Involvement of miR-199a-5p-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticle-polyethyleneimine-KALA in osteogenic differentiation

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: While there are numerous reports on surgical techniques and materials for bone grafting, limited methods are available to enhance the body's inherent capacity to heal bones. Here we investigated microRNA-199a (miR-199a), a molecular that promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone healing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To construct a miR-199a delivery complex, miR-199a-5p mimics were coated with mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) following modified with polyethyleneimine (PEI) and peptide WEAKLAKALAKALAKHLAKALAKALKACEA (KALA) to obtain 199a-5p-loaded MSN-PEI-KALA. Nanoparticle complexes are assessed for particle size and zeta potential using transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Then MC3T3-E1 cells are exposed to MSN_miR-199a-5p @PEI-KALA. The impact of MSN_miR-199a-5p@PEI-KALA at varying concentrations on cell viability is assessed using Cell Counting Kit-8. Cell uptake and distribution were analyzed by double fluorescent staining with fluorescein amidite-labeled MSN_miR-199a@PEI-KALA and lysosome labeling. On day 7 after osteogenic induction, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining was conducted. RESULTS: The findings indicated that the nanoparticle complexes encapsulating PEI and peptide exhibited an augmentation in both particle size and zeta potential. At a dosage of 10 μg/mL, MSN_miR-199a@PEI-KALA displayed the lowest cytotoxicity compared to the control group. MC3T3-E1 cells treated with MSN_miR-199a-5p@PEI-KALA exhibited intensified ALP staining and elevated mRNA expression levels of ALP, runt-related transcription factor 2, and osteopontin, suggesting the involvement of miR-199a-5p-loaded MSN-PEI-KALA in osteogenic differentiation. CONCLUSION: The successful construction of the delivering complex MSN_miR-199a@PEI-KALA in present research highlights the promise of this biomaterial carrier for the application of miRNAs in treating bone defects.