Chemerin in atherosclerosis

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Science
• Endocrinology
• Inflammation Research

Background:

• Atherosclerosis (AS) involves endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, and lipid accumulation.
• Adipokines, secreted by adipose tissue, are increasingly linked to cardiovascular diseases like AS.
• Chemerin, an adipokine, is associated with inflammation, metabolic disorders, and vascular cell abnormalities relevant to AS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the role of chemerin and its receptors in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.
• To synthesize current understanding of chemerin's contradictory effects in AS.
• To identify knowledge gaps and suggest future research directions for chemerin in AS.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on chemerin and atherosclerosis.
• Analysis of existing data on chemerin's association with inflammation, endothelial function, and VSMC proliferation.
• Synthesis of evidence regarding chemerin's anti- and pro-atherogenic effects.

Main Results:

• Chemerin exhibits diverse and sometimes conflicting roles in AS, including effects on vascular calcification and endothelial function.
• Its atherogenic or anti-atherogenic impact appears context-dependent and cell-specific.
• Current data highlight significant gaps in understanding chemerin's precise role in AS etiology.

Conclusions:

• Chemerin's multifaceted role in AS pathogenesis requires further investigation.
• Targeted chemerin-based therapies hold potential for innovative AS treatment strategies.
• Future studies should focus on elucidating chemerin's specific functions in different cellular contexts within AS.