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Review
. 2019 Oct 1;30(4):656-673.
doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.07.011. Epub 2019 Aug 22.

Extracellular miRNAs: From Biomarkers to Mediators of Physiology and Disease

Marcelo A Mori  1 , Raissa G Ludwig  2 , Ruben Garcia-Martin  3 , Bruna B Brandão  3 , C Ronald Kahn  4
Affiliations
Review

Extracellular miRNAs: From Biomarkers to Mediators of Physiology and Disease

Marcelo A Mori et al. Cell Metab. .

Abstract

miRNAs can be found in serum and other body fluids and serve as biomarkers for disease. More importantly, secreted miRNAs, especially those in extracellular vesicles (EVs) such as exosomes, may mediate paracrine and endocrine communication between different tissues and thus modulate gene expression and the function of distal cells. When impaired, these processes can lead to tissue dysfunction, aging, and disease. Adipose tissue is an especially important contributor to the pool of circulating exosomal miRNAs. As a result, alterations in adipose tissue mass or function, which occur in many metabolic conditions, can lead to changes in circulating miRNAs, which then function systemically. Here we review the findings that led to these conclusions and discuss how this sets the stage for new lines of investigation in which extracellular miRNAs are recognized as important mediators of intercellular communication and potential candidates for therapy of disease.

Keywords: adipose tissue; exosome; extracellular vesicle; miRNA; tissue communication.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Intercellular communication via miRNAs.
RNAP II, RNA polymerase II. RISC, RNA-induced silencing complex. EVs, extracellular vesicles.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Examples of miRNAs that play a role in intercellular communication.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Therapeutic perspectives for extracellular miRNAs.
Circulating EV-associated miRNAs are profiled in patients to identify differentially expressed molecules. These candidates are tested in pre-clinical studies and miRNAs that play a role in disease are selected for clinical trials. Clinically relevant miRNA mimics or antimiR molecules are loaded into the patient’s own EVs and reinjected in the blood stream to restore EV miRNA levels to normal.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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