Open Access

MicroRNA‑124‑3p inhibits the differentiation of precartilaginous stem cells into nucleus pulposus‑like cells via targeting FSTL1

  • Authors:
    • Qiong Wang
    • Junfang Wang
    • Xiaofeng Gu
    • Dehong Feng
    • Ding Li
    • Tao Jiang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: May 4, 2021     https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10157
  • Article Number: 725
  • Copyright: © Wang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

MicroRNA (miRNA/miR)‑124‑3p has been extensively studied in tumor biology and stem cells. However, little is known regarding its functional roles in the differentiation of precartilaginous stem cells (PSCs) into nucleus pulposus‑like cells (NPLCs). In the present study, using miRNA microarray screening, it was demonstrated that the miRNA expression profiles differed between rat primary PSCs and TGF‑β1‑induced differentiated NPLCs, and that miR‑124‑3p was significantly differentially expressed during the differentiation of PSCs to NPLCs. Furthermore, RT‑qPCR analysis verified that miR‑124‑3p expression was decreased during PSC differentiation, with the lowest levels being detected at the later stages. Subsequent experiments revealed that miR‑124‑3p overexpression significantly decreased the expression of the extracellular matrix proteins, aggrecan and collagen type II, which was accompanied by a significant decrease in follistatin‑related protein 1 (FSTL1) expression levels. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis indicated that FSTL1 was a potential target of miR‑124‑3p, which was additionally verified using luciferase reporter assays. Taken together, these data revealed a specific regulatory pathway of miR‑124‑3p, which negatively regulated its target gene, FSTL1, during the differentiation of PSCs to NPLCs, and suggested a functional role for miR‑124‑3p in the differentiation of PSCs.
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July-2021
Volume 22 Issue 1

Print ISSN: 1792-0981
Online ISSN:1792-1015

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Spandidos Publications style
Wang Q, Wang J, Gu X, Feng D, Li D and Jiang T: MicroRNA‑124‑3p inhibits the differentiation of precartilaginous stem cells into nucleus pulposus‑like cells via targeting FSTL1. Exp Ther Med 22: 725, 2021
APA
Wang, Q., Wang, J., Gu, X., Feng, D., Li, D., & Jiang, T. (2021). MicroRNA‑124‑3p inhibits the differentiation of precartilaginous stem cells into nucleus pulposus‑like cells via targeting FSTL1. Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 22, 725. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10157
MLA
Wang, Q., Wang, J., Gu, X., Feng, D., Li, D., Jiang, T."MicroRNA‑124‑3p inhibits the differentiation of precartilaginous stem cells into nucleus pulposus‑like cells via targeting FSTL1". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 22.1 (2021): 725.
Chicago
Wang, Q., Wang, J., Gu, X., Feng, D., Li, D., Jiang, T."MicroRNA‑124‑3p inhibits the differentiation of precartilaginous stem cells into nucleus pulposus‑like cells via targeting FSTL1". Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine 22, no. 1 (2021): 725. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2021.10157