Cartilage generation and degradation are controlled by miRNAs. Our previous study showed miR-23a-3p was downregulated during chondrogenic differentiation in chondrogenic human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs). In the present study, we explored the function of miR-23a-3p in chondrogenesis differentiation. The role of miR-23a-3p in chondrogenic differentiation potential of hADSCs was assessed by Alcian blue staining, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and Western blot. We show that miR-23a-3p suppressed the chondrogenic differentiation of hADSCs. LncRNA SNHG5 interacted with miR-23a-3p, and suppression or overexpression of SNHG5 correlates with inhibition and promotion of hADSC chondrogenic differentiation, respectively. We have determined that SNHG5 can sponge miR-23a-3p to regulate the expression of SOX6/SOX5, transcription factors that play essential roles in chondrocyte differentiation. Furthermore, the overexpression of SNHG5 activates the JNK/MAPK/ERK pathway. In conclusion, miR-23a-3p regulated by lncRNA SNHG5 suppresses the chondrogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells via targeting SOX6/SOX5.
Keywords: Chondrogenic differentiation; SNHG5; SOX6/SOX5; hADSC; miR-23a-3p.