Department of Medicine, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Biology and Genetics Section, University of Verona, Verona I‑37134, Italy.
Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, Biology and Genetics Section, University of Verona, Verona I‑37134, Italy.
Int J Mol Med. 2018 May;41(5):2441-2449. doi: 10.3892/ijmm.2018.3452. Epub 2018 Feb 1.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are considered 'micro- managers of gene expression' and awareness of their fundamental role in the control of biological functions is constantly increasing. Bone formation and homeostasis are complex processes involving the differentiation and interaction of various cell types. Several miRNAs have been shown to be involved in different pathways and stages in the regulation of normal and abnormal bone formation and turnover. This present review focuses on the involvement of miRNAs in terms of their effect on the commitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells towards osteogenesis, adipogenesis and chondrogenesis, respectively. The miRNAs involved in regulating osteoblast, chondroblast and osteoclast activity, are also taken into consideration, as are their interactions. miRNA expression levels, which may differ significantly in healthy versus pathological conditions, can be readily monitored and represent useful biomarkers. Several studies have suggested that miRNAs offer potential as useful biomarkers of bone pathologies, including osteoporosis and osteosarcoma. The development of efficient methods of delivering miRNA mimics or miRNA inhibitors into specific cells remains a challenge for novel therapeutic applications in the field of personalized medicine.
微小 RNA（miRNAs）被认为是“基因表达的微观管理者”，人们对它们在控制生物功能方面的基本作用的认识不断提高。骨形成和动态平衡是一个复杂的过程，涉及各种细胞类型的分化和相互作用。已经证明，有几种 miRNAs 参与了正常和异常骨形成和转化的不同途径和阶段的调节。本综述重点关注 miRNAs 在骨髓间充质干细胞向成骨、成脂和成软骨方向分化过程中的作用。还考虑了调节成骨细胞、软骨细胞和成骨细胞活性的 miRNAs 及其相互作用。miRNA 的表达水平在健康和病理条件下可能有显著差异，因此可以很容易地监测到，并且是有用的生物标志物。一些研究表明，miRNAs 可能成为骨病理学（包括骨质疏松症和骨肉瘤）的有用生物标志物。开发有效的方法将 miRNA 模拟物或 miRNA 抑制剂递送到特定细胞仍然是个性化医学领域新的治疗应用的一个挑战。
