Research on the Mechanism of miRNA 146a Regulating MMP 13 in the Degenerative Process of OA Chondrocyte

Abstract：Objective To study the changes of the expression of MMP 13 after up-regulated or down-regulated the miRNA 146a in the normal chondrocytes and the middle and late stage of the OA chondrocytes. To explore the role of miRNA 146a in the development and progression of osteoarthritis. Methods We collected 4 cases of normal cartilage and 12 cases of arthritic cartilage which were divided into middle stage and late stage by Kellgren-Lawrence imaging protocol. Chemical transfection was used in every group of chondrocyes. And we studied the changes of MMP 13 after up-regulating or down-regulating the miRNA 146a chondrocytes. Results The protein expression level of MMP 13 turned out to be up after up-regulating the miRNA 146a in the normal chondrocytes. The result is stastically significant. The expression of MMP 13 turned out to be down after down-regulating. The result was not statistically significant. The protein expression of MMP 13 was higher in the middle stage OA chondrocytes than the late OA stage chondrocytes,and the result was statistically significant. The protein expression level of MMP 13 turned out to be up after up-regulating the miRNA 146a in late stage of the OA chondrocytes. The result was statisti-cally significant. The protein expression level of MMP 13 turned out to be down after down-regulating the miRNA 146a in late stage of the OA chondrocytes. The result was stastically significant. Conclusion miRNA 146a has an effect on the chondrocyte through MMP 13. Thus plays a role in pathology of OA.