Dysregulated production of adipokines from adipose tissue plays a critical role in the development of obesity-associated cardiovascular abnormalities. A group of adipokines, including adipocyte fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) and lipocalin-2, possess specific lipid-binding activity and are up-regulated in obese human subjects and animal models. They act as lipid chaperones to promote lipotoxicity in endothelial cells and cause endothelial dysfunction under obese conditions. However, different small lipid-binding proteins modulate the development of vascular complications in distinctive manners, which are partly attributed to their specialized structural features and functionalities. By focusing on A-FABP and lipocalin-2, this review summarizes recent advances demonstrating the causative roles of these newly identified adipose tissue-derived lipid chaperones in obesity-related endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular complications. The specific lipid-signalling mechanisms mediated by these two proteins are highlighted to support their specialized functions. In summary, A-FABP and lipocalin-2 represent potential therapeutic targets to design drugs for preventing vascular diseases associated with obesity.
Linked articles: This article is part of a themed section on Fat and Vascular Responsiveness. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2012.165.issue-3.
© 2011 The Author. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.