Abstract
Background:Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint disease and it may progressively cause disability and compromise quality of life. Lately, the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of OA has drawn a lot of attention. miRNAs are small, single-stranded, non-coding molecules of RNA which regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level. The dysregulation of the expression of several miRNAs affects pathways involved in OA pathogenesis.Objective:The purpose of this article is to review the literature on the involvement of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of OA and the implications on its diagnosis and treatment.Materials and Methods:An extensive electronic literature search was conducted by two researchers from January 2008 to August 2017. Titles and abstracts of papers were screened by the authors for further inclusion in the present work. Finally, full texts of the selected articles were retrieved.Results:Abnormally expressed miRNAs enhance the production of cartilage degrading enzymes, inhibit the expression of cartilage matrix components, increase the production of proinflammatory cytokines, facilitate chondrocyte apoptosis, suppress autophagy in chondrocytes and are involved in pain-related pathways. miRNAs are also incorporated in extra-cellular membranous vesicles such as exosomes and participate in the intercellular communication in osteoarthritic joints.Conclusion:Ongoing research on miRNAs has potential implications in the diagnosis and treatment of OA. Their different levels in peripheral blood and synovial fluid between OA patients and healthy population makes them candidates for being used as biomarkers of the disease, while targeting miRNAs may be a novel therapeutic strategy in OA.
Highlights
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic arthropathy and is characterised by failure of damaged cartilage to repair itself, synovial inflammation and changes in the subchondral bone
Studies that used high-throughput methods in order to examine the profile of multiple miRNAs expressed in cartilage, subchondral bone and synovial fluid of osteoarthritic joints
Dysregulated miRNAs increase the expression of cartilage degrading enzymes by articular chondrocytes, decrease the production of cartilage matrix components, facilitate chondrocyte apoptosis and inhibit autophagy in chondrocytes, contributing to cartilage damage
Summary
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic arthropathy and is characterised by failure of damaged cartilage to repair itself, synovial inflammation and changes in the subchondral bone. Loss of movement and function are features of more severe disease, resulting in a worse quality of life.[1] The etiology of OA is complex and not fully understood yet. It involves genetic and environmental factors, such as joint injury, obesity and aging.[2] According to epidemiological and family-based genetic studies, genetic factors seem to be responsible for a significant proportion of OA susceptibility. Conclusion: Ongoing research on miRNAs has potential implications in the diagnosis and treatment of OA Their different levels in peripheral blood and synovial fluid between OA patients and healthy population makes them candidates for being used as biomarkers of the disease, while targeting miRNAs may be a novel therapeutic strategy in OA
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