LRRC75A-AS1 Inhibits Chondrogenic Differentiation of Bmscs via Targeting the Mir-140-3p/Wnt/Β-Catenin Pathway

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are pluripotent cells with the ability to differentiate into adipocytes, chondrocytes, and osteoblasts. BMSCs are widely used in regenerative medicine and cartilage tissue engineering. Role of lncRNA LRRC75A-AS1 (leucine-rich repeat containing 75A antisense RNA 1) in the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs was investigated in this study. BMSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow and then identified using flow cytometry. Alcian blue staining was used to detect chondrogenic differentiation. The effect of LRRC75A-AS1 on chondrogenic differentiation was assessed by western blot. The downstream target of LRRC75A-AS1 was determined by dual luciferase activity assay. BMSCs were identified with positive CD29 and CD44 staining and negative staining of CD34 and CD45. LRRC75A-AS1 was decreased during the chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Silencing of LRRC75A-AS1 increased collagen II (COL II), aggrecan and SOX9 and promoted chondrogenic differentiation. However, over-expression of LRRC75A-AS1 inhibited chondrogenic differentiation. miR- 140-3p was increased during chondrogenic differentiation and interacted with LRRC75A-AS1. miR-140- 3p bind to wnt3a, and inhibition of miR-140-3p up-regulated wnt3a and nuclear β- catenin expression. Wnt3a and nuclear β-catenin were decreased during chondrogenic differentiation. Inhibition of miR-140- 3p attenuated LRRC75A-AS1 deficiency-induced up-regulation of COL II, aggrecan and SOX9. LRRC75A-AS1 suppressed chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs through down-regulation of miR-140-3p and up-regulation of the wnt/β-catenin pathway.