title: Update on the pathophysiological activities of the cardiac molecule cardiotrophin-1 in obesity.
abstract: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is a heart-targeting cytokine that has been reported to exert a variety of activities also in other organs such as the liver, adipose tissue, and atherosclerotic arteries. CT-1 has been shown to induce these effects via binding to a transmembrane receptor, comprising the leukaemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR β ) subunit and the glycoprotein 130 (gp130, a common signal transducer). Both local and systemic concentrations of CT-1 have been shown to potentially play a critical role in obesity. For instance, CT-1 plasma concentrations have been shown to be increased in metabolic syndrome (a cluster disease including obesity) probably due to adipose tissue overexpression. Interestingly, treatment with exogenous CT-1 has been shown to improve lipid and glucose metabolism in animal models of obesity. These benefits might suggest a potential therapeutic role for CT-1. However, beyond its beneficial properties, CT-1 has been also shown to induce some adverse effects, such as cardiac hypertrophy and adipose tissue inflammation. Although scientific evidence is still needed, CT-1 might be considered as a potential example of damage/danger-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) in obesity-related cardiovascular diseases. In this narrative review, we aimed at discussing and updating evidence from basic research on the pathophysiological and potential therapeutic roles of CT-1 in obesity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva and Geneva University Hospital, Foundation for Medical Researches, Geneva 4, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asrih
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mach
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Quercioli
authors.forename: Franco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dallegri
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montecucco
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000378:metabolism; D009765:Obesity / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C092073:cardiotrophin 1