miR-196b-5p促进成肌细胞增殖分化

MicroRNA (miRNA)是一类由内源基因编码的长度约为22个核苷酸的非编码单链RNA分子，在动植物中参与转录后基因表达调控。大量研究表明，miRNA调控骨骼肌的发育，主要表现在肌卫星细胞的激活及增殖、分化、肌管的形成等生物学过程。本实验室前期对大白猪背最长肌(longissimus dorsi,LD)和比目鱼肌(soleus muscle,Sol)进行miRNA测序，筛选鉴定到一个在不同骨骼肌中差异表达并且序列高度保守的miR-196b-5p，目前miR-196b-5p在骨骼肌方面的研究尚未见报道。本研究进一步设计合成miR-196b-5p mimics和inhibitor对C2C12细胞进行miR-196b-5p过表达及干扰表达，利用蛋白免疫印迹、实时荧光定量PCR检测、流式细胞术、免疫荧光染色等方法探究miR-196b-5p对成肌细胞增殖分化的影响，并利用生物信息学预测和双荧光素酶报告系统鉴定了miR-196b-5p的靶基因。结果显示，过表达miR-196b-5p显著增加细胞周期基因Cyclin B、Cyclin D和Cyclin E的mRNA和蛋白表达水平(P<0....     

NF-κB信号通路参与高糖在椎间盘退行性变中影响及其作用的研究

目的:近来研究发现,椎间盘退变与代谢性疾病,尤其是与糖尿病具有明显的相关性,但具体机制尚未有深入研究。本实验拟探究高糖微环境诱导椎间盘退行性变及其对NF-κB信号通路的影响,为进一步揭示高糖诱导椎间盘髓核细胞退变的机制提供研究基础,为延缓、阻止糖尿病椎间盘退变和治疗糖尿病相关腰痛疾病带来新的策略和方法。方法:1、高糖微环境与IVDD的关系:使用5.5 mmol/L、15 mmol/L、30 mmol/L、100 mmol/L不同浓度葡萄糖培养基培养髓核细胞,RT-PCR检测髓核细胞MMP-3、MMP-13、Aggrecan、CollagenII的表达;2、NF-κB信号通路参与高糖微环境调控IVDD进展:Bay11-7082抑制NF-κB信号通路激活,再使用RT-PCR、Western Blot检测髓核细胞MMP-3、MMP-13、Aggrecan、CollagenII和NF-κB的表达。结果:RT-PCR检测显示,在不同葡萄糖浓度下,Aggrecan、CollagenII随浓度升高表达减少,MMP-3、MMP-13随浓度升高表达增加。RT-PCR、Western Blot检测显示,使用Bay11-7082可使高糖组中Aggrecan、CollagenII表达增加,MMP-3、MMP-13表达减少。结论:高糖微环境诱导椎间盘退行性变发病,且NF-κB信号通路参与高糖微环境诱导椎间盘退行性变发病。     

miR-1252通过靶向调控TGF-β1-PI3K/Akt通路对高糖诱导的心肌纤维化的保护作用的机制

为了探讨miR-1252对高糖诱导的心肌纤维化的保护作用的机制,本研究通过小鼠的心脏的组化切片分析miR-1252敲除对糖尿病和正常小鼠心肌纤维化的影响,并且通过Western-blotting实验研究miR-1252调控高糖诱导的心肌纤维化的信号通路。结果表明:糖尿病且miR-1252敲除的小鼠心肌纤维化程度最高,且miR-1252敲除的成纤维细胞TGF-β1表达增高,TGF-β1能上调LOX、Akt和p-Akt蛋白的表达,但是需要PI3K蛋白的存在。本研究结果初步说明,miR-1252能通过调控TGF-β1-PI3K/Akt信号通路抑制高糖诱导的心肌纤维化,且LOX是miR-1252主要的调控蛋白之一。     

