Open Access

MALAT1 enhanced the proliferation of human osteoblasts treated with ultra‑high molecular weight polyethylene by targeting VEGF via miR‑22‑5p

  • Authors:
    • Xucheng Yang
    • Yingying Zhang
    • Yusheng Li
    • Ting Wen
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: January 4, 2018     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3363
  • Pages: 1536-1546
  • Copyright: © Yang et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Osteolysis associated with an implanted prosthesis is the major cause of failure in prosthesis implantation, and a severe public health issue worldwide. The type of bone metabolism associated with this disorder has been a major focus for improving the outcomes of patients with osteolysis. The role of metastasis‑associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1; a member of the long coding RNA family) during the onset of osteolysis and the related molecular regulatory mechanism in ultra‑high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)‑treated hFOB 1.19 cells were investigated in the current study. The effect of MALAT1 knockdown on cell viability, cell apoptosis and osteolysis‑associated signaling were also examined, and the interactions that occurred between MALAT1 and an anti‑osteolysis molecule, microRNA (miR)‑22‑5p were investigated. Additionally, knockdown of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) exerted similar biological effects as observed following miR‑22‑5p overexpression. The data showed that MALAT1 and pro‑osteolysis indicators, receptor activator of nuclear factor‑κB ligand (RANKL) and VEGF were upregulated in clinical interface membrane samples. Knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited the growth of UHMWPE‑treated hFOB 1.19 cells, and this effect was associated with the upregulation of OPG, and downregulation of RANKL and VEGF. Results of a dual luciferase assay confirmed the interaction between VEGF and miR‑22‑5p, and also between MALAT1 and miR‑22‑5p. Additionally, subsequent assays indicated that overexpression of MALAT1 suppressed the anti‑osteolysis effect of miR‑22‑5p, which would further induce VEGF expression. The data indicated that MALAT1 has an in port ant role in the onset of osteolysis via its ability to induce RANKL expression and inhibit the effect of miR‑22‑5p.

Introduction

Joint arthroplasty is an effective treatment for severe trauma and arthritic joint disorders, in that it provides reliable long-term improvements in joint function, pain and quality of life (1). However, chronic wear on these prostheses can generate metallic, polyethylene or ceramic debris, which is released into the joint space and becomes embedded into synovial tissues (2). The deposition of the debris induces inflammatory cytokine production that directly or indirectly initiates unexpected bone erosion (osteolysis) resulting from the differentiation and activation of osteoclasts (35). Several studies have reported that aseptic loosening due to periprosthetic osteolysis has become the major cause of failure following prosthesis implantation, and has a prevalence of >10% (68). Unfortunately, the only treatment currently available for periprosthetic osteolysis is revision surgery; however, this method is rendered less effective by its greater rate of morbidity and poorer functional outcomes. Given the crucial role that prosthesis implantation has in treating patients with joint disorders, it is important to identify key modulators involved in the osteolytic process if the clinical outcomes of patients receiving joint arthroplasty are to be improved. The development, remodeling and repair of bone tissue are critically dependent on angiogenesis (9). Osteoclasts and chondroclasts first appear in conjunction with blood vessel invasion. Furthermore, the formation of new capillaries and resorption of mineralized matrices are essential events for bone morphogenesis and growth (10). Therefore, cytokines that have determinant roles in the angiogenesis process also have key functions in maintaining the skeletal system. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most important mediator of angiogenesis (11). VEGF is produced by various types of cells, and is expressed in osteoclasts and chondroclasts in skeletal tissue (12,13). Nakagawa et al (9) reported that VEGF directly increases osteoclastic bone resorption and the survival time of mature osteoclasts. Henriksen et al (14) reported that VEGF is capable of inducing osteoclast differentiation and the functioning of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL). Taken together, these findings indicate that VEGF promotes the onset of osteolysis. Thus, modulation of VEGF activity may be a strategy for alleviating bone erosion following joint arthroplasty.

