Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Department of Biochemistry and Tissue Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.
Cell Metab. 2019 Oct 1;30(4):656-673. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.07.011. Epub 2019 Aug 22.
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.
miRNAs 可以存在于血清和其他体液中，并作为疾病的生物标志物。更重要的是，分泌的 miRNAs，特别是那些存在于细胞外囊泡（EVs）中的 miRNAs，如外泌体，可以介导不同组织之间的旁分泌和内分泌通讯，从而调节基因表达和远端细胞的功能。当这些过程受损时，可能会导致组织功能障碍、衰老和疾病。脂肪组织是循环外泌体 miRNAs 的重要来源。因此，许多代谢条件下发生的脂肪组织质量或功能的改变，可导致循环 miRNAs 的变化，从而在全身发挥作用。在这里，我们回顾了这些发现，并讨论了这如何为新的研究提供了基础，其中细胞外 miRNAs 被认为是细胞间通讯的重要介质和疾病治疗的潜在候选物。
