Immune-cell microRNAs that switch on calorie-burning beige fat
Macrophage miR-130b/301b and beige adipogenesis
['FUNDING_R01'] · YALE UNIVERSITY · NIH-11323084
Researchers are looking at whether tiny molecules made by immune cells block the formation of calorie-burning beige fat in people with obesity, diabetes, or heart disease.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | YALE UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11323084 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
This project follows findings that a microRNA pair (miR-130b/301b) made by macrophages can stop the formation of beige fat, which helps burn calories. Scientists will study fat tissue from mice and from people with obesity to see how these microRNAs move between cells, including inside tiny particles called extracellular vesicles. They use mice engineered to lack these microRNAs in specific immune cells and lab tests with human adipose stem cells to see if blocking the microRNAs increases beige fat. The work combines animal experiments, human tissue analysis, and cell-based tests to map how immune cells control fat remodeling.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with obesity or type 2 diabetes who can provide subcutaneous fat samples or participate in clinical collections (for example during bariatric surgery or biopsy) would be the most relevant candidates.
Not a fit: People without obesity or metabolic disease, or those unable or unwilling to donate fat tissue, are unlikely to directly benefit from participation in this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new treatments that increase calorie-burning beige fat to help with weight, blood sugar control, and heart risk.
How similar studies have performed: Prior mouse studies from this team showed that removing these microRNAs improved beige fat and protected against diet-induced obesity, but therapies in humans remain untested.
Where this research is happening
NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES
- YALE UNIVERSITY — NEW HAVEN, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: JIANG, SHAONING — YALE UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: JIANG, SHAONING
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions: Adult-Onset Diabetes Mellitus, Cancers, Cardiovascular Diseases