Overexpression of miR-297b-5p protects against stearic acid-induced pancreatic β-cell apoptosis by targeting LATS2.

Chronic exposure to high concentrations of stearic acid (C18:0) can result in beta-cell dysfunction, leading to development of type 2 diabetes. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the destructive effects of stearic acid on beta-cells remain largely unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of miR-297b-5p on stearic acid-induced beta-cell apoptosis. Differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) was assessed in a beta-TC6 cell line exposed to stearic acid, palmitic acid, or a normal culture medium by high-throughput sequencing. The apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry after miR-297b-5p mimic/inhibitor transfection, and large-tumor suppressor kinase 2 (LATS2) was identified as a target of miR-297b-5p using a luciferase activity assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were fed with normal and high-stearic-acid diet, respectively. Mouse islets were used for similar identification of miR-297b-5p and Lats2 in beta-TC6 cell. We selected two differentially expressed miRNAs in stearic acid compared with those in the palmitic acid and control groups. miR-297b-5p expression was significantly lower in beta-TC6 cells and mouse islets in stearic acid than in control group. Upregulation of miR-297b-5p alleviated the stearic acid-induced cell apoptosis and reduction in insulin secretion by inhibiting Lats2 expression in vitro. Meanwhile, silencing Lats2 significantly reversed the stearic acid-stimulated beta-cell dysfunction in both beta-TC6 cells and islets. Our findings indicate a suppressive role for miR-297b-5p in stearic acid-induced beta-cell apoptosis, which may reveal a potential target for the treatment of beta-cell dysfunction in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes.