Derepression of MicroRNA‐138 Contributes to Loss of the Human Articular Chondrocyte Phenotype

Abstract

We propose that an evolutionary pressure helps to suppress expression levels of miR-138 in human cartilage, thus enabling expression of appropriate tissue-specific matrix genes. Inhibition of miR-138 may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy to maintain the chondrocyte phenotype or reduce the progression of dedifferentiation in cultured HACs.