MiR-25 overexpression inhibits titanium particle-induced osteoclast differentiation via down-regulation of mitochondrial calcium uniporter in vitro

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is an important ion channel regulating calcium transport across the mitochondrial membrane. Calcium signaling, particularly via the Ca(2+)/NFATc1 pathway, has been identified as an important mediator of the osteoclast differentiation that leads to osteolysis around implants. The present study aimed to investigate whether down-regulation of MCU using microRNA-25 (miR-25) mimics could reduce osteoclast differentiation induced upon exposure to titanium (Ti) particles. METHODS: Ti particles were prepared. Osteoclast differentiation of RAW264.7 cells was induced by adding Ti particles and determined by TRAP staining. Calcium oscillation was determined using a dual-wavelength technique. After exposure of the cells in each group to Ti particles or control medium for 5 days, relative MCU and NFATc1 mRNA expression levels were determined by RT-qPCR. MCU and NFATc1 protein expression was determined by western blotting. NFATc1 activation was determined by immunofluorescence staining. Comparisons among multiple groups were conducted using one-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey test, and differences were considered significant if p < 0.05. RESULTS: MCU expression was reduced in response to miR-25 overexpression during the process of RAW 264.7 cell differentiation induced by Ti particles. Furthermore, osteoclast formation was inhibited, as evidenced by the low amplitude of calcium ion oscillation, reduced NFATc1 activation, and decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of nuclear factor-κB p65 and calmodulin kinases II/IV. CONCLUSIONS: Regulation of MCU expression can impact osteoclast differentiation, and the underlying mechanism likely involves the Ca(2+)/NFATc1 signal pathway. Therefore, MCU may be a promising target in the development of new strategies to prevent and treat periprosthetic osteolysis. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13018-022-03030-7.