Novel Adipocytokines: Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-1, Chemerin

Abstract

Given the global increase in obesity, significant research has focused on understanding the role of adipokines, or adipocytokines, on obesity-related pathologies. In the last two decades, hundreds of adipokines have been acknowledged. Monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP) 1, chemerin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) 1 are three such signaling molecules that have recently been classified as adipokines. Although these novel adipokines have clear roles in activities independent of obesity-related pathologies, emerging evidence now identifies their importance in metabolic-related diseases and cancer. This chapter will first provide a brief discussion on the discovery, structure, and receptors for MCP-1, chemerin, and PAI-1. Second, we will discuss the role of these novel adipocytokines on adiposity and subsequent obesity-related diseases. Finally, we will examine the available literature linking MCP-1, chemerin, and PAI-1 to tumorigenesis. Based on the literature, it is clear that these novel adipokines can impact disease pathology as related to obesity and tumorigenesis. The majority of the literature links increased expression of these adipokines to disease pathology. However, there is also evidence implicating that a decrease in these factors can influence obesity and cancer. Thus, it is possible that the role for these adipokines may be dependent on the model. Further, it is likely that the dysregulation of these novel adipokines resulting in either overexpression or underexpression results in an unfavorable outcome.