抑制miR-130b-3p通过上调PTEN和灭活PI3K-AKT及整合素β1/FAK信号通路抑制膀胱癌细胞增殖

miR-130家族在癌的进展中发挥作用;然而,其家族成员在膀胱癌中的作用尚罕见报告。本研究证明,抑制miR-130家族成员miR-130b-3p表达促进PTEN表达,诱导细胞凋亡,抑制膀胱癌细胞增殖。首先,我们采用微阵列对来自膀胱癌患者的4对膀胱癌和癌旁组织进行了miRNA和mRNA组学分析,发现miR-130b-3p和miR-106b-3p在膀胱癌组织高表达,而miR-99a-3p、miR-199a-5p和miR-145-3p低表达。RT-q PCR检测30对膀胱癌组织5种miRNA的表达与微阵列中的表达状况一致。此外,我们在mRNA组学分析中还发现,miR-130b-3p在膀胱癌组织的高表达与PTEN表达呈负相关。为此,在后续研究中集中探索了miR-130b-3p在膀胱癌中的作用及其作用机制。生物信息学及荧光素酶报告结果证明,miR-130b-3p可直接结合PTEN的3'-UTR,靶向抑制PTEN的表达。转染结合CCK-8、EDU、流式分析、划痕及Transwell小室实验显示,转染miR-130b-3p模拟物可明显促进膀胱癌T24细胞的增殖、迁移及侵袭能力;相反,转染miR-130b-3p抑制物可明显诱导T24细胞凋亡。鬼笔环肽染色揭示,转染miR-130b-3p模拟物可促进细胞骨架形成,而转染miR-130b-3p抑制物抑制细胞骨架形成。Western印迹证明,转染miR-130b-3p可下调PTEN在T24细胞的表达,上调p-PI3K、p-AKT、p-FAK和整合素β1的表达;而转染miR-130b-3p抑制物上调PTEN的表达,下调p-PI3K、p-AKT、p-FAK和整合素β1的表达。上述结果提示,miR-130b-3p通过抑制PTEN表达,激活PI3K-AKT及整合素β1/FAK信号通路,在膀胱癌中发挥癌基因样作用;相反,抑制miR-130b-3p可上调PTEN表达,抑制PI3K-AKT及整合素β1/FAK信号通路的激活,诱导凋亡,抑制膀胱癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力。我们的结果还提示,miR-130b-3p作为可能的临床标志物,对膀胱癌的诊断、靶向治疗具有潜在的应用价值。     

长链非编码RNA Linc00673过表达对胃癌MGC-803细胞增殖与凋亡的影响*

目的: 探讨长链非编码RNA Linc00673过表达对胃癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及其机制。方法: 将重组慢病毒表达质粒pLVX-Linc00673和对照空载体质粒pLVX-NC在293T细胞中进行慢病毒包装与扩增,将重组慢病毒转染胃癌细胞MGC-803建立稳定过表达 Linc00673的细胞系,实时荧光定量PCR方法检测Linc00673基因的表达; MTT实验和克隆形成实验观察细胞的生长增殖;流式细胞术检测细胞周期和细胞凋亡;qPCR检测细胞周期相关调控基因表达;免疫印迹法检测PI3K/Akt信号通路关键分子及肿瘤增殖相关蛋白的表达。结果: Linc00673在胃癌细胞系MGC-803、BGC-823和AGS中的表达量显著高于正常胃粘膜细胞GES-1(P＜0.05)。建立了稳定过表达Linc00673的MGC-803细胞系,Linc00673的表达量比对照空载体组高200倍。Linc00673过表达促进MGC-803细胞增殖和克隆形成(P＜0.05),抑制细胞凋亡并影响细胞周期G1→S期进程(P＜0.01);Linc00673过表达可影响MGC-803细胞周期调节基因CCNG2、p19和CDK1的表达;免疫印迹结果显示,Linc00673过表达不仅促进PI3K/Akt信号通路关键分子pAKT及其下游靶点NF-κB和Bcl-2蛋白的表达,而且上调肿瘤相关因子β-catenin和EZH2蛋白的表达。结论: Linc00673过表达可能通过PI3K/Akt信号通路促进MGC-803细胞增殖、抑制凋亡。     

