The role of microRNAs in regulating important metabolic processes continues to gain prominence.

Rajan and colleagues highlighted the significance of miR-876-3p, found in adipose tissue, in maintaining glucose homeostasis. Importantly, inhibition of miR-876-3p expression was able to improve insulin resistance in adipocytes both in vitro (in human mesenchymal stem cells) and in vivo (in high fat diet fed mice). The authors found adiponectin, a hormone that plays a very important role in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, to be a direct target of miR-876-3p.

Consequently, modulation of miR-876-3p expression has an impact on crosstalk between adiponectin and insulin signalling in adipose tissue.

In the past few years, microRNAs have emerged as an important biopharmaceutical for future medicines. Studies such as this, which interrogate the roles of specific microRNAs, are important for our continued understanding of their impact in health and disease.

Read the full article in Journal of Endocrinology doi:10.1530/JOE-17-0387