Progranulin: at the interface of neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases.

•Progranulin is a secreted glycoprotein found in plasma and CSF.•Progranulin has growth factor-like and inflammation-related properties.•Progranulin deficiency causes a neurodegenerative disease – frontotemporal dementia.•Obese and type 2 diabetic individuals have increased serum progranulin levels.•Grn−/− mice are protected from diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance.