LncRNA SNHG5/miR-26a/SOX2 signal axis enhances proliferation of chondrocyte in osteoarthritis.

Chondrocyte is involved in the destruction of joints in osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The aim of this study was to explore the expression level of small nucleolar RNA host gene 5 (SNHG5) and evaluate its function in chondrocyte. In our current study, the expression levels of SNHG5, miR-26a, and SOX2 in 17 pairs of articular cartilage tissues and in the non-OA group were assessed by real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that the levels of SNHG5 and SOX2 were significantly downregulated in OA tissues, while the level of miR-26a was upregulated. MTT, colony formation and cell transwell assays were performed to assess the function of SNHG5 on the cell viability, growth ability, and migration capacity in CHON-001 cells. It was found that SNHG5 could promote chondrocyte cell proliferation and migration. The relationship between SNHG5 and miR-26a was confirmed by RIP and the luciferase reporter assays. SOX2 was identified as a target gene of miR-26a by the luciferase reporter assay. Rescue assay was applied to verify the relationship among SNHG5, miR-26a, and SOX2. Our current study demonstrated that SNHG5 is involved in the mechanism of OA through functioning as a ceRNA to competitively sponge miR-26a, therefore, regulating the expression of SOX2.