Mammalian cells produce various non-coding RNA molecules, including small non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). The use of miRs to regulate gene expression in treatment of various diseases has been previously reported (15). Furthermore, lncRNAs are increasingly recognized as important modulators of diverse cellular processes, including cell proliferation, cell-cycle progression, apoptosis and cell growth (16). Several miRs have been reported to inhibit the transcription of factors involved in VEGF regulation (1719). One such miR is miR-22, which was reported to suppress VEGF activity in colon cancer (20). This infers that upregulation of miR-22 during the osteogenic differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells may have a promoting effect (21), which is paradoxical to its suppressive effect on VEGF activity. Thus, it is necessary to investigate the association between miR-22 and VEGF during the osteolytic process. Aside from miRs, lncRNAs also affect development of the skeletal system. Che et al (22) reported that metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) knockdown reduced growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in RANKL-induced cells. Additionally, MALAT1 is able to regulate miR-22 activity via a competitive endogenous RNA mechanism (23). Taken together, these findings suggest that MALAT1, miR-22, VEGF and RANKL all interact with each other during the osteolytic process that reduces the benefits of joint arthroplasty.

Therefore, the present study was performed to reveal the molecular regulatory mechanism of these various factors (MALAT1, miR-22, VEGF and RANKL) in an osteolysis model using hFOB 1.19 osteoblast cells. The expression levels of osteolysis-related indicators were examined in clinical interface membrane samples and synovial tissues, and MALAT1 knockdown hFOB 1.19 cells. The findings suggest that during the osteolytic process, MALAT1 increases RANKL activity and indirectly activates the VEGF pathway by suppressing miR-22-5p activity.

Materials and methods

Chemicals

Antibodies against VEGF (BA0407), osteoprotegerin (OPG), RANKL (M00363) and GAPDH (A00227) were all purchased from Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, Ltd. (Wuhan, China). Mimics (5′-AGUUCUUCAGUGGCAAGCUUUA-3′), inhibitors (5′-UAAAGCUUGCCACUGAAGAACU-3′), negative control (NC; 5′-UUCUCCGAACGUGUCACGUTT-3′) miR-22-5p, specific MALAT1 small interfering RNA (siRNA), and siVEGF (5′-UUCCUCUGGUGGCCAGGGGCA-3′) and scrambled NC MALAT1 siRNA (siMALAT1, 5′-AAGAAAAAUAAAAGCUUUCCU-3′ and siNC, 5′-ACGUGACACGUUCGGAGAATT-3′) were all obtained from Shanghai GenePharma Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China). Fragments of the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of MALAT1/VEGF and the mutant 3′UTR of MALAT1/VEGF were amplified from human hFOB 1.19 cells by PCR and inserted into a psiCHECK-2 vector (vector containing firefly luciferase under control of the SV40 promoter; Promega Corporation, Madison, WI, USA) to create different wild type (WT) and mutant (MUT) versions of plasmids. The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles (Clariant, Gersthofen, Germany) were utilized for establishing in vitro osteolysis model and the size of UHMWPE used was 0.05–11.6 μm (mean, 1.74±1.43 μm). Prior to injection, the particles were tested in a quantitative limulus amebocyte lysate assay to ensure their endotoxin level was <0.25 EU/ml. Following testing, the particles were sterilized in 99.5% ethanol at room temperature for 24 h; after which, they were dried and suspended in fetal calf serum (cat. no. 10099133; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA).

Cell culture

Human hFOB 1.19 fetal osteoblastic cell line was obtained from Bioleaf Biotech Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China). The cells were cultured in a 1:1 mixture of Ham's F12 medium and Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.) without phenol red, but supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.), 50 μg/ml penicillin, and 50 mg/l gentamicin (Sigma-Aldrich; Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany) at pH 7.2 in a humidified atmosphere containing 5% CO2.

