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Journey from cachexia to obesity by TNF
J M Argilés1, J López-Soriano, S Busquets
1Departament de Bioquímica i Biologia Molecular, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
Summary
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a cytokine, is implicated in both cachexia and obesity. Dysregulation of TNF-alpha production or action contributes to body weight control issues in these conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Metabolic Research
Background:
- Cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), are key regulators of physiological and metabolic processes.
- Historically, TNF-alpha was primarily associated with catabolic states like cachexia.
- Recent evidence highlights TNF-alpha's emerging role in obesity.
Observation:
- TNF-alpha is overexpressed in the adipose tissue of both obese rodents and humans.
- This observation challenges previous assumptions about TNF-alpha's exclusive role in catabolic conditions.
Findings:
- This review reconciles the seemingly opposite roles of TNF-alpha in cachexia and obesity.
- Abnormalities in TNF-alpha production (cachexia) or action (obesity) disrupt normal body weight regulation.
- TNF-alpha may play a critical role in maintaining body mass homeostasis under normal conditions.
Implications:
- Understanding TNF-alpha's dual role can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for both cachexia and obesity.
- Targeting TNF-alpha pathways may offer a unified approach to managing diverse metabolic disorders.
- Further research into TNF-alpha's precise mechanisms in different metabolic states is warranted.