C1qtnf3, also known as C1q/TNF-related protein 3 (CTRP3), is a novel adipokine. It belongs to the C1q/TNF superfamily and is involved in modulating metabolism, inflammation, and the cardiovascular system [2,4]. It can normalize blood glucose, modulate cytokine and adipokine expression, and is associated with various biological processes [2].

In murine models, C1qtnf3 plays a role in folliculogenesis. Its transcript abundance is higher in large follicles, and it is mainly detected in granulosa cells and oocytes of growing follicles. Excess androgen decreases its expression, while recombinant C1QTNF3 protein promotes ovarian growth, follicle development, and granulosa cell proliferation, and reduces apoptosis, accompanied by activation of the AKT/mTOR pathway [1]. In two mouse rheumatoid arthritis (RA) models, the expression of C1qtnf3 was highly increased. C1qtnf3 knockout mice showed a higher incidence and severity of collagen-induced arthritis, with higher levels of antibodies against type II collagen and pro-inflammatory cytokine mRNAs, indicating its important role in the development of autoimmune arthritis [3].

In conclusion, C1qtnf3 is a multi-functional adipokine. Model-based research, especially gene knockout mouse models, has revealed its significance in processes like folliculogenesis and in diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Understanding C1qtnf3 can provide insights into the underlying mechanisms of these biological processes and diseases, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies [1,3].

References:

1. Mao, Zhoufei, Yang, Liuhong, Lu, Xiaosheng, Qi, Xufeng, Yu, Yanhong. 2018. C1QTNF3 in the murine ovary and its function in folliculogenesis. In Reproduction (Cambridge, England), 155, 333-346. doi:10.1530/REP-17-0783. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29438034/

2. Yaribeygi, Habib, Rashidfarrokhi, Farin, Atkin, Stephen L, Sahebkar, Amirhossein. 2019. C1q/TNF-related protein-3 and glucose homeostasis. In Diabetes & metabolic syndrome, 13, 1923-1927. doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2019.04.047. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31235116/

3. Murayama, Masanori A, Kakuta, Shigeru, Maruhashi, Takumi, Hattori, Masahira, Iwakura, Yoichiro. 2013. CTRP3 plays an important role in the development of collagen-induced arthritis in mice. In Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 443, 42-8. doi:10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.11.040. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24269820/

4. Li, Ying, Wright, Gary L, Peterson, Jonathan M. 2017. C1q/TNF-Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) Function and Regulation. In Comprehensive Physiology, 7, 863-878. doi:10.1002/cphy.c160044. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28640446/