LncRNA-MALAT1 promotes osteogenic differentiation through regulating ATF4 by sponging miR-214 : implication of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head.

•MALAT1 was down-regulated and miR-214 was up-regulated in SANFH.•DEX inhibited osteogenic differentiation, decreased MALAT1 and increased miR-214.•Either overexpression of MALAT1 or inhibition of miR-214 improved DEX-induced inhibition of BMSC osteogenic differentiation.•MALAT1 promoted osteogenesis through miR-214/ATF4 axis.