MiR-193b regulates early chondrogenesis by inhibiting the TGF-beta2 signaling pathway

•MiR-193b is shown to regulate chondrogenesis through directly targeting TGF-beta2 and TGF-beta receptor 3.•MiR-193b is shown to regulate the inflammatory response of chondrocytes via inhibition of TNF-alpha expression.

Cartilage generation and degradation are regulated by miRNAs. Our previous study has shown altered expression of miR-193b in chondrogenic human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs). In the current study, we investigated the role of miR-193b in chondrogenesis and cartilage degradation. Luciferase reporter assays showed that miR-193b targeted seed sequences of the TGFB2 and TGFBR3 3′-UTRs. MiR-193b suppressed the expression of early chondrogenic markers in chondrogenic ATDC5 cells, and TNF-alpha expression in IL-1b-induced PMCs. In conclusion, MiR-193b may inhibit early chondrogenesis by targeting TGFB2 and TGFBR3, and may regulate inflammation by repressing TNF-alpha expression in inflamed chondrocytes.