MicroRNA-140 plays dual roles in both cartilage development and homeostasis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most prevalent aging-related joint disease, is characterized by insufficient extracellular matrix synthesis and articular cartilage degradation, mediated by several proteinases, including Adamts-5. miR-140 is one of a very limited number of noncoding microRNAs (miRNAs) specifically expressed in cartilage; however, its role in development and/or tissue maintenance is largely uncharacterized. To examine miR-140 function in tissue development and homeostasis, we generated a mouse line through a targeted deletion of miR-140. miR-140(-/-) mice manifested a mild skeletal phenotype with a short stature, although the structure of the articular joint cartilage appeared grossly normal in…

• AN
  Arthritis National Research Foundation
• AF
  Arthritis Foundation
• JH
  Japan Health Sciences Foundation
• NR
  National Research Foundation
• MO
  Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
• NI
  National Institute of Biomedical Innovation
• TM
  Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: AR050631, AG007996
• JS
  Japan Society for the Promotion of Science