Objective: To investigate the expression of miR-195 and its target gene Bcl-2 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and its effect on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis.
Methods: The expressions of miR-195 and Bcl-2 in NP tissues of IVDD patients were quantified by qRT-PCR and western blotting, respectively. NP cells were divided into blank group, TNF-α group, TNF-α + miR-NC group, TNF-α + siBcl-2 group, and TNF-α + miR-195 inhibitors + siBcl-2 group. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis evaluated by flow cytometry, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) tested by JC-1 staining. Moreover, the function of miR-195 on IVDD in vivo was investigated using a puncture-induced IVDD rat model.
Results: IVDD patients had significantly increased miR-195 expression and decreased Bcl-2 protein expression in NP tissues. The expression of miR-195 was negatively correlated with the expression of Bcl-2 in IVDD patients. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay indicated that Bcl-2 was a target gene of miR-195. In comparison with blank group, TNF-α group showed decreased cell proliferation and MMP, increased cell apoptosis, upregulated expression of miR-195, Bax, and cleaved caspase 3, and downregulated Bcl-2 protein, while these changes were attenuated by miR-195 inhibitors. Additionally, siBcl-2 can reverse the protective effect of miR-195 inhibitors on TNF-α-induced NP cells. Besides, inhibition of miR-195 alleviated IVDD degeneration and NP cell apoptosis in the rat model.
Conclusion: MiR-195 was significantly upregulated in NP tissues of IVDD patients, and inhibition of miR-195 could protect human NP cells from TNF-α-induced apoptosis via upregulation of Bcl-2.
Keywords: Apoptosis; Bcl-2; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Nucleus pulposus cells; miR-195.