LncRNA MALAT1 promotes osteogenic differentiation through the miR‐93‐5p/SMAD5 axis

Abstract Objectives Promoting the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) is a way to regenerate periodontal bone. This study aimed to determine whether lncRNA MALAT1 promotes the osteogenic differentiation of human PDLSCs in vitro. Materials and Methods Human PDLSCs were extracted from the human periodontal ligament, and after osteogenic differentiation was induced using osteogenic medium, the human PDLSCs were transfected with siRNA‐MALAT1, miR‐93‐5p mimics, and miR‐93‐5p inhibitors. The expression of osteogenesis‐related genes was assessed by RT–qPCR and western blotting, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was assessed by ALP activity assay, and the formation of mineralized nodules was assessed by alizarin red S (ARS) staining. RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) and luciferase assays were performed to assess the binding of MALAT1, miR‐93‐5p, and SMAD5. Results The expression of lncRNA metastasis‐associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) was upregulated, while that of miR‐93‐5p was downregulated after PDLSC osteogenic differentiation. Knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, and MALAT1 expression negatively correlated with miR‐93‐5p expression. miR‐93‐5p inhibited the osteogenic differentiation of human PDLSCs by specifically binding to SMAD5. Conclusion MALAT1 regulates human PDLSC differentiation by regulating the miR‐93‐5p/SMAD5 axis.