Impact of fibroblast growth factor 21 on the secretome of human perivascular preadipocytes and adipocytes: a targeted proteomics approach

<i>Context</i>: Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) is suggested to impact on vascular cells via humoral factors, possibly contributing to endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. <i>Objective</i>: To address whether the hepatokine fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21 affects the PVAT secretome. <i>Methods</i>: Human perivascular (pre)adipocytes were subjected to targeted proteomics and whole-genome gene expression analysis. <i>Results</i>: Preadipocytes, as compared to adipocytes, secreted higher amounts of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Adipocytes released higher amounts of adipokines [e.g. adipisin, visfatin, dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP4), leptin; <i>p</i> p p p Conclusion: The hepatokine FGF-21 exerts secretome-modulating effects in human perivascular (pre)adipocytes establishing a new liver-PVAT-blood vessel axis that possibly contributes to vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis.