Role of miRNAs-lncRNAs-mRNAs networks from human visceral adipocytes in obesity and colorectal cancer

Small RNA-Seq profiles of human visceral adipocytes from lean and obese subjects affected or not by CRC. We identified lncRNAs and miRNAs aberrantly expressed in visceral adipocytes from obese and CRC subjects (compared to healthy lean controls) and generated lncRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs networks. Functional enrichment analysis of network-related mRNA targets revealed dysregulated pathways associated with metabolic processes, lipid and energy metabolism, inflammation, and cancer, supporting the concept that the transcriptional and post-transcriptional programs that are altered in obesity and/or CRC, might contribute to set the basis for a more tumor-prone microenvironment, adding further evidence for the central role of AT functional alterations in linking obesity to cancer.