Towards an enhanced understanding of osteoanabolic effects of PTH-induced microRNAs on osteoblasts using a bioinformatic approach

Vrščaj, Lucija Ana (author), Marc, Janja (author), Ostanek, Barbara (author)

In this study, we used a bioinformatic approach to construct a miRNA-target gene interaction network potentially involved in the anabolic effect of parathyroid hormone analogue teriparatide [PTH (1–34)] on osteoblasts. We extracted a dataset of 26 microRNAs (miRNAs) from previously published studies and predicted miRNA target interactions (MTIs) using four software tools: DIANA, miRWalk, miRDB, and TargetScan. By constructing an interactome of PTH-regulated miRNAs and their predicted target genes, we elucidated signaling pathways regulating pluripotency of stem cells, the Hippo signaling pathway, and the TGF-beta signaling pathway as the most significant pathways in the effects of PTH on osteoblasts. Furthermore, we constructed intersection of MTI networks for these three pathways and added validated interactions. There are 8 genes present in all three selected pathways and a set of 18 miRNAs are predicted to target these genes, according to literature data. The most important genes in all three pathways were BMPR1A, BMPR2 and SMAD2 having the most interactions with miRNAs. Among these miRNAs, only miR-146a-5p and miR-346 have validated interactions in these pathways and were shown to be important regulators of these pathways. In addition, we also propose miR-551b-5p and miR-338–5p for further experimental validation, as they have been predicted to target important genes in these pathways but none of their target interactions have yet been verified. Our wet-lab experiment on miRNAs differentially expressed between PTH (1–34) treated and untreated mesenchymal stem cells supports miR-186–5p from the literature obtained data as another prominent miRNA. The meticulous selection of miRNAs outlined will significantly support and guide future research aimed at discovering and understanding the crucial pathways of osteoanabolic PTH-epigenetic effects on osteoblasts. Additionally, they hold potential for the discovery of new PTH target genes, innovative biomarkers for the effectiveness and safety of osteoporosis-affected treatment, as well as novel therapeutic targets.

• Language: English
• Keywords: osteoporosis, miRNA, signaling pathways, Hippo signaling pathway, TGF- β signaling pathway, signaling pathways, regulating pluripotency of stem cells, osteoblasts
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: FFA - Faculty of Pharmacy
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2024
• Number of pages: 15 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 15, [article no.] 1380013
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-160980-5ebeae6a-2440-101b-e8df-d99282a8c79c
• UDC: 616.71-007.234
• ISSN on article: 1664-2392
• DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1380013
• COBISS.SI-ID: 203698435
• Publication date in RUL: 06.09.2024

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in endocrinology
• Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation
• ISSN: 1664-2392
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3340154

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Secondary language

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: miRNA, signalne poti, signalna pot Hippo, signalizacija TGF-β, pluripotenca matičnih celic, osteoblasti, lipaze, osteoporoza