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Increased plasma HB-EGF associated with obesity and coronary artery disease
Satoru Matsumoto1, Ken Kishida, Iichiro Shimomura
1Department of Internal Medicine and Molecular Science, Graduate School of Medicine, B5, Osaka University, 2-2, Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan.
Insights
Obesity increases vascular disease risk. This study shows increased heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) from fat contributes to this link, suggesting HB-EGF is a key adipocytokine in the adipovascular axis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Biology
- Metabolic Syndrome Research
- Adipose Tissue Biology
Background:
- Obesity is linked to vascular disease, but the underlying mechanisms are unclear.
- Adipose tissue secretes bioactive molecules called adipocytokines.
- Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (HB-EGF) is implicated in vascular smooth muscle cell migration and proliferation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of HB-EGF in the relationship between obesity and vascular disease.
- To determine if HB-EGF acts as an adipocytokine linking adipose tissue to the vasculature.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative analysis of HB-EGF mRNA expression in human adipose tissue.
- Assessment of HB-EGF mRNA levels in adipose tissue of obese mice.
- Correlation analysis of plasma HB-EGF levels with body fat accumulation in humans.
- Comparison of plasma HB-EGF levels in subjects with and without coronary artery disease.
Main Results:
- HB-EGF mRNA is highly expressed in human adipose tissue.
- Obesity in mice shows increased HB-EGF mRNA in fat tissue.
- Plasma HB-EGF levels correlate positively with fat accumulation in humans.
- Elevated plasma HB-EGF levels are observed in individuals with coronary artery disease, linked to fat accumulation.
Conclusions:
- Increased plasma HB-EGF, originating from accumulated fat, contributes to the higher incidence of vascular disease in obesity.
- HB-EGF is proposed as a novel adipocytokine that bridges the adipovascular axis.
- Targeting HB-EGF may offer therapeutic strategies for obesity-related vascular complications.
Abstract:
The mechanism by which the obese subjects are more associated with vascular disease remains unclear. We reported that the adipose tissues produce and secrete many bioactive molecules, conceptualized as adipocytokines. Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor (HB-EGF), produced locally by vascular macrophages and smooth muscle cells, has been suggested to induce the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. The current study reveals that (1) HB-EGF mRNA is abundantly expressed in human adipose tissue, (2) HB-EGF mRNA increases in the fat tissues of obese mice, (3) plasma HB-EGF levels increase in parallel with fat accumulation in human, and (4) the subjects with coronary artery disease have higher plasma HB-EGF levels, associated with fat accumulation. These results suggest that increased plasma HB-EGF derived from the accumulated fat contributes to the higher incidence of vascular disease in obesity, proposing HB-EGF as an adipocytokine directly linking adipovascular axis.