CTRP6 as a negative regulator of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage polarization

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Background Chronic low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue, primarily driven by macrophages, plays a central role in obesity pathophysiology. C1q/TNF-related protein 6 (CTRP6), a member of the CTRP family, has emerged as a key regulator of this inflammatory process. Here, we demonstrate that CTRP6 expression is upregulated in adipose tissue macrophages during obesity, where it acts as a potent modulator of macrophage polarization by suppressing M2 polarization. Methods In RAW264.7 macrophages, we distinguished M1 and M2 polarization, induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + interferon-gamma (IFNγ) and interleukin (IL)-4, respectively, by selecting two marker genes for each polarization type from a set of five widely used markers, based on a time-course analysis. We then assessed the effects of recombinant CTRP6 protein treatment on M1 and M2 polarization. Finally, we validated our findings in primary bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Results In naïve RAW264.7 macrophages, recombinant CTRP6 protein upregulated M1 marker genes ( Tnf , Nos2 ) while downregulating M2 markers ( Mrc1 , Pparg ). During M1 polarization induced by LPS+IFNγ, CTRP6 treatment had no significant effect. However, during IL-4-induced M2 polarization, CTRP6 not only enhanced M1 markers but also strongly suppressed M2 markers by inhibiting anti-inflammatory signal transducer and activator of transcription

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

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