ABSTRACT
MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding RNA molecules that regulate the gene expression at the post-transcription levels. They have been implicated in various important cellular processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and lipid metabolism etc. Cartilage injury and degeneration can cause various joint diseases, and the current clinical treatments are unsatisfactory. Current researches have found that miRNA play important roles in the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocyte and their synthesis and catabolism. With novel targets of MicroRNA have been found, their important roles have been further confirmed. The present review summarizes the current evidences of the synthesis and function of the miRNA, and their regulatory roles in the cartilage damage and degeneration. In summary, MicroRNA play important roles in disease pathogenesis resulted by cartilage injury and degeneration,and may have important diagnostic and therapeutic potential, further more, and might provide a novel means of treating degenerative diseases.