Long non-coding RNA TUG1 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by regulating the AMPK/mTOR/autophagy pathway.

Promoting the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into osteoblasts is an effective strategy against osteoporosis. Long non-coding RNAs are closely implicated in BMSC osteogenic differentiation. The present study explored the expression pattern and biological role of taurine upregulated gene 1 (TUG1) in osteogenic differentiation. The expressions of TUG1 and osteogenic markers following the osteogenic induction of BMSCs were detected. The functional relevance of TUG1 was evaluated by performing gain- and loss-of-function tests. Inhibitors of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) autophagy were applied to ascertain the effects of TUG1 on the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. TUG1 expression increased during the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. The overexpression of TUG1 was promoted, whereas the knockdown of TUG1 was suppressed, by BMSC osteogenic differentiation. Mechanically, TUG1 promoted the osteogenesis of BMSCs via the AMPK-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-autophagy signaling pathway. Blocking AMPK and autophagy could abrogate the osteogenic role of TUG1 in BMSCs. These results demonstrated that TUG1 promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by regulating the AMPK/mTOR/autophagy axis, suggesting that targeting TUG1 may be a potential therapy for osteoporosis.