Bin Zhang1, Wei Guo2, Chao Sun1, Hui-Quan Duan1, Bing-Bing Yu1, Kun Mu3, Yue-Yan Guan4, Yan Li1, Shen Liu1, Yang Liu1, De-Xiang Ban1, Wen-Dong Ruan1, Xiao-Hong Kong5, Cong Xing1, Guang-Zhi Ning1, Shi-Qing Feng1. 1. Department of Orthopaedics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Heping District, Tianjin, China. 2. Department of Orthopaedics, Hebei province Cangzhou Hospital of integrated traditional and Western Medicine (Cangzhou No.2 Hospital), Cangzhou, China. 3. Department of Breast Surgery, Hebei province Cangzhou Hospital of integrated traditional and Western Medicine (Cangzhou No.2 Hospital), Cangzhou, China. 4. Department of Endocrinology, Tianjin Third Central Hospital, Tianjin, China. 5. School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Low back pain has become one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in the world. Studies have shown that intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is an important factor leading to low back pain, but the mechanisms underlying IDD remain largely unknown. Research over the past decade has suggested critical roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) in natural growth and disease progression. However, it remains poorly understood whether circular RNAs participate in IDD. METHODS: Clinical IDD samples were collected from 20 patients who underwent discectomy. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify the co-expression miRNA network modules (highly co-expressed clusters of miRNAs) that were associated with IDD grade. RESULTS: miR-3150a-3p was the most significantly up-regulated miRNA in module "Blue." Notably, aggrecan (ACAN) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-3150a-3p and ACAN expression was regulated by miR-3150a-3p. Overexpression of miR-3150a-3p decreased ACAN expression in nucleus pulposus cells, whereas inhibition of miR-3150a-3p increased ACAN expression. In addition, ACAN expression was negatively correlated with IDD grade. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the reduction of ACAN expression induced by the upregulation of miR-3150a-3p might participate in the development of IDD.
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Low back pain has become one of the most common musculoskeletal diseases in the world. Studies have shown that intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is an important factor leading to low back pain, but the mechanisms underlying IDD remain largely unknown. Research over the past decade has suggested critical roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) in natural growth and disease progression. However, it remains poorly understood whether circular RNAs participate in IDD. METHODS: Clinical IDD samples were collected from 20 patients who underwent discectomy. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis was used to identify the co-expression miRNA network modules (highly co-expressed clusters of miRNAs) that were associated with IDD grade. RESULTS:miR-3150a-3p was the most significantly up-regulated miRNA in module "Blue." Notably, aggrecan (ACAN) was identified as a direct target gene of miR-3150a-3p and ACAN expression was regulated by miR-3150a-3p. Overexpression of miR-3150a-3p decreased ACAN expression in nucleus pulposus cells, whereas inhibition of miR-3150a-3p increased ACAN expression. In addition, ACAN expression was negatively correlated with IDD grade. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that the reduction of ACAN expression induced by the upregulation of miR-3150a-3p might participate in the development of IDD.