Delivery of miRNAs to the adipose organ for metabolic health

Abstract

Despite the increasing prevalence of obesity and diabetes, there is no efficient treatment to combat these epidemics. The adipose organ is the main site for energy storage and plays a pivotal role in whole body lipid metabolism and energy homeostasis, including remodeling and dysfunction of adipocytes and adipose tissues in obesity and diabetes. Thus, restoring and balancing metabolic functions in the adipose organ is in demand. MiRNAs represent a novel class of drugs and drug targets, as they are heavily involved in the regulation of many cellular and metabolic processes and diseases, likewise in adipocytes. In this review, we summarize key regulatory activities of miRNAs in the adipose organ, discuss various miRNA replacement and inhibition strategies, promising delivery systems for miRNAs and reflect the future of novel miRNA-based therapeutics to target adipose tissues with the ultimate goal to combat metabolic disorders.

Keywords: Adipose tissues; Delivery systems; Obesity; miRNA therapeutics.