Kwok Kelvin H M, Lam Karen S L
State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2017 Jun;32(2):145-151. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2017.32.2.145. Epub 2017 May 19.
Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is an atypical member of the FGF family. Acting in an endocrine fashion, it increases glucose uptake, modulates lipid metabolism, and sensitizes insulin response in metabolically active organs, including the liver and adipose tissue. Emerging evidence shows a strong correlation between circulating FGF21 levels and the incidence and severity of atherosclerosis. Animal studies have demonstrated a beneficial role of FGF21 in protecting against aberrant lipid profile, while recent development in FGF21 mimetics has provided further insight into the lipid-lowering effects of FGF21 signaling. The present review summarizes the physiological roles of FGF21, and discusses major breakthroughs and limitations of FGF21 mimetic-based therapeutic strategies for treating atherosclerosis.
成纤维细胞生长因子21（FGF21）是成纤维细胞生长因子（FGF）家族的一个非典型成员。它以内分泌方式发挥作用，可增加葡萄糖摄取、调节脂质代谢，并使包括肝脏和脂肪组织在内的代谢活跃器官中的胰岛素反应敏感化。新出现的证据表明，循环FGF21水平与动脉粥样硬化的发生率和严重程度之间存在密切关联。动物研究已证明FGF21在预防异常脂质谱方面具有有益作用，而FGF21模拟物的最新进展进一步揭示了FGF21信号传导的降脂作用。本综述总结了FGF21的生理作用，并讨论了基于FGF21模拟物的动脉粥样硬化治疗策略的主要突破和局限性。
