Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 (FABP-4/A-FABP)

FABP-4, also termed adipocyte fatty-acid binding protein (A-FABP) or AP2, is mainly expressed in adipocytes and macrophages and plays an important role in the development of insulin resistance and atherosclerosis in relation to metaflammation. Elevation of circulating FABP4 levels is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiac dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular events. FABP-4 knockout mice are substantially protected from insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease, despite of increased adipocity.

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In clinical studies, increased circulating FABP-4 levels are found in obese subjects and associated with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, stroke and carotid atherosclerosis.