Combinatorial targeting of the miR-379/miR-410 cluster normalizes glucose and lipid homeostasis in male models of diabetes and obesity

Abstract

Non-coding RNAs from the Dlk1-Dio3 locus are critical for the maturation of metabolic tissues in early stages of postnatal development; however, their role in the mature organs remains elusive. Herein, we show that microRNAs from the miR-379/miR-410 cluster are robustly upregulated in livers of subjects with obesity and various mouse models of metabolic dysfunction. Adult-onset, combinatorial inhibition of this miRNA cluster by hepatocyte-specific expression of a decoy sequence reduces triglyceride, total and LDL cholesterol circulating levels, decreases basal glycemia and improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity irrespective of sex. Consistent with the decoy-triggered enhancement of PI3K/mTOR signaling in these mice, hepatocytes expressing the combinatorial decoy show augmented mitochondrial mass and function. Notably, decoy therapy also ameliorates glucose and lipid homeostasis in both type 1 diabetic and diet-induced, type 2 pre-diabetic, obese male animals. Collectively, our results demonstrate that microRNAs from the miR-379/miR-410 cluster are critical regulators of metabolic homeostasis in the mature liver. Given the preservation of miRNA dysfunction in human obesity, hepatocyte-specific combinatorial inhibition of a large miRNA cluster represents an approach towards multi-parameter improvements in diabetes and obesity. Hepatic-specific repression of the miR-379/miR-410 cluster in adult mice impacts hepatic insulin signalling and affects whole-body glucose and lipid metabolism, improving glycemic control and dyslipidemia in male models of obesity and diabetes.