New insights into adipose tissue VEGF-A actions in the control of obesity and insulin resistance

Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is classically viewed as a key factor in angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. However, recent evidence suggests a potential role of this growth factor in the control of energy metabolism and adipose tissue function. In this regard, we and others have desc...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Elias Puigdomenech, Ivet|||0000-0002-1304-9597, Franckhauser, Sylvie|||0000-0001-5255-1224, Bosch i Tubert, Fàtima|||0000-0002-7705-5515
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2013
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:184933
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/184933
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.4161/adip.22880
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Insulina
Teixit adipós
Obesitat
VEGF-A
Adipose tissue
Insulin resistance
Inflammation
Obesity
Descripción
Sumario:Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) is classically viewed as a key factor in angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. However, recent evidence suggests a potential role of this growth factor in the control of energy metabolism and adipose tissue function. In this regard, we and others have described the effects of the up and downregulation of VEGF-A in adipose tissue on the control of energy homeostasis. VEGF-A overexpression protects against diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance. The observation that VEGF-A overexpression leads to an increase in brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis and also promotes a "BAT-like" phenotype in white adipose tissue depots is of particular relevance for the understanding of the mechanisms underlying obesity development. In addition, VEGF-A may not only have pro-inflammatory but also anti-inflammatory properties, with a chemotactic activity specific for M2 anti-inflammatory macrophages. This new scientific evidence highlights the importance that VEGF-A actions on metabolism could have on the design of new treatments for obesity, insulin resistance and obesity-related disorders.