Fatty-acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), also termed adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (A-FABP), or aP2, is a novel adipocyte-expressed factor which accounted for ~6% of total cellular proteins. Several animal experiments suggested that FABP-4 plays a key role in the link between obesity and various features of metabolic syndrome. Mice with targeted disruption of FABP-4 accompany FABP-5 almost completely protect against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Studies in human found FABP-4 serum levels were significantly increased in overweight and obese subjects, which predicted the risk to develop a metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, serum FABP-4 levels were associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, carotid atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.
Relevant recent publications:
1. Adiponectin and adipocyte fatty acid binding protein in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Xu A, Vanhoutte PM. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol. 2012 302(6):H1231-40
2. Small lipid-binding proteins in regulating endothelial and vascular functions: focusing on adipocyte fatty acid binding protein and lipocalin-2. Wang Y. Br J Pharmacol. 2012 165(3):603-21.
3. Adipocyte fatty acid binding protein: a novel adipokine involved in the pathogenesis of metabolic and vascular disease. Kralisch S, Fasshauer M. Diabetologia. 2013 56(1):10-21.
