DKK2 is a direct downstream target of miR-483-3p. (A) The lncTar online tool was used to predict the downstream targets of miR-483-3p within Wnt/β-catenin signaling-related genes, and DKK2 was predicted as a direct downstream target of miR-483-3p. (B) The expression of DKK2 in 6 normal bone tissues and 6 osteoporotic bone tissues was determined by RT-qPCR. (C) Correlation between miR-483-3p and DKK2 expression in tissue samples was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. (D) miR-483-3p overexpression or inhibition was generated in hFOB1.19 cells by transfection with miR-483-3p or anti-miR-483-3p, as confirmed by RT-qPCR. (E) hFOB1.19 cells were transfected with miR-483-3p or anti-miR-483-3p and examined for DKK2 protein levels by western blot analysis. (F) Luciferase reporter assay was performed by constructing wild-type and mutant DKK2 3′-UTR reporter vectors as described in the 'Materials and methods'. These vectors were co-transfected into 293T cells with miR-483-3p or anti-miR-483-3p and the luciferase activity was determined. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, compared to control or miR-NC group; ##P<0.01, compared to anti-NC group.