MicroRNA and Adipogenesis

Abstract

In obesity, the process of adipogenesis largely determines the number of adipocytes in body fat depots. Adipogenesis is regulated by several adipocyte-selective microRNAs (miRNAs) and transcription factors that modulate adipocyte proliferation and differentiation. However, some miRNAs block expression of master regulators of adipogenesis. Additionally, specific miRNAs have been implicated in adipocyte differentiation and mature adipocyte functions. While, each miRNA targets multiple mRNAs, which may coordinate or antagonize each other's functions, several miRNAs are dysregulated in other tissues during obesity-related comorbidities. In this respect, development of lipid droplets, macrophage accumulation, macrophage polarization, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 activity, lipolysis, lipotoxicity and insulin resistance are effectively controlled by miRNAs.

Keywords: CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP); Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4); Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1); IL-1 receptor-associated kinase-1 (IRAK-1); Leptin; Obesity; Oxidized low density lipoprotein (OxLDL); Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma); Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1); Sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP); Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4); Triglyceride; Tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6); Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha); miR-103; miR-143; miR-148a; miR-155; miR-221; miR-223; miR-33; miR-34; microRNAs (miRNAs).