title: Mechanisms in endocrinology: micro-RNAs: targets for enhancing osteoblast differentiation and bone formation.
abstract: Osteoblast differentiation and bone formation (osteogenesis) are regulated by transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms. Recently, a novel class of regulatory factors termed micro-RNAs (miRNAs) has been identified as playing an important role in the regulation of many aspects of osteoblast biology including proliferation, differentiation, metabolism and apoptosis. Also, preliminary data from animal disease models suggest that targeting miRNAs in bone can be a novel approach to increase bone mass. This review highlights the current knowledge of miRNA biology and their role in bone formation and discusses their potential use in future therapeutic applications for metabolic bone diseases.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Endocrinology Laboratory, KMEB, Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical Biotechnology Center, Odense University Hospital, University of Southern Denmark, SDU, DK-5000 Odense C, Denmark.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taipaleenmäki
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bjerre Hokland
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Sakari
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kauppinen
authors.forename: Moustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kassem
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D004700:Endocrine System Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D018390:Gene Targeting / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000235:genetics*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs