A reciprocal inhibitory relationship between adiponectin and mammalian cytosolic thioredoxin

Thioredoxin is a redox protein while adiponectin is an adipokine. Their relationship has been less appreciated. Here we show that in serum of patients with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease, decreased activity of thioredoxin coexists with increased level of adiponectin as partial pressure of arterial oxygen decreases. From the results with adiponectin-knockout mice and in vitro experiments, we have found a reciprocal inhibitory relationship, by which adiponectin inhibits cytosolic thioredoxin (Trx1) expression, whereas serum Trx1 influences adiponectin multimerization. The association between extracellular Trx1 and adiponectin attenuates their functions. This relationship is dynamic, and correlated with a body's physiological conditions.