miR-20b-5p在肿瘤及其他疾病中的生物学功能

miRNAs是一类非编码的小RNA分子,在多种疾病的发病和治疗中发挥重要作用,可调控细胞增殖、细胞周期、凋亡和迁移等过程中关键基因的表达。miR-20b-5p属于miR-17家族,在多种肿瘤中和非肿瘤性疾病中存在异常表达。在肿瘤中,miR-20b-5p扮演着癌基因或抑癌基因的角色,可通过调控相应靶分子的表达影响肿瘤细胞的增殖、凋亡、侵袭与迁移等生物学行为,进而促进或抑制肿瘤的发生发展。该文对miR-20b-5p在肿瘤和非肿瘤性疾病中的生物学功能和机制进行简要综述。相信随着对miR-20b-5p的功能和机制的深入阐明,miR-20b-5p有望作为多种疾病的诊治靶点。     

宫颈癌组织miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与临床病理特征、PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路和预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨宫颈癌组织微小核糖核酸（miRNA）-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与临床病理特征、磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B/哺乳动物雷帕霉素靶蛋白（PI3K/AKT/mTOR）信号通路和预后的关系。方法：选取2016年7月～2019年6月西安市中心医院收治的123例宫颈癌患者,采用定量聚合酶链式反应（qPCR）检测癌组织与癌旁组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p、PI3K信使RNA（mRNA）、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达。分析miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达的相关性及与临床病理特征的关系。采用K-M法绘制不同miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达宫颈癌患者生存曲线。结果：与癌旁组织比较,宫颈癌组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达降低,PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达升高（P＜0.05）。Pearson相关性分析显示,宫颈癌组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达均呈负相关,PI3K mRNA、AKT mRNA、mTOR mRNA表达呈两两相关（P＜0.05）。miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p表达与宫颈癌分化程度、国际妇产科联盟（FIGO）分期和淋巴结转移有关（P＜0.05）。随访3年,123例宫颈癌患者累积生存率为62.60%（77/123）。K-M生存曲线分析显示,miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p高表达组累积生存率分别高于miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p低表达组（P＜0.05）。结论：宫颈癌组织中miR-200b-5p、miR-424-5p低表达,与分化程度、FIGO分期、淋巴结转移、PI3K/AKT/mTOR信号通路和预后有关。     

miR-30d负性调节HeLa细胞的增殖

有证据显示,microRNA( miRNA)可作为癌基因或抑癌基因发挥功能,参与细胞增殖和凋等 调控;PI3K/Akt通路的持续活化与肿瘤的发生、发展密切相关．在本研究中,我们通过microarray技术在HeLa细胞中检测经ly294002作用24 h阻断PI3K/Akt通路后microRNA的表达变化．Taqman 实时 PCR实验结果显示,has-miR-30d的表达在PI3K/Akt通路被阻断后明显上调．萤光素酶报告基因转染结合Taqman 实时 PCR显示,稳定转染miR- 30d过表达质粒的HeLa细胞系中miR-30d的表达量升高并且有活性．MTT及流式细胞术分析显示,过表达miR-30d的HeLa细胞其增殖受到抑制．这些结果说明,has-miR-30d可抑制HeLa细胞增殖,负性调节细胞生长,是一个潜在的抑癌基因．     

miR-374b-5p靶向调控UHMK1对前列腺癌PC-3细胞的影响

[目的]探讨miR-374b-5p调控UHMK1表达对前列腺癌PC-3细胞增殖、迁移及凋亡的作用。[方法]萤光霉素报告检测miR-374b-5p对UHMK1的调控作用,将miR-NC、miR-374b-5p inhibitor和miR-374b-5p mimic转染到前列腺癌PC-3细胞。采用CCK-8法检测细胞存活率,改良的Matrigel Boyden室测定对细胞的侵袭性实施检测,划痕实验对细胞的具体迁移力实施检测,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡率,RT-qPCR检测miR-374b-5p和UHMK1 mRNA表达,Western Bloting检测UHMK1蛋白表达。[结果]与对照组比较,miR-374b-5p inhibitor组细胞存活率、迁移率、侵袭数、miR-374b-5p表达水平、UHMK1 mRNA表达和蛋白表达水平显著降低,细胞凋亡率显著升高(P<0.05);miR-374b-5p mimic组细胞存活率、迁移率、侵袭数、miR-374b-5p表达水平、UHMK1 mRNA表达和蛋白表达水平显著降低,细胞凋亡率显著降低(P<0.05)。与miR-374b-5p ...     

