CircRNA hsa_circ_0005105 upregulates NAMPT expression and promotes chondrocyte extracellular matrix degradation by sponging miR‐26a

Abstract Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease pathologically characterized by articular cartilage degeneration and damage. Currently, studies have found that circular RNA (circRNA) is involved in intracellular RNA regulating network and is closely related to the occurrence and development of diseases, therefore it may become a new biological marker and therapeutic target. After stimulating chondrocytes with interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), hsa_circ_0005105 expression was significantly upregulated, while miR‐26a expression was significantly inhibited. Hsa_circ_0005105 did not influence miR‐26a expression but inhibited its transcriptional activity so as to upregulate the expression of its target NAMPT. Studies further indicated that hsa_circ_0005105 can inhibit the expression of type II collagen and aggrecan, promote the expression of MMP‐13 and ADAMTS‐4, and the generation of PGE2, IL‐6, and IL‐8, but the linear sequence of hsa_circ_0005105 cannot. MiR‐26a has the opposite effect, and hsa_circ_0005105 can antagonize the function of miR‐26a. When NAMPT expression was downregulated, the above function of hsa_circ_0005105 was significantly weakened. Therefore, hsa_circ_0005105 can promote extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation by regulating the expression of miR‐26a target NAMPT. These findings will provide new targets for treatment and prevention of OA and other orthopedic diseases.