HOTAIR regulates osteogenic-adipogenic differentiation imbalance through the miR-217/DKK1-mediated Wnt/β-catenin pathway in SONFH-BMSCs.

Silencing HOTAIR in SONFH-BMSCs enhances osteogenic differentiation by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and suppresses adipogenic differentiation.

• Why it matters: Disrupted balance between osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of BMSCs is a key feature of SONFH, and understanding this regulation could lead to targeted therapies.
• What they did: The study used siRNA to knock down HOTAIR in SONFH-BMSCs and assessed differentiation markers, Wnt pathway components, and interactions among HOTAIR, miR-217, and DKK1 through molecular assays.
• The result: HOTAIR silencing increased osteogenic markers and mineralization, decreased adipogenic markers and lipid droplets, and modulated the miR-217/DKK1/Wnt/β-catenin axis, suggesting HOTAIR as a regulator of BMSC fate in SONFH.