Nicolas, F.E., Dalmay, T.New evidence supports the notion that microRNA-140 may play a role in the early stages of bone development

摘要

Results of our research indicate that microRNA-140 (miR-140) is expressed during the early stages of the endo-chondral ossification process and before the formation of articular cartilage, supporting the notion that this microRNA (miRNA) may play a newly recognized role in bone development. Previous studies of miR-140 have identified it as a very specific miRNA that is expressed only in articular cartilage tissues, where it supports maintenance and cell identity (1-3). However, recent studies have identified 2 different phenotypes associated with mice lacking miR-140 (4,5). First, investigators showed that miR-140^7" mice presented with age-related osteoarthritis, which correlates with the idea that miR-140 has a role in the maintenance and homeostasis of articular cartilage. Second, they described growth defects of endochondral bones that resulted in dwarfism and craniofacial deformities in mutant mice, which raised the hypothesis that miR-140 may play a newly defined role in bone development and endochondral ossification.