Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone metabolic disorder, which negatively affects the quality of life in the elders and postmenopausal females. Healthy volunteers and postmenopausal females with OP were enrolled in the present study. Bone densitometry (BMD) was detected by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). CD14+PBMCs and C2C12 cells were cultured to induce osteoclast differentiation and osteoblast differentiation, respectively. The interaction between miR‑140-3p and PTEN was predicted and verified by TargetScan 7.2 and dual luciferase reporter assay, respectively. miRNA/RNA level and protein level were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were detected by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining and flow cytometry, respectively. Cell differentiation of CD14+PBMCs and C2C12 cells were detected by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining and alizarin red staining, respectively. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was detected by ALP assay. Differences were observed in age, body mass index (BMI), and BMD between the OP group and the control group. Higher miR‑140-3p level and lower PTEN level were found in PBMCs of OP group compared to control group; there was a negative correlation between them in the serum of OP group. miR-140-3p targeted and downregulated the expression of PTEN. miR-140-3p inhibitor inhibited cell proliferation, differentiation, and promoted cell apoptosis of CD14+PBMCs; while promoted cell proliferation, differentiation and inhibited cell apoptosis of C2C12 cells, by targeting PTEN and inactivating PTEN/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These findings suggested a potential therapeutic role of miR-140-3p in the treatment of patients with OP.

中文翻译：

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miR-140-3p 通过靶向 PTEN 并激活 PTEN/PI3K/AKT 信号通路聚集骨质疏松症。

骨质疏松症（OP）是一种全身性骨代谢疾病，对老年人和绝经后女性的生活质量产生负面影响。本研究招募了健康志愿者和患有 OP 的绝经后女性。采用双能 X 射线骨密度仪 (DXA) 检测骨密度 (BMD)。培养CD14+PBMCs和C2C12细胞分别诱导破骨细胞分化和成骨细胞分化。分别通过 TargetScan 7.2 和双荧光素酶报告基因分析预测和验证 miR-140-3p 和 PTEN 之间的相互作用。分别通过定量实时聚合酶链反应 (qRT-PCR) 和蛋白质印迹检测 miRNA/RNA 水平和蛋白质水平。分别通过 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) 染色和流式细胞术检测细胞增殖和凋亡。分别通过抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶 (TRAP) 染色和茜素红染色检测 CD14+PBMCs 和 C2C12 细胞的细胞分化。碱性磷酸酶（ALP）的活性由碱性磷酸酶测定法检测。OP组与对照组在年龄、体重指数（BMI）和BMD方面存在差异。与对照组相比，OP组PBMC中miR-140-3p水平较高，PTEN水平较低；OP组血清中二者呈负相关。miR-140-3p 靶向并下调 PTEN 的表达。miR-140-3p抑制剂抑制CD14+PBMCs的细胞增殖、分化，促进细胞凋亡；同时通过靶向PTEN和灭活PTEN/PI3K/AKT信号通路促进C2C12细胞的增殖、分化和抑制细胞凋亡。