MicroRNA-181b regulates articular chondrocytes differentiation and cartilage integrity

► miRNAs is well known to involve in many biological and pathological process. ► We investigate the role of miR-181 in the differentiation of chondrocytes and degeneration of chondrocytes. ► miR-181 is down-regulates in TGF-β3-stimulated chondrogenic differentiation and up-regulated in OA chondrocytes. ► Alteration of miR-181 has protective role of chondrocyte degeneration and cartilage degradation. ► miR-181 could be a potent target for controlling cartilage-related diseases.