Research progress on neuregulin 4 regulating lipid metabolism

Neuregulin 4 (NRG4) is a novel fat secretion factor that is mainly expressed and secreted in brown fat. NRG4 specifically binds to epidermal growth factor receptor 4 (ErbB4) on hepatocyte membranes and activates downstream signaling pathways to relieve hepatic steatosis by inhibiting de novo synthesis of lipids, increasing fatty acid oxidation and ketogenesis. NRG4 can also regulate the expression of adipose tissue genes, reduce the insulin resistance of adipocytes, regulate vascular remodeling in adipose tissue, and benefit lipid metabolism. The favorable regulation of lipids by NRG4 may improve obesity-related metabolic disorders and might be a potential therapeutic target for metabolic diseases such as non-alcoholic fatty liver, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.