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MicroRNA Regulation in Osteocytes

  • MicroRNAs in Skeletal Development (A Delany, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The role of microRNA (miR) regulation during the processes of bone homeostasis and remodeling has been a key research topic in recent years. Extensive work has gone into understanding the role of miR regulation in osteoblasts and osteoclasts; however, the role of miRs in osteocytes remains unclear. The aim of the present review is to describe the current knowledge regarding miR regulation in osteocytes.

Recent Findings

MiRs are key regulators of bone development and homeostasis, and the involvement of miRs in the regulation of osteocyte differentiation, viability, and function has recently been demonstrated. Findings from numerous studies have begun to identify various mechanisms of miR regulation in osteocytes. miRs have been shown to play a role in regulating osteocyte differentiation. For example, numerous miRs (including miR21, miR30, and miR23a) found to be upregulated during osteocyte differentiation target osteoblast-regulating mRNAs, whereas several downregulated miRs target key osteocyte-regulating genes. Further, miRs have been shown to regulate key signaling pathways controlling osteocyte viability and function. In particular, miR21 is involved in the survival signaling pathway downstream of connexin 43. Further, miR218, miR676, and miR324 regulate the expression of SOST/sclerostin, an osteocytic gene involved in the control of bone formation. Additionally, recent studies have demonstrated that miRs play a role in mediating cross-talk between osteocytes and other bone cells, as well as, with other musculoskeletal tissues including skeletal muscle and adipose tissue.

Summary

miRs have been shown to be involved in regulating osteocyte differentiation, viability, and function. Further, recent studies have begun to highlight the potential involvement of miRs in mediating extracellular communication/regulation between osteocytes and other cells within the musculoskeletal system. However, more research on this topic is needed to determine the extent to which miRs regulate osteocytes and whether they are also involved in mediating cross-talk between musculoskeletal cells.

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Funding

This research was supported by the National Institutes of Health R01-AR053643 to LIP. HMD is supported by an NIH T32-AR065971 grant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Dr., MS 5023, Indianapolis, IN, 46202, USA

    Lilian I. Plotkin & Hannah M. Davis

  2. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Lilian I. Plotkin

  3. Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA

    Lilian I. Plotkin & Hannah M. Davis

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  1. Lilian I. Plotkin
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  2. Hannah M. Davis
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Correspondence to Lilian I. Plotkin.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on MicroRNAs in Skeletal Development

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Plotkin, L.I., Davis, H.M. MicroRNA Regulation in Osteocytes. Curr Mol Bio Rep 4, 191–197 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40610-018-0102-1

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