Screening microgravity-sensitive lncRNAs targeted by miR-132-3p

Objective To screen out microgravity-sensitive lncRNAs targeted by miR-132-3p, and explore the correlation between lncRNAs and miR-132-3p, and the regulation of miR-132-3p on lncRNAs during osteogenesis. Methods A bioinformatic tool was used to screen out 6 candidate lncRNAs targeted by miR-132-3p. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured in 2D clinostat to simulate microgravity condition for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured for 7 days using osteogenic medium. MiR-132-3p mimics, inhibitors and negative control were transfected into MC3T3-E1 cells and the expression levels of lncRNAs were determined by qRT-PCR. Results Compared with the control group, the expression levels of 3 lncRNAs decreased markedly under simulated microgravity and the changes could be maintained for at least 72 h (all P< 0.05), and the expression levels of miR-132-3p decreased significantly, but 3 lncRNAs significantly increased after osteogenic induction (all P< 0.05). The expression level of lncRNA NONMMUT010777 was suppressed by overexpression of miR-132-3p while it was promoted by knockdown of miR-132-3p during osteogenesis (P< 0.01, respectively), but the expression of lncRNA NONMMUT016978 and NONMMUT027831 showed no significant changes on the same conditions. Conclusion The microgravity-sensitive lncRNANONMMUT010777, NONMMUT016978 and NONMMUT027831 targeted by miR-132-3p are negatively correlated with miR-132-3p during osteogenesis and miR-132-3p is a regulator of lncRNA NONMMUT010777 in MC3T3-E1 cells.