Cytokine Functions in Metabolic Disorders
Summary
Cytokines are soluble mediators that orchestrate communication between immune cells and metabolic tissues, thereby influencing energy balance, glucose homeostasis and lipid metabolism. In metabolic disorders such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, an imbalance between pro-inflammatory cytokines (for example tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6) and anti-inflammatory counterparts (such as interleukin-10 and adiponectin) promotes insulin resistance, ectopic lipid accumulation and vascular dysfunction. Cytokine signalling pathways—including JAK/STAT, NF-κB and AMPK cascades—regulate tissue-specific responses in adipose, hepatic and muscle cells, as well as the recruitment and activation of macrophages and other innate immune populations. Recent advances have revealed a novel subset of adipose-derived cytokines known as C1q/TNF-related proteins (CTRPs), which contribute to the cross-talk between metabolic and inflammatory networks. Understanding the dual roles of cytokines as both metabolic regulators and immune effectors offers new avenues for diagnostic biomarkers and targeted therapies in the management of cardiometabolic disease.
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Cytokine Functions in Metabolic Disorders publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in cytokine functions in metabolic disorders across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Cytokine: A signalling protein released by cells of the immune system that influences cellular behaviour and communication.
Adipokine: A bioactive cytokine secreted by adipose tissue, regulating metabolism and inflammatory responses.
Insulin resistance: A pathological state in which cells fail to respond effectively to insulin, impairing glucose uptake.
Gluconeogenesis: The metabolic pathway by which the liver produces glucose from non-carbohydrate substrates.
Metabolically healthy obesity: A phenotype characterised by excess adiposity without the typical metabolic derangements of obesity.
C1q/TNF-related proteins (CTRPs): A family of adipose-derived cytokines that integrate immune signalling and metabolic regulation.
References
- C1q/TNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6) links obesity to adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2017).
- Loss of CTRP10 results in female obesity with preserved metabolic health.. eLife (2025).
- C1q/TNF-related Protein-3 (CTRP3), a Novel Adipokine That Regulates Hepatic Glucose Output*. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2010).
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