Serum miR-539-5p decreases in ankylosing spondylitis and regulates osteogenic and osteoclastogenic phenotypes in vitro via SPP1
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Reliable biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and for monitoring its pathological bone remodeling imbalance remain insufficient. This study aimed to determine whether miR-539-5p can serve as a diagnostic biomarker and whether it modulates osteogenic and osteoclast differentiation in vitro by targeting SPP1 . Serum samples were collected from AS patients, a Lumbar Muscle Strain (LMS) group, and Healthy Controls (HC). Induced MC3T3-E1 and RAW264.7 cells were transfected with miR-539-5p mimics/inhibitors. Biological functions and mechanisms were evaluated using CCK-8, ALP/TRAP activity assays, qRT-PCR, Western blot, and dual-luciferase reporter assays. Rescue experiments were performed using an SPP1 overexpression plasmid. Serum miR-539-5p was significantly downregulated in AS patients and showed high diagnostic accuracy in distinguishing AS from LMS (AUC = 0.881). It was also identified as an independent protective factor. In vitro, miR-539-5p overexpression suppressed the DEX-induced increase in osteoblast viability, as well as osteoclastogenesis and abnormal ALP/TRAP activities. miR-539-5p directly targeted SPP1 , whose mRNA expression was negatively correlated with miR-539-5p in patient sera. Furthermore, SPP1 overexpression substantially attenuated the regulatory effects of the miR-539-5p mimic. Our study suggests that serum miR-539-5p may serve as a promising diagnostic biomarker for AS. It may also influence cellular phenotypes in in vitro bone remodeling cell models by targeting SPP1 and partially modulating osteogenic and osteoclast differentiation.
Source: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Authors: Mianlong Lin, Bin Dai, Zhijian Cheng, Ruijuan Deng
Language: English
Subfield: Rheumatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,090
OpenAlex ID: W7225121101