sFRP-5 (human) (recombinant)

Soluble frizzled-related proteins (sFRPs) are modulators of Wnt signaling through direct interaction with Wnts. They regulate cell growth and differentiation in specific cell types. sFRP-5 is an anti-inflammatory adipokine that modulates metabolic dysfunction in obesity. It is secreted by adipocytes and controls the microenvironment of white adipose tissue under conditions of metabolic stress. After secretion sFRP-5 sequesters Wnt5a, preventing noncanonical pathway activation. In the obesity state, adipocytes enlarge and secrete more Wnt5a but less sFRP-5. Macrophages present in the obese adipose tissue respond to Wnt5a excess and produce proinflammatory cytokines that lead to insulin resistance. sFRP-5 was also suggested to be involved in determining the polarity of photoreceptor cells in the retina.