LncRNA CYTOR Regulates Chondrocyte Apoptosis in Osteoarthritis by Acting as a CeRNA for miR-10a-5p

Background: It has been reported that lncRNA CYTOR suppresses LPS-induced inflammation, which plays crucial roles in osteoarthritis (OA). This study was therefore performed to analyze the role of CYTOR in OA. Methods: : Expression of CYTOR and miR-10a-5p in OA patients and chondrocytes as well as healthy patients and chondrocytes was determined by RT-qPCR. The interaction between CYTOR and miR-10a-5p was predicted by IntaRNA online program and confirmed by dual luciferase activity assay. The role of CYTOR and miR-10a-5p in regulating the apoptosis of chondrocytes were analyzed by cell apoptosis assay. Results: : CYTOR was under-expressed in OA patients and chondrocytes, and miR-10a-5p was overexpressed in OA patients and chondrocytes. After treatment, CYTOR was upregulated and miR-10a-5p was downregulated. CYTOR was predicted to interact with miR-10a-5p, and the interaction between them was confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assay. Overexpression of CYTOR and miR-10a-5p failed to affect the expression of each other. Cell apoptosis analysis showed that CYTOR overexpression reduced the enhancing effects of miR-10a-5p overexpression on the apoptosis of OA chondrocytes. Conclusion: CYTOR may suppress the development of OA by serving as a ceRNA for miR-10a-5p.