Clinical sample collection

From January 2015 to September 2016, 8 samples of interface membrane tissue were collected from patients with prosthetic aseptic loosening at Xiangya Hospital (Changsha, China), and used to investigate the expression status of molecules involved the osteolytic process that occurred after implantation of a prosthesis (10 samples). Eight samples of synovial tissue collected from patients that received a hip operation were used as normal control samples. All enrolled patients, with 9/18 males, were provided with detailed information concerning the clinical, pathological and prognostic aspects of their disease, and were diagnosed by a micro-computed tomography scan (data not shown). The study protocol was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (Changsha, China). The Hospital's Ethics Committee approved the study-associated screening, inspection and data collection procedures, and all subjects signed a written informed consent document. Information concerning the enrolled patients is presented in Table I. All study procedures complied with provisions in the Declaration of Helsinki.

Table I

Clinical features of patients involved in the study.

Table I

Clinical features of patients involved in the study.

Patient no.GenderAge (years)DiagnosisOperation
1Female77Prosthetic aseptic loosening (left hip)Revision (left hip)
2Female61Prosthetic aseptic loosening (left hip)Revision (left hip)
3MaleNRProsthetic aseptic loosening (right hip)Revision (right hip)
4Male47Prosthetic aseptic loosening (left hip)Revision (left hip)
5Male66Prosthetic aseptic loosening (right hip)Revision (right hip)
6FemaleNR
7Female40Femoral neck fracture (left)Total hip replacement (left hip)
8Male86Femoral neck fracture (left)Total hip replacement (left hip)
9Male75Femoral neck fracture (left)Total hip replacement (left hip)
10Female57Femoral neck fracture (left)Total hip replacement (left hip)
11Male40Femoral neck fracture (bilateral)Total hip replacement (bilateral)
12Male48Prosthetic aseptic loosening (left hip)Revision (left hip)
13Male40Femoral neck fracture (bilateral)Total hip replacement (bilateral)
14Male68Prosthetic aseptic loosening (right hip)Revision (right hip)
15Female79Femoral neck fracture (left)Revision (left hip)
16Female69Prosthetic aseptic loosening (right hip)Revision (right hip)
17Female67Femoral neck fracture (left)Total hip replacement (left hip)
18FemaleNRFemoral neck fracture (left)NR

[i] NR, no recording.

Cell seeding and particle treatment

Human hFOB 1.19 osteoblast cells (1×104 cells/well)were transferred into 96-well plates, and incubated at 37°C in an atmosphere containing 5% CO2. Fresh medium containing UHMWPE particles was added to each well after 24 h of culture. The inherent hydrophobicity of polyethylene was used to ensure that sufficient contact occurred between the cells and particles. The cell-particle ratio was 1:500, and the particle treatment method was previously described by Kauther et al (24).

Experimental design and transfection

Transfection with mimics or plasmids was performed using Lipofectamine® 2000 (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Details of the experimental designs are provided below.

The following two groups of cells (i and ii) were used in assays designed to determine how MALAT1 functions during the osteolytic process: i) NC group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with NC siRNA, 100 pmol per 6 well plates); and ii) siMALAT1 group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with specific MALAT1 siRNA, 100 pmol per 6 well plates).

Cells used to explore the role of miR-22-5p in bone erosion were divided into the following four groups: i) mimics NC group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with NC miR-22-5p mimic, 100 pmol per 6 well plates); ii) mimics group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with miR-22-5p mimic, 100 pmol per 6 well plates); iii) inhibitor NC group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with a NC miR-22-5p inhibitor, 100 pmol per 6 well plates); and iv) inhibitor group (UHMWPE-tre ated hFOB cells transfected with a miR-22-5p inhibitor, 100 pmol per 6 well plates).

Cells used to detect interactions which occurred between MALAT1 and miR-22-5p were divided into the following four groups: i) blank group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells); ii) NC group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with pcDNA vector, 3 μg per 6 well plates); iii) mimics group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with miR-22-5p mimic, 3 μg per 6 well plates); and iv) MALAT1 + mimics group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with miR-22-5p mimic, 3 μg per 6 well plates, and pcDNA-MALAT1 vector, 2 μg per 6 well plates).

