Fig. 4

GREM2 was a target of miR-127-5p. A Nucleotide sequences of the predicted target site for miR-127-5p in the GREM2 3ʹ-UTR. B Luciferase reporter assays were performed to identify direct interaction between miR-127-5p and the GREM2 3ʹ-UTR. Wild type and mutant miR-127-5p target binding sequences in the GREM2 3ʹ-UTR were cloned into a reporter luciferase vector and co-transfected with the synthetized miR-127-5p (or NC) into rMSCs. ***p < 0.001, compared with NC; C GREM2 protein expression was measured in rMSCs from the control, induction, hypoxia, and hypoxia/induction groups. D GREM2 protein expression was measured in rMSCs from the control, induction, and si-SHP/hypoxia groups. E GREM2 protein expression was measured in rMSCs from the control, induction, and miR-127-5p inhibitor/induction groups. F GREM2 protein expression in rMSCs was measured by immunofluorescence. *p < 0.05, ***p < 0.001, compared with control; ^#p < 0.05, ^###p < 0.001, compared with hypoxia or induction group