The key microRNA on lipid droplet formation during adipogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), the potential regulator of adipogenesis, markedly characterized by lipid droplet (LD) formation, play an important role in progenitor-cell differentiation into adipocytes. In recent years, it has excited interests in regulation of miRNAs in adipogenesis. However, no study is available, to our knowledge, regarding the expression of miRNAs on LD formation. Our study provides the first insight into the expression profiling of the miRNA targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involving with LD formation during adipogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells by RNA-Seq transcriptome technique. It showed that 39, 105, 194, and 112 differentially expressed miRNA appeared at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, respectively, for LD formation during adipogenesis. Nineteen miRNAs targeted 35 mRNA associated with LDs formation. Except for the known miRNA hsa-miR-1908 regulating adipogenesis, five miRNAs, including hsa-miR-146a-3p, hsa-miR-4495, hsa-miR-4663, hsa-miR-6069, and hsa-miR-675-3p are the latest potential biomarkers for LD formation, targeting ACSL1, APOB, METTL7A, PLIN1, and PLIN4. A comprehensive transcriptome profiling of miRNA reveals the regulatory relationship between miRNA and mRNA relating to LD formation during adipogenesis. Such candidates may represent biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metabolic syndromes like obesity, type-2 diabetes, steatosis, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.