Cells used to detect whether VEGF intervention could recapitulate the effects of miR-22-5p overexpression were divided into the following three groups: i) blank group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells); ii) NC group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with NC siRNA, 100 pmol per 6 well plates); and iii) siVEGF group (UHMWPE-treated hFOB cells transfected with specific VEGF siRNA, 100 pmol per 6 well plates).

Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR)

Total RNA was extracted from different clinical tissue and cell samples using an RNA Purified Total RNA Extraction kit according to the manufacturer's instructions (cat. no. RP1201; BioTeke Corporation, Beijing, China). GAPDH was selected as the reference gene. cDNA templates were constructed by reverse transc ription of RNA using Super M-MLV reverse transcriptase (cat. no. PR6502; BioTeke Corporation). The mixture was incubated at 70°C for 5 min and then incubated at 37°C for 5 min. Each 20 μl reaction mixture contained 10 μl of SYBR Premix Ex Taq II (Clontech Laboratories, Inc., Mountainview, CA, USA) and 0.5 μl of each primer. RT-qPCR was performed as follows: pre-denaturation at 95°C for 10 sec, followed by 40 cycles of denaturation at 95°C for 10 sec and elongation at 60°C for 30 sec. Relative expression levels were calculated using DataAssist software, version 3.0 (Applied Biosystems; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc., Waltham, MA, USA), and the formula: 2−[Cq(Gene) − Cq(GAPDH)]. Each assay was performed three times. The primers used in this study are presented in Table II.

Table II

Primer sequences used in quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Table II

Primer sequences used in quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

GenesSequences (5′-3′)
OPGF: GCTGCTCAGTTTGTGGCG
R: TGGACCTGGTTACCTATCATTTCT
RANKF: CATGTTTACTTGCCCGGTTTA
R: AGCTGTGAGTGCTTTCCCTTT
RANKLF: TGCCAACATTTGCTTTCG
R: TTCCTCCTTTCATCAGGGTAT
MALAT1F: GCAGGGAGAATTGCGTCATT
R: TTCTTCGCCTTCCCGTACTT
VEGFF: TGTGTATACTCGCGCTACCT
R: GATCTGCATCCGGACTTGGT
miR-22-5pF: CTCAACTGGTGTCGTGGAGTCGGCAATTCAGTTGAGTCAAGAA
R: TACACTCCAGCTGGGATTTCGAACGGTGACT
U6F: CTCGCTTCGGCAGCACA
R: AACGCTTCACGAATTTGCGT
β-actinF: ATCGTGCGTGACATTAAGGAGAAG
R: AGGAAGGAAGGCTGGAAGAGTG

[i] F, forward; R, reverse; OPG, osteoprotegerin; RANK, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand; RANKL, RANK ligand; MALAT1, metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1; VEGF, vascular endothelial growth factor; miR, microRNA.

Western blot analyses

The total proteins from different samples were extracted using a Total Protein Extraction kit according to the manufacturer's instructions (cat. no. WLA019; Wanleibo Co., Ltd., Beijing, China). GAPDH was used as an internal reference protein. The protein concentration of each sample was determined using the bicinchoninic acid method. An aliquot of protein (40 μg) from each sample subjected to 10% SDS-PAGE performed at 80 V for 2.5 h. The separated proteins were transferred onto polyvinylidene difluoride membranes, which were then washed with TBS-Tween for 5 min, and subsequently incubated with a powdered skim milk solution for 1 h. Subsequently, the membranes were incubated with primary antibodies against OPG (1:1,000), RANKL (1:500), VEGF (1:500) or GAPDH (1:500) at 4°C overnight. Following incubation, the membranes were washed four more times with TBS-Tween, and then incubated with secondary IgG-horseradish peroxidase antibodies [1:5,000; goat anti-mouse IgG (BA1050) and goat anti-rabbit IgG (BA1054), Wuhan Boster Biological Technology, Ltd.] for 45 min at 37°C. Following incubation, the membranes were washed six times with TBS-Tween, and the blots were developed using Beyo ECL Plus reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.). The images were recorded using a gel imaging system.

