SNGH5 and TGFBR3 messenger RNA were downregulated while miR-181a-5p was upregulated in osteoarthritis tissues and models. Knockdown of SNGH5 impeded chondrocytes proliferation, while accelerated the apoptosis. However, miR-181a-5p had opposite effects. TGFBR3 was identified as a target gene of miR-181a-5p, which could be indirectly suppressed by SNGH5 knockdown. Taken together, downregulation of SNGH5 could inhibit the proliferation abilities of chondrocytes and facilitate apoptosis via regulating the miR-181a-5p/TGFBR3 axis