Role of miR-144-5p in modulating lipid metabolism and potentially alleviating obesity via the PGC-1α/AMPK pathway

IntroductionMiR-144-5p is differentially expressed in plasma exosomes from Bactrian camels of varying body sizes, with GO and KEGG analyses indicating that its target genes play crucial roles in lipid metabolism. PGC-1α, confirmed as a key target through RNA pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter as...

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Published in:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Main Authors: Siriguleng Yu, Chaoqun Liu, Hong Lv, Zhijun Guo, Hongqiang Yao, Xin Wen, Ying Xiu, Wa Gao, Ziyi Li, Wen Yu, Yaru Niu, Junjian Jin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1477593/full
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Summary:IntroductionMiR-144-5p is differentially expressed in plasma exosomes from Bactrian camels of varying body sizes, with GO and KEGG analyses indicating that its target genes play crucial roles in lipid metabolism. PGC-1α, confirmed as a key target through RNA pull-down and dual-luciferase reporter assays, is a significant regulator of this process. This study aims to investigate the impact of miR-144-5p on lipid metabolism in a mouse model of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity to elucidate the mechanistic pathways involved.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were assigned to groups and fed either a control diet or an HFD for 12 weeks, which was followed by a 3-week intervention with miR-144-5p. Various metabolic parameters and gene expressions were evaluated to determine the effects of this treatment.ResultsThe treatment significantly reduced diet-induced adiposity and decreased inflammatory responses. Additionally, it inhibited PGC-1α expression in the liver tissue of HFD-fed mice. There was an increase in CPT1 activity and fatty acid β-oxidation rate, along with the downregulation of FASN mRNA expression and the upregulation of CPT1 and ACOX1 expression, promoting fatty acid oxidation.DiscussionThese findings suggest that miR-144-5p exerts anti-obesity effects by enhancing fatty acid oxidation, likely through modulation of the PGC-1α/AMPK signaling pathway. This study provides new insights into potential miRNA-based therapeutic strategies for obesity and related metabolic disorders.
ISSN:2297-1769