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Review
. 2022 Aug 7;10(8):1910.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10081910.

Chemerin: A Functional Adipokine in Reproductive Health and Diseases

Ming Yu  1   2   3 , Yali Yang  1   2   3   4 , Chen Huang  1   2   3 , Lei Ge  1   2   3   4 , Li Xue  1   2   3   4 , Zhonglin Xiao  1   2   3 , Tianxia Xiao  1   2   3 , Huashan Zhao  1   2   3 , Peigen Ren  1   2   3 , Jian V Zhang  1   2   3
Affiliations
Review

Chemerin: A Functional Adipokine in Reproductive Health and Diseases

Ming Yu et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

As a multifaceted adipokine, chemerin has been found to perform functions vital for immunity, adiposity, and metabolism through its three known receptors (chemokine-like receptor 1, CMKLR1; G-protein-coupled receptor 1, GPR1; C-C motif chemokine receptor-like 2, CCRL2). Chemerin and the cognate receptors are also expressed in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, testis, ovary, and placenta. Accumulating studies suggest that chemerin participates in normal reproduction and underlies the pathological mechanisms of certain reproductive system diseases, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), preeclampsia, and breast cancer. Herein, we present a comprehensive review of the roles of the chemerin system in multiple reproductive processes and human reproductive diseases, with a brief discussion and perspectives on future clinical applications.

Keywords: CMKLR1; GPR1; PCOS; chemerin; preeclampsia; pregnancy; reproduction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The characteristics of chemerin isoforms and the three receptors. (A) The characteristics of known chemerin isoforms are summarized based on Buechler et al. [19] and Ernst et al. [20]. (B) The known characters of CMKLR1, GPR1, and CCRL2 in terms of chemerin affinity and certain GPCR signaling features are summarized.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The biological functions of the chemerin system in physiological reproductive processes. The emerging information about the roles of the chemerin system in the HPG axis (A), embryo implantation (B), and placentation (C). r-chemerin, recombinant chemerin.
Figure 3
Figure 3
The roles of the chemerin system in reproductive system diseases. The emerging knowledge about the roles of the chemerin system in reproductive system diseases, including PCOS, endometriosis, preeclampsia, GDM, breast cancer, and ovary cancer. Up-regulated levels of chemerin were found in PCOS (serum, FF, and tissues), endometriosis (PF and tissues), and preeclampsia (serum and tissues), indicating a potential diagnostic value for clinical application. The expression status of the chemerin system in GDM, breast cancer, and ovarian cancer requires further verification. Inhibition of CMKLR1 showed potential therapeutic effects for PCOS (Cmklr1−/− and nanobodies) and preeclampsia (α-NETA). Inhibition of GPR1 showed potential therapeutic effects for PCOS (Gpr1−/− and antibodies), GDM (shRNA), and breast cancer (GPR1-BP). r-chemerin or chemerin-OE displayed a potential anti-breast cancer effect. FF, follicular fluids; PF, peritoneal fluids; r-chemerin, recombinant chemerin. KD, knockdown; OE, overexpression; GPR1-BP, GPR1-binding peptide.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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