MicroRNA-Mediated Osteogenic Differentiation and Bone Remodeling
Summary
The differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into osteoblasts and the coordinated actions of osteoblasts and osteoclasts are fundamental to the development, maintenance and repair of the vertebrate skeleton. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as pivotal post-transcriptional regulators in these processes, fine-tuning the expression of key transcription factors such as Runx2, Osterix and signalling components within Wnt, BMP and Notch pathways. By binding to complementary sequences in target mRNAs, miRNAs can promote or inhibit translation, thus modulating osteogenic commitment, matrix production and mineralisation. Furthermore, mechanosensitive miRNAs translate physical forces into biochemical signals during loading or unloading, while exosomal miRNAs facilitate cross-talk between osteoblasts, osteoclasts and neighbouring cells within the bone microenvironment. Dysregulation of specific miRNAs contributes to osteoporosis, delayed fracture healing and abnormal remodelling in orthodontic treatments. Advances in delivery systems for miRNA mimics or inhibitors point towards novel therapeutic strategies to restore skeletal integrity, offering non-invasive approaches to diagnosis, prognosis and the personalised management of bone disorders worldwide.
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MicroRNA-Mediated Osteogenic Differentiation and Bone Remodeling publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna-mediated osteogenic differentiation and bone remodeling across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
MicroRNA (miRNA): Small non-coding RNA molecules (~22 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression by base-pairing with target mRNAs to inhibit translation or promote degradation.
Osteoblast: Bone-forming cell derived from mesenchymal stem cells responsible for matrix synthesis and mineralisation.
Osteoclast: Multinucleated cell responsible for bone resorption, originating from the monocyte/macrophage lineage.
Exosome: Extracellular vesicle (30–150 nm) that transports lipids, proteins and RNAs, including miRNAs, between cells.
Competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA): RNA molecule that sequesters miRNAs through shared binding sites, thereby regulating the availability of miRNAs to other targets.
Mechanotransduction: Process by which cells sense and convert mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals, often involving cytoskeletal elements and miRNAs.
References
- Role of noncoding RNAs in orthodontic tooth movement: new insights into periodontium remodeling. Journal of Translational Medicine (2023).
- MicroRNAs in maxillofacial bone modeling and remodeling: implications for malocclusion development and orthodontic treatment. Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology (2024).
- Long non-coding RNA-NONMMMUT004552.2 regulates the unloading-induced bone loss through the miRNA-15b-5p/Syne1 in mice. npj Microgravity (2024).
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