The predictive value of miR-28-5p and miR-424-5p in metabolic syndrome and their mechanism of action through regulation of Fras-1-related extracellular matrix protein 2

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) is rising due to lifestyle changes. To investigate the pathogenesis of MS and identify potential biomarkers, bioinformatics tools were used to screen for MS-related genes, such as Fras-1-related extracellular matrix protein 2 (FREM2), and miRNAs, including miR-28-5p and miR-424-5p. An insulin resistance (IR) cell model was established by treating human liver cells with insulin. The roles of FREM2, miR-28-5p, and miR-424-5p in IR were examined through overexpression and silencing experiments. Transfection of miR-28-5p/miR-424-5p mimics and a dual-luciferase assay were performed to explore their regulation of FREM2. The diagnostic value of miR-28-5p/miR-424-5p in MS was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Increased expression of FREM2 and suppression of miR-28-5p/miR-424-5p enhanced glucose uptake in IR cells. Transfection with miR-28-5p or miR-424-5p mimics reduced luciferase activity in cells transfected with the wild-type FREM2 reporter vector and suppressed FREM2 expression. The ROC curve analysis indicated that miR-28-5p and miR-424-5p serve as effective classifiers for MS, with their combined use offering higher reliability. In conclusion, miR-28-5p and miR-424-5p exacerbated IR progression in human liver cells (HHL-5) through the negative regulation of FREM2, and they are potential biomarkers for MS.