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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Detalhes 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 documento: artigo
Data de publicação:2013
País:España
Recursos:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositório:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglês
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:184933
Acesso em linha:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/184933
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.4161/adip.22880
Access Level:Acceso aberto
Palavra-chave:Insulina
Teixit adipós
Obesitat
VEGF-A
Adipose tissue
Insulin resistance
Inflammation
Obesity
Descrição
Resumo: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.