S-resistin inhibits adipocyte differentiation and increases TNFα expression and secretion in 3T3-L1 cells

S-resistin is a non-secretable resistin spliced variant described in white adipose tissue from Wistar rats. Since resistin has been implicated in adipogenesis regulation, here we have investigated the possible role of this new isoform in this process. For that, we have studied the adipocyte development in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line stably expressing s-resistin and resistin. Both isoforms are able to restrain 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte differentiation though affecting differently the expression pattern of pro-adipogenic transcription factors such CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins α and β (C/EBPα and C/EBPβ) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), as well of proteins implicated in lipid metabolism such perilipin, fatty acid synthase (FAS), adipocyte lipid binding protein (ALBP/aP2) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase1 (CPT1). Likewise, both resistin isoforms impair insulin-stimulated glucose transport by decreasing glucose transport 4 (GLUT4) expression but to a different degree. In addition, s-resistin expressing 3T3-L1 cells display other remarkable differences. Thus, in these cells, endogenous resistin expression falls down while tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukine 6 (IL-6) productions are increased along differentiation. These findings indicate that s-resistin isoform also impairs adipocyte differentiation affecting the expression pattern of key pro-adipogenic transcription factors and insulin sensitivity. Additionally, s-resistin may play a role in inflammatory processes.