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Exosomal microRNA miR-92a concentration in serum reflects human brown fat activity

Author

Listed:
  • Yong Chen

    (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany)

  • Joschka J. Buyel

    (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
    Research Training Group 1873, University of Bonn)

  • Mark J. W. Hanssen

    (NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center)

  • Franziska Siegel

    (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany)

  • Ruping Pan

    (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany)

  • Jennifer Naumann

    (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany)

  • Michael Schell

    (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany)

  • Anouk van der Lans

    (NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center)

  • Christian Schlein

    (University Medical Center)

  • Holger Froehlich

    (Research Training Group 1873, University of Bonn
    Bonn-Aachen International Center for Information Technology (B-IT), Institute for Computer Science, University of Bonn)

  • Joerg Heeren

    (University Medical Center)

  • Kirsi A. Virtanen

    (Turku PET Center, Turku University Hospital
    Turku PET Center, University of Turku)

  • Wouter van Marken Lichtenbelt

    (NUTRIM School for Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University Medical Center)

  • Alexander Pfeifer

    (Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University Hospital Bonn, University of Bonn, Sigmund-Freud Strasse 25, 53127 Bonn, Germany
    Research Training Group 1873, University of Bonn
    PharmaCenter, University of Bonn)

Abstract

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates energy and its activity correlates with leanness in human adults. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography coupled with computer tomography (PET/CT) is still the standard for measuring BAT activity, but exposes subjects to ionizing radiation. To study BAT function in large human cohorts, novel diagnostic tools are needed. Here we show that brown adipocytes release exosomes and that BAT activation increases exosome release. Profiling miRNAs in exosomes released from brown adipocytes, and in exosomes isolated from mouse serum, we show that levels of miRNAs change after BAT activation in vitro and in vivo. One of these exosomal miRNAs, miR-92a, is also present in human serum exosomes. Importantly, serum concentrations of exosomal miR-92a inversely correlate with human BAT activity measured by 18F-FDG PET/CT in two unique and independent cohorts comprising 41 healthy individuals. Thus, exosomal miR-92a represents a potential serum biomarker for BAT activity in mice and humans.

Suggested Citation

  • Yong Chen & Joschka J. Buyel & Mark J. W. Hanssen & Franziska Siegel & Ruping Pan & Jennifer Naumann & Michael Schell & Anouk van der Lans & Christian Schlein & Holger Froehlich & Joerg Heeren & Kirsi, 2016. "Exosomal microRNA miR-92a concentration in serum reflects human brown fat activity," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms11420
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms11420
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