Cell Counting Kit-8 assay (CCK-8)

CCK-8 assays were performed to detect cell proliferation. Approximately 1×104 hFOB cells were seeded into each well of a 96-well plate and cultured for 72 h. The numbers of viable cells were determined using CCK-8 (Dojindo Molecular Technologies, Inc., Kumamoto, Japan) at 0, 24, 48, and 72 h after seeding. Briefly, after treatment with CCK-8 at 37°C for 1 h, the absorbance of the hFOB cells at 450 nm was measured using a microplate reader (Rayto Life and Analytical Sciences Co., Ltd., München, Germany).

Cell viability assay

Cell viability further assessed using the 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) assay as performed with a Cell-Light™ EdU kit (Guangzhou RiboBio Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China). The viability of cells subjected to diffe rent treatments was assessed using a flow cytometer (Accuri C6; BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ, USA) as described below.

Flow cytometry

The percentage of apoptotic cells in each sample was determined by using flow cytometry in conjunction with an Annexin V-FITC/PI Apoptosis Detection kit (cat. no. BB-4101-2; BestBio Co., Shanghai, China; http://www.beibokit.com/goods.php?id=53) as described in instructions provided by the manufacturer. Briefly, cultured cells from different time-points were incubated with 5 μl Annexin V for 10 min at room temperature, and then resuspended in binding buffer supplemented with 5 μl propidium iodide. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by flow cytometry. Following staining, the cells were gated into quadrants, and the rate of apoptosis was calculated as follows: Upper right (UR) quadrant + lower right (LR) quadrant indicated the percentage of apoptotic cells, which equaled the sum of the late apoptotic rate (UR) and the early apoptotic rate (LR).

miRNA targets mRNA prediction

Targets mRNA of miRNA were identified using the following websites: microRNA.org and targetscan.org.

Dual luciferase assay

The concentration of hFOB cells was adjusted to 1×104 cells/ml, and the cells were then incubated for 24 h prior to co-transfection with different combinations of vectors.

Cells used to determine interactions between VEGF and miR-22-5p were divided into the following four groups: i) WT + NC group (cells were co-transfected with WT VEGF plasmid, 0.2 μg, and NC miR-22-5p mimics, 5 pmol); ii) WT + mimics group (cells were co-transfected with WT VEGF plasmid, 0.2 μg, and miR-22-5p mimics, 5 pmol); iii) MUT + NC group (cells were co-transfected with MUT VEGF plasmid, 0.2 μg, and NC miR-22-5p mimics, 5 pmol); iv) MUT + mimics group (cells were co-transfected with MUT VEGF plasmid, 0.2 μg, and miR-22-5p mimics, 5 pmol). Following transfection, the luciferase activity was measured using the Dual-Luciferase Reporter Assay kit (cat. no. E1910; Promega Corporation). Results were normalized to Renilla luciferase activity. The same method of grouping cells was used when assessing interactions between MATAL1 and miR-22-5p.

Statistical analysis

All data are expressed as the mean ± standard deviation. Student's t-test, analysis of variance, and Duncan's post hoc multiple comparisons test were performed using GraphPad Prism 6 software (GraphPad Software, Inc., San Diego, CA, USA). P≤0.05 was considered to indicate a statistically significant difference.

Results

MALAT1 expression in upregulated in samples with bone erosion

The expression of MALAT1 and molecules associated with skeletal development was comprehensively investigated in clinical samples. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients that donated the samples are presented in Table I. The RANKL/RANK/OPG system is considered as an important signal transduction pathway in osteolysis. We found that the expression of RANK was lower in loose tissue samples comparing with normal synovial tissues (Fig. 1). By contrast, molecules that promote osteolysis showed significantly enhanced levels of expression (Fig. 1) in samples of loose tissue compared with normal control samples. Furthermore, MALAT1 RNA levels were higher in loose samples compared with normal samples.

