Overexpressed miR-196a accelerates osteogenic differentiation in osteoporotic mice via GNAS-dependent Hedgehog signaling pathway

Osteoporosis (OP), a common metabolic bone disease, is accompanied by reduced bone mass, bone mineral density (BMD), as well as microstructure destruction of bone. Previously, microRNA-196a-2 (miR-196a-2) and miR-196a-3p were reported for its involvement in BMD. Herein, this study set out to identify the functional relevance of miR-196a in osteogenic differentiation in osteoporotic mice and explore the associated mechanism by establishing an OP mouse model. Guanine nucleotide binding protein, alpha stimulating (GNAS) was verified as a target gene of miR-196a, which was decreased in OP mice. Furthermore, the bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were then extracted from OP mice and treated with miR-196 mimic/inhibitor or small interfering RNA against GNAS to investigate miR-196a interaction with GNAS and the Hedgehog signaling pathway. BMSCs in OP mice transfected with miR-196a mimic or si-GNAS displayed the elevated expression of Smo, ALP, Runx2, and OPN, as well as bone gla protein and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, elevated ALP vitality and bone formation ability as well as reduced expression of GNAS and PTCH. Taken conjointly, overexpression of miR-196a repressed GNAS expression by activating the Hedgehog signaling pathway, thus promoting osteogenic differentiation in mice with OP.