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Comment
. 2018 Aug;10(8):e9431.
doi: 10.15252/emmm.201809431.

AAV-mediated gene therapy as a strategy to fight obesity and metabolic diseases

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Comment

AAV-mediated gene therapy as a strategy to fight obesity and metabolic diseases

Carlos Henrique Sponton et al. EMBO Mol Med. 2018 Aug.

Abstract

The fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a member of the FGF superfamily that now comprises 22 members identified in humans. Unlike the canonical role of most FGF family members, FGF21 is released into the circulation and acts as an endocrine hormone by binding with low affinity to FGF receptors (FGFRs) as well as to the co‐receptor β‐klotho in the target cells to trigger the ERK1/2 and MAPKs signaling pathways. Described initially as a hepatokine, subsequent studies identified significant amounts of FGF21 transcript in the pancreas, the adipose tissue, and the skeletal muscle. FGF21 expression is highly regulated by environmental stimuli such as starvation, ketogenic diet, cold exposure, and exercise.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. AAVFGF21 gene therapy improves metabolic health in diet‐induced obesity mice (DIO)
Jimenez and colleagues demonstrated that adeno‐associated virus (AAV)‐mediated FGF21 expression promotes the following metabolic benefits in indicated tissues.

Comment on

  • FGF21 gene therapy as treatment for obesity and insulin resistance.
    Jimenez V, Jambrina C, Casana E, Sacristan V, Muñoz S, Darriba S, Rodó J, Mallol C, Garcia M, León X, Marcó S, Ribera A, Elias I, Casellas A, Grass I, Elias G, Ferré T, Motas S, Franckhauser S, Mulero F, Navarro M, Haurigot V, Ruberte J, Bosch F. Jimenez V, et al. EMBO Mol Med. 2018 Aug;10(8):e8791. doi: 10.15252/emmm.201708791. EMBO Mol Med. 2018. PMID: 29987000 Free PMC article.

References

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    1. Jimenez V, Jambrina C, Casana E, Sacristan V, Muñoz S, Darriba S, Rodó J, Mallo C, Garcia M, León X et al (2018) FGF21 gene therapy as treatment for obesity and insulin resistance. EMBO Mol Med 10: e8791 - PMC - PubMed

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