type II collagen by ELISA. LncRNA UCA1 expression was significantly decreased in BMSCs of irradiated group, with decreased BMSCs proliferation, reduced expression of RUNX2 and OPN as well as decreased ALP activity (P < 0.05). Transfection of UCA1 significantly up-regulated LncRNA UCA1 expression in BMSCs, promoted BMSCs proliferation, increased the expression of RUNX2 and OPN, and the activity of ALP (P < 0.05). In addition, UCA1 promoted bone mineral density, increased ALP activity and type II collagen formation in rats with bone defect. LncRNA UCA1 promotes osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and targeting it might be a novel approach to promote bone remodeling at the bone defect site.