MicroRNA-218 Negatively Regulates Osteoclastogenic Differentiation by Repressing the Nuclear Factor-κB Signaling Pathway and Targeting Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor 1

Background/Aims: Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a common disease associated with estrogen deficiency leading to bone loss and bone tissue changes. The resultant bone fragility and increased risk of fracture has serious adverse effects on health and quality of life of the elderly, making it an important health issue. MicroRNA-218 (miR-218) is closely related to the development of osteoporosis. In this study, we investigated the regulatory mechanisms of miR-218 in osteoclastogenesis. Methods: We investigated miR-218 levels on differentiation of RAW 264.7 cells into osteoclasts compared with normal cells. Next, RAW 264.7 cells were transfected with miR-218 mimics or inhibitors to study the role of miR-218 in osteoclastogenic differentiation. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was performed to determine osteoclastogenic differentiation. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay were used to identify and validate miR-218 target genes. Results: miR-218 was downregulated following RAW 264.7 cell differentiation into osteoclasts. miR-218 overexpression attenuated osteoclast differentiation, whereas low miR-218 expression promoted it as demonstrated by increased expression of osteoclast-specific genes and TRAP staining. Bioinformatics analysis and the luciferase reporter assay showed that tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), a cell membrane receptor of TNF (TNF is an activator of nuclear factor-κB [NF-κB]), is a direct target of miR-218. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that miR-218 regulates osteoclastogenic differentiation negatively by repressing NF-κB signaling by targeting TNFR1, suggesting that targeting miR-218 may be a therapeutic approach in postmenopausal osteoporosis