Exosome Research Hub

Exploring the Role of Exosomes in Cancer, Inflammation and Metabolic Diseases

Adipokines in Cancer and Metabolic Diseases

Key Overview

Adipokines regulate metabolic homeostasis and tumor microenvironment through exosomal communication. Circulating levels altered in obesity (leptin ↑400%, adiponectin ↓50% in BMI >30)1.

Inflammatory Regulation

Leptin (OB gene product) Adiponectin Resistin
  • Leptin: Activates JAK2/STAT3 pathway (OR=3.2 for cancer progression)2
  • Adiponectin: Anti-inflammatory via AMPK activation (↓NF-κB)
  • Exosomal miR-155 from adipocytes ↑TNF-α production by 2.8x3

Tumor Microenvironment Modulation

Pro-Tumorigenic Effects

  • VEGF upregulation (↑1.9x angiogenesis)4
  • MMP-9 secretion via exosomal Wnt5a
  • Chemoresistance through IL-8/CXCR1 axis

Key References

  1. Kershaw EE, 2004 (PMID: 15181022)
  2. Park J, 2010 (Cancer Res)
  3. Ying W, 2017 (Nature Comm)
  4. Cao Y, 2021 (J Clin Invest)

Related Pathways

Adipokine Signaling Review Fibrosis Mechanisms