特异高表达miR-20a-5p、miR-29b-3p、miR-431-5p在后纵韧带骨化发生发展中作用机制的研究

后纵韧带骨化（OPLL）是严重影响中老年人群生活质量的常见疾病。阐明其发病机制及建立有效的预治方法是当前面临的迫切问题。本项目组前期研究表明转录后水平调控参与OPLL的发生发展，但其具体机制尚未阐明。基于前期研究，本项目拟对前期高通量技术筛选出OPLL组织特异性高表达的miRNAs 进行生物信息学分析及建立miRNA-mRNA调控网络，采用基因转染、miRNA干扰、miRNA过表达、3'UTR 报告基因系统、Tapmap探针、qRT-PCR等技术方法在离体细胞水平和动物模型水平探讨miRNAs靶向调控OPLL韧带组织细胞外基质的分子机制。本项目较好地实现了机制挖掘、标志物筛选、功能研究三者有机结合，为阐明小分子RNA在OPLL发生发展中的作用奠定基础

Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a common disease which seriously affects the quality of life in the middle-aged and elderly population. To reveal the pathogenesis and to establish an effective prevention and treatment method are the important issues at present. Our preliminary study showed that genetic factors, especially post-transcriptional regulations are involved in OPLL development and progression, but the specific mechanism has not been clarified. Based on the previous study, bioinformatics analysis and the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network will to be established in the further study for the miRNAs which are based on OPLL tissue specific miRNA expression spectrum screening by high throughput technology, Further study in OPLL will try to investigate molecular mechanisms of miRNA-targeted regulation in vivo and in vitro by means of gene transfection, miRNA interference, miRNA over expression, 3 'UTR report gene system, TapMan probe, qRT-PCR, Western blot (WB) technique. This project would realize the organic integration of mechanisms mining, markers screening and function investigation, and could lay the foundation for clarifying the role of small RNAs in the occurrence and development of OPLL