IGFBP-2 at the interface of growth and metabolism--implications for childhood obesity.

Abstract

The growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) axis is at the centre of normal human childhood growth. Six well characterised binding proteins (IGFBP-1 to IGFBP-6) act as general carriers of IGF-I, but they also modulate IGF-I bioavailability and activity in a tissue-specific, and developmentally appropriate, manner. Recent findings also point to several binding proteins possessing specific 'lGF-independent' actions and, in particular, there is now substantial evidence linking IGFBP-2 with nutritional status and insulin sensitivity. IGFBP-2 concentrations are reduced in obesity, and further reductions are seen in those with Type 2 diabetes. As IGFBP-2 is the major IGFBP expressed in infancy, and is also the predominant IGFBP produced from adipocytes, it is ideally positioned to act as a keystone between nutrition, growth and metabolism. Childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of long-term morbidity and mortality, but the factors that determine which obese children will develop these long-term complications are not fully understood. IGFBP-2 may be integrally involved in the molecular processes that govern the development of obesity and subsequent weight-related disease. Within this manuscript, we explore the associations between IGFBP-2 and obesity with a particular emphasis on how an increased understanding of the role of IGFBP-2 in metabolism may lead to improvements in the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity.

• Authors: Matthew A Sabin, Vincenzo C Russo, Walid J Azar, Steven W Yau, Wieland Kiess, George A Werther
• Journal: Pediatric endocrinology reviews : PER (Pediatr Endocrinol Rev) Vol. 8 Issue 4 Pg. 382-93 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1565-4753 [Print] Israel
• PMID: 21972778 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2

Topics

• Child
• Child Development (physiology)
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Energy Metabolism (physiology)
• Humans
• Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 (physiology)
• Metabolic Syndrome (metabolism, physiopathology)
• Obesity (metabolism, physiopathology)