Yearbook of pediatric endocrinology · 2018 · 42 citations · 0 references
Life SciencesGeneticsMolecular BiologyGene ExpressionGene RegulationTranscriptional RegulationAdipose TissueGene Expression RegulationGene Regulation In PhysiologyMicrorna BiogenesisMicrorna BiologyMicrorna-mediated RegulationAdipose Tissue Gene Expression ResponsesCirculating MicrornasMicrorna Gene RegulationMicrorna In MetabolismMicrorna-responsive Expression
Adipose tissue is no longer considered a passive energy store. Instead, it is well established as an important endocrine contributor. Here, the authors comprehensively show that the function of the adipose tissue as an endocrine organ is not limited to classical adipokines, but also includes miRNAs and maybe other non-coding RNAs. This study indicates that the adipose tissue is the main source of circulating miRNAs, not only in mice but also in humans. They dissected the role of the different adipose tissue depots and showed that adipose tissue derived miRNAs operate in an endocrine manner in distant tissues, such as the liver. In summary, the authors show for the first time the importance of adipose tissue on the whole circulating miRNome, and the impact of adipose tissue derived miRNAs on metabolic processes in other tissues.