MicroRNA-149 improves osteoarthritis via repression of VCAM-1 and inactivation of PI3K/AKT pathway

Objective: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in osteoarthritis (OA). While the role of miR-149 in OA has not been fully understood yet. This study investigated the mechanism in which miR-149 inhibited vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) via depressing PI3K/AKT pathway, thereby alleviating OA.Methods: A mouse OA model was constructed. The mice were injected with miR-149, VCAM-1- PI3K/AKT pathway-related sequences to figure their roles in OA. Inflammation and apoptosis were detected in the cartilage tissues of mice. MiR-149 and VCAM-1expression were detected. Results: Decreased miR-149 and enhanced VCAM-1 existed in cartilage tissues of patients with OA. Elevated miR149 or suppressed VCAM-1 limited inflammation and apoptosis in cartilage tissues of mice with OA, which was related to PI3K/AKT pathway inactivation.Conclusion: Our study provides evidence that up-regulated miR-149 alleviates OA via inhibition of VCAM-1 and PI3K/AKT pathway, which is helpful for OA treatment.