Knockdown of MALAT1 decreases cell viability and induces cell apoptosis in hFOB 1.19 cells

The human hFOB 1.19 fetal osteoblastic cell line has been used as an in vitro osteolysis model in numerous studies. Thus, in the present study, MALAT1 gene expression was altered in the cell line to assess its role in the osteolytic process. Following silencing the MALAT1 gene using siRNA, the viability of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells was significantly reduced compared with the NC siRNA group (Fig. 2A and B). Results of CCK-8 assays indicated that the MALAT1 knockdown UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells were significantly less viable than UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells from 48 h of the assay (Fig. 2A). These results were further validated in the EdU assay, in which the numbers of EdU-positive cells was reduced in the siMALAT1 group compared with the NC group (Fig. 2B). Furthermore, the percentage of apoptotic cells in the siMALAT1 group increased compared with the NC group, in conjunction with their decreased viability (Fig. 2C), indicating that MALAT1 knockdown decreased the survival rates of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells. At the molecular level, knockdown of MALAT1 reduced the protein expression levels of RANKL and VEGF, and enhanced the levels of OPG (Fig. 2D).

Knockdown of VEGF recapitulated the biological effects observed following miR-22-5p overexpression

To further corroborate the pathway of miR-22-5p targeting VEGF, which in turn regulated RANKL and OPG, UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells were treated with siVEGF to determine whether this intervention induces the same effects as miR-22-5p overexpression. The EdU and CCK-8 assays demonstrated that the viability of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells was decreased by siVEGF transfection (Fig. 3A and B). Furthermore, the apoptosis of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells was induced by siVEGF (Fig. 3D). Western blot results (Fig. 3C) demonstrated that inhibited VEGF expression increased OPG expression, while RANKL was decreased in hFOB 1.19 cells. These results indicated that knockdown of VEGF induces the same biological effects observed following miR-22-5p overexpression.

miR-22-5p decreases cell viability and induces apoptosis in hFOB 1.19 cells, and reduces VEGF expression

Expression of miR-22-5p was investigated in clinical samples of abnormal bone tissue. As demonstrated in Fig. 4A, bone erosion was associated with decreased miR-22-5p production; thus, the role of miR-22-5p in osteolysis was examined further. VEGF was demonstrated to be a direct target of miR-22-5p and this conclusion was validated in a dual luciferase assay, in which transfection of miR-22-5p inhibited luciferase activity from the plasmid containing the 3′UTR of VEGF (Fig. 4B and C). Subsequently, UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells were transfected with mimics or an inhibitor of miR-22-5p. The viability of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells was decreased by miR-22-5p mimics and miR-22-5p inhibitor (Fig. 5A and B). Western blot analysis demonstrated that the effect of miR-22-5p on the viability of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells was associated changes in the levels of OPG, RANKL and VEGF expression. Consistent with results of the dual luciferase assay, miR-22-5p mimics reduced VEGF protein expression (Fig. 5C). Furthermore, the expression of RANKL, which is reported to function in conjunction with VEGF during osteoclast differentiation (25), was also reduced by miR-22-5p mimics (Fig. 5C). In contrast to the effects on VEGF and RANKL, expression of the anti-osteolysis factor OPG was induced by miR-22-5p mimics and suppressed by miR-22-5p inhibitors (Fig. 5C). Furthermore, apoptosis of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells was induced by miR-22-5p mimics and suppressed by an miR-22-5p inhibitor (Fig. 5D). These results demonstrated that in contrast to the effect of MALAT1, miR-22-5p inhibited the osteolytic process.

