SNPs in bone-related miRNAs are associated with the osteoporotic phenotype

Sci Rep. 2017 Mar 31;7(1):516. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-00641-7.

Abstract

Biogenesis and function of microRNAs can be influenced by genetic variants in the pri-miRNA sequences leading to phenotypic variability. This study aims to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) affecting the expression levels of bone-related mature microRNAs and thus, triggering an osteoporotic phenotype. An association analysis of SNPs located in pri-miRNA sequences with bone mineral density (BMD) was performed in the OSTEOMED2 cohort (n = 2183). Functional studies were performed for assessing the role of BMD-associated miRNAs in bone cells. Two SNPs, rs6430498 in the miR-3679 and rs12512664 in the miR-4274, were significantly associated with femoral neck BMD. Further, we measured these BMD-associated microRNAs in trabecular bone from osteoporotic hip fractures comparing to non-osteoporotic bone by qPCR. Both microRNAs were found overexpressed in fractured bone. Increased matrix mineralization was observed after miR-3679-3p inhibition in human osteoblastic cells. Finally, genotypes of rs6430498 and rs12512664 were correlated with expression levels of miR-3679 and miR-4274, respectively, in osteoblasts. In both cases, the allele that generated higher microRNA expression levels was associated with lower BMD values. In conclusion, two osteoblast-expressed microRNAs, miR-3679 and miR-4274, were associated with BMD; their overexpression could contribute to the osteoporotic phenotype. These findings open new areas for the study of bone disorders.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Alleles
  • Bone Density
  • Bone and Bones / metabolism*
  • Calcification, Physiologic
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cohort Studies
  • Computational Biology / methods
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / chemistry
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Middle Aged
  • Nucleic Acid Conformation
  • Osteoblasts / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / genetics*
  • Osteoporosis / metabolism
  • Osteoporosis / pathology
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide*
  • Transcriptome

Substances

  • MicroRNAs