MiR-27b Impairs Adipocyte Differentiation of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Targeting LPL

In this study, the molecular mechanisms of miR-27b and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) that regulate human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) adipogenic differentiation were detected.

Microarray analysis was applied to screen for differentially expressed miRNAs and mRNA during hASCs adipocyte differentiation induction. MiR-27b and LPL were found to have abnormal expression. Then, a dual luciferase reporter assay was employed to validate the targeting relationship between miR-27b and LPL. We also utilized qRT-PCR, western blot, cellular immunofluorescence and an oil red O staining assay to analyze the regulation of miR-27b and LPL during adipogenic differentiation.

The microarray analysis demonstrated that, during adipogenic differentiation, miR-27b was down-regulated, while LPL was up-regulated but tended to become stable 14 days after induction. A dual luciferase reporter assay confirmed the negative targeting regulatory relationship between miR-27b and LPL. After overexpressing and silencing miR-27b, LPL was found to be reversely regulated by miR-27b according to qRT-PCR and western blot. The fat-formation-related biomarkers CCAAT-enhancer binding protein α (c/EBPα) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors γ (PPARγ) had decreasing levels after over-expressing miR-27b or knockdown of LPL followed by adipogenic differentiation. Meanwhile, the oil red O staining assay revealed that the accumulation of lipid droplets decreased. There was no change in the expression of c/EBPα, PPARγ, or lipid droplet accumulation when overexpressing miR-27b and LPL.

During the adipogenic differentiation of hASCs, miR-27b expression decreased, and LPL expression increased. The abnormal expression of miR-27b and LPL effectively regulated the adipogenic differentiation of hASCs.