title: Changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue microRNA expression in HIV-infected patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the possibility that a pattern of abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression could be fuelling the mechanisms causing HIV-associated lipodystrophy (HAL).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue from eight consecutive HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy with HAL (cases) were compared with those of eight HIV-negative subjects (controls). Human miRNA microarrays were used to probe the transcriptomes of the samples. Analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs was performed using DataAssist v2.0 software, applying a paired Student's t-test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data showed that 21 miRNAs out of 754 were overexpressed in the patient group. Ten of these (i.e. miR-186, miR-199a-3p, miR-214, miR-374a, miR-487b, miR-532-5p, miR-628-5p, miR-874, miR-125-b-1* and miR-374b*) were up-regulated to a significant degree (fold change >2.5; P < 0.01). Eleven other miRNAs (i.e. miR-let-7d, miR-24, miR-30c, miR-125a-3p, miR-149, miR-191, miR-196-b, miR-218, miR-342-3p, miR-452 and miR-454*) were 2- to 2.5-fold more expressed in HIV+ samples than in controls. Levels of mRNA for lipin 1, the target of miR-218, were significantly lower in subcutaneous adipose tissue from HIV patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In adipocytes of HIV-infected patients, the up-regulation of specific miRNAs could lead to an increased 'activation' that might contribute to the pathogenesis of HAL by increasing cell turnover and/or promotion of apoptosis.
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy n.squillace@hsangerardo.org.
authors: Nicola
authors: N
authors: Squillace
authors: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Bresciani
authors: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Torsello
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Bandera
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Sabbatini
authors: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: Giovannetti
authors: Plastic Surgery Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Giunta
authors: Plastic Surgery Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors: Luca
authors: L
authors: Rovati
authors: Plastic Surgery Unit, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy.
authors: Massimo
authors: M
authors: Del Bene
authors: Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors: Vittorio
authors: V
authors: Locatelli
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, San Gerardo Hospital, Monza, Italy Department of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Gori
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000379:methods; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D050151:Subcutaneous Fat / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: HIV-associated lipodystrophy; adipose tissue abnormalities; miRNAs