Adiponectin receptors, with special focus on the role of the third receptor, T-cadherin, in vascular disease

There is increasing acknowledgment of the public health burden of metabolic syndrome. The metabolic syndrome is defined as emerging cardiovascular risk factors, or atherosclerosis, that are related to underlying insulin resistance. One of the adipokines, adiponectin, has antiatherogenic effects and augments the metabolic effects of insulin. To reduce mortality from cardiovascular disease, it is important to understand the pathophysiological properties of adiponectin and receptors in atherosclerotic regions. Recently, T-cadherin, which has been recognized as a unique cadherin molecule, has been characterized as a novel adiponectin receptor on vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle. Notably, T-cadherin (also known as CDH13, cadherin 13, and H-cadherin) is abundantly expressed in injured vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells in atherosclerotic regions. In the present review, we describe recent progress in research on adiponectin receptors, with emphasis on the unique vascular adiponectin receptor, T-cadherin, and its role in vascular disease.