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Research progress in the regulation of functional homeostasis of adipose tissue by exosomal miRNA

XU Jun-Qing¹, JIANG Meng-Xin¹, XU Ying-Jiang², DONG Sheng-Jun^1,*

¹Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256600, China；²Department of Interventional Vascular Surgery, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou 256600, China

Abstract

Adipose tissue holds a pivotal position in maintaining systemic energy homeostasis. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) expresses uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which is specialized in dissipating chemical energy as heat to maintain euthermia, a process called non-shivering thermogenesis. Conversely, white adipocyte (WAT) predominantly serves as the primary reservoir for energy storage, while also exhibiting endocrine activity by secreting various adipokines, thereby modulating systemic metabolism. Under the stimulation of cold exposure, physical activity and pharmacological intervention, WAT can occur as “browning” or “beiging”, and transform into beige adipose tissue. The morphology and function of beige adipocyte are similar to brown adipocyte, both of which express higher levels of UCP1 and also have the function of thermogenesis. Thus, exploring methods to regulate the functional homeostasis of adipose tissue and its underlying molecular mechanisms hold promise for advancing preventative and therapeutic approaches against metabolic diseases. Exosomes, a subtype of extracellular vesicles (EVs) with a diameter of 40–100 nm, facilitate intercellular communication in obese individuals and exert significant influence on insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance within adipose tissue. These effects are primarily mediated by microRNA (miRNA) transported by exosomes. MiRNA, originating from various cellular sources, traverses between different cell types via EVs, thereby orchestrating reciprocal functional modulation among diverse tissues and organs. This review systematically summarized the research progress in exosomal miRNA-mediated regulation of adipose tissue functional homeostasis, with the aim of offering novel insights into the diagnosis and treatment of obesity and associated metabolic diseases.  

Key words: exosomes; miRNA; adipose tissue; obesity

Received: 　　Accepted:

Corresponding author: 董圣军　　E-mail:

Citing This Article：

XU Jun-Qing, JIANG Meng-Xin, XU Ying-Jiang, DONG Sheng-Jun. Research progress in the regulation of functional homeostasis of adipose tissue by exosomal miRNA. Acta Physiol Sin 2024; 76 (5): 791-800 (in Chinese with English abstract).