Functional mechanism and clinical implications of miR-455-5p in delayed fracture healing

Background: Delayed fracture healing (DFH) is a common and difficult-to-treat complication after fracture surgery. Early diagnosis serves a key function in clinical management. This research seeks to clarify the molecular mechanism underlying how miR-455-5p modulates osteogenic differentiation via QKI(Quaking), thereby laying a foundation for the early detection and targeted intervention of DFH.

Method: 208 femoral neck fracture patients were divided into NFH (normal fracture healing group, n = 115) and DFH (n = 93) groups. The serum level of miR-455-5p and QKI was measured using qRT-PCR(quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction). Pearson correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation. ROC and logistic regression analyses were performed. In vitro experiments with MC3T3-E1 cells explored its role and target via transfection and dual-luciferase assay.

Results: Serum miR-455-5p was downregulated in DFH (P < 0.01), with diagnostic AUC 0.747, and was an independent risk factor. It increased time-dependently during osteogenic induction. Its inhibition reduced osteogenic markers and suppressed proliferation. QKI has been identified as a target gene of miR-455-5p and exhibits a negative correlation with its expression. The synergistic effect between QKI and miR-455-5p contributes to improved diagnostic performance.

Conclusions: miR-455-5p promotes osteogenesis by targeting QKI and shows potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target for DFH.

Biomarker; Delayed fracture healing; Osteogenic differentiation; QKI; miR-455-5p.