Institute of Biochemistry, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.
J Pept Sci. 2014 May;20(5):299-306. doi: 10.1002/psc.2621. Epub 2014 Mar 5.
While genome-wide association studies as well as candidate gene studies have revealed a great deal of insight into the contribution of genetics to obesity development and susceptibility, advances in adipose tissue research have substantially changed the understanding of adipose tissue function. Its perception has changed from passive lipid storage tissue to active endocrine organ regulating and modulating whole-body energy homeostasis and metabolism and inflammatory and immune responses by secreting a multitude of bioactive molecules, termed adipokines. The expression of human vaspin (serpinA12) is positively correlated to body mass index and insulin sensitivity and increases glucose tolerance in vivo, suggesting a compensatory role in response to diminished insulin signaling in obesity. Recently, considerable insight has been gained into vaspin structure, function, and specific target tissue-dependent effects, and several lines of evidence suggest vaspin as a promising candidate for drug development for the treatment of obesity-related insulin resistance and inflammation. These will be summarized in this review with a focus on molecular mechanisms and pathways.
虽然全基因组关联研究以及候选基因研究已经揭示了遗传学对肥胖发展和易感性的巨大影响，但脂肪组织研究的进展极大地改变了人们对脂肪组织功能的理解。脂肪组织的作用已经从被动的脂质储存组织转变为主动的内分泌器官，通过分泌多种生物活性分子（称为脂肪因子）来调节和调节全身能量平衡和代谢以及炎症和免疫反应。人 vaspin（丝氨酸蛋白酶抑制剂 A12）的表达与体重指数和胰岛素敏感性呈正相关，并增加体内葡萄糖耐量，这表明在肥胖时，它在响应胰岛素信号减弱方面发挥代偿作用。最近，人们对 vaspin 的结构、功能以及特定靶组织依赖性效应有了更深入的了解，有几条证据表明 vaspin 是治疗肥胖相关胰岛素抵抗和炎症的药物开发的有希望的候选物。本文将重点介绍分子机制和途径，对这些内容进行综述。
