Mir-98 reduces the expression of HMGA2 and promotes osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: To study effects of microRNA-98 (miR-98) on osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We predicted target gene of miR-98 with software test, and detected expression changes of miR-98, as well as its target gene HMGA2, in the process of osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. After transfection of miR-98 mimic and HMGA2 siRNA, we induced osteogenic differentiation and detected expression changes of osteogenic differentiation markers (RUNX2, ALP, OCN, and BSP). RESULTS: MiR-98 combined directly with target gene HMGA2 and inhibited its expression. During the process of osteogenic differentiation, expression of miR-98 was up-regulated, while HMGA2 expression was down-regulated. In addition, the expression of osteogenesis maker genes increased in cells being transfected with miR-98 mimics and HMGA2 siRNA. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-98 can promote osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by targeting gene HMGA2.