Micro-ARNs y células óseas

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding RNA molecules (of approximately 1525 nucleotides), which regulate the expression of genes controlling numerous biological functions, through the inhibition or degradation of the target messenger RNA. Bone homeostasis is maintained by a balance between osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. The overexpression or inhibition of specific miRNAs affects cell proliferation, differentiation and activity of osteoblast, osteocytes and osteoclast. This action is done by modulating the expression of different transcription factors and signaling molecules of the most relevant pathways of osteoblastogenesis or osteoclastogenesis. This effect is able to modify the balance between bone formation and resorption, determining changes in bone homeostasis.
The present review is an overview of a series of miRNAs involved in bone homeostasis. Deepening our knowledge on the mechanisms by which miRNAs act on bone may reveal potential uses in the future as new bone biomarkers or therapeutic agents for treating metabolic bone disorders, bone loss, and bone diseases.