CircRNA circFADS2 has been reported to protect cells from LPS (Lipopolysaccharide)-induced cell injury, which contributes to osteoarthritis (OA). This study was carried out to study the role of circFADS2 in OA.
The expression of circFADS2 and miR-195-5p in synovial fluid samples from 63 OA patients and 63 healthy controls were detected by RT-qPCRs. The effects of overexpression of circFADS2 on the expression of miR-195-5p and the methylation of miR-195-5p gene in chondrocytes were evaluated by RT-qPCRs and MSPs, respectively. The roles of circFADS2 and miR-195-5p in regulating the LPS-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes were explored by cell apoptosis assay.
CircFADS2 was downregulated in OA and inversely correlated with miR-195-5p. In chondrocytes, overexpression of circFADS2 and downregulation of miR-195-5p were observed after LPS treatment. In chondrocytes, overexpression of circFADS2 decreased the expression levels of miR-195-5p, and increased the methylation of miR-195-5p gene. Cell apoptosis assay showed that overexpression of circFADS2 reduced the apoptosis of chondrocytes under LPS treatment. Overexpression of miR-195-5p increased cell apoptosis and attenuated the effects of overexpression of circFADS2 on cell apoptosis.
CircFADS2 may downregulate miR-19-5p through methylation to suppress LPS-induced apoptosis of chondrocytes, thereby suppressing OA.