MicroRNA-127-5p regulates matrix metalloproteinase 13 expression and interleukin-1β-induced catabolic effects in human chondrocytes.

OBJECTIVE: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small noncoding RNA molecules, are involved in the pathogenesis of various diseases such as cancer and arthritis. The aim of this study was to determine whether miR-127-5p regulates interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP-13) and other catabolic factors in human chondrocytes.

METHODS: Expression of miR-127-5p and MMP-13 by normal and osteoarthritic (OA) human cartilage was determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effect of miR-127-5p on MMP-13 expression was evaluated using transient transfection of human chondrocytes or chondrogenic SW-1353 cells with miR-127-5p or its antisense inhibitor (anti-miR-127-5p). MMP-13 protein production was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the involvement of miR-127-5p in IL-1β-mediated catabolic effects was examined by immunoblotting. MicroRNA-127-5p binding with the putative site in the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of MMP-13 messenger RNA (mRNA) was validated by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS: There was a significant reduction in miR-127-5p expression in OA cartilage compared with normal cartilage. Up-regulation of MMP-13 expression by IL-1β was correlated with down-regulation of miR-127-5p expression in human chondrocytes. MicroRNA-127-5p suppressed IL-1β-induced MMP-13 production as well as the activity of a reporter construct containing the 3'-UTR of human MMP-13 mRNA. In addition, mutation of the miR-127-5p binding site in the 3'-UTR of MMP-13 mRNA abolished miR-127-5p-mediated repression of reporter activity. Conversely, treatment with anti-miR-127-5p remarkably increased reporter activity and MMP-13 production. Interestingly, the IL-1β-induced activation of JNK, p38, and NF-κB and expression of MMP-1 and cyclooxygenase 2 were significantly inhibited by miR-127-5p.

CONCLUSION: MicroRNA-127-5p is an important regulator of MMP-13 in human chondrocytes and may contribute to the development of OA.