MiR‐1207‐5p/CX3CR1 axis regulates the progression of osteoarthritis via the modulation of the activity of NF‐κB pathway

Background Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic diseases characterized by formation of osteophytes and degradation of articular cartilage. Previous evidence has identified the regulatory effects of microRNAs (miRNAs) in OA. The goal of this study is to clearly explore the biological function of miR‐1207‐5p in OA. Methods MiR‐1207‐5p and C‐X3‐C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) expression in OA cartilages were revealed by accessing to Gene Expression Omnibus database. In vitro OA model was established by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Western blot and quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction were conducted to detect the expression level of genes. Cell counting kit‐8 (CCK‐8) and flow cytometric experiments were performed to investigate the proliferation and apoptosis capacities of CHON‐001 cells. Bioinformatics analysis was applied to predict the binding site of miR‐1207‐5p and CX3CR1, the connections of which were ascertained using luciferase reporter assay. Results MiR‐1207‐5p expression was decreased while CX3CR1 was increased in OA cartilages. Up‐regulation of miR‐1207‐5p alleviated the LPS‐induced damage in the view of cell proliferation, apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation. A target of miR‐1207‐5p CX3CR1, its down‐regulation intensified the impacts of miR‐1207‐5p mimic, promoted proliferation and mitigated apoptosis. LPS exposure increased the protein expression of the phosphorylated IκBα and P65, and this phenomena was reversed due to miR‐1207‐5p up‐regulation and CX3CR1 knockdown. The treatment of Betulinic acid (BA; an activator of nuclear factor‐κB pathway) reversed the miR‐1207‐5p mimic‐induced inhibitory effect on apoptosis in LPS‐treated CHON‐001. Conclusion Our results highlight that miR‐1207‐5p can prevent CHON‐001 from LPS‐stimulated injury, providing a novel biomarker for OA progression and further advancing treatment of OA.