Involvement of Icaritin in the Regulation of Osteocyte Exosomal MicroRNAs

In this study, we isolated exosomes from ICA-treated osteocytes and sequenced small RNAs from them and controls with the aim of exploring the regulatory role of ICA on osteocyte exosomal miRNAs, which in turn can contribute to the understanding of the potential molecular mechanisms involved in bone repair by ICA. Overall design: To explore the effects of ICA on the regulation of osteocyte exosomal miRNAs and to promote the understanding of the potential molecular mechanisms involved in bone repair by ICA,MLO-Y4 medium was collected after treatment with PBS (CON), 0.1 µM ICA(LICA) or 10 µM ICA(HICA) for 24h. Exosomes were isolated and purified according to standard methods, and identified by transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis and protein blotting. Exosomal miRNAs were analysed by small RNA sequencing.