Visfatin (pre-B cell colony-enhancing factor) gene expression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Visfatin, also known as pre-B cell colony enhancing factor, is a cytokine-like protein originally cloned from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) as a factor that enhances differentiation of pre-B cells in synergy with interleukin 7 (IL-)7 and stem cell factor.1 Visfatin is mainly produced in visceral white adipose tissues, and shows an insulin-like effect by binding to insulin receptors.2 Generally, visfatin is regarded as an adipokine, and elevated levels of serum visfatin in patients with type 2 diabetes,3 and obesity,4 have been reported. Interestingly, in visceral adipose tissues, macrophages seem to be the major source …