Identification of exosomal mRNA, lncRNA and circRNA signatures in an osteoarthritis synovial fluid-exosomal study

Aims Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease that is pathologically characterized by destruction of the joint matrix and reduction of articular chondrocytes, resulting in joint deformity and motor dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms governing this pathology have not been fully elucidated to date. Methods In this study, we determined the expression levels of lncRNAs, circRNAs, and mRNAs extracted from synovial exosomes of OA and control patients. A network of circRNA/lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA interactions was established using MiRanda and TargetScan software to explore OA pathogenesis. The exosomal lncRNA, circRNA and mRNA expression profiles of the OA and control groups were analysed using LC human competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) microarrays. The differentially expressed genes were identified to determine their potential roles in the pathogenesis of OA by bioinformatic analysis. Results Compared with the control group, 11 mRNAs, 52 lncRNAs, and 30 circRNAs were upregulated, while 41 mRNAs, 144 lncRNAs, and 68 circRNAs were downregulated in osteoarthritis synovial exosomes. The final ceRNA network of lncRNAs and circRNAs exhibited a complex interaction between ncRNA and mRNA related to OA pathological mechanisms. An intersection analysis of the ceRNA network showed that 22 miRNAs, 45 lncRNAs, and 34 circRNAs in the PI3K/Akt and autophagy pathways correlated with 7 enriched mRNAs and may play important roles in OA pathological mechanisms. Conclusion Our work analysed mRNA/lncRNA/circRNA expression and displayed the ceRNA network of lncRNAs and circRNAs to profile the pathogenesis of OA in synovial exosomes. The results of this study may help to elucidate the pathogenesis of OA and may provide important references for further research attempting to identify more effective targets for the diagnosis and therapy of OA. male/female