Changes in microRNA expression in peripheral mononuclear cells according to the progression of osteoarthritis

Abstract

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of non-coding RNAs that play an important role in human diseases, including osteoarthritis (OA). The objective of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of miRNAs in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of OA patients. PBMCs were isolated from 36 patients with OA, 6 RA patients, and 36 healthy controls. The expression patterns of miR-146a, 155, 181a, and 223 in PBMCs were analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). We investigated the expression patterns of the miRNAs in OA progression, and their relationships with the parameters of age, body mass index (BMI), the femorotibial angle (FTA), and serum keratan sulfate (KS). The relative expression levels of miR-146a, 155, 181a, and 223 in the OA patients were significantly higher than those found in healthy controls. In the early stages of OA, miR-146a and 223 expressions were significantly higher than they were at later stages. There was a significant co...