Integrated Analysis of lncRNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Indicates Age-related Changes in Meniscus

Little has been known about the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) involves in meniscus degradation with aging.In order to investigate the molecular mechanisms of age-related meniscal degeneration and further explore potential biologic therapeutic targets, we performed microarray analysis of meniscus to determine lncRNAs and mRNAs expression profiles in young and aging adults. Then, we carried out bioinformatics analysis of differentially expressed molecules to identify key molecules and functional pathways in the aged meniscus tissues. The torn segment of the injured meniscus was resected from eight patients who underwent arthroscopic meniscus repair surgery with no significant cartilage degeneration, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and other metabolic diseases. For the current study, these tissues were divided into two categories based on patients’ age: young group (n = 4, 20–25 years old) and aging group (n = 4, 50-55 years old).