Long non-coding RNAs associated with metabolic traits in human white adipose tissue

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) belong to a recently discovered class of molecules proposed to regulate various cellular processes. Here, we systematically analyzed their expression in human subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) and found that a limited set was differentially expressed in either obesity or the insulin resistance that usually follows obesity. Two lncRNAs herein termed adipocyte-specific metabolic related lncRNAs 1(ASMER-1) and ASMER-2 were enriched in adipocytes and regulated by both obesity and insulin resistance. Knockdown of either ASMER-1or ASMER-2 by antisense oligonucleotides using in vitro differentiated human adipocytes altered lipolysis and adiponectin secretion, respectively. The observed effects could be attributed to changes in the expression of genes controlling inflammation and lipid metabolism. Our data demonstrate that lncRNAs are modulators of the metabolic and endocrine functions in fat cells and also provide an emerging link between WAT and common metabolic conditions. Human adipose tissues mRNA profiles of obese (13) and lean (15) subjects were generated by deep sequencing using Illumina 2000.