MiR-301a is involved in adipocyte dysfunction during obesity-related inflammation via suppression of PPARγ.

The present study explored the involvement and role of miR-301a in the adipose tissues. For the first time we identified the expression of miR-301a in the white adipose tissues of mice. A decreased level of miR-301a was correlated to increased chronic inflammation in the 3T3-L1 cells and circula- tion in an obese mouse model. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that miR-301a attenuated saturated free fatty acid-induced activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARy) and production of proinflammatory cytokines in 3T3-L1 cells. Target gene reporter assays showed that miR-301a directly targeted the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR) of PPARγ, resulting in a decrease of PPARy protein expression. The miR-301a inhibition of adipocyte differentiation was reversed by PPARγ overexpression.