Chemerin in human cardiovascular disease

Adipose tissue, initially known only for storing excess fat, produces a number of active cytokine-like hormones, collectively known as adipokines or adipocytokines. These molecules are further known to elicit auto-, para- and endocrine functions in the body. In healthy bodies, the cardiovascular endothelium maintains vascular health by critically controlling the interplay between various factors. However, in diseased states such as obesity, owing to numerous metabolic malfunctions, this vascular homeostasis is disrupted. The dysregulated metabolic stimuli perturb vascular homeostasis via initiating or exacerbating the pre-existing inflammatory processes. These inflammatory processes further recruit immune cells to the site of injury, alter cell adhesion molecule expression, and reduce Nitric Oxide levels. These altered mechanisms result in increased blood pressure, endothelial cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis. In this review article, we aim to evaluate the current literature in understanding the role of Chemerin in vascular health and furthermore, its role in maintaining vascular homeostasis with respect to inflammation, obesity and associated Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) risk factors. For over fifteen years, a growing body of research has been published studying Chemerin in the disease states associated with obesity, MetS and cardiovascular disease. Chemerin appears to form an integral link between obesity and related dysfunctional cardiometabolic states as well as in inflammation and immune-system related complications. These combine to suggest a significant Chemerin role in human vascular health and disease.