Chemerin: A Potential Regulator of Inflammation and Metabolism for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) features chronic inflammatory reactions of both intra- and extrapulmonary nature. Moreover, COPD is associated with abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism in patients, which influences the prognosis and chronicity of this disease. Abnormal glucose and lipid metabolism are also closely related to inflammation processes. Further insights into the interactions of inflammation and glucose and lipid metabolism might therefore inspire novel therapeutic interventions to promote lung rehabilitation. Chemerin, as a recently discovered adipokine, has been shown to play a role in inflammatory response and glucose and lipid metabolism in many diseases (including COPD). Chemerin recruits inflammatory cells to sites of inflammation during the early stages of COPD, leading to endothelial barrier dysfunction, early vascular remodeling, and angiogenesis. Moreover, it supports the recruitment of antigen-presenting cells that guide immune cells as part of the body’s inflammatory responses. Chemerin also regulates metabolism via activation of its cognate receptors. Glucose homeostasis is affected via effects on insulin secretion and sensitivity, and lipid metabolism is changed by increased transformation of preadipocytes to mature adipocytes through chemerin-binding receptors. Controlling chemerin signaling may be a promising approach to improve various aspects of COPD-related dysfunction. Importantly, several studies indicate that chemerin expression in vivo is influenced by exercise. Although available evidence is still limited, therapeutic alterations of chemerin activity may be a promising target of therapeutic approaches aimed at the rehabilitation of COPD patients based on exercises. In conclusion, chemerin plays an essential role in COPD, especially in the inflammatory responses and metabolism, and has a potential to become a target for, and a biomarker of, curative mechanisms underlying exercise-mediated lung rehabilitation.

Assessment of Inflammatory Markers in Children with Cow’s Milk Allergy Treated with a Milk-Free Diet

“…Elevated serum chemerin concentrations and a significant positive correlation of chemerin with the levels of inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α) were observed in several diseases [ 25 , 46 ]. Chemerin plays an essential role in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), where it recruits inflammatory cells to sites of inflammation, leading to endothelial barrier dysfunction, vascular remodeling, and angiogenesis [ 47 ]. Patients with severe persistent asthma often had elevated chemerin levels [ 48 ].…”

Fixed-Combination Halobetasol Propionate and Tazarotene in the Treatment of Psoriasis: Narrative Review of Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Benefits

“…The protein product of TIG2, chemerin, plays a complex role in immune and inflammatory processes. In early stages of inflammation, chemerin coordinates pro-inflammatory immune responses such as the trafficking of plasmacytoid dendritic cells (DCs) to the site of inflammation [ 39 , 40 ]. These DCs are among the most abundant sources of the cytokine IFNα, which stimulates the maturation of immune cells and the production of many other cytokines; thus, activation of DCs may represent an early step in psoriasis pathogenesis [ 41 ].…”

“…Consistent with this, chemerin levels are elevated in new, evolving psoriatic plaques and in pre-lesional dermis relative to normal or uninvolved skin [ 41 ]. In contrast, at the end of inflammation, chemerin transforms to play an anti-inflammatory role [ 40 ]. Consequently, in chronic, non-evolving psoriatic lesions, chemerin expression in the epidermis may favor the clearance of immune cells from inflamed tissue and the restoration of skin homeostasis [ 42 ].…”

The role of cigarette smoke-induced pulmonary vascular endothelial cell apoptosis in COPD

“…It maintains the stability of cellular structure and participates in the life activities of cells [ 107 ]. Studies have shown that glucose production, clearance, oxidation, and glycolysis rates are increased in patients with COPD compared to healthy subjects [ 108 ]. In addition, CS exposure has been shown to reduce glycolysis in type II cells [ 109 ].…”