Adipogenesis and WNT signalling

Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2009 Jan;20(1):16-24. doi: 10.1016/j.tem.2008.09.002. Epub 2008 Nov 13.

Abstract

An inability of adipose tissue to expand consequent to exhausted capacity to recruit new adipocytes might underlie the association between obesity and insulin resistance. Adipocytes arise from mesenchymal precursors whose commitment and differentiation along the adipocytic lineage is tightly regulated. These regulatory factors mediate cross-talk between adipose cells, ensuring that adipocyte growth and differentiation are coupled to energy storage demands. The WNT family of autocrine and paracrine growth factors regulates adult tissue maintenance and remodelling and, consequently, is well suited to mediate adipose cell communication. Indeed, several recent reports, summarized in this review, implicate WNT signalling in regulating adipogenesis. Manipulating the WNT pathway to alter adipose cellular makeup, therefore, constitutes an attractive drug-development target to combat obesity-associated metabolic complications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adipogenesis / genetics*
  • Adipogenesis / physiology
  • Animals
  • Energy Metabolism / genetics
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Humans
  • Inflammation Mediators / physiology
  • Mesenchymal Stem Cells / physiology
  • Models, Biological
  • Obesity / etiology
  • Obesity / genetics
  • PPAR gamma / physiology
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / physiology*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / physiology

Substances

  • Inflammation Mediators
  • PPAR gamma
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin