Wang Y. Small lipid-binding proteins in regulating endothelial and vascular functions: focusing on adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and lipocalin-2.
Br J Pharmacol 2012;
165:603-21. [PMID:
21658023 PMCID:
PMC3315034 DOI:
10.1111/j.1476-5381.2011.01528.x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Revised: 05/26/2011] [Accepted: 05/31/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
UNLABELLED
Dysregulated production of adipokines from adipose tissue plays a critical role in the development of obesity-associated cardiovascular abnormalities. A group of adipokines, including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and lipocalin-2, possess specific lipid-binding activity and are up-regulated in obese human subjects and animal models. They act as lipid chaperones to promote lipotoxicity in endothelial cells and cause endothelial dysfunction under obese conditions. However, different small lipid-binding proteins modulate the development of vascular complications in distinctive manners, which are partly attributed to their specialized structural features and functionalities. By focusing on A-FABP and lipocalin-2, this review summarizes recent advances demonstrating the causative roles of these newly identified adipose tissue-derived lipid chaperones in obesity-related endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular complications. The specific lipid-signalling mechanisms mediated by these two proteins are highlighted to support their specialized functions. In summary, A-FABP and lipocalin-2 represent potential therapeutic targets to design drugs for preventing vascular diseases associated with obesity.
LINKED ARTICLES
This article is part of a themed section on Fat and Vascular Responsiveness. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue-3.
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