Five of six eQTL genes are among the top candidate causal genes and the abnormal expression levels of these genes (IRS-1, GRB14, FST, PEPD and PDGFC) in human SAT could be associated with increased risk of IR, T2D and CVD.
Understanding the functions of PDGF-C and PDGF-D and the signaling pathways involved may provide novel insights into both basic biomedical research and new therapeutic possibilities for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Altered expression of the receptors and the ligands have been found in various cardiovascular diseases and current studies have shown important implications of PDGF-C and PDGF-D signaling in fibrosis, neovascularization, atherosclerosis and restenosis.