Plasma exosome-derived miR-455-5p targets RPS6KB1 to regulate cartilage homeostasis in valgus-varus deformity (Gallus gallus)

Valgus-varus deformity (VVD) is a common long bone deformity in broilers. Imbalance in cartilage homeostasis is the main feature of leg disease. Exosomes act as an important intercellular communication vector that regulates chondrogenesis by encapsulating specific nucleic acids and proteins. However, the exact mechanism of how plasma exosomal miRNAs regulate cartilage homeostasis in VVD broilers remains unclear. This study first demonstrated the structural disorder, growth retardation, and reduced proliferative capacity of VVD cartilage in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, VVD and Normal broiler plasma exosomes were collected for miRNA sequencing. Cartilage-specific miR-455-5p was extraordinarily emphasized by performing bioinformatics analysis on differential miRNA target genes and further validated by tissue expression profiling. PKH67 fluorescently labeled plasma exosomes were shown to be taken up by chondrocytes, deliver miR-455-5p, inhibit chondrocyte proliferation, and disrupt their homeostasis, and these effects could be inhibited by the miR-inhibitors. Mechanistically, MiR-455-5p targets Ribosomal Protein S6 Kinase B1 (RPS6KB1) to inhibit RPS6 phosphorylation and reduce the synthesis of key proteins for cartilage proliferation, which in turn inhibits cartilage proliferation and disrupts its homeostasis. In conclusion, the present study identified abnormalities in VVD cartilage tissue and clarified the specific mechanism by which plasma exosome-derived miR-455-5p regulates cartilage homeostasis.