Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026

Merging Absolute and Relative Quantitative PCR Data to Quantify STAT3 Splice Variant Transcripts
Published on: October 9, 2016
An alternative spliced variant of circulating soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor-2 is paradoxically
José Manuel Fernández-Real1, Marek Straczkowski, Begoña Lainez
1Section of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Nutrition, University Hospital of Girona Dr. Josep Trueta, Ctra. França s/n, 17007 Girona, Spain. uden.jmfernandezreal@htrueta.scs.es
Objective:
Serum concentrations of soluble tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) receptor 2 (sTNFR2) are associated with insulin resistance. In a recent study, we provided evidence for the existence of a biologically active form of sTNFR2 produced by alternative splicing (DS-TNFR2). We aimed to evaluate whether this circulating DS-TNFR2 is associated with insulin action in humans.
Design And Methods:
Real time PCR (light cycler technology) evaluated DS-TNFR2 expression in monocytes. DS-TNFR2 was measured using a monoclonal antibody against an epitope present in TNFR2 (first 14 residues of the juxtamembrane region) but predicted to be absent in soluble proteolytic cleavage-produced TNFR2. Insulin sensitivity was measured using euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp (n = 76) and homeostatic model of assessment (HOMA) value in a replication study of 223 subjects.
Results:
Real time PCR confirmed gene expression of DS-TNFR2 in monocytes from healthy subjects. A significant and positive association was found between serum DS-TNFR2 concentration and insulin sensitivity (P = 0.032, n = 76). This association was most significant in subjects with normal glucose tolerance (r = 0.44, P = 0.002). The subjects in whom DS-TNFR2 was detectable were more insulin sensitive than those with undetectable DS-TNFR2 (42.12+/-22.08 vs 31.71+/- 16.95 micromol x kg(-1) x min(-1), P = 0.039). DS-TNFR2 was inversely associated with body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, serum triglycerides and serum uric acid concentration and with the HOMA value (P = 0.03) in the replication study. Circulating DS-TNFR2 declined with increased number of components of the metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion:
Native sTNFR2 and DS-TNFR2 show opposite associations with insulin action. DS-TNFR2 might play a role as a counterpart of the proinflammatory environment associated with insulin resistance.
More Related Videos
08:32Studying the Hypothalamic Insulin Signal to Peripheral Glucose Intolerance with a Continuous Drug Infusion System into the Mouse Brain
Published on: January 4, 2018
08:34Precise Visualization of Insulin Receptors A and B in Murine Brain with an RNA In Situ Hybridization Assay
Published on: July 15, 2025
Related Concept Videos
RNA Splicing
Alternative RNA Splicing
There are five types of alternative RNA splicing that vary in the ways the pre-mRNA segments are removed or retained in the mature mRNA. The first...
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways