Role of miRNAs in bone and their potential as therapeutic targets

•Aberrant miRNA expression has emerged as an important pathomechanism in various human diseases, including osteoporosis.•The 'Off-target effects' is one of the most challenging issues in the development of miRNAs as therapeutics.•The comprehensive profiling of mRNA and protein expression related to particular miRNA is warranted.•Targeting miRNAs as therapeutics should be approached in a very selective manner using efficient delivery systems.•Targeting miRNAs using miRNA inhibitors or mimics has potential in future clinical applications for osteoporosis.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are noncoding, single-stranded RNAs that regulate the expression of target genes by binding their 3′-untranslated region. miRNAs are important regulators of various biological processes, including cellular differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and tissue development. Furthermore, aberrant miRNA expression has emerged as an important pathomechanism in various human diseases, including osteoporosis. Thus, the therapeutic potential of miRNA has attracted great interest recently. Here, we focused on the roles of miRNAs in bone homeostasis and the potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets.