Changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue microRNA expression in HIV-infected patients.

Objectives: We evaluated the possibility that a pattern of abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression could be fuelling the mechanisms causing HIV-associated lipodystrophy (HAL).

Methods: In this case-control study, samples of subcutaneous adipose tissue from eight consecutive HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy with HAL (cases) were compared with those of eight HIV-negative subjects (controls). Human miRNA microarrays were used to probe the transcriptomes of the samples.