miR-125b-5p对创伤性脑损伤诱发大鼠认知功能障碍的干预作用及其机制

目的:研究miR-125b-5p对创伤性脑损伤(TBI)引起的大鼠认知功能障碍的影响及其分子机制。方法:将大鼠随机分为Control组、TBI组(模型组)、NC agomir组(假阴性组)、miR-125b-5p agomir组(高表达组),每组5只。假阴性组和高表达组分别脑室注射NC agomir和miR-125b-5p agomir,除Control组外各组均用改良Feeney法建立脑损伤模型。通过行为学实验对大鼠的运动协调、学习记忆、神经损伤程度等进行评估。通过ELISA和Western blot对各组大鼠海马组织中miR-125b-5p、炎性因子,以及神经相关因子的表达水平进行检测。最后使用生物信息学结合RT-PCR和Western blot对miR-125b-5p的下游靶基因进行预测和验证。结果:与对照组相比,模型组和假阴性组大鼠miR-125b-5p的表达水平显著下调、mNSS评分显著升高、运动协调能力及学习记忆能力显著下降、白介素(IL-1β、IL-6)及肿瘤坏死因子(TNF-α)表达水平显著升高、BDNF和NGF的表达水平显著下降、GFAP的表达水平显著升高(P<...     

Inhibition of miR-130b-3p restores autophagy and attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration through mediating ATG14 and PRKAA1

Oxidative stress-induced autophagy dysfunction is involved in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) not only have been regarded as important regulators of IVDD but also reported to be related to autophagy. This research was aimed to explore the role of miR-130b-3p in IVDD and its regulation on autophagy mechanism. The miR-130b-3p expression in the patient’s degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) samples and rat NP tissues was detected by qRT-PCR and FISH assay. The miR-130b-3p was knocked down or overexpressed in the human NP cells by lentivirus transfection. TBHP was used to induce oxidative stress in the human NP cells. Apoptosis, senescence, and autophagy were evaluated by flow cytometry, β-gal staining, immunofluorescence, electron microscopy, and Western blot in the miR-130b-3p knocked down human NP cells under TBHP treatment. The relationship between the miR-130b-3p and ATG14 or PRKAA1 was confirmed by luciferase assay. The siRNA transfection was used to knock down the ATG14 and PRKAA1 expression, and then the human NP cells functions were further determined. In the in vivo experiment, the IVDD rat model was constructed and an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-miR-130b-3p inhibitor was intradiscally injected. After that, MRI and histological staining were conducted to evaluate the role of miR-130b-3p inhibition in the IVDD rat model. We found that the miR-130b-3p was upregulated in the degenerative NP samples from humans and rats. Interestingly, the inhibition of miR-130b-3p rescued oxidative stress-induced dysfunction of the human NP cells, and miR-130b-3p inhibition upregulated autophagy. Mechanistically, we confirmed that the miR-130b-3p regulated the ATG14 and PRKAA1 directly and the knockdown of the ATG14 or PRKAA1 as well as the treatment of autophagy inhibitor blockaded the autophagic flux and reversed the protective effects of miR-130b-3p inhibition in the TBHP-induced human NP cells. Furthermore, the inhibition of the miR-130b-3p via AAV- miR-130b-3p injection ameliorated the IVDD in a rat model. These data demonstrated that the miR-130b-3p inhibition could upregulate the autophagic flux and alleviate the IVDD via targeting ATG14 and PRKAA1.

The translational potential of this article: The suppression of miR-130b-3p may become an effective therapeutic strategy for IVDD.

