title: From infancy to aging: Biological and behavioral modifiers of Fetuin-A.
abstract: Fetuin-A is a multifunctional protein which inhibits ectopic calcification and insulin receptor phosphorylation. It may also promote insulin resistance by activation of toll-like receptor 4 pro-inflammatory cascade. Increased levels of Fetuin-A have been associated with obesity and related comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, therefore, it has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target for intervention. However, in addition to its role in disease pathophysiology, Fetuin-A is also important for growth and development. Thus, before evaluating Fetuin-A as a biomarker or pharmacological target, an understanding of Fetuin-A variability throughout the life cycle is essential. This manuscript reviews the current body of knowledge surrounding Fetuin-A throughout the life cycle and discuss challenges to studying Fetuin-A.
authors.affiliation: Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bevier Hall, MC-182, 905 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bevier Hall, MC-182, 905 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
authors.forename: Katie N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Illinois Transdisciplinary Obesity Prevention Program, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bevier Hall, MC-182, 905 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bevier Hall, MC-182, 905 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA; Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Bevier Hall, MC-182, 905 S Goodwin Avenue, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. Electronic address: teranmd@illinois.edu.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teran-Garcia
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood*; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C495345:TLR4 protein, human; D051197:Toll-Like Receptor 4; D060749:alpha-2-HS-Glycoprotein
keywords: AHSG; Alpha2-Heremans Schmid glycoprotein; Fetuin-A