The extracellular matrix remodelling and receptor activation in obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction

Obesity-associated insulin resistance is linked to increased deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as collagens, hyaluronan and fibronectin in insulin-responding tissues including cardiac and skeletal muscle, liver, and adipose tissue. It has been shown that excess ECM deposition can activate their cell membrane receptors triggering intracellular signalling and leading to metabolic detrimental effects. However, how fibrosis occurs and exerts its metabolic impacts on the pathophysiology of obesity and cardiometabolic dysfunction is unknown. In this project, we aim to use in vivo and ex vivo approaches to investigate how ECM-receptor signalling in insulin sensitive tissues regulates glucose and energy homeostasis and examine the therapeutic potential of blocking this pathway for reversal of the obesity-related metabolic dysfunction.

References

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