MALAT1 induces osteolysis by upregulating the expression of VEGF and RANKL

MALAT1 was expressed at relatively high levels in samples of loose interface membrane tissue compared with normal samples (Fig. 1E). As Demonstrated in Fig. 6A and B, miR-22-5p targets MALAT1 due to its matched sequence and interaction between MALAT1 and miR-22-5p was validated in a dual luciferase assay. To further examine the modulating sequence of the two RNA members, hFOB 1.19 cells were transfected with different combinations of MALAT1 expression vector and miR-22-5p mimics. It was observed that when co-transfected, the pro-survival effect of MALAT1 on hFOB 1.19 cells reduced the anti-survival effect of miR-22-5p. Furthermore, when tested in the EdU and CCK-8 assays, cells transfected with pcDNA-MALAT1 and miR-22-5p mimics exhibited increased viability compared with cells transfected with miR-22-5p mimics (Fig. 7A and B). The antagonistic effect of MATAL1 reversed the decreased levels of RANKL and VEGF expression induced by miR-22-5p mimics (Fig. 7C). The above results indicate that MALAT1 induces osteolysis, potentially by inhibiting miR-22-5p expression, and thus further initiating pro-osteolysis signaling processes.

Discussion

Homeostasis of bone metabolism depends on maintaining a balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption (22). It is commonly recognized that the transition between osteoblastic and osteoclastic processes is regulated by the relative levels of OPG and RANKL (26,27). Therefore, upstream regulators of these two indicators assist in modulating bone metabolism, and represent potential targets for treating bone erosion associated with an implanted prosthesis. In the present study, MALAT1 lncRNA induced the osteoclastic process in UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells by suppressing miR-22-5p activity. This suppression may inhibit osteolysis by blocking VEGF signaling and increasing RANKL activity.

MALAT1 is a typical member of the lncRNA family, which is a novel class of mRNA-like transcripts that have numerous structural and functional roles cells. Previous studies have reported that overexpression of MALAT1 modulates alternative splicing, and is associated with metastasis and a poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer (28,29). Furthermore, a deficiency of MALAT1 led to enhanced sprouting and migration of endothelial cells in a sphere model (30). Che et al (22) reported that MALAT1 knockdown reversed RANKL-induced cell growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in normal hFOB 1.19 cells. Additionally, the previous study also demonstrated that MALAT1 knockdown by siRNA significantly downregulated the levels of OPG protein in hFOB 1.19 cells, suggesting the modulation of OPG by MALAT1 in osteoblastic cells (22). In the present study, it was initially validated that MALAT1 was overexpressed in clinical samples, and overexpression was associated with a downregulation of OPG and upregulation of RANKL. In healthy bone tissue, OPG acts as a soluble receptor antagonist that neutralizes RANKL, and thus blocks RANKL-RANK interaction. This blocking effect maintains a balance between osteoblastic and osteoclastic metabolic processes (26,31,32). To further determine the role of MALAT1 in osteolysis, hFOB 1.19 cells were pre-treated with UHMWPE, which induced the osteoclastic process in those cells. The cells were then transfected with MALAT1 specific siRNA, and cell growth was inhibited by MALAT1 knockdown. Furthermore, the decrease in cell growth was accompanied by increased OPG expression, and suppression of RANKL and VEGF expression. UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells were characterized by osteoclastic features; therefore, the inhibitory effect of MALAT1 knockdown on the osteoclastic process in those cells confirmed that MALAT1 has a role in the onset of osteolysis. Accordingly, MALAT1 exerted its function via the OPG/RANKL pathway. It was also demonstrated that other molecules have crucial roles in bone metabolism, as VEGF expression (3335) was also modulated by MALAT1 knockdown.