     

Linc01133 contributes to gastric cancer growth by enhancing YES1-dependent YAP1 nuclear translocation via sponging miR-145-5p

The long intergenic non-coding RNA linc01133 is reported to be oncogenic in various malignancies. However, the role and mechanism of linc01133 in regulating gastric cancer growth is still not clear. In the present study, we found that linc01133 was significantly upregulated in gastric cancer tissues compared to non-tumorous gastric tissues. Linc01133 over-expression significantly correlated with tumor size and tumor differentiation in gastric cancer patients. The expression of linc01133 was regulated by c-Jun and c-Fos collaboratively. In both in vitro and in vivo studies, linc01133 was shown to promote gastric cancer cell growth. Linc01133 localized in the cytoplasm and functioned as an endogenous competing RNA of miR-145-5p to upregulate the expression of YES1, which was proved to be the target gene of miR-145-5p. By promoting YES1-dependent YAP1 nuclear translocation, linc01133 upregulated the expression of the key cell cycle regulators CDK4, CDK6 and cyclin D1 to promote G1-S phase transition. Thus, our study unveiled the function and mechanism of linc01133 regulating cell cycle progression in gastric cancer.Subject terms: Gastric cancer, Cell growth     

Linc00511 acts as a competing endogenous RNA to regulate VEGFA expression through sponging hsa‐miR‐29b‐3p in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a lethal malignancy. Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are important regulators in pathological processes, yet their potential roles in PDAC are poorly understood. Here, we identify a fundamental role for a novel lincRNA, linc00511, in the progression of PDAC. Linc00511 levels in PDAC tissue specimens and cell lines were examined by quantitative real‐time PCR. Corresponding adjacent non‐neoplastic tissues were used as controls. The function of linc00511 in PDAC cell lines was determined by RNA interference approach in vitro and in vivo. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to characterize linc00511 expression in PDAC cells. Insights of the mechanism of competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) were obtained from bioinformatic analysis, luciferase assays and RIP assays. The association between the linc00511/hsa‐miR29b‐3p axis and VEGFA was verified by Western blotting assay. Immunohistochemistry was performed to evaluate the expression of VEGFA in PDAC samples. The aberrant up‐regulation of linc00511 was detected in PDAC cell lines and patient specimens compared with controls. An increase in linc00511 expression indicates the adverse clinical pathological characteristics and poor prognosis. Functionally, linc00511 depletion in PDAC cells decreased proliferation, migration, invasion and endothelial tube formation. Mechanistically, linc00511 could up‐regulate VEGFA via its competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) activity on hsa‐miR‐29b‐3p. In summary, our results define an important axis controlling proliferation, invasion and tumour angiogenesis in PDAC. Linc00511 is a novel lncRNA that plays a significant regulatory role in the pathogenesis and progression of PDAC. Thus, Linc00511 represents a new prognostic biomarker to predict clinical outcome of PDAC patients after surgery and may serve as a potential therapeutic target for PDAC treatment.     

Long noncoding RNA LINC00629 restrains the progression of gastric cancer by upregulating AQP4 through competitively binding to miR-196b-5p

Gastric cancer continues to be a common cancer in the world with high incidence and mortality. Accumulating evidence has implicated long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in gastric cancer progression. Here, this study identified the potential role of a novel lncRNA, LINC00629 in gastric cancer and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Initially, microarray-based gene expression profiling of gastric cancer was employed to identify differentially expressed genes. Next, the expression of LINC00629, microRNA-196b-5p (miR-196b-5p) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in clinical gastric cancer tissues was determined and the cell line presenting with the lowest LINC00629 expression was selected. The interaction among LINC00629, miR-196b-5p, and AQP4 was identified. Expression of LINC00629, miR-196b-5p, and AQP4 in gastric cancer cells were altered and then biological behaviors of gastric cancer cells were assessed by 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and Transwell assays. Tumor formation in vivo was evaluated in nude mice. In gastric cancer, expression of LINC00629 and AQP4 was downregulated, and expression of miR-196b-5p was upregulated. Proliferation, invasion, and migration of gastric cancer cells were reduced after overexpression of LINC00629. LINC00629 competitively bound to miR-196b-5p, while AQP4 was a target of miR-196b-5p. Either downregulating miR-196b-5p or upregulating AQP4 could restrain the development of gastric cancer in vitro. LINC00629 overexpression repressed the growth of transplanted tumors in vivo. Taken together, LINC00629 competitively bound to miR-196b-5p to upregulate AQP4 expression, thereby inhibiting gastric cancer progression. Therefore, understanding of this mechanism may help to improve gastric cancer treatment.     

