Key result
NRG4 expression strongly correlates with TMEM26 in adipose tissue, identifying a novel beige adipocyte marker.
Why the study?
Nrg4 expression has been linked to brown adipose tissue activity and browning of white adipocytes in mice, but whether these observations translate to humans and associate with insulin action was unknown.
Population
Two independent cohorts (N=331 and N=59) with SAT and VAT samples
Comparison
VAT vs SAT and associations with markers of brown/beige adipocytes and insulin action
Design
Observational study in two independent cohorts
Authors
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NRG4 may mark beige adipocytes linked to insulin sensitivity; hypothesis-generating and requires prospective validation before any clinical use.
Cross-Sectional (n=210)
No
Effect estimate: r = 0.77
p-value: p=<0.0001
NRG4 gene expression is identified as a novel marker of beige adipocytes in human adipose tissue, correlating with insulin sensitivity.
Comas et al. (2019) conducted a cross-sectional in Obesity and Insulin Resistance (n=210). NRG4 gene expression vs. Unexposed/Low expression was evaluated on Correlation between NRG4 and TMEM26 gene expression in visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (r = 0.77, p=<0.0001). NRG4 gene expression was significantly positively correlated with TMEM26 gene expression in both visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue, identifying it as a novel marker of beige adipocytes.
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