Comparison of Chemerin Expression in Adipose Tissues: Insights into Its Role in Coronary Atherosclerosis

Background: Chemerin, an adipokine involved in regulating vascular function, inflammation, and tissue remodeling, is expressed in various adipose tissues, including subcutaneous fat (SF) and perivascular adipose tissues (PVAT). Previous studies using adipocyte-specific eNOS knockout mice have shown that chemerin produced by PVAT plays a significant role in vascular health. This study aimed to investigate chemerin expression levels in SF and different PVAT depots in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Methods: Tissues, including serum, vascular samples, SF, and PVAT from the proximal aorta (C-PVAT), internal mammary artery (IMA-PVAT), and saphenous vein (SV-PVAT), were collected from 60 patients (52 men, 8 women; mean age 67 ± 12 years) undergoing elective coronary artery bypass surgery due to established coronary atherosclerosis.

Results: Quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA levels of chemerin, adiponectin, and leptin in these tissues. Chemerin expression was highest in SF (set as 100%), with C-PVAT showing comparable levels (95.9%). In contrast, chemerin expression was significantly lower in IMA-PVAT (37.2%) and SV-PVAT (30.3%). SF also demonstrated the highest mRNA levels of adiponectin and leptin, with reduced expression observed in C-PVAT, IMA-PVAT, and SV-PVAT (adiponectin: 49.8%, 41.4%, 26.4%; leptin: 38.2%, 32.7%, 21.2%, respectively).

Conclusion: The elevated expression of chemerin in C-PVAT compared with other PVAT depots in patients with coronary atherosclerosis suggests a potential role for chemerin in the development of atherosclerosis. These findings highlight the significance of chemerin as a contributor to vascular disease and warrant further investigation into its role in atherogenesis.

Publikationsverlauf

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
11. Februar 2025