Circulating microRNAs Signature as a promising epigenetic diagnostic biomarker of equine osteoarthritis

Background: One of the most orthopedic problems seen in the equine is osteoarthritis (OA). The present study tracks some biochemical, epigenetic, and transcriptomic factors along different stages of monoiodoacetate (MIA) induced OA in donkeys in serum and synovial fluid. The aim of the study was the detection of sensitive noninvasive early biomarkers. Methods: : OA was induced by a single intra-articular injection of 25mg of MIA into the left radiocarpal joint of nine donkeys. Serum and synovial samples were taken at zero-day and different intervals for assessment of total GAGs and CS levels as well as miR 146b, miR 27b, TRAF-6, and COL10A1 gene expression. Results: : The results showed that the level of total GAGs and CS increased in different stages of OA. The level of expression of both miR-146b and miR-27b were upregulated as OA progressed and then downregulated at late stages. TRAF-6 gene was upregulated at the late stage while synovial fluid COL10A1 was over-expressed at the early stage of OA then decreased at late stages (P<0.05). Conclusions: : In conclusion, both miR146b and miR-27b together with COL10A1 could be used as promising noninvasive biomarkers for the very early diagnosis of OA.