Thakore Prachi, Delany Anne M
Center for Molecular Oncology, UCONN Health, Farmington, CT, United States.
Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025 Mar 28;16:1530374. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1530374. eCollection 2025.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators of the skeleton. In the growth plate, these small non-coding RNAs modulate gene networks that drive key stages of chondrogenesis, including proliferation, differentiation, extracellular matrix synthesis and hypertrophy. These processes are orchestrated through the interaction of pivotal pathways including parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP), Indian hedgehog (IHH), and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. This review highlights the miRNA-mRNA target networks essential for chondrocyte differentiation. Many miRNAs are differentially expressed in resting, proliferating and hypertrophic cartilage zones. Moreover, differential enrichment of specific miRNAs in matrix vesicles is also observed, providing means for chondrocytes to influence the function and differentiation of their neighbors by via matrix vesicle protein and RNA cargo. Notably, miR-1 and miR-140 emerge as critical modulators of chondrocyte proliferation and hypertrophy by regulating multiple signaling pathways, many of them downstream from their mutual target . Demonstration that a human gain-of-function mutation in miR-140 causes skeletal dysplasia underscores the clinical relevance of understanding miRNA-mediated regulation. Further, miRNAs such as miR-26b have emerged as markers for skeletal disorders such as idiopathic short stature, showcasing the translational relevance of miRNAs in skeletal health. This review also highlights some miRNA-based therapeutic strategies, including innovative delivery systems that could target chondrocytes via cartilage affinity peptides, and potential applications related to treatment of physeal bony bridge formation in growing children. By synthesizing current research, this review offers a nuanced understanding of miRNA functions in growth plate biology and their broader implications for skeletal health. It underscores the translational potential of miRNA-based therapies in addressing skeletal disorders and aims to inspire further investigations in this rapidly evolving field.
微小RNA(miRNA)是骨骼的关键调节因子。在生长板中,这些小的非编码RNA调节驱动软骨形成关键阶段的基因网络,包括增殖、分化、细胞外基质合成和肥大。这些过程是通过包括甲状旁腺激素相关蛋白(PTHrP)、印度刺猬蛋白(IHH)和骨形态发生蛋白(BMP)信号传导等关键途径的相互作用来协调的。本综述重点介绍了软骨细胞分化所必需的miRNA-mRNA靶标网络。许多miRNA在静止、增殖和肥大软骨区中差异表达。此外,还观察到特定miRNA在基质小泡中的差异富集,这为软骨细胞通过基质小泡蛋白和RNA货物影响其邻近细胞的功能和分化提供了途径。值得注意的是,miR-1和miR-140通过调节多种信号通路,成为软骨细胞增殖和肥大的关键调节因子,其中许多信号通路是它们共同靶标的下游通路。miR-140的人类功能获得性突变导致骨骼发育异常,这一发现强调了理解miRNA介导的调节的临床相关性。此外,诸如miR-26b等miRNA已成为诸如特发性矮小等骨骼疾病的标志物,这展示了miRNA在骨骼健康方面的转化相关性。本综述还重点介绍了一些基于miRNA的治疗策略,包括可通过软骨亲和肽靶向软骨细胞的创新递送系统,以及与治疗生长中儿童的骺板骨桥形成相关的潜在应用。通过综合当前研究,本综述对miRNA在生长板生物学中的功能及其对骨骼健康的更广泛影响提供了细致入微的理解。它强调了基于miRNA的疗法在解决骨骼疾病方面的转化潜力,并旨在激发在这个快速发展领域的进一步研究。
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