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Published on: June 3, 2016
Abundance of circulating preadipocyte factor 1 in early life
Francis de Zegher1, Marta Díaz, Giorgia Sebastiani
1Department of Woman and Child, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Insights
Soluble preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) is higher in fetuses that are small for gestational age (SGA) compared to those appropriate for gestational age (AGA). These elevated fetal Pref-1 levels may influence adipocyte development and later diabetes risk.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Metabolic Health
Background:
- Soluble preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) is known to inhibit adipocyte differentiation.
- Understanding factors influencing fetal growth and adiposity is crucial for long-term metabolic health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether circulating soluble Pref-1 levels are elevated in fetuses identified as small for gestational age (SGA) compared to those appropriate for gestational age (AGA).
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of circulating Pref-1 levels in infants born SGA or AGA.
- Measurements were taken in late-gestational women and in newborns on days 2 and 3 postpartum.
Main Results:
- At birth, Pref-1 levels were approximately 100-fold higher than adult levels.
- SGA fetuses exhibited ~50% higher Pref-1 levels than AGA fetuses at birth.
- By 4 months postpartum, Pref-1 levels decreased to near-adult levels, and the SGA/AGA difference vanished.
Conclusions:
- Pref-1 is abundant in fetal circulation and is significantly higher in SGA fetuses.
- The fetal origin of Pref-1 is suggested by its elevated levels in newborns.
- Early-life Pref-1 levels may impact postnatal adipocyte development, adipose tissue expansion, and subsequent susceptibility to type 2 diabetes.
Objective:
Soluble preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1) inhibits adipocyte differentiation. We tested whether circulating levels of soluble Pref-1 are higher in smaller fetuses.
Research Design And Methods:
We performed longitudinal assessments of circulating Pref-1 in infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) or small for gestational age (SGA) and also in late-gestational women and in newborns on days 2 and 3.
Results:
At birth, Pref-1 levels were ~100-fold higher than in adults, being in SGA fetuses ~50% higher than in AGA fetuses. By age 4 months, Pref-1 had reached near-adult levels and the original AGA versus SGA difference had disappeared. Pref-1 levels were low in late-gestational women and were still elevated in newborns.
Conclusions:
Pref-1 is abundantly present in the fetus, is higher in SGA than in AGA fetuses, and is likely to be of fetal origin. We speculate that Pref-1 in early life contributes to variation in postnatal adipocyte numbers, in the subsequent expandability of adipose tissue, and thus in the susceptibility to diabetes in later life.
