miR-483-3p regulates osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by targeting STAT1

Osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is regulated by a variety of intracellular regulatory factors including osterix, runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), bone morphogenetic proteins and transforming growth factor beta. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRs) serve a crucial role in this process. In the present study, miR-483-3p levels were significantly increased during osteogenic differentiation of mouse and human BMSCs. Overexpression of miR-483-3p promoted osteogenic differentiation, whereas inhibition of miR-483-3p reversed these effects. miR-483-3p regulated osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by targeting STAT1, and thus enhancing RUNX2 transcriptional activity and RUNX2 nuclear translocation. In vivo, overexpression of miR-483-3p using a BMSC-specific aptamer delivery system stimulated bone formation in aged mice. Therefore, the present study suggested that miR-483-3p promoted osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs by targeting STAT1, and miR-483-3 prepresent a potential therapeutic target for age-related bone loss.