Cardiotrophin-1 is from interleukin (IL)-6 family of cytokines. It is mainly present in adipose tissues, osteoclasts and cardiomyocytes. Cardiotrophin-1 works through gp130 (glycoprotein) and the LIFR (LIF receptor).
In adipocytes, cardiotrophin-1 helps in activating signaling pathways associated with metabolism. It controls energy homeostasis, and glucose and lipid metabolism. High levels of cardiotrophin-1 are reported in obesity and metabolic syndrome. Absence of cardiotrophin-1 in mice causes mature-onset obesity, insulin resistance and hypercholesterolemia. In osteoclasts, it enhances osteoblast activity as well as mineralization. It also participates in cardiomyocyte survival, hypertrophy, cardiac fibroblast proliferation and collagen type I synthesis. Cardiotrophin-1 is associated with arterial fibrosis and stiffness.
