Green Tea Epigallocatechin Gallate Inhibits Preadipocyte Growth via the microRNA‐let‐7a/HMGA2 Signaling Pathway

Abstract

ScopeThis study investigates the effect of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) on white and beige preadipocyte growth and explores the involvement of the miR‐let‐7a/HMGA2 pathway.Methods and results3T3‐L1 and D12 cells are treated with EGCG. The effect of EGCG on cell proliferation and viability is evaluated, as well as microRNA (miRNA)‐related signaling pathways. EGCG inhibits 3T3‐L1 and D12 preadipocyte growth, upregulates miR‐let‐7a expression, and downregulates high‐mobility group AT‐hook 2 (HMGA2) mRNA and protein levels in a time‐ and dose‐dependent manner. In addition, overexpression of miR‐let‐7a significantly inhibits the growth of 3T3‐L1 and D12 cells and decreases HMGA2 mRNA and protein levels. MiR‐let‐7a inhibitor antagonizes the inhibitory effects of EGCG on the number and viability of 3T3‐L1 and D12 cells. Furthermore, miR‐let‐7a inhibitor reverses the EGCG‐induced increase in miR‐let‐7a expression levels and decrease in HMGA2 mRNA and protein levels. HMGA2 overexpression induces an increase in cell number and viability and antagonizes EGCG‐suppressed cell growth and HMGA2 expression in 3T3‐L1 and D12 preadipocytes.ConclusionEGCG inhibits the growth of 3T3‐L1 and D12 preadipocytes by modulating the miR‐let‐7a and HMGA2 pathways.