Epigenetic mechanisms associated with obesity and chronic inflammation

• Grant number: 14/02977-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: April 01, 2014
• End date: January 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Silvana Auxiliadora Bordin da Silva
• Grantee: Amanda Rabello Crisma
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07607-8 - OCRC - Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

It is well known that the systemic chronic inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of the insulin resistance due to obesity. However, molecular mechanisms involved in this process are not completely understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of gene expression that act as post-transcriptional repressors. The miRNA property to finely-tune gene expression makes them right for immune system regulation. Indeed, recent evidences show that miRNA can regulate the expression several inflammatory cytokines, as well as several steps of toll-like receptors signaling pathways. This project aim to characterize changes in circulating- and tissue- (macrophages and adipose tissue) miRNA profiles of HFD mice. To establish a correlation between miRNA expression and the regulation of inflammatory pathways several biochemical and immunological parameters will be analyzed. Moreover, human circulating miRNA will be assessed to compare with those obtained in our experimental model.