Role of lncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 in lipopolysaccharide‐induced nucleus pulposus cells injury by regulating miR‐374b‐5p/interleukin‐10 axis

BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a pathological process that occurs during the natural aging of intervertebral discs. Accumulating evidence suggests that noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), including microRNAs and long ncRNAs (lncRNAs), participate in the pathogenesis and development of IDD. Herein, we examined the role of lncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 in the pathogenic mechanism of IDD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To develop an IDD in vitro model, we treated human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Aberrant levels of lncRNA MAGI2‐AS3, miR‐374b‐5p, interleukin (IL)‐10 and extracellular matrix (ECM)‐related proteins in NP cells were examined using reverse transcription‐quantitative PCR and western blot analysis. LPS‐induced NP cell injury and inflammatory response were confirmed using the MTT assay, flow cytometry, Caspase3 activity, and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay and rescue experiments were performed to confirm targets between lncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 and miR‐374b‐5p or miR‐374b‐5p and IL‐10. RESULTS: LPS‐induced NP cells exhibited low levels of lncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 and IL‐10 expression, along with high miR‐374b‐5p expression. miR‐374b‐5p was a target of lncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 and IL‐10. LncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 ameliorated injury, inflammatory response, and ECM degradation in LPS‐treated NP cells by downregulating miR‐374b‐5p to upregulate IL‐10 expression. CONCLUSIONS: LncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 increased IL‐10 expression levels by sponging miR‐374b‐5p, which, in turn, alleviated LPS‐triggered decreased NP cell proliferation and increased apoptosis, inflammatory response, and ECM degradation. Therefore, lncRNA MAGI2‐AS3 may be a potential therapeutic target for IDD.