MiR-144-3p Aggravated Cartilage Injury in Rheumatoid Arthritis by Regulating BMP2/PI3K/Akt Axis

Objectives: Present study aimed to illustrate the role of miR-144-3p in RA.

Methods: N1511 chondrocytes were stimulated by IL-1β to mimic RA injury model in vitro. Rats were subjected to injection of type II collagen to establish an in vivo RA model and the arthritis index score was calculated. Cell viability was determined by CCK-8. The expression of cartilage extracellular matrix proteins (Collagen II and Aggrecan) and Matrix Metalloproteinases protein (MMP-13) were determined by qRT-PCR and western blots. Cell Apoptosis was measured by Flow cytometry. ELISA was applied to test the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and TNF-α). Tissue injury and Apoptosis were detected by HE staining and TUNEL staining. Interaction of miR-144-3p and BMP2 was verified by dual luciferase assay.

Results: MiR-144-3p was dramatically increased in IL-1β induced N1511 cells. MiR-144-3p depletion elevated cell viability, suppressed Apoptosis, pro-inflammatory cytokine releasing, and extracellular matrix loss in IL-1β induced N1511 cells. Moreover, miR-144-3p targeted BMP2 to modulate its expression negatively. Activation of PI3K/Akt signaling compromised inhibition of BMP2 induced aggravated N1511 cell injury with IL-1β stimulation. Inhibition of miR-144-3p alleviated cartilage injury and inflammatory in RA rats.

Conclusion: Collectively, miR-144-3p could aggravate chondrocytes injury inflammatory response in RA via BMP2/PI3K/Akt axis.