Adipocyte C1QTNF5 expression is BMI-dependently related to early adipose tissue dysfunction and systemic CTRP5 serum levels in obese children

Background/Objectives: The recently identified adipocytokine C1QTNF5 (encodes for CTRP5) has been demonstrated to inhibit pro-metabolic insulin signaling in adipocytes. We hypothesized that adipocyte C1QTNF5 expression in subcutaneous (sc) adipose tissue (AT) would correlate with the degree of obesity, systemic CTRP5 serum levels, and early AT and metabolic dysfunction in children. Subjects/Methods: Sc AT samples were obtained from 33 healthy Caucasian lean children aged 10.06±4.84 years and 42 overweight and obese children aged 13.34±3.12 years. C1QTNF5 expression in sc AT as well as in investigated cell lines was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR. Systemic CTRP5 levels were assessed by ELISA. Results: C1QTNF5 expression in sc adipocytes increased with body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS; R =0.48, P