Upregulation of long noncoding RNA MEG3 inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells

Abstract Objective This study aims to discuss long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) maternally expressed gene 3 ( MEG3 ) function of regulating osteogenesis in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs). Methods First, use of a mineralizing solution induced osteogenic differentiation of hPDLCs to establish a differentiated cell model. Through microarray analysis, we selected a lncRNA MEG3 with marked changes between differentiated and undifferentiated cells. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the MEG3 content and an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect changes in related proteins. Cell viability was determined by the 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry. Alizarin red staining was also used to evaluate cells’ osteogenic level. Finally, RNA‐binding protein immunoprecipitation assays were conducted to further clarify the endogenous relationship between MEG3 and bone morphogenetic protein 2 ( BMP2 ) in hPDLCs. Results MEG3 was downregulated in osteogenic differentiation hPDLCs induced by mineralizing solution. Overexpression of MEG3 inhibited cell viability and increased cell apoptosis. MEG3 overexpression can reverse osteogenic differentiation induced by mineralizing solution. MEG3 can suppress BMP2 through interaction with heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein I. Conclusion Upregulation of MEG3 inhibits the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament cells by downregulating BMP2 expression.