MicroRNA-10a Influences Osteoblast Differentiation and Angiogenesis by Regulating β-Catenin Expression

Background/aims: Elucidation of the molecular mechanisms governing osteoblast differentiation and angiogenesis are of great importance for improving the treatment of bone-related diseases. In this study, we examined the role of microRNA (miR)-10a in the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and pro angiogenic activity of mouse umbilical vein endothelial cells (MUVECs).

Methods: The murine pre-osteoblast cell line MC3T3-E1 and MUVECs were used in the experiment. After transfected with miR-10a mimics or inhibitors, with or without LiCl pretreatment, the miR-10a, ALP, Runx2, Osx, OC and Dlx5 expression were assessed by RT-PCR. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured with BMP2 to differentiate into bone cells, osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells were detected by ALP and ARS staining. Cell viability were analyzed by MTT and the protein expression of β-catenin, LEF1, cyclinD1, MMP2, and VEGF were detected by Western blotting; VEGF and VE-cadherin release were assessed by ELISA, and the migration of MUVECs, as well as tube formation were also detected.

Results: MiR-10a expression was obviously down-regulated during osteogenic differentiation. Overexpression of miR-10a inhibited osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells, effectively decreasing MUVECs proliferation, migration, VEGF expression, VE-cadherin concentrations, and tube formation in vitro, whereas miR-10a silence enhanced those processes. Further mechanism assays demonstrated that overexpression of miR-10a reduced the β-catenin at both protein and transcription level, while pretreatment with Wnt signaling activator Licl partially attenuated the suppression effects of miR-10a overexpression on osteoblast differentiation and angiogenesis.

Conclusion: Our findings imply that miR-10a plays a suppressive role in osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells and pro angiogenic activity of MUVECs by regulating the β-catenin expression, representing a novel and potential therapeutic target for the treatment of bone regeneration-related diseases.