Bariatric Surgery Alters microRNA Content of Circulating Exosomes in Patients with Obesity

Abstract

Objective: Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for obesity, in which they regulate biological processes. Bariatric surgery has health benefits for patients with obesity; however, the mechanisms of these benefits are not clear. This study attempted to identify the exosomal miRNA signature associated with obesity and how it changed after bariatric surgery. Methods: Healthy volunteers (HVs) and nondiabetic patients with obesity were prospectively enrolled in the study. The study assessed the serum exosomal miRNA profiles of HVs and patients with obesity using RNA sequencing. To evaluate the effects of bariatric surgery, the study also analyzed exosomal miRNAs in patients 6 months after surgery. Results: RNA sequencing revealed differential expression of 72 exosomal miRNAs in patients with obesity compared with HVs and differential expression of 41 miRNAs in post-versus presurgery blood. Among the differentially expressed miRNAs, the study identified nine surgery-responsive miRNAs that were highly expressed in patients before surgery compared with HVs. Biological pathway analysis of the nine miRNAs indicated that they are likely involved in WNT, neurotrophin, and insulin signaling; the insulin receptor signaling cascade; and focal adhesion. Conclusions: Patients with obesity have a distinct exosomal miRNA expression profile compared with HVs. In addition, weight loss after surgery alters the exosomal miRNA profile of patients with obesity.

MicroRNA Signatures as Future Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Diabetes States

“…In patients who underwent bariatric surgery, miR-125b, miR-378a, miR-192, miR-629, miR-22-5p, and miR-15a levels were reduced [65]. Similar reductions in circulating miRNAs (although different miRNAs) were observed in an independent cohort after bariatric surgery [74]. Thus, miRNA profiles are helpful in understanding and tracking the efficacy of intervention programs.…”

microRNA in Extracellular Vesicles Released by Damaged Podocytes Promote Apoptosis of Renal Tubular Epithelial Cells

“…The different expression of miRNAs in EVs was also suggested as a biomarker [24]. We previously identified differences in miRNAs in EVs between control and hypertensive [41], obese [42], or diabetic nephropathy [43] patients. These differences under stress conditions may have functional implications in terms of disease progression or complications.…”

Effect of diabetes on exosomal miRNA profile in patients with obesity

“…12 43 Pathway analysis in our current study was similar to that in our previous study. 12 19 Representative examples of important pathways in our study include the MAPK signaling and integrin pathways. MAPK signaling pathway, axon guidance signaling pathway, neurotrophin signaling pathway and notch signaling pathway are associated with insulin resistance.…”

“…Our previous work investigated the difference of circulating exosomal miRNA profiles between patients with obesity without T2DM and healthy volunteers (HVs). 12 However, the effects of persistent high glucose such as in DM on circulating exosomal miRNAs in patients with obesity has not been evaluated. Therefore, we compared the miRNA levels through small RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed miRNAs to highlight potential pathways involved in the progression of T2DM in patients with obesity, as well as to provide new targets for treating obesity-associated diabetes.…”