Bioinformatics Analysis and Validation of Differentially Expressed MicroRNAs with their Target Genes Involved in GLP-1RA Facilitated Osteogenesis

Background: Recent studies revealed that the hypoglycemic hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), acted as an important modulator in osteogenesis of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the specific microRNA (miRNA) using bioinformatics analysis and validate the presence of differentially expressed microRNAs with their target genes after GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) administration involved in osteogenesis of BMSCs. Methods: MiRNAs were extracted from BMSCs after 5 days' treatment and sent for high throughput sequencing for differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs analyses. Then, the expression of the DE miRNAs was verified by the real-time RT-PCR analyses. Target genes were predicted, and highly enriched GOs and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted using bioinformatics analysis. For the functional study, two of the target genes, SRY (sex determining region Y)-box 5 (SOX5) and G protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84), were identified. Results: A total of 5 miRNAs (miRNA-509-5p, miRNA-547-3p, miRNA-201-3p, miRNA-201-5p, and miRNA-novel-272-mature) were identified and differentially expressed among groups. The expression of miRNA-novel-272-mature was decreased during the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and GLP-1RA further decreased its expression. MiRNA-novel-272-mature might interact with its target mRNAs to enhance osteogenesis. The lower expression of miRNA-novel-272mature led to an increase in SOX5 and a decrease in GPR84 mRNA expression, respectively. Conclusion: Taken together, these results provide further insights to the pharmacological properties of GLP-1RA and expand our knowledge on the role of miRNAs-mRNAs regulation network in BMSCs' differentiation.