MicroRNA-4287 regulates the expression of aggrecanase-2 in human chondrocytes

Objective This study was undertaken to determine whether aggrecanase-2 (ADAMTS5) can be regulated by microRNA (miRNA, miR)-4287. Methods Chondrocytes were separated from knee cartilage and induced with interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). The expression of miR-4287 and ADAMTS5 was quantified by real time fluorescence quantitive polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) by SYBR Green assay and Western blotting. Luciferase reporter assay was used to validate the direct interaction between miR-4287 and putative site in the 3’untranslated region (3’UTR) of ADAMTS5 mRNA. Results Compared with normal cartilages, the expression of miR-4287 was significantly lower (0.354±0.16 vs. 1.074±0.507; t=3.010, P 0.05). Conclusion MiR-4287 is a direct regulator of ADAMTS5 expression in human chondrocytes that may play an important role in the regulation of human cartilage homeostasis. Key words: MicroRNA-4287; Osteoarthritis; Interleukin-1β; Aggrecanase-2