title: Adiponectin as an anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory adipokine in the liver.
abstract: Hepatic fibrosis is a dynamic process resulting from excessive deposition of extracellular matrix in the liver; uncontrolled progression of fibrosis can eventually lead to liver cirrhosis and/or hepatocellular carcinoma. The fibrogenic process is complex and modulated by a number of both hepatic and extra-hepatic biological factors. Growing evidence indicates that adipokines, a group of cytokines produced by adipose tissue, impart dynamic functions in liver and are involved in modulation of hepatic fibrosis. In particular, two key adipokines, adiponectin and leptin, directly regulate many biological responses closely associated with development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Leptin acts as a pro-fibrogenic cytokine, while adiponectin possesses anti-fibrogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Adiponectin, acting via its cognate receptors, adiponectin receptors 1 and 2, potently suppresses fibrosis and inflammation in liver via multiple mechanisms. This review summarizes recent findings concerning the role of adiponectin in fibrogenic process in liver and addresses the underlying molecular mechanisms in modulation of fibrosis.
authors: College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsangbuk-do 712-749, Republic of Korea.
authors: Pil-Hoon
authors: PH
authors: Park
authors: Department of Pathobiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44195.
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Sanz-Garcia
authors: Department of Pathobiology, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Ave, Cleveland OH 44195; Departments of Molecular Medicine and Nutrition, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland OH 44190.
authors: Laura E
authors: LE
authors: Nagy
keywords: Adiponectin; Fibrosis; Inflammation; Liver