The function of miR-4666a-3p in the diagnosis of osteoporotic fractures and the promotion of fracture healing.

Authors

Xiangnan Zou, Zhongshu Ren, Haitao Xu, Hao Wang

Published in

Annals of agricultural and environmental medicine : AAEM. Volume 33. Issue 3. Pages 453-462. Sep 21, 2026. Epub May 20, 2026.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate osteogenic differentiation in osteoporotic fractures (OF). The aim of the study is to investigate the diagnostic value and regulatory role of miR-4666a-3p in OF.
The study is based on clinical samples (89 healthy controls, 79 OP patients, 83 OF patients) and hFOB1.19 cell experiments. RT-qPCR analyzed miR-4666a-3p expression, and logistic regression identified OF risk factors. ELISA measured RANKL and OPG concentrations. In vitro, osteoblast differentiation was induced to assess ALP activity, Runx2, Osteocalcin, Col1a1, cell viability (CCK-8), and apoptosis (flow cytometry). Target genes were bioinformatically predicted and confirmed via dual-luciferase assay. Rescue experiments explored the role of GSK3B in miR-4666a-3p-mediated osteogenic regulation. All experiments were repeated at least three times.
Downregulation of miR-4666a-3p could distinguish healthy controls and OP patients, further differentiate between OP and OF patients, and may predict the risk of OF occurrence. During osteoblast differentiation, miR-4666a-3p expression increased, ALP activity elevated, and key marker levels upregulated. Overexpression of miR-4666a-3p promoted osteoblast differentiation and activity, and reduced apoptosis rate, whereas inhibiting miR-4666a-3p had the opposite effect. MiR-4666a-3p negatively regulated the downstream target GSK3B. Overexpression of GSK3B reversed the osteogenic effects of miR-4666a-3p.
Downregulation of miR-4666a-3p may predict OF risk. Its upregulation promoted osteoblast differentiation by targeting GSK3B, potentially facilitating fracture healing.

PMID:
42802970
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 28 Sep 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.