Adipokine Contribution to the Pathogenesis of Osteoarthritis

Figure 9

Vaspin signaling. Vaspin binds its receptor, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) GRP78, and activates the expression of Bcl-2 and downregulates that of Bax. Moreover, vaspin stimulates the PI3K signaling pathway with a specific phosphorylation of ERK and AKT. Vaspin has antiapoptotic effects in vascular endothelial cells and human osteoblasts.