LncRNA SNHG12 suppresses adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance by regulating the HDAC9/Nrf2 axis

Abstract Obesity is often associated with low‐grade inflammation. The incidence of obesity has increased annually worldwide, which seriously affects human health. A previous study indicated that long noncoding RNA SNHG12 was downregulated in obesity. Nevertheless, the role of SNHG12 in obesity remains to be elucidated. In this study, qRT‐PCR, western blot, and ELISA were utilized to examine the gene and protein expression. Flow cytometry was employed to investigate the M2 macrophage markers. RNA pull‐down assay and RIP were utilized to confirm the interactions of SNHG12, hnRNPA1, and HDAC9. Eventually, a high‐fat diet‐fed mouse model was established for in vivo studies. SNHG12 overexpression suppressed adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance and promoted M2 polarization of macrophages that was caused by TNF‐α treatment. SNHG12 interacted with hnRNPA1 to downregulate HDAC9 expression, which activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway. HDAC9 overexpression reversed the effect of SNHG12 overexpression on inflammatory response, insulin resistance, and M2 phenotype polarization. Overexpression of SNHG12 improved high‐fat diet‐fed mouse tissue inflammation. This study revealed the protective effect of SNHG12 against adipocyte inflammation and insulin resistance. This result further provides a new therapeutic target for preventing inflammation and insulin resistance in obesity.