Results of previous studies suggest that the potential connection between MALAT1 and VEGF may be modulated by two separate pathways. Yamakuchi et al (20) reported that VEGF protein expression was reduced in cells that overexpressed miR-22 (20), and Tang et al (23) reported that MALAT1 protects the endothelium from oxidized low-density lipoprotein-induced endothelial dysfunction by competing with miR-22 (23). Those findings justified performing a comprehensive investigation of the regulating sequence among those three molecules. In the present study, a dual luciferase assay was used to validate that VEGF and MALAT1 directly interact with miR-22-5p. Transfection with miR-22-5p inhibited the growth of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells, and reduced VEGF expression. However, it was also found that overexpression of MALAT1 in UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells reversed the inhibiting effect of miR-22-5p mimics on the cells, and increased VEGF protein levels. The potential regulatory effect of MALAT1 on miR-22-5p can be explained by 'competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA)' theory. That theory suggests that miRNAs function as gene-regulating non-coding RNAs by directing the RNA-induced silencing complex towards miRNA-response elements (MREs) (36,37). These MREs are located on the 3′UTR, coding sequence and 5′UTR of mRNA, or non-protein coding transcripts such as lncRNAs (38). The vast majority of RNA molecules harbor several MREs, and are thus repressed by different miRNAs. This target multiplicity underlies the hypothesis that different RNAs (either pseudo-targets or legitimate targets) compete for limited pools of miRNAs (39,40), and thus act as ceRNAs. This suggests that any regulatory effect of MALAT1 on VEGF may be due to inhibition of miR-22-5p, and further supports the notion that MALAT1 induces osteolysis. In addition to the MALAT1/miR-22-5p mechanism for regulating VEGF, MALAT1 may also induce VEGF activity via a RANKL-dependent mechanism. Zhang et al (41) reported that VEGF-C is a target gene of RANKL, and that VEGF-C expression was upregulated by RANKL in osteoclasts (41). Although such a mechanism was not explicitly validated in the present study, the suppressed VEGF levels found after MALAT1 knockdown may partially reflect participation of a MALAT1/RANKL/VEGF pathway in the initiation of osteolysis.

In conclusion, the findings of the current study demonstrate that MALAT1 has a key role in the onset of osteolysis. MALAT1 was upregulated in interface membrane samples from patients receiving a knee replacement operation compared with normal controls. Furthermore, knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited the growth of UHMWPE-treated hFOB 1.19 cells. The promoting effect of MALAT1 on the osteoclastic process was exerted via three pathways: i) MALAT1 initiated RANKL signaling by decreasing the OPG level; ii) MALAT1 increased VEGF levels via a mechanism that inhibited miR-22-5p; and iii) MALAT1 increased VEGF levels in a RANKL-dependent manner. Thus, MALAT1 is a potential target for treating osteolysis associated with an implanted prosthesis. However, additional comprehensive studies are required prior to developing treatment strategies based on MALAT1.

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for Central Universities (grant no. 2012QNZT119) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant no. 8170090962).

Notes

[1] Competing interests

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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March-2018
Volume 41 Issue 3

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Spandidos Publications style
Yang X, Zhang Y, Li Y and Wen T: MALAT1 enhanced the proliferation of human osteoblasts treated with ultra‑high molecular weight polyethylene by targeting VEGF via miR‑22‑5p. Int J Mol Med 41: 1536-1546, 2018.
APA
Yang, X., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., & Wen, T. (2018). MALAT1 enhanced the proliferation of human osteoblasts treated with ultra‑high molecular weight polyethylene by targeting VEGF via miR‑22‑5p. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 41, 1536-1546. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3363
MLA
Yang, X., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., Wen, T."MALAT1 enhanced the proliferation of human osteoblasts treated with ultra‑high molecular weight polyethylene by targeting VEGF via miR‑22‑5p". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41.3 (2018): 1536-1546.
Chicago
Yang, X., Zhang, Y., Li, Y., Wen, T."MALAT1 enhanced the proliferation of human osteoblasts treated with ultra‑high molecular weight polyethylene by targeting VEGF via miR‑22‑5p". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 41, no. 3 (2018): 1536-1546. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2018.3363