A miR-327-FGF10-FGFR2-mediated autocrine signaling mechanism controls white fat browning

Nat Commun. 2017 Dec 12;8(1):2079. doi: 10.1038/s41467-017-02158-z.

Abstract

Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating beige adipocyte formation may lead to the development of new therapies to combat obesity. Here, we report a miRNA-based autocrine regulatory pathway that controls differentiation of preadipocytes into beige adipocytes. We identify miR-327 as one of the most downregulated miRNAs targeting growth factors in the stromal-vascular fraction (SVF) under conditions that promote white adipose tissue (WAT) browning in mice. Gain- and loss-of-function experiments reveal that miR-327 targets FGF10 to prevent beige adipocyte differentiation. Pharmacological and physiological β-adrenergic stimulation upregulates FGF10 levels and promotes preadipocyte differentiation into beige adipocytes. In vivo local delivery of miR-327 to WATs significantly compromises the beige phenotype and thermogenesis. Contrarily, systemic inhibition of miR-327 in mice induces browning and increases whole-body metabolic rate under thermoneutral conditions. Our data provide mechanistic insight into an autocrine regulatory signaling loop that regulates beige adipocyte formation and suggests that the miR-327-FGF10-FGFR2 signaling axis may be a therapeutic targets for treatment of obesity and metabolic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adipocytes / physiology
  • Adipose Tissue, Beige / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue, Beige / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue, Beige / physiology*
  • Adipose Tissue, White / cytology
  • Adipose Tissue, White / drug effects
  • Adipose Tissue, White / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Autocrine Communication / genetics*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / drug therapy
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Down-Regulation
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Female
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 / genetics*
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 10 / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Models, Animal
  • Obesity / drug therapy
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / genetics
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology

Substances

  • Fgf10 protein, mouse
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 10
  • MIRN327 microRNA, mouse
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Fgfr2 protein, mouse
  • Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2