Adipose Tissue Macrophage-Derived Exosomal miRNAs Can Modulate In Vivo and In Vitro Insulin Sensitivity

Abstract

Here, the group of Jerrold Olefsky identified adipose tissue macrophages as important sources of microRNAs regulating metabolic processes not only within the adipose tissue depot, but also in an endocrine way in other distant tissues. The application of exosomes derived from ATMs isolated from obese mice caused insulin resistance both in vitro and in vivo. In obese mice, the exosomes of lean mice attenuated obesity-induced insulin resistance. Finally, these results confirmed the causal effect of miR-155 from macrophages in mediating systemic insulin resistance. By this comprehensive work, the authors revealed exosomes as the possible missing link between obesity-induced chronic tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Therefore, exosomal miRNAs are potential treatment strategies or biomarkers for metabolic and other diseases.