miR-193b-5p regulates chondrocytes metabolism by directly targeting histone deacetylase 7 in interleukin-1β-induced osteoarthritis

There is increasing evidence regarding the pivotal roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) in the development of osteoarthritis (OA). This study aimed to determine whether miR-193b-5p regulates HDAC7 expression directly to affect cartilage degeneration. Expression levels of miR-193b-5p, HDAC7, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), and MMP13 were determined in normal and OA cartilage and primary human chondrocytes (PHCs) stimulated with interleukin-1β (IL-1β). PHCs were transfected with a miR-193b-5p mimic or inhibitor to verify whether miR-193b-5p influences the expression of HDAC7 and MMPs. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to demonstrate the binding between miR-193b-5p and the 3′-untranslated region (UTR) of HDAC7. Expression of miR-193b-5p was reduced in IL-1β-stimulated PHCs and in OA cartilage compared to that in normal cartilage. Luciferase reporter assay exhibited the repressed activity of the reporter construct containing the 3′UTR of HDAC7. Both miR-193b-5p overexpression and HDAC7 inhibition decreased the expression of MMP3 and MMP13, whereas the inhibition of miR-193b-5p enhanced HDAC7, MMP3, and MMP13 expression. miR-193b-5p downregulates HDAC7 directly and, as a result, inhibits MMP3 and MMP13 expression, which suggests that miR-193b-5p has a protective role in OA.     

LncRNA PDCD4-AS1 alleviates triple negative breast cancer by increasing expression of IQGAP2 via miR-10b-5p

ObjectiveMounting evidence demonstrates that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is dysregulated in breast cancers. This study was designed to detect the influences and regulatory mechanism of lncRNA PDCD4-AS1 in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).MethodsqRT-PCR and Western blot were utilized to investigate the expression levels of PDCD4-AS1, miR-10b-5p and IQGAP2 in TNBC tissues and cells. Online software and luciferase reporter gene system were employed to testify the interactions among these molecules. Loss and gain of function of PDCD4-AS1, miR-10b-5p or IQGAP2 were performed before MTT and colony formation assay, TUNEL staining in addition to Transwell and scratch assays were applied to measure the cell biological functions.ResultsIn this work, PDCD4-AS1 and IQGAP2 were lowly expressed while miR-10b-5p was strongly expressed in TNBC tissues and cells. PDCD4-AS1 or IQGAP2 overexpression effectively attenuated TNBC cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and increased the apoptosis rate, while this effect was abandoned in response to miR-10b-5p mimics transfection. miR-10b-5p bound to IQGAP2 and acted as a downstream target of PDCD4-AS1.ConclusionOur findings identified lncRNA PDCD4-AS1 as a tumor suppressor in TNBC by regulating IQGAP2 expression via miR-10b-5p, giving a novel insight into the regulatory mechanism of PDCD4-AS1 in the pathogenesis of TNBC.     

Calcitonin inhibits intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating protein kinase C

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the most critical factor that causes low back pain. Molecular biotherapy is a fundamental strategy for IVDD treatment. Calcitonin can promote the proliferation of chondrocytes, stimulate the synthesis of matrix and prevent cartilage degeneration. However, its effect and the underlying mechanism for IVDD have not been fully revealed. Chondrogenic specific matrix components’ mRNA expression of nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) was determined by qPCR. Protein expression of NPC matrix components and protein kinase C was determined by Western blotting. A rat caudal intervertebral disc degeneration model was established and tested for calcitonin in vivo. IL‐1 induced NPC change via decreasing protein kinase C (PKC)‐ε phosphorylation, while increasing PKC‐δ phosphorylation. Calcitonin treatment could prevent or reverse IL‐1‐induced cellular change on PKC signalling associated with degeneration. The positive effect of calcitonin on IVDD in vivo was verified on a rat caudal model. In summary, this study, for the first time, elucidated the important role of calcitonin in the regulation of matrix components in the nucleus of the intervertebral disc. Calcitonin can delay degeneration of the intervertebral disc nucleus by activating the PKC‐ε pathway and inhibiting the PKC‐δ pathway.