SVF-derived extracellular vesicles carry characteristic miRNAs in lipedema

Scientific Reports, 2020 · DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64215-w · Published: May 6, 2020

Simple Explanation

Lipedema is a chronic disease where fat tissue abnormally accumulates, and there are no clear ways to diagnose it. This study aimed to find differences in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) and the microRNAs (miRNAs) they carry between healthy and lipedema fat tissue. The study found that only the miRNAs in sEVs, not the total miRNAs, showed differences between healthy and lipedema samples, suggesting sEV-miRNAs could play a role in lipedema.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

6 female patients, 3 healthy and 3 with lipedema

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
sEVs showed no significant difference in size or concentration between healthy and lipedema patients.
2
Seven sEVmiRNAs (miR–16-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-24-3p, miR-454-p, miR–144-5p, miR-130a-3p, let-7c-5p) were differentially regulated in lipedema compared to healthy individuals.
3
The study identified that pathways such as NOTCH, Wnt, and SMAD/TGFβ signaling pathways were likely regulated by the differentially expressed miRNAs.

Research Summary

This study investigates the role of miRNAs in lipedema by comparing the extracellular miRNA profiles of SVF cells from healthy individuals and lipedema patients. The results showed that sEV-contained miRNA profiles, but not cCM miRNAs, were impacted by lipedema, with seven sEVmiRNAs significantly regulated in lipedema patients compared to controls. Pathway enrichment analysis identified pathways like NOTCH, Wnt, and TGFβ signaling as likely regulated by the differentially expressed miRNAs, suggesting their potential involvement in lipedema disease progression.

Practical Implications

Diagnostic Potential

Identified sEV miRNAs could serve as potential biomarkers for lipedema diagnosis.

Therapeutic Targets

Differentially regulated miRNAs and related pathways (NOTCH, Wnt, TGFβ) could be explored as therapeutic targets for lipedema.

Understanding Lipedema

The study contributes to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying lipedema.

Study Limitations

1
Small sample size limits the ability to control false-negative and false-positive rates.
2
Potential enrichment of particles of other identity despite purification steps.
3
Differences in miRNA profile are mainly found